Isaiah 28:18: “Your agreement with death and the world of the dead will be broken. Then angry, roaring waves will sweep over you.”
Currently, a deadly transition in world opinion is occurring regarding Israel, not because they are Jews but rather their zealous leaders have abandoned caution in the eyes of a keenly observant world. As a result, the momentary lapse in self-awareness of their public image will soon trigger grave hardships.
To avoid this same pitfall, Jesus warned his followers, "Listen! I am sending you out just like sheep to a pack of wolves. You must be as cautious as snakes and as gentle as doves" (Matt. 10:16).
Currently, many unwitting church members have forgotten Christ's wise counsel. Briefly feeling empowered in this secular world, they have abandoned the circumspect spiritual lifestyle that Jesus advocated to instead play "fast and loose" on a political stage. Forsaking the Golden Rule, many have adopted a new mantra of "Anything is fair as long as our side does it!" However, this corrupt, carnal mindset represents a transient "covenant with death and the world of the dead," to be followed by angry waves of rising public opinion that will flood the entire church!
Just as careless Israel will face universal condemnation, naive individuals in the church (who live thoughtless spiritual lives) will soon bring reproach and persecution to the whole body of Christ.
This is precisely what happened to Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego! While being honorable young men, they suffered the Babylonian Captivity along with the guilty members of their society. Thus, no one in the church is exempt from facing the same overspreading shame and ridicule due the deceived perpetrators among us.
Here is the problem, according to John: "Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. ... Jesus said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. ... I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness'" (John 3:19, John 8:12, John 12:46).
Jesus told us God is light and doesn't have any darkness in him. Now we are telling you. If we say we share in life with God and keep on living in the dark, we are lying and are not living by the truth. If we say we have not sinned, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth isn't in our hearts. If we say we have not sinned, we make God a liar, and his message isn't in our hearts (1 John 1:5-10).
Some might defiantly deny their sin, but if the "light" they profess is their own creation for self-righteous justification instead of heaven's pure and holy illumination, God will hold them accountable for their error: "Look, all you who kindle a fire, who encircle yourselves with sparks: Walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled — this you shall have from my hand: You shall lie down in torment" (Isaiah 50:11).
By defending evil and calling it God's will, we are surrounded by burning embers and thereby set our world ablaze: "You are headed for trouble when you say wrong is right and darkness is light" (Isaiah 5:20).
