1. Jericho was doomed, “Now JERICHO WAS STRAITLY SHUT UP because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in. And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I HAVE GIVEN INTO THINE HAND JERICHO, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour” [Joshua 6:1-2] This generation is as Jericho, God has determined an end to the present world but the nations think otherwise. They shut themselves behind walls of REBELLION to device global peace and safety but there shall be no escape, “For WHEN THEY SHALL SAY, PEACE and SAFETY; then SUDDEN DESTRUCTION COMETH upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape” [1 Thessalonians 5:3] Rulers of this age and their spin doctors marshal resources to fight climate change, terror, famine, inflationary-depression, to SAVE the world; it will not profit them, “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but SAFETY IS OF THE LORD” [Proverbs 21:31] As in Jericho, even now, God shall SAVE a remnant; Rahab, a harlot, plied her trade in Jericho and by all human indices least expected to be SAVED but she did, “And JOSHUA SAVED RAHAB THE HARLOT alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho” [Joshua 6:25]
2. RAHAB made it out of Jericho not because she was rich or otherwise endowed but by CONFESSION of FAITH in God, saying, to the two men Joshua sent to spy the land, “And as soon as WE HAD HEARD THESE THINGS, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD YOUR GOD, HE IS GOD IN HEAVEN above, and in EARTH BENEATH” [Joshua 2:11] What “THINGS” Rahab HEARD of God were no secrets, those who came to buy pleasure of her body heard the same testimonies of God but were not SAVED because they did not BELIEVE. In same manner, the GOSPEL of SALVATION through Jesus Christ is preached in all nations, “For unto us was the GOSPEL PREACHED, as well as unto them: but the WORD PREACHED DID NOT PROFIT THEM, NOT BEING MIXED WITH FAITH in them that heard it” [Hebrews 4:2] The same GOSPEL I preach to you, the GOOD NEWS of God revealed in Jesus Christ to SAVE us from this dying world, “And without controversy great is the MYSTERY OF GODLINESS: GOD WAS MANIFEST IN THE FLESH, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” [I timothy 3:16] If you think it is incredible, consider the challenges against Rahab’s FAITH; a despicable offender before God and men, she BELIEVED and was SAVED. No wonder Jesus Christ said to the men of his time and this age, “… Verily I say unto you, That the PUBLICANS and the HARLOTS GO INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD BEFORE YOU” [Matthew 21:31]
3. Rahab demanded and received a TOKEN of FAITH in HOPE of REDEMPTION, “Now FAITH is the substance of THINGS HOPED FOR, the evidence of things not seen” [Hebrews 11:1] Likewise, our FAITH in Jesus Christ is anchored on HOPE of His appearance when we shall be “CAUGHT UP” in the air to be with Him forever [1 Thessalonians 4:17] The two spies gave Rahab a SCARLET RIBBON, a part of their garments “Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt BIND THIS LINE OF SCARLET THREAD IN THE WINDOW which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee” [Joshua 2:18] Our SCARLET RIBBON is not a THREAD but "DOWN PAYMENT" of the LIFE of God in Jesus Christ, passed to us when we received the HOLY GHOST, “Which is the EARNEST OF OUR INHERITANCE UNTIL the REDEMPTION OF THE PURCHASED POSSESSION, unto the praise of his glory” [Ephesians 1:14] While Rahab waited for REDEMPTION, she “SUFFERED” the same deprivations as the men of Jericho, may be more, but she kept HOPE alive watching closely that her SCARLET RIBBON is not lost or torn. We also who have Christ in us, are presently buffeted beyond measure by global instabilities but do not give up because our HOPE is not in things of this world but in Him who LIVES in us, “Now unto him that is ABLE TO DO EXCEEDING ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL THAT WE ASK or THINK, according to the POWER THAT WORKETH IN US” [Ephesians 3:20]
4. Rahab had no idea of the DAY or HOUR she would be rescued, we also have no such privilege, “But of that DAY and HOUR KNOWETH NO MAN no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” [Matthew 24:36] Though she knew not the DAY or HOUR, Rahab was not unmindful of the SEASON; when she heard footsteps going round the city, her joy knew no bounds. Beloved, footsteps of our REDEEMER and His glorious angels are at the door, “Behold, I STAND AT THE DOOR, and knock: if any man HEAR MU VOICE, and OPEN THE DOOR, I WILL COME IN TO HIM, and will sup with him, and he with me” [Revelation 3:20] The present pervasive atmosphere of FEAR is a reflection of the terror in Jericho as Israel marched round the city; it is time to LOOK UP, “And when these things begin to come to pass, then LOOK UP, and lift up your heads; for YOUR REDEMPTION DRAWETH NIGH” [Luke 21:28] The TRUMPETS followed, calling us to be prepared in readiness of imminent appearance of Jesus Christ. At the sound of the TRUMPETS Rahab hasted to call all her relatives to safety of the SCARLET RIBBON, the same I do this day. Rahab did the CALLING, angels of the Lord did the GATHERING, “And he shall send his angels with a GREAT SOUND OF A TRUMPET, and they shall GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” [Matthew 24:31] Are you BORN AGAIN and ready to meet the Lord? This could be the LAST TRUMPET, accept Jesus Christ today as your Lord and Saviour and receive your SCARLET RIBBON, amen
voiceoflasttrumpets 