This is a dreadful topic, but it explains a lot of what is happening in our day.  Moreover, it is true and we need not ignore the designs, purposes, and plans of God.  “The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.  No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.  This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.” (1 John 3: 8-10).

Here is a foreboding message – there are children of the Devil in this world.  Hitler, McVey, and others who arm themselves, go into crowded unprotected places and start killing people, then kill themselves.  There could be many more and some might surprise us since their evil work may be done in secret, like abortionists who together kill thousands of innocent babies in their mother’s womb, then sell the body parts for profit.  There are horrible atrocities, some unspeakable, that have happened down through the centuries. In fact, the entire world’s population prior to the flood was so wicked that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. (Gen. 6: 5).  God started over with Noah and his immediate family, because Noah found favor or grace in the eyes of the Lord.  Yeshua told us that it was like the enemy sowing weed seed in with the good farmers wheat crop. (Matt. 13: 24-30).  The key point of the parable was that the farmer told the servants not to pull up the weeds, lest they inadvertently damage the wheat plants in the process.  He said, let them grow together and they will be separated at the harvest.

God is love and He is good, merciful, compassionate, and patient; but He is also just and part of His justice is the wrath that is being stored up for those to whom it is due.  Sin is lawlessness and it is sin that brings forth wrath.  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6: 23).  The wrath of God is reserved for all sin and rebellion, even things that we may consider minor like gossip, greed, filthy language, etc. (Col. 3: 5).  However, through Yeshua’s death on the cross all who believe receive the gift of righteousness and eternal life.  No sin is too great to be forgiven through the blood of Yeshua, the Lamb of God.

Here is the main thing for believers – do not judge.  “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.” (Rom. 2: 1). We are imperfect at identifying the children of the devil, because we also are broken with a fallen human nature and because we are not authorized to judge.  “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.  If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also…But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.  He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matt. 5: 39, 44-45).

God puts us in family and the congregation of believers is important for us individually and collectively.  The saints are so important to God, He says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.” (Psalm 116: 15).  Your life is in God’s hands and your destiny and purposes are watched over by Yeshua, Messiah, King of Kings.  The Kingdom of our God is advancing, the enemy is defeated and waging a losing battle against the children of God because God is for us, not against us.  His good and perfect will is being fulfilled everyday.  The Lord Yeshua will return to earth and redeem His people Israel together with all who call upon His Name.  Glory and blessing await the children of God.