Judgment is coming!

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Judgmentiscoming!

• Zephaniah 12-6

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Archimedes
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(No Transcript)
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• Many will be just like Archimedes that boy at
  Disney World!

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• Many will be just like Archimedes that boy at
  Disney World!
• As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming
  of the Son of Man. For as in those days before
  the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying
  and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah
  entered the ark, and they were unaware until the
  flood came and swept them all away, so will be
  the coming of the Son of Man (Mt 2437-39, ESV).

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• Many will be just like Archimedes that boy at
  Disney World!
• Mt 2437-39.
• While people are saying, There is peace and
  security, then sudden destruction will come upon
  them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman,
  and they will not escape (1 Thess 53, ESV).

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Judgment is Coming!whether or not people realize
it!
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• The rich farmer had no idea that judgment was
  coming.

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• The rich farmer had no idea that judgment was
  coming.
• He was planning on building big barns having a
  nice life.

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• The rich farmer had no idea that judgment was
  coming.
• He was planning on building big barns having a
  nice life.
• Fool! This night your soul is required of you,
  and the things you have prepared, whose will they
  be? (Lk 1220, ESV).

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• The rich farmer had no idea that judgment was
  coming.
• He was planning on building big barns having a
  nice life.
• Fool! This night your soul is required of you,
  and the things you have prepared, whose will they
  be? (Lk 1220, ESV).
• This man is the definition of fool!

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• The rich farmer had no idea that judgment was
  coming.
• He was planning on building big barns having a
  nice life.
• Fool! This night your soul is required of you,
  and the things you have prepared, whose will they
  be? (Lk 1220, ESV).
• This man is the definition of fool!
• He was making plans for this life, but he forgot
  to make plans for judgment!

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• It is appointed for man to die once, and after
  that comes judgment (Heb 927, ESV).

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• It is appointed for man to die once, and after
  that comes judgment (Heb 927, ESV).
• The author doesnt say, There might be judgment
  after death.

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• It is appointed for man to die once, and after
  that comes judgment (Heb 927, ESV).
• The author doesnt say, There might be judgment
  after death.
• Rather, there is judgment after death!

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How many people are oblivious to impending doom?
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Zephaniah 12-6
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• The people of Judah had no idea that Judgment is
  Coming!

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• The people of Judah had no idea that Judgment is
  Coming!
• At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps,
  and I will punish the men who are complacent,
  those who say in their hearts, The LORD will not
  do good, nor will he do ill. Their goods shall
  be plundered, and their houses laid waste. Though
  they build houses, they shall not inhabit them
  though they plant vineyards, they shall not drink
  wine from them (112-13).

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• The people of Judah had no idea that Judgment is
  Coming!
• At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps,
  and I will punish the men who are complacent,
  those who say in their hearts, The LORD will not
  do good, nor will he do ill. Their goods shall
  be plundered, and their houses laid waste. Though
  they build houses, they shall not inhabit them
  though they plant vineyards, they shall not drink
  wine from them (112-13).
• These people believed God would do nothingeither
  good or evil.

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• The people of Judah had no idea that Judgment is
  Coming!
• God says, You just wait! Ill show you what I
  can do!

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• Granted, the context of this passage is the
  coming Babylonian Captivity.

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• Granted, the context of this passage is the
  coming Babylonian Captivity.
• But, from this passage, we can learn important
  things about our future judgment.

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JUDGMENT IS COMING UPON THE WHOLE WORLD

• vv 2-3

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• I will utterly sweep away everything from the
  face of the earth, declares the LORD. I will
  sweep away man and beast I will sweep away the
  birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, and
  the rubble with the wicked. I will cut off
  mankind from the face of the earth, declares the
  LORD (vv 2-3, ESV).

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• Zephaniah pairs man beast (created on the 6th
  day) and birds fish (created on the 5th day).

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• Zephaniah pairs man beast (created on the 6th
  day) and birds fish (created on the 5th day).
• This pairing demonstrates that every living thing
  is going to be destroyed.

