Mockers

"But beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts" (Jude 17-21)

There are many signs of the end times listed in the Bible all the way from the gospels even to the letters of Paul to the churches, in fact there are so many listed signs that are so high sounding eg. wars, rumours of wars, and even in the list of the description of perilous time (2tim3:1-5), it mentioned words like covetous, boosters, proud, blasphemers etc but in the midst of all the heavy weighty signs are six small words..... "despisers of those that are good"....... These are mockers mentioned that will arise in the last time.

It should be noted clearly that prevalence of  mockery to a Christian or the church is a sign that we are in the last days.

What is mockery?

The Oxford advanced learner's dictionary defines thus below;

1, comments or actions that are intended to make somebody or something seems ridiculous

2, to mock: to show no respect to somebody or something. (it can also be said to mean 'scorning')

Ridicule is the word that connotes mockery here. And also a lack of respect. Despisers....  It's can also be established here that just as a careless life draws mockery, a righteous life will also face the same. So don't be surprised when you face mockery as a child of God, it is a sign of the times that we are in. Notice here that Jude said "there should be mockers"..... Not that there may be or a likelihood of facing mockery,  it said there" should be" as if he was proposing in a council meeting that mockery is not just a sign but a necessary sign.

Beloved, when last where  you mocked as an obedient child of God?  Or have you even had a reason ever in your life to be mocked or scorned before, not for the reason of carelessness or wayward living, but only just for following the master and walking in his steps and doing his will.

I remember my undergraduate school days when I was moved to preach to a fellow student who was a cultists, and who always hangs out in the common room (as it was called then) drinking and smoking and feeling high but I deeply had compassion for him. When the Holy spirit led me to talk to him I knew I was in for it. I obeyed and went. Well, as expected, I got punched real hard in the process and mocked by him and his friends. It was painful but I had my mind made up. Anyway, after a year or two he came back to me and surrendered his life to Jesus. But the emphasis here was that the process wasn't easy-bizzy. Some Christians have left a divine assignment that would expose them to scorn or ridicule. Some have grown bitter and cut short a divine arrangement. Some have left a city cos of the fear of shame. It is not supposed to be so.

"And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, what meaneth this?
Others mocking said, these men are full of new wine" (Acts 2:12-14)

If we go through this chapter from verse 1 we will notice that this event happened on the pentecost day. What a powerful day, a day that heralded the birthing of the Holy spirit on the church. Yet in the midst of the move of the Spirit, the hallowed awesomeness and the fireworks, mockers still peddled their goods... Scorning. This shows me that mockers don't recognise anointing. Despite the exploits of the church, there will be mockers. No matter how packaged you feel you are and the grace you carry,  you will confront mockers. Jesus in Luke 23:34-39 was derided and mocked by the soldiers who crucified him. Even the son of God with the work of eternal salvation been processed, and the sin question being dealt with, with such a high degree of power tussle in progress, a cross event that was orchestrated to remove man from eternal damnation,  and yet in all this happening, he was derided.

.... "But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and MISUSED his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy"....... (2chron36:16)

We can itemise the agenda of mockery in the above verse.

1. They despised his words. The first aim of mockery (or if I will say the fruit) is basically to despise God's word. Despise means to hold no regard for. When we defined what mocks means we said it's to show no respect for. Beloved, one fruit of mockers is an open flagrant disregard to the word of God. When divine instructions based on his word are uttered but men chose to abuse it that is mockery at work. In congregation where this happens check well, mockers are present. Are you one of the people in your local church that always opposes the true word of God and that of your pastor, it may be that the spirit of mockery is at work through you. Do you know that people that push for gay/lesbianism practices or any other act in the church contrary to the word and his laws are manifesting clear spirit of mockery. Be warned. When the so called comedians mimic speaking in tongues and make Jests of ministers, mockery is at work. As a child of God discern this and not be part of it.

2. They misused his prophets. The word "misuse" just means to use something in a wrong way or for a wrong purpose. Are we seeing this in the church today, the answer is yes. Prophets are custodians of the oracles of God and must direct and instruct always. But the spirit of mockery stifles this work by misusing the prophets. When prophets are no longer active or Pastors compromised in the word, mockers are at work. This high level of mockery has killed ministries and weakened Pastors and churches by causing them to divert from the true calling they have to other irrelevant things. How many of our prophets have changed their message all due to the fact that they listened to mockers. It's an end time attack on the church and Christians must be alert to identify and reject it in every form.

What is our response to mockers?

...."But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, ye men of Jude, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words..... Acts 2:14.

Peter stood up!  Don't sit when mockers are at work. God needs men and women that will determine and decide to stand for him. Who will refuse to be misused, despised or abused. Men that will speak the truth without shame or fear. To defeat the spirit of mockery, standing is the posture. No wonder the psalmist said in Psalms 1:1-3,

.... "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor SITTETH in the SEAT of the SCORNFUL....."

Do you claim you are a Christian but yet you are sitting on this seat? Check yourself now so that you won't be condemned in the end.  Peter stood up. We must not sit down. We must stand and speak and defend the faith and must reject mockery, scorn and all the sort with seriousness and determination.

The gates of hell must not prevail in Jesus name.