"By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." — Heb_11:7.
​
WE DO well to give heed to the description given of the "days of Noah, for our Lord said, that as it was in those days, so shall it be in the days that close the present age (Mat_24:37-39). The world of that time had made great progress in the arts and civilization of life. But, as it has happened repeatedly all through human history, great luxury produced infamous immorality, cruelty, and widespread indifference to the claims of God. Things took place in those olden times which have their counterpart in the great cities of our time. In its feverish atmosphere sin of every kind abounded, and in mercy to the race, there was no alternative than to bring that wicked generation to an end. "They ate, they drank; they married, and were given in marriage, and knew not, till the flood came and carried them all away."
Amidst all this, Noah lived an unblemished and righteous life. He walked in daily converse with God (Gen_6:8-9). His Almighty Friend was able to reveal to him His intentions. "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him, and He will show them His covenant."

Keep near to God, that you may hear the accents of His still small voice. Our happiest experience is when we walk with Him in unbroken fellowship, and He takes us into covenant with Himself. Through any one individual, whose heart is perfect toward Him, God will save others. We too shall cross the Flood of Death and enter the new life of Resurrection, but we must be quick to detect His voice, and our hands deft to fulfil the revelations of our Divine Teacher and Friend. (Our Daily Walk)

No One Knows That Day and Hour
Mat 24:36  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 
Mat 24:37  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 
Mat 24:38  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 
Mat 24:39  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of
​ the Son of man be. 

(Excerpt from David Guzik)
Jesus says that His coming will be when the world is as it was in the days of Noah.
“But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”
a. As the days of Noah were: Jesus explained what He meant by the days of Noah. It means life is centered around the normal things: eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage. In other words, life will be business as usual; reprobate perhaps, but usual.
i. We should also remember that the days of Noah were also marked by violence and demonic oppression (Gen_6:1-5).
b. And did not know until the flood came and took them all away: Though the people in the days of Noah were warned, judgment eventually came. To those who had ignored the warnings, it came suddenly and unexpectedly.
i. In this, there is a dilemma. How can Jesus come to a “business as usual” world, and a world experiencing the worst calamities ever seen on earth?"

As an average believer watching today-I can see how this paradox can exist, because I'm living in it daily. The rise in violence, brutality, cruelty, barbarianism, is at an all-time high-but everything continues on just as business as usual. Wars and rumors of wars are in the headlines daily-but everything goes on just as business as usual. The vast majority are in an apathetic stupor. If a nuclear bomb went off in the U.S. today- I wonder what the reactions would really be by most. Several generations of watching horror movies, war movies, violent video games, and satire mixed with violence on TV has put many in a state of apathy. 

Demonic oppression is right in your face today-everywhere. But, you could not convince many in the population-they will excuse, and explain away everything they see-no matter what the manifestations tell them. Most people won't accept the truth-no matter what. Jesus dealt with the same unbelief-and accused of casting out demons by the spirit of Beelzebub-the prince of demons. Nothing has changed-it's the same today-but on a greater worldwide scale now. The paradox here is-the people who deny demonic oppression/possession-have no problem getting involved with Buddhism, Reiki Yoga, Islam, and other cults-and putting themselves in a trance to channel demon spirits to "guide" them and control them-they reveal their rebellion and hypocrisy. They hate God, and their hearts are revealed by what they choose.
 
The technologies of today have created "virtual realities", which fool the mind, and the ability to perceive reality from fiction. This is now the age of deceit, and most of what is presented, is a lie. I do wonder if Noah's generation had advanced to this point of technology-what we are living in now, is I believe, beyond what even he experienced. Between this, the rise of demonic manifestations, Satanic rituals, and Satanism being promoted and worshipped by elites, politicians and many in society today-we have called up the worst of the pit of hell, and they are now among us. Those who don't realize this, who are brainwashed by TV and media-it's impossible to reach them. 

