In the city of Stuttgart (Germany) on the square there is a fountain called «Night Watchman». In his right hand, the law enforcement officer holds a lantern, in his left – a halberd, and a dog sits next to him.

The profession of a watchman has long been very important and useful. The role of the guardian of order in the lives of both individuals and entire nations is described in many works of literature, as well as depicted in paintings.

The story goes that the watchman carried special equipment with him. In particular, he had to carry a light source — a torch, a lantern or a kerosene lamp. No less important were the sound alarm devices: they served as a whistle and a hunting horn, or bugle. If necessary, the guard could use a weapon to protect himself from intruders.

One of the most important tasks of the watchman is to warn about the impending danger. His sharp eyes could often save him from great misfortune. But if the warnings of even the most responsible guardian in the world are ignored, how useful is his work? He can only help himself.

Here is what is written in the Bible about the work of the watchman: «The word of the Lord came to me: Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves». (Ezekiel 33:1-5).

Now the watchman in the life of every person is the Bible — the Word of God. The Lord has given us many wise warnings, pointing out that their violation will lead to serious consequences. God did not leave man in the unknown: through the Scriptures, He will help to find a way out of any situation.

You will learn more about this from the sermon of Taras Sen in the program «So says the Bible».

Has there ever been a situation in your life when a person made you a promise and did not keep his word? This has probably happened to everyone. It hurts to be betrayed, doesn’t it?

It is not without a reason that the popular proverb says: «It is easy to promise, but it is difficult to do.» A person may simply forget about his words or, on the contrary, deliberately fail to fulfill the promise. Then the relationships that have been built for years collapse. Mountains of resentment and hatred grow between close people. Where can we find support and help in such circumstances?

The best way is to turn to the Bible. It contains answers to all the questions that have always worried every person. For thousands of years, God has made His promises to mankind, and today, through Scripture, we can use these words in relation to our lives. Everything that the Lord says is done down to the smallest detail.

Our Creator is just and righteous. He wants everyone to be ready to accept the promises He makes. To do this, we need to fulfill the conditions that the Lord sets for us, and if we are faithful, God, for his part, will do everything that He says. 

If you want God’s promises to work in your life, you need to get closer to the Heavenly Father. Trust His Word, and then you can get wise advice for all occasions!

God has promised each person the following:

1. God’s love endures forever. «For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.» (Isaiah 54:10)

2. The mercy of the Heavenly Father is available to everyone who repents of their sins. «If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us» (1 John 1:10)

3. God will never leave. «Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest» (Joshua 1:9).

4. The Lord gives strength to the weary. «He strengthens those who are weak and tired…But those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed.They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak» (Isaiah 40:29, 31).

5. God is our salvation and our protection. «Then in their trouble they called to the Lord, and he saved them from their distress.He brought them out of their gloom and darkness and broke their chains in pieces.They must thank the Lord for his constant love, for the wonderful things he did for them.He breaks down doors of bronze and smashes iron bars» (Psalms 107:13-16).

6. God’s salvation is available to people all over the world. «For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life» (John 3:16).

7. God satisfies our needs. «And with all his abundant wealth through Christ Jesus, my God will supply all your needs» (Phillipians 4:19).

8. God always comforts us. «Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord, for you are with me. Your shepherd’s rod and staff protect me» (Psalms 23:4).

9. God hears our prayers. «Call to me when trouble comes; I will save you, and you will praise me» (Psalms 50:15).

10. With God, everything is good. «We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose» (Romans 8:28).

You can learn more about God’s promises from the TV program «so says the Bible» with Pastor Taras Sen.

We are waiting for Christ to come. And what precedes this event can be read in the book of Revelation. This is the time of the reign of the Antichrist, the lifting of the seals, the pouring out of the bowls of wrath and the 7 trumpets that bring trouble to this land. The reason for punishments is immeasurable sins.

The ninth chapter of this book describes the event, which is going to happen: when the sixth angel sounded, a great disaster occurred – a third of humanity was destroyed. Why does God allow viruses, cataclysms, and wars? Among the main causes are cruelty, fornication, drunkenness, deception, pride, disobedience, witchcraft, and other sins that are not ignored. Can a loving Father not intervene by looking at the offended and their abusers?

Then a terrible picture is described-the people who survived did not repent of their crimes. The Lord revealed to the Apostle John five main sins that will continue to anger the Lord.

The first is demon worship. The Bible teaches us to worship only God-to recognize Him as the master, to exalt Him above all, to consider Him an Authority.

But the deeds of the people tell a different story – they have taken the values of the devil into their hearts. He can inculcate his evil through movies and cartoons, TV series, TV programs, songs, and even children’s toys. These are occult, satanic things. Vampires, sorcerers, and psychics, belief in horoscopes and talismans – in short, everything that is not from God, which is not allowed in the Bible. Most people in times of adversity have stopped praying, but they wear talismans, hang horseshoes, and hope for some toys that they can protect. People willingly turn to horoscopes, but do not want to take the Bible in their hands. By doing this, they open their lives to the dark forces. And the consequences of this are aggression, emptiness in the soul, unwillingness to live.

The second sin is the worship of gold, wood, and copper gods. But such gods do not see, walk, or hear. If such gods or healers are not able to help, you should know that the Lord has such power. Call him, read his Word, submit to Him. A large number of people have chosen atheism: they do not want to listen to God, and in their pride they want to do as they please. The Almighty will not tolerate this forever. An idol is what comes first for a person. And you don’t have to make an idol of anyone, it can even be a personal «Me» – everything for me, as I want. Money, hobbies, internet, car, traditions, ideas, opinions of others, pleasure, politics – everything that is above the Lord and the Bible.

The third sin is murder. People may not do this, but simply support this sin. 150,000 abortions are performed every day in the world. At the same time, people still ask the question: «Why does God allow bad things to happen?».

The fourth is debauchery. To a large extent, it is manifested today: fornication, adultery, divorce, TV programs and films of depraved content. Sodom and Gomorrah is a modern culture. Same – sex unions and other perversions are imposed that are disgusting to the Lord and those people who still have common sense. Other types of debauchery- pedophilia, bestiality, masturbation, prostitution, seductive clothing, etc.

The last, fifth sin – people do not admit guilt in their theft. Most are willing to take someone else’s despite God’s eighth commandment «Don’t steal». About 50 families have half the world’s wealth, and millions of people are dying of hunger. According to the UN, 6,000,000 children per year die from lack of food. That’s 16,500 a day. And 32,000 adults die every day from diseases caused by overeating.

People choose their master. It is up to us whether we will be blessed by God or crippled by the devil. To free yourself from the power of Satan, you need to sincerely believe in Jesus Christ, repent of your sins, and humble yourself before the Lord. He has prepared a beautiful city in Heaven, and we will enter it if we love Christ with all our heart.

The Lord is waiting, make the right choice!