Feast of Trumpets

  Iniquity Shall Abound – 2022

(Sermon Notes)  By Warren Zehrung  9/26/2022

I blew my ram’s horn shofar at sunset last evening – welcoming the Feast of Trumpets, the new moon, and the first day of the seventh month, as I have done for many, many years – and I will blow it again now.

That shout out – the sound of the shofar – symbolizes the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet of God!

One of the greatest gifts God has given to this era of His Church is a knowledge of His Feasts – His appointed times that point us to The True God and an understanding of how He is working out His Plan for mankind.

We come together on these Holy Days because they are the Holy Convocations God has prepared for us.  We come before God on these days because He has the answers we desperately need.

James 4:8  Draw near to God, and He will draw nigh to you.

Brethren, there are three terms that we commonly refer to on the Feast of Trumpets.  They are “Seals,”  “Trumpets,” and “Vials.”  Please do not let then confuse you.

Jesus Christ has seen to it that we have a great number of explanations of the retribution that will be poured out on the earth in these last days.  It is good if you have your own chart to follow along.  The “Seven Seals,” are first, followed by the “Seven Trumpets,” and the last of the “Seven Trumpets are the “Vials.”

We are told that only Jesus can open the Seals that open the way to understanding these last events before His return.

The seventh seal consists of the seven trumpets, each signaling a massive, earth shattering cataclysm.  God is going to shake this earth powerfully and more furiously than since before He created man. 

The President of the United States’ divisive diatribe at Independence Hall in Philadelphia three weeks ago on September 1st looked and sounded as though it was delivered from the gates of hell, and his speed clearly violated his pledge of unity.  As we come into the Fall Holy Days this year, it seems that the current Administration has charted a new course for our nation.

God is not pleased with us.  The Beast power is on the rise:

2Thessalonians 2:7  The mystery of iniquity is already at work.

The fall season has arrived this week and we have come to the Feast of the LORD known as the Feast of Trumpets.  God says of these holy convocations, even these are My Feasts. 

In the Old Testament the sounding of the shofar was alarming.  A blast of the shofar was a warning indicator of imminent danger.  Today, that alarm is fully warranted and justified. 

I would have never thought that our Israelitish nations would have sunk so morally low, so fast! 

I do not recognize my nation.  Let me point out a few of my concerns about the way our nation is now headed.  Will God turn things around – or will we be plunged into the loss of our nation?

Right now, the state of our nation is abysmal, iniquity abounds in every sector.  God gives us the leaders we deserve.  There were no good kings of Israel—and that is where we find our US leadership today.  Look at the state of our nation today:

Point #1

• There is rejection of our Creator God,
• There is an absence of faith,
• There is an acceptance of abortion, a grievous sin of murder,
• We have increasing governmental religious persecution,

In Canada and England there are men in prison for reading the Holy Scriptures – we in the US are not very far behind in religious persecution.

God tells us to expect persecution.  Paul explains:

2Thessalonians 1:4  …in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: 

The Judgment at Christ’s Coming

2Thessalonians 1:5  Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 

2Thessalonians 1:6  Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 

2Thessalonians 1:7  And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 

2Thessalonians 1:8  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 

2Thessalonians 1:9  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 

2Thessalonians 1:10  When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

• Rejection of a person’s God given gender,

Pre-school children are being disfigured for life.

• Broken families are increasingly the norm,

The percentage of single parent homes keeps getting higher and higher.

• Government fraud and abuse,
• Injustice by the rogue DOJ and the lawless judges in the system,
• Lack of support for demoralized police leading to increased crime,
• A rash of banking failures with many on the verge of financial collapse.
• The breakdown of academia resulting in godless education,

Young children are systematically being taught lies about our nation’s founding.

• Irresponsible runaway spending, hyperinflation and a failed economy,
• The broken border and an increase in dangerous illegal drugs,
• Man-made epidemics and forced immunization,
• Widespread election fraud,
• A loss of civil rights for those who support American values,
• A feckless military, unable to defend the US.
• A loss in freedom of speech, resulting in imprisonment.
• Inordinate taxes, and insider trading by US leadership.
• The cutting-off of oil and gas in support of the Green New Deal, leading to inflationary prices and shortages of fertilizer.

This narrative concerning, the Green New Deal, global warming, and climate change continues to be harped on because of what is coming from God in the form of judgments.  

We are for taking care of the environment – making the USA the cleanest nation on earth.

Revelation 11:18  The nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged… and should destroy them which destroy the earth.

If every car in the United States was replaced with a bicycle, it would hardly make a dent in the entire world’s carbon footprint because the “Green New Deal,” “Climate Change,” the “Green Movement,” and the “Green Revolution” are false suppositions championed by Babylon the Great (Revelation 18:2).  They seek a great “Reset,” which leads to a one world government.