In Noah's day there were signs of how bad it was in his day-that rings very true in our day:

Gen 6:5  And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 

Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
a. Every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually: This says a lot. It means there was no aspect of man’s nature not corrupted by sin.
i. “A more emphatic statement of the wickedness of the human heart is hardly conceivable.” (Vriezen, quoted in Kidner)
ii. Jesus said, “as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Mat_24:37). In other words, the conditions of the world before the coming of Jesus will be like the conditions of the world before the flood:
• Exploding population (Gen_6:1)
• Sexual perversion (Gen_6:2)
• Demonic activity (Gen_6:2)
• Constant evil in the heart of man (Gen_6:5)
• Widespread corruption and violence (Gen_6:11)
​
b. The LORD was sorry that He had made man . . . He was grieved in His heart: God’s sorrow at man, and the grief in His heart, are striking. This does not mean that creation was out of control, nor does it mean that God hoped for something better but was unable to achieve it. God knew all along that this was how things would turn out, but our text tells us loud and clear that as God sees His plan for the ages unfold, it affects Him. God is not unfeeling in the face of human sin and rebellion. (David Guzik)

Moving forward to 2Peter-we are given a description of what God will do the second time He destroys the earth:

2Pe 3:1  This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 
2Pe 3:2  That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 
2Pe 3:3  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 
2Pe 3:4  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 
2Pe 3:5  For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 
2Pe 3:6  Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 
2Pe 3:7  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 
2Pe 3:8  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 
2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 
2Pe 3:10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 
2Pe 3:11  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 
2Pe 3:12  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 
2Pe 3:13  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 

There's plenty of evidence of what Jesus, and Peter describes, in today's world-everything goes on as usual-people are going about their lives, doing business, getting married, the hustle and bustle of life just rolls on. I hear it from many -"We've heard this before", some with a yawn, some with a smirk, mocking- most don't believe it will ever happen. We who do believe, get the same reactions and rejection Noah got in his day. Like him-we have to just keep on doing what we know we're supposed to do, and wait.

God didn't fail Noah, and He won't fail us. Just keep building.
​Lorna Couillard

Effective Ministry in the Last Days - Dr. Lester Sumrall-
https://youtu.be/j6DgoZYePO8
What should ministry look like in the Last Days? In this classic message by Dr. Lester Sumrall he preaches about the final end time outpouring and what we can expect as believers.

Dr. Lester Sumrall's Apollyon Dream-
https://youtu.be/dQ6JY_FhYuU
This startling message came to Dr. Sumrall as a dream, in which a voice called himself, “Apollyon,” the king and angel of the bottomless pit, in chapter nine of the book of Revelation.
Download Brother Sumrall's book "Three Habitations of Devils" here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rbdT...

Lester Sumrall's vision-Two roads-one to heaven, the other to hell-
https://youtu.be/l43A1KEx4-E

​Sam Henson saw the two roads in his after death experience.  It is described in the book "12 Hours in Heaven" by David L. Henson.  
Evangelist Lester Sumrall saw the same thing in his Vision while sitting in a school auditorium church meeting in Tennessee. For more information go to:
https://www.12hoursinheaven.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzimJmf4tnw

Parable of the Ten Virgins
​Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish — Mat_25:1-2

The Tradition of a Jewish Wedding
The ceremonies at a marriage in the East were very different from those we are accustomed to, and the more clearly we can picture one of these Eastern weddings, the better we shall understand this parable. There was no religious service, as with us; no priest or minister was present. The essential thing was that the bridegroom should lead his bride from her father's house to his own. Hence the old phrase, "to take a wife," was literally true in Eastern countries, and we know that to this day, among the Arabs, the bride is taken as if she were an enemy—captured after some show of violence, and removed as a prisoner to her husband's home. Among the Jews, the bridegroom, with his friends (Joh_3:23), went to the home of his bride in the late evening. It was dark, and lights were needed for the procession—such lights among the Greeks and Romans (as the boys who are reading Latin poetry know) were generally torches; but among the Jews were more commonly lamps. The bride was waiting for the bridegroom there, in a white dress, decked out in all her jewels; and John would recall many a village scene when he wrote that the wife of the Lamb was arrayed in fine linen, clean and white (Rev_19:8), and that the New Jerusalem came down from heaven prepared as a bride adorned for her husband (Rev_21:2). Then the bridegroom led his bride into the street, with her maiden friends bearing her company, amid music and a score of flashing lights. And as the procession made its way back to the bridegroom's home, through the crowds who had poured out to see the bridal party, a little group of maidens at this corner, and a few more who had been waiting in the court, joined the happy company, and went with it to share in the marriage feast.