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• Zephaniah pairs man beast (created on the 6th
  day) and birds fish (created on the 5th day).
• This pairing demonstrates that every living thing
  is going to be destroyed.
• The prophet, thus, demonstrates the totality
  the severity of Gods judgment.

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• This texts uses some of the same imagery as Moses
  does in describing the Flood.

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• This texts uses some of the same imagery as Moses
  does in describing the Flood.
• Face of the earth occurs throughout the Flood
  narrative.

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• This texts uses some of the same imagery as Moses
  does in describing the Flood.
• Face of the earth occurs throughout the Flood
  narrative.
• This illustrates the totality of judgment.

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• This texts uses some of the same imagery as Moses
  does in describing the Flood.
• Face of the earth occurs throughout the Flood
  narrative.
• This illustrates the totality of judgmentjust as
  everything was destroyed in the Flood, everything
  would be destroyed in this judgment.

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• The judgment at the end of the world is so total
  that no one shall escape.

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• The judgment at the end of the world is so total
  that no one shall escape.
• Before Christ will be gathered all the
  nations, and he will separate people one from
  another as a shepherd separates the sheep from
  the goats (Mt 2532, ESV).

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• The judgment at the end of the world is so total
  that no one shall escape.
• Mt 2532.
• He will render to each one according to his
  works to those who by patience in well-doing
  seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will
  give eternal life but for those who are
  self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey
  unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury
  (Rom 26-8, ESV).

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• The judgment at the end of the world is so total
  that no one shall escape.
• Mt 2532.
• Rom 26-8.
• I saw the dead, great and small, standing before
  the throne, and books were opened (Rev 2012,
  ESV).

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What if you case is called before the Lord today?
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What if you case is called before the Lord today?

• Are you ready for the day when God will sweep
  away everything?

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JUDGMENT IS COMING UPON THE HOUSE OF GOD

• vv 4-6

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• I will stretch out my hand against Judah and
  against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and I
  will cut off from this place the remnant of Baal
  and the name of the idolatrous priests along with
  the priests, those who bow down on the roofs to
  the host of the heavens, those who bow down and
  swear to the LORD and yet swear by Milcom, those
  who have turned back from following the LORD, who
  do not seek the LORD or inquire of him (vv 4-6,
  ESV).

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• Zephaniah begins with general judgment then
  narrows his focus to include Gods people.

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• Zephaniah begins with general judgment then
  narrows his focus to include Gods people.
• Judah had been privileged to know Gods word
  they would, thus, receive a stricter judgment.

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• Zephaniah begins with general judgment then
  narrows his focus to include Gods people.
• Judah had been privileged to know Gods word
  they would, thus, receive a stricter judgment.
• That is also a New Testament principle.

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• Zephaniah begins with general judgment then
  narrows his focus to include Gods people.
• Judah had been privileged to know Gods word
  they would, thus, receive a stricter judgment.
• That is also a New Testament principle.
• It is time for judgment to begin at the
  household of God and if it begins with us, what
  will be the outcome for those who do not obey the
  gospel of God? (1 Pt 417, ESV).

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• Zephaniah begins with general judgment then
  narrows his focus to include Gods people.
• Judah had been privileged to know Gods word
  they would, thus, receive a stricter judgment.
• That is also a New Testament principle.
• 1 Pt 417.
• That servant who knew his masters will but did
  not get ready or act according to his will, will
  receive a severe beating (Lk. 1247, ESV).

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It is only right that the house of God receives a
stricter judgment!
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• God would cut off from Jerusalem the remnant of
  Baal and the name of the idolatrous priests.

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• God would cut off from Jerusalem the remnant of
  Baal and the name of the idolatrous priests.
• The fact that there is a remnant of Baal may
  indicate that Josiah had begun his reforms.

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• God would cut off from Jerusalem the remnant of
  Baal and the name of the idolatrous priests.
• The fact that there is a remnant of Baal may
  indicate that Josiah had begun his reforms.
• Manasseh rebuilt the high places that Hezekiah
  his father had destroyed, and he erected altars
  for Baal and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of
  Israel had done, and worshiped all the host of
  heaven and served them (2 Ki. 213, ESV).