Satan is ensuring that the people are so convinced of this theory that there will be very few who actually understand that repentance through Jesus Christ would remedy all of these causes and points.

2Chronicles 7:14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 

But as the normalization of sin continues, this global warming theory, along with other false narratives are being propagated, and sadly believed by a pretty good percentage of the population.  Brethren, let’s stay focused on the Word of God.

• Rivers and lakes drying up… Lake Mead is down 184 feet as the Western US is in drought conditions. A key component of the western U.S. water system, Lake Powell is currently filled to just 26 percent of capacity.  It is down by 166 feet.

But as far as determining whether we receive adequate rainfall, or the temperature variations, hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, ultimately our Creator has the final say.

The deception and lies we hear – will run even deeper once we reach the final stages of this age before our Savior returns.

2Thessalonians 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, [it is still coming] and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 

2Thessalonians 2:4  Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he [man of sin] as god sits in the Temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. [But, he is not]

Controlling how people reason and believe, has been Satan’s modus operandi from our beginnings in the Garden of Eden.  This is Satan’s last all out assault!  What we are seeing is just the beginning!  Speaking of the Man of Sin:

2Thessalonians 2:9  Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

Brethren, do not look for a man working wonderful miracles because, the man of sin will be working wonderful miracles.  Do not be taken in by him, because he gets his power from Satan.  The very elect will be deceived if it were possible. (Matthew 24:24).  This is a warning to us, because it is about to happen.  The lies have begun already.

2Thessalonians 2:10  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 

2Thessalonians 2:11  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

Jesus will have His retribution on the Man of Sin:

2Thessalonians 2:8  And then shall that Wicked [One] be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 

Revelation 20:10  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

• Poor farming and agricultural practices resulting in food shortages. Already, we see shortages of fertilizer bringing about the destruction of nations like Sri Lanka and Ghana because of oil scarcities.
• Wrongful personal data intelligence gathering,
• Wrongful targeting and intimidation by IRS agents against only one part of the population,
• Hi-tech blocking of internet users by misuse of cyber technology,

Just try to get both sides of a story from Google – it is all one sided – the side of the growing Beast power…

• A number of super-rich individuals and clandestine corporations that are able to overwhelm oversight agencies and restraints,
• All systems are tending toward ungodliness and corruption,
• Erosion of the God blessed culture inherited from our founding fathers.
• The last point I’ll make is this – we haven’t seen anything yet! It is going to get much, much worse, to the point that if Jesus did not intervene, there would be no flesh saved alive (Matthew 24:22).

These and other godless policies lead to our loss of blessings, and are the very reason that God is going to send the Trumpet Plagues.  It is easy to become involved in this quagmire, but God warns us not to get caught up in it:

Ephesians 5:11  Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.

These and many more issues cause one to have the Mark of the Beast. 

We must avoid the Mark of the Beast with all our might – our salvation depends on it.

Here is how the Mark of the Beast works:  When your job or your reputation requires that you support and back the outlaw US Administration and offending organizations, the woke’s criminal position is that you must by all means support it and submit to it, if you do not wholeheartedly uphold their status quo by going along with it, you will get fired, you will lose your job, you will be raided by an FBI assault SWAT team, and you will not be able to make a living.  The definition of woke was originally meant to be alert to injustices in society, but has devolved into an unjust standing against all law and order, things Godly, and especially angrily stirring up racial hate.  We used to call it, “selling your soul to the devil.”  Wokeness is the beginning of the mark of loyalty to those who are lawless and Godless workers of iniquity.  It is the Mark of the Beast.  It might not be visible – but it is indelibly tied to you.  Without that “mark” you will not be able to buy or sell:

Revelation 13:17  And that no man might buy or sell, except he that had the mark, or the name of the Beast, or the number of his name.

Six is the number of a man.  Six, six, six, “666” represents the ultimate and worst decision a man could possibly make—the mark of the Beast.  Their agenda strikes fear in those who do not go along with the Beast Power.

Recently when an FBI agent refused to break down the door – SWAT style of January 6 misdemeanor allegation, he was fired – now he is a whistle blower.   Long time Hospital workers – doctors and nurses – are being fired for refusing to take the COVID vaccine.

There is a great unseen force – behind the scenes – calling the shots.  There is no recourse.  FAA flight controllers – same fate.  Federal Aviation Administration fires its controllers for non-compliance.

The FBI raided the home of a Catholic pro-life speaker and author, with guns drawn as his terrified kids watch.  “The kids were all just screaming. It was all just very scary and traumatic.”  Even lifetime military men are singled out – removed – sometimes with the loss of their pension.