Five Were Not Prepared for a Delay
This, then, was the scene that Jesus transfigured in this exquisite parable, and the ten virgins, who take the chief place in it, may either (as many have thought) have been attending the bride in her own home that evening, or they may have formed one of those little bands that waited for the return of the procession. Will the reader please observe that number ten ? It is a favourite number in the Bible. When Abraham's servant went on his great journey, he took ten of the camels of his master (Gen_24:10). When the kinsman of Ruth desired to deal with Boaz, he took ten men of the elders of the city (Rth_4:2). The dragon in Revelation had ten horns (Rev_12:3).There were ten lepers who were cleansed by Jesus (Luk_17:12). The commandments were ten, and the talents and pounds were ten, and here our Lord says there were ten virgins. Now we are not told that these ten were good and bad; but we are told that five were wise and five were foolish, and we recall another parable where we read of a wise and of a foolish builder (Mat_7:24-27). The strange thing is that the foolish as well as the wise, here, each had her lamp, and it was burning merrily. The sad thing is that the foolish were not prepared for a quite possible, and indeed quite common, delay. The night deepened, and still there was no bridegroom. The wisest of them nodded off into sleep. Then at midnight there rang the cry, "Behold the bridegroom!" and in a twinkling every eye was open. No lamp was out, but all were going out (read verse 8 in the Revised Version). The wick even of the wise was sputtering. But then the wise had little flasks of oil with them; it was the work of a moment to trim their lamps. But the foolish had no oil, and there was none to borrow, and when they hurried out to buy it at the merchant's—can you not hear the jesting of the crows? And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut.

Want of Forethought Is True Foolishness
Now I trust that no one will spoil this matchless story by arguing what the lamp or what the oil must be. I do not think that Jesus built up His parables laboriously. It is better to keep to the broad lessons of a parable, and there are three here which anyone may grasp. The first is, want of forethought is true foolishness. Can you tell me why the one builder was a foolish man (Mat_7:26)? It was just because he never foresaw the storm. He built in May when the birds were singing, and the sand was firm enough for summer weather; but he forgot November and its gales, when nothing could stand but a house upon a rock. So here the foolish virgins had their lamps, and their lamps were burning merrily enough. But they forgot to reckon with a tardy bridegroom, and it was just that want of forethought that spoiled all. Now none of us is to be anxious for tomorrow. But we have a strange and difficult life to live, and we have a death to die and a God to meet, and it is high time to make provision for all that. Have you done it? You know perfectly what the provision is. "Evil is wrought by want of thought, as well as want of heart."

Times When We Cannot Help Each Other
And the second lesson of the story is this: in the great hours we cannot help each other. I have no doubt the ten were all good friends; they had done many a kindly turn one to another. But now, that friendship was of no avail; there was no oil to borrow or to spare. It was not because the wise disdained the foolish, or were eager to see them ousted from the marriage, that they were deaf to this request for oil. They refused it for a far better reason—they needed every drop of oil they had. That means, that in every hour of judgment, there is no shining with a borrowed light. The help of others is priceless in many things, but in the hours of spiritual crisis it is vain. Another's faith can never aid us then, even though that other be a friend or father. It is our own faith and holiness and love that will determine matters when the Bridegroom comes.

The Highest Wisdom Is to Be Watchful
This is the great lesson of the parable, it is the highest wisdom to be watchful. The bridegroom came when no one looked for him, and Jesus will come in an hour we think not. The one day has been hidden, said Augustine, that every day might be regarded. How little did Pompeii think, in the bright morning, of the desolation the evening was to bring! With what awful suddenness in 1666, did the great fire devastate London! And like a Bridegroom in the night, Jesus will come. God grant He find us vigilant.
Watch! 'tis your Lord's command,
And while we speak, He's near;
Mark the first signal of His hand,
And ready all appear.

​it that our hearts are pure with virginal purity, and that the light is ever burning in our hearts, through the continual inpouring of the oil of the Holy Spirit.
How marvelous the power which, from the noisy night procession of an oriental wedding, could bring this exquisite parable! The short, warm Eastern night, the ten girls, the cry, the peace of the prepared, the anguish of the unready, the inside and outside of the door! O blessed Comforter, may we not fail thee, as thou wilt not fail those who in their weakness seek thy help. F.B. Meyer

God’s children are wise; the rest are foolish.
(1) They see things as they truly are.
(2) They do not rest in knowledge.
(3) They live for eternity.
(4) They are like God.

The wise and foolish are alike in many things.
(1) They enjoy the same ordinances.
(2) They use the same speech.
(3) They utter the same prayers.
​(4) They have the same outward behaviour.