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• God would cut off from Jerusalem the remnant of
  Baal and the name of the idolatrous priests.
• The fact that there is a remnant of Baal may
  indicate that Josiah had begun his reforms.
• 2 Ki. 213.
• Josiah destroyed much of that idolatry.

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• God would cut off from Jerusalem the remnant of
  Baal and the name of the idolatrous priests.
• The fact that there is a remnant of Baal may
  indicate that Josiah had begun his reforms.
• 2 Ki. 213.
• Josiah destroyed much of that idolatry They
  chopped down the altars of the Baals in his
  presence, and he cut down the incense altars that
  stood above them. And he broke in pieces the
  Asherim and the carved and the metal images, and
  he made dust of them and scattered it over the
  graves of those who had sacrificed to them (2
  Chr. 344, ESV).

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• God would cut off from Jerusalem the remnant of
  Baal and the name of the idolatrous priests.
• The fact that there is a remnant of Baal may
  indicate that Josiah had begun his reforms.
• Josiahs reforms may just not have fully taken
  root.

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• God would cut off from Jerusalem the remnant of
  Baal and the name of the idolatrous priests.
• The fact that there is a remnant of Baal may
  indicate that Josiah had begun his reforms.
• Josiahs reforms may just not have fully taken
  root.
• This remnant had to be eradicated.

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• God would cut off from Jerusalem the remnant of
  Baal and the name of the idolatrous priests.
• The fact that there is a remnant of Baal may
  indicate that Josiah had begun his reforms.
• Josiahs reforms may just not have fully taken
  root.
• This remnant had to be eradicated.
• No person loyal to YHWH could be allowed to
  continue worshiping Baal.

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• Evil cannot go unchecked.

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• Evil cannot go unchecked.
• Those in Judah needed to be on guard for those
  loyal to Baal.

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• Evil cannot go unchecked.
• Those in Judah needed to be on guard for those
  loyal to Baal.
• We must be on our guard for those who would
  propagate error.

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• Even when churches largely do right, so may be
  devoted to error.

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• Even when churches largely do right, so may be
  devoted to error.
• Many deceivers have gone out into the world,
  those who do not confess the coming of Jesus
  Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver
  and the antichrist (2 Jn 7, ESV).

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• Even when churches largely do right, so may be
  devoted to error.
• 2 Jn 7.
• I am astonished that you are so quickly
  deserting him who called you in the grace of
  Christ and are turning to a different gospel
  (Gal. 16, ESV).

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We must be careful that no remnant of Baal is
in our midst.
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• God would cut off those who bow down on their
  roofs to the host of the heavens.

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• God would cut off those who bow down on their
  roofs to the host of the heavens.
• Flat roofs provided a clear view of the stars a
  good place for altars.

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• God would cut off those who bow down on their
  roofs to the host of the heavens.
• Flat roofs provided a clear view of the stars a
  good place for altars.
• Moses instructed Gods people not to worship the
  stars (Deut 419).

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• God would cut off those who bow down on their
  roofs to the host of the heavens.
• Flat roofs provided a clear view of the stars a
  good place for altars.
• Moses instructed Gods people not to worship the
  stars (Deut 419).
• Manasseh introduced this worship (2 Ki 213, 5).

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• God would cut off those who bow down swear to
  him and yet swear by Milcom.

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• God would cut off those who bow down swear to
  him and yet swear by Milcom.
• Milcolm was an Ammorite god also known as Molech.

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• God would cut off those who bow down swear to
  him and yet swear by Milcom.
• Milcolm was an Ammorite god also known as Molech.
• You shall not give any of your children to offer
  them to Molech, and so profane the name of your
  God I am the LORD (Lev. 1821).

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• The sin here was syncretism.

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• The sin here was syncretism.
• The Jews were taking some of the religion of
  their neighbors mixing it with the worship of
  YHWH.