The establishment’s tools are first, compulsion, then intimidation, coercion, fear tactics, pressure – even strong-arming, oppression and jail.  It is just like what has happened to many of the January 6 rally goers who were in the wrong place at the wrong time.  They are not in prison because of their trumped up misdemeanors …

Those government victims are in prison to strike fear in the hearts of those who would resist their domination and oppression.  Brethren, do not think, “There is safety in numbers.”  The temptation to “go along,” just to get along is never acceptable to God. 

When put in a situation like the above, you must take a stand for Godly principles.  It is a point of faith that we stand on the side of God.  Make up your mind NOW what you would say and do if a SWAT team broke down your front door.

Remember that God is our rear-guard.  Jesus alone is our Deliverer – that is exactly what the name JESUS means.  He is allowing this abuse of power – ultimately for His greater honor and Glory.  That is the time to guard our tongue and let our light shine.

Luke 21:12  But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. 

Luke 21:13  And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 

Luke 21:14  Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 

Luke 21:15  For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 

Luke 21:16  And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 

Luke 21:17  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. 

Luke 21:18  But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 

Luke 21:19  In your patience possess ye your souls. 

Luke 21:20  And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 

Luke 21:21  Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter there into. 

Luke 21:22  For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 

Luke 21:23  But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 

Revelation 16:1  And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

Revelation 6:16  And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

Revelation 6:17  For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Revelation 14:19  And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

Revelation 15:1  And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues [vials, bowls]; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

Revelation 15:7  And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever.

There is a real and present danger lurking over the Church of God, putting God’s people at risk.  God says that many of His people will succumb to the woke majority.  At the very time when we thought to ourselves that end-time things are working out, shaping up just as we always expected they would, there is a new prospect that we must contend with, and that is the likelihood that many brethren will be drawn into the woke crowd’s movement that will compromise their valued beliefs. 

Unfortunately, God says that many – in order to be counted with the woke establishment – will make the wrong choice.  I will show you where Jesus warns us about this very scenario.

We saw it happen before when so many people stayed with the apostate Worldwide Church of God which seemed to them to be the valid authority.  When the apostasy reared its ugly head, I even had brethren tell me that the established Worldwide Church of God was the safer alternative.  They left God’s word out of the equation. 

God says it will happen again, they will foolishly go along with the powerful government departments – DOJ, FBI, CIA, IRS, etc., etc., rejecting everything that is good and right in God’s eyes – and be drawn down with their demise. 

Jesus is coming against all unrighteousness – that is exactly what this Feast of Trumpets depicts.  We are speaking of the Day of the LORD and the wrath of God.  The wrath of God is the Vials of the seventh and last Trumpet.  Paul has the events of the Feast of Trumpets in mind when he says:

Romans 1:18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 

God calls the present rejection of Him and His blessings – iniquity:

Matthew 24:12  Because iniquity shall abound, the love [agape] of many shall wax cold.

We see iniquity abounding like never before.  Brethren, if everything seems OK to you – if everything is alright with you – please study, pray harder, and draw nearer to God.

Those in the world do not possess the true [agape] love of God.  This verse is a terrible and dire warning to the Church of God. 

How do we know that this Scripture speaks directly to us, the Church brethren?  The answer is that only the converted brethren possess true Godly agape love.

The Tribulation is nearer than we think.  God’s saints need to keep their focus exclusively on God – lest they be caught up and demoralized by the divisive rhetoric.

Russia’s war on Ukraine is escalating.  There are real threats of nuclear war – some are suggesting; we could easily be on the verge of WWIII.  Jesus said:

Matthew 24:6  You shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Our resurrection to reign and rule with Jesus Christ will come at the sounding of the very last Trumpet. 

Do not be mistaken: The Trumpets (Plural) begin to sound on a Feast of Trumpets, but the last Trumpet, the resurrection Trumpet, (singular) will be sounded on a coming Feast of Pentecost. 

It is wise for us to study out the sequence of the Holy Days and the sounding of the Trumpets of the Lord.  The great day of the wrath of the Lamb is coming and no one will be able to stand against the LORD.  Jesus is coming soon, and it will not be what most people are expecting.  The wrath of God is coming against all evil lawless men. 

Request a Trumpets Chart from warrenzehrung@gmail.com

When the Seventh Seal – Seventh Trumpet – Seventh Vial are finished, the countdown to the return of Jesus Christ will be complete.

Jesus will eradicate all ungodliness and the unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth of God.  Jesus is coming to prepare this earth for His Millennial rule.  He is coming in retribution against Godless men – especially for their harsh treatment of His saints.

 

END:  Iniquity Shall Abound 22