There is a difference. 
(1) They are not taught by the Holy Spirit.
​(2) They are not dwelt in by the Holy Spirit.
(3) The conditions of the heart become clear-in times of crisis. Pretenders true state is revealed.

Every hour of the day and night there are souls going into eternity unprepared. Oh, what excitement it must be about the death-bed, crying out for a lamp, and for the oil, and for the light; throwing; hands out, throwing them up, throwing them around, until the nurse asks, “What do you want, water?” He says, shaking his head: “No.” “Bathing of the temples?” He shakes his head: “No.” What does he want? Oh, he cannot get his light burning. He must start; he is started; he comes up to the gate of heaven; he knocks; he cries: “Let me in!”
He is not admitted. He says: “I want to see the bridegroom.” The voices within say: “You can’t see the bridegroom; he is busy with the guests now.” Says the man: “I must come in; my children are in there. I must come in.”
A voice within says: “You refused the grace that would have brought you where they are.” “But,” says the man, “I must come in; all my friends and kindred are in. Hark! now! hear the sound of their voices, and the bounding of their feet. Let me in.”
And a voice from within says: “You are too late!” It says to one man: “You are twenty years too late;” to another, “you are over five years too late;” to another, “you are a month too late;” to another, “you are a minute too late; “ and the mob of destroyed ones outside the door take up the chorus, and cry: “Too late!” And the hot wind of the desert sighs: “Too late!” and the bell in the tower of eternal midnight tolls and tolls: “Too late! too late!”
​And the torches of the silly virgins begin to flicker and hiss in the storm, and one by one they go out, until in the suffocating darkness they cry: “Our lamps have gone out!” And they go wandering through eternity, ages after ages, feeling out for the light, for comfort, for peace, for hope, but finding none, and crying: “Our lamps have gone out!” and then, turning in another direction, and wandering on, age after age, age after age, feeling for hope, and comfort, and light, and Heaven, but finding none, and crying: “Our lamps have gone out!” (Dr. Talmage.)

​In John chapter 8 Jesus has an encounter with some Jews that gives insight into Satan's true character, and directly exposes the relationship of these people to him. I advise reading the entire chapter, but verses 39-44 will be used for this teaching.

Joh 8:39  They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. 
Joh 8:40  But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. 
Joh 8:41  Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 
Joh 8:42  Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 
Joh 8:43  Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 
Joh 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 
​
This passage of scripture gives a good picture of the works of the devil-and his traits. Today, the Christian encounters people with the same disposition Jesus encountered during His ministry.
​
The Pharisee's, Sadducee's and lawyers who followed him knew the Law, and watched him like a hawk to catch Him in His words, actions, to twist, accuse, taunt, and slander Him. The goal was to discredit Him, destroy His works, and His life. 

Jesus response to them was to tell them to their face what was in their hearts, they wanted to kill him. They did not deny it; but didn't fully come at him at that time to do it; it wasn't time yet. When they denied Jesus confronting them, saying Abraham was their father, Jesus refuted them with skill. If they knew God, and loved Him, they would do the deeds of Abraham-but their deeds reveal that their father was the devil, because their deeds exposed them, and their hearts. He also told them they were liars, and the devil was their father. When he tells a lie, he speaks of his own: because he's a liar, and the father of it. He didn't mince any words. If Jesus was here today-I'd like to be on the sidelines, and watch him talk to some of the same types that are prevalent here now.

You can discern who somebody is living for, and what's in their hearts, just by watching, and listening to them; just as Jesus did. When you've discerned what's in someone's heart, it will tell you whether you are wise to associate with them, or not.

The tactics used are to antagonize, taunt, mock, harass, intimidate, ridicule, belittle, insult you, demean you, and cause as much strife as possible, to get you to react. If you do, out of a moment of weakness, weariness, or frustration; it is used as a weapon against you. They'll twist the truth, and accuse you of doing exactly what they are doing themselves, it's one of the devils most well-used tactics.

When you've picked up that they lie constantly, and use lying as a weapon, they are pathological liars-and to be avoided at all costs. What is a pathological liar- this is the world's definition: A pathological liar is someone who lies compulsively and without any clear benefit. Lying refers to making a false statement to deceive others intentionally, often for some form of personal gain.