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• The sin here was syncretism.
• The Jews were taking some of the religion of
  their neighbors mixing it with the worship of
  YHWH.
• God makes clear that his truth does not mix with
  error.

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• The sin here was syncretism.
• The Jews were taking some of the religion of
  their neighbors mixing it with the worship of
  YHWH.
• God makes clear that his truth does not mix with
  error.
• Doing so is like mixing oil water.

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• These Jews had divided hearts.

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• These Jews had divided heartsthey wanted to
  serve God, but they wanted to hold on to the
  things of the world.

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• These Jews had divided heartsthey wanted to
  serve God, but they wanted to hold on to the
  things of the world.
• If we are to please God, we cannot serve him with
  divided hearts.

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• There has long been a tendency for people to
  serve God with divided loyalty.

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• There has long been a tendency for people to
  serve God with divided loyalty.
• The people of Samaria feared the LORD but also
  served their own gods, after the manner of the
  nations from among whom they had been carried
  away (2 Ki. 1733, ESV).

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• There has long been a tendency for people to
  serve God with divided loyalty.
• The people of Samaria feared the LORD but also
  served their own gods, after the manner of the
  nations from among whom they had been carried
  away (2 Ki. 1733, ESV).
• You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup
  of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the
  Lord and the table of demons (1 Cor. 1021,
  ESV).

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• We must serve God with whole hearted devotion.

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• We must serve God with whole hearted devotion.
• You shall worship the Lord your God and him only
  shall you serve (Mt. 410, ESV).

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• We must serve God with whole hearted devotion.
• You shall worship the Lord your God and him only
  shall you serve (Mt. 410, ESV).
• Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
  Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your
  hearts, you double-minded (Js. 48, ESV).

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Sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish, I
give my heart and my hand to this vote.
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Adams knew there was no turning back!
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Adams knew there was no turning back!

• When we come to Christ, there is no turning back!

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• God would cut off those who had turned back from
  following him did not seek him or inquire of
  him.

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• God would cut off those who had turned back from
  following him did not seek him or inquire of
  him.
• These Jews had turned back from following the
  Lord.

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• There is a real danger that Christians will do
  the same.

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• There is a real danger that Christians will do
  the same.
• About half of those who come to Christ, turn back.

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• There is a real danger that Christians will do
  the same.
• About half of those who come to Christ, turn
  back.
• God has no desire that we turn back from him.

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• There is a real danger that Christians will do
  the same.
• About half of those who come to Christ, turn
  back.
• God has no desire that we turn back from him.
• No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks
  back is fit for the kingdom of God (Lk. 962,
  ESV).

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• There is a real danger that Christians will do
  the same.
• About half of those who come to Christ, turn
  back.
• God has no desire that we turn back from him.
• No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks
  back is fit for the kingdom of God (Lk. 962,
  ESV).
• My righteous one shall live by faith, and if he
  shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him
  (Heb. 1038, ESV).

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Have you turned back?
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• Judgment is Coming!

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• Judgment is Coming!
• Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his
  holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to
  convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of
  ungodliness that they have committed in such an
  ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that
  ungodly sinners have spoken against him (Jude
  14-15, ESV).

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• Is it not foolish to be living in this world
  without a thought of what you will do at last? A
  man goes into an inn, and as soon as he sits
  down, he begins to order his wine, his dinner,
  his bed there is no delicacy in season which he
  forgets to bespeak. He stops at the inn for some
  time. By and by, the bill is forthcoming, and it
  takes him by surprise. I never thought of that!
  I never thought of that! Why, says the
  landlord, here is a man who is either a born
  fool, or else a knave. What! Never thought of the
  reckoning, never thought of settling with me!
  After this fashion, too many lie. They eat and
  drink and sin, but they forget the inevitable
  hereafter, when, for all deeds done in the body,
  the Lord will bring us into judgment.

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Are you thought of that reckoning?
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Are you thought of that reckoning?

• Are you prepared for that reckoning?