The bible's definition:
​Exo 20:16  Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 
Pro 17:3  The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts. 
Pro 17:4  A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

Rev 21:22  And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 
Rev 21:23  And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 
Rev 21:24  And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. 
Rev 21:25  And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 
Rev 21:26  And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. 
Rev 21:27  And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

People like this will run in groups because they know there's strength in numbers. They will also do much of their devilish antagonism in the dark, or in such a way that there's nothing you can do about it. They've honed their skills, and run in groups like a pack of wolves. Years ago, I listened to a bible teacher talking on this issue and he made a statement that is very true, he said "You will find, when your watching people and listening to them, you'll pick up on the fact that like spirits attract like spirits-the troublemakers run together, and hang out together, to do as much damage as they can, and ruin you, if they can. And the opposite is also true-God's people will naturally desire to be with those of like mind, seeking and desiring the things of God."

The Jews who followed Jesus were in this category;  treacherous, slanderous, and ruthless. They were as vicious, and relentless as a swarm of horseflies on a hot summer day. And, when they are together in a group today; there's no limit to the evil they can scheme, and conjure up. An entire town, and community can be infested with people of this spirit, and cause untold trouble and strife. These types are the "extended family" of the devils offspring.

From B.W. Johnson:
Ye are of your father, the devil. There are two households: that of God, composed of his children; and that of the devil, composed of his children. All who hear the voice of Christ become God's children by adoption (Rom_8:15-17), and all who refuse to hear him, do so because they belong to the devil's household and hear his voice. They "will do the lusts of their father."
He was a murderer from the beginning. He caused the first murder, moves those who do murder, and those who seek to kill Christ are of his spirit.

From Adam Clarke:
Ye are of your father the devil - Ye are the seed of the old serpent. See on Joh_8:37 (note).
The lusts of your father - Like father like son. What Satan desires, ye desire; because ye are filled with his nature. Awful state of unregenerate men! They have the nearest alliance to Satan; they partake of his nature and have in them the same principles and propensities which characterize the very nature and essence of the devil! Reader, canst thou rest in this state? Apply to God, through Christ, that thou mayest be born again.
He was a murderer from the beginning - It was through him that Adam transgressed; in consequence of which death entered into the world, and slew him and all his posterity. This was the sentiment of the Jews themselves. In Sohar Kadash, the wicked are called, “The children of the old serpent, who slew Adam and all his descendants.” See Schoettgen.
Abode not in the truth - He stood not in the truth - was once in a state of glorious felicity, but fell from it; and, being deprived of all good himself, he could not endure that others should enjoy any; therefore by his lies he deceived Eve, and brought her, her husband, and, through them, their posterity, into his own condemnation.

From Albert Barnes:
Ye are of your father the devil - That is, you have the temper, disposition, or spirit of the devil. You are influenced by him, you imitate him, and ought therefore to be called his children. See also 1Jn_3:8-10; Act_13:10; “Thou child of the devil.”
The devil - See the notes at Mat_4:1.
The lusts - The desires or the wishes. You do what pleases him.
Ye will do - The word “will,” here, is not an auxiliary verb. It does not simply express futurity, or that such a thing will take place, but it implies an act of volitions. This you will or choose to do. The same mode of speech occurs in Joh_5:40. In what respects they showed that they were the children of the devil he proceeds to state:
1. In their murderous disposition;
2. In rejecting the truth;
3. In being favorable to falsehood and error.

Abode not in the truth - He departed from the truth, or was false and a liar.
No truth in him - That is, he is a liar. It is his nature and his work to deceive.
He speaketh of his own - The word “own” is in the plural number, and means of the things that are appropriate to him, or that belong to his nature. His speaking falsehood is originated by his own propensities or disposition; he utters the expressions of his genuine character.
He is a liar - As when he deceived Adam, and in his deceiving, as far as possible, the world, and dragging man down to perdition.
The father of it - The father or originator of falsehood. The word “it” refers to lie or falsehood understood. From him falsehood first proceeded, and all liars possess his spirit and are under his influence. As the Jews refused to hear the truth which Jesus spoke, so they showed that they were the children of the father of lies.
​
I'll leave this discourse by asking the question-who is your father?
Lorna Couillard

Excerpt from Biblical Illustrator-
THE CHILDREN OF GOD (Joh_8:31-36). What do these verses teach us concerning the children of God? God has His children in this world, and some of their traits are here presented to our notice.
1. They believe in Christ (Joh_8:3). To believe in Christ is more than simply to conclude in a general way that He is worthy of credence. It means belief, confidence, submission, obedience, all in one. This believing is the condition of all blessings under the gospel.
2. They abide in Christ’s word (Joh_8:31). They manifest their faith by their fidelity. There is no “six weeks’ religion” during a warm revival, dropping into coldness and deadness when the meetings cease. It is a continued service proceeding from a constant faith.
3. They know the truth (Joh_8:32). The word in the original for “know” is the verb meaning “to have full knowledge.” He who learns the truth by fellowship with Christ receives it at fountainhead, and understands it thoroughly.
4. They have freedom (Joh_8:32-36). Every sinner is a slave, for a power outside of himself directs his action. The drunkard says, “I can’t help myself; an appetite drives me to drink.” The passionate man says, “I am not my own master when I get angry.” Are they not slaves to a power above their own will? The free man is the disciple of Christ.

THE CHILDREN OF SATAN. Then there is a devil who would make men believe that he is not, and that consequently they need not fear him. The Scriptures are as clear concerning the existence of Satan as they are concerning the existence of God. The traits of Satan’s children, as here set forth, are
1. They are slaves (Joh_8:33-36).
2. They are enemies of Christ (Joh_8:37). These slaves of Satan were ready to kill Christ.
3. They show a likeness to their father (Joh_8:39-44). These Jews claimed to be the children of Abraham. “Not so,” said Jesus. “If you were the children of Abraham, you would be like Abraham. But you show the traits of your true father, the devil.”
4. They have no affinity with God. (Joh_8:45-47). They do not like God’s truth (Joh_8:45); they will not hear God’s words (Joh_8:47). Just as oil and water will not mix, so the children of Satan have an aloofness of nature with respect to God. (J. L. Hurlbut, D. D.)
5. There is not truth in them, when they speak-their words reveal their falsity, and their mouths spew deceit and untruth's-it is a compulsion, they cannot control.

​"In fierce storms," said an old seaman, "we must do one thing; there is only one way: we must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there."
This, Christian, is what you must do. Sometimes, like Paul, you can see neither sun nor stars, and no small tempest lies on you; and then you can do but one thing; there is only one way.
Reason cannot help you; past experiences give you no light. Even prayer fetches no consolation. Only a single course is left. You must put your soul in one position and keep it there.
You must stay upon the Lord; and come what may-- winds, waves, cross-seas, thunder, lightning, frowning rocks, roaring breakers-- no matter what, you must lash yourself to the helm, and hold fast your confidence in God’s faithfulness, His covenant engagement, His everlasting love in Christ Jesus. -- Richard Fuller

"Though he slay me, yet will I trust him" (Job_13:15).
"For I know whom I have believed" (2Ti_1:12).

Act 27:13  And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete. 
Act 27:14  But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. 
Act 27:15  And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. 
Act 27:16  And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: 
Act 27:17  Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. 
Act 27:18  And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; 
Act 27:19  And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. 
Act 27:20  And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. 
Act 27:21  But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. 
Act 27:22  And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. 
Act 27:23  For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 
Act 27:24  Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. 
Act 27:25  Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. 
Act 27:26  Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island. 
Act 27:27  But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country; 
Act 27:28  And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. 
Act 27:29  Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. 
Act 27:30  And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship, 
Act 27:31  Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. 
Act 27:32  Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. 
Act 27:33  And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. 
Act 27:34  Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. 
Act 27:35  And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. 
Act 27:36  Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat. 
Act 27:37  And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. 
Act 27:38  And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea. 
Act 27:39  And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship. 
Act 27:40  And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore. 
Act 27:41  And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves. 
Act 27:42  And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. 
Act 27:43  But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: 
Act 27:44  And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

​iii. Paul was not ashamed to say that he believed God. “I would to God that all Christians were prepared to throw down the gauntlet and to come out straight; for if God be not true let us not pretend to trust him, and if the gospel be a lie let us be honest enough to confess it.” (Spurgeon)
f. Therefore, take heart, men: Paul used his belief to strengthen the hearts of others. Most all of the people on this ship were not Christians, yet Paul still cared enough to strengthen their hearts by telling them about his belief in God. If Paul had the attitude of some people today, he would have thought, “Hey, they’re all going to hell anyway - who cares?” But Paul loved more than that.
g. On a certain island means that God did not tell Paul everything about what was going to happen. Paul had to trust that God knew which island they would run aground on! (Excerpt from David Guzik)