Good day to you all. Today, we examine the sixth chapter of the Book of Amos. In those days, Amos spoke words that went unheeded, much like how I tell you today that a certain path is a dead end, yet some stubbornly insist on taking it, preferring to forge their own way. Amos was a prophet, and prophets, as such, can foresee future events. However, communicating with those unaware of what lies ahead proves exceedingly difficult. In truth, our generation is not much different from what is described in the Book of Amos. Some unseen force hinders people, rendering them deaf to the words of the prophets—a truly bizarre phenomenon.
The theme of this chapter in the Book of Amos is, “Behold, I will raise up against you a nation, O house of Israel.” God did not launch an immediate attack; many years passed. This may seem incomprehensible. Yet, understand that God will certainly raise up a king, a nation, to attack His people. If you study history, you find that Assyria destroyed the kingdom of Israel, Babylon destroyed the kingdom of Judah, and during the Roman Empire, the Temple was destroyed in 70 AD. Subsequently, the entire nation of Israel was frequently occupied by other countries, including Rome and Turkey, among many other empires. In other words, the people in that land suffered greatly for over two thousand years.
These two millennia of history demonstrate the nature of God—that He will raise up a king, a nation, to attack His people. Do not assume that being a Christian exempts you from being oppressed by gentiles. God will surely raise up a group of gentiles to attack you, and at that time, there will be no escape, no means of resistance, because people insist on going their own way, paying no heed to God's words. I tirelessly admonish you all, only to be met with defiance. It is not that I am remarkably adept, but I repeatedly point out the problems to those under my care, and they not only ignore and fail to respond but also write reprehensible things.
When will people cease their stubborn ways? When will they realize that disaster will strike? By the time disaster arrives, the opportunity will be lost. Do not think that the words God speaks in the Book of Amos, which we read, are mere rhetoric. In the entire system of faith, the most critical issue is the dullness of the human mind. Not only are people foolish and inept, but they also believe themselves to be quite clever, which is utterly destructive. God will certainly raise up a nation to attack the house of Israel because they fundamentally disregard His words.
I. Nothing Can Prevent the Advent of Disaster
Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria, the notable men of the first of the nations, to whom the house of Israel comes! Pass over to Calneh, and see, and from there go to Hamath the great; then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are they better than these kingdoms? Or is their territory greater than your territory? (Amos 6:1-2)
This speaks to the fact that nothing can prevent disaster. Despite the nation being foremost among nations, immensely wealthy, and its people renowned for their intelligence—indeed, Jews are clever, especially in making money; modern Jewish capital is formidable, and the house of Israel is the gathering of all the tribes of Israel, united—no other nation can compare in strength and vastness of territory. Though we may not grasp the logic, considering the many desolate places at that time, disaster still descends, unstoppable.
Know that the path of faith is fraught with high risk. Reflect on your actions and cease thinking so highly of yourselves. I have encountered many self-assured Christians who always think they are fine, but the problem lies in their wickedness. That is why calamity cannot be prevented.
II. Do Not Think the Day of Disaster Is Far Off
The most fatal flaw is not recognizing the imminence of disaster, always assuming it is far off. But when calamity truly strikes, it's impossible to reverse. Many, after experiencing immense grace from God, turn away from Him, casting aside all His blessings. Remember my words: “A thousand goods, one bad, and all are undone.” People make solemn vows, acting as if they are perfectly justified, but when disaster arrives, nothing can prevent it. The day of calamity is not far off. If you think everything is fine, it’s because you are shortsighted, unable to envision the future. I tell you, nothing will be delayed; what is meant to come will come. I am not trying to frighten you.
O you who put far away the day of disaster and bring near the seat of violence! Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory and stretch themselves out on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall, who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and like David invent for themselves instruments of music, who drink wine in bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph! Therefore they shall now be the first of those who go into exile, and the revelry of those who stretch themselves out shall pass away. (Amos 6:3-7)
People love to live in ease and security, oblivious to what the future holds, thinking disaster is far away. Recently, a section of a highway suddenly collapsed, and cars plunged down one after another, uncontrollably. Calamities unfold in an instant. Three meals a day, full bellies, school, work—these do not determine your destiny. Sudden disasters decide one's fate, coming when they cannot be stopped. It's all destiny, sheer coincidence. Do not think that those who suffer are inherently more sinful. Scripture says that when a building collapsed and killed many, Jesus said, Do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Observe how people rush headlong into death. Though today seems fine, tomorrow is uncertain. Lying on newly acquired ivory beds, luxuriating on couches, reveling in the smoothness of the ivory beneath, devouring the sheep—pastoral care is hardly considered. They play the harp, sing, and enjoy leisure, crafting instruments like David, appearing to live well. They drink freely and anoint themselves with fine oils, unconcerned about disaster. But when disaster strikes, they will know. Today, no one knows the impending calamity, and when it arrives, there is no turning back. That is why people must have reverence for God.
O you who put far away the day of disaster and bring near the seat of violence! (Amos 6:3)
That place was rife with ease and violence. Those in high positions commit violence, but do not assume those beneath them would not do the same if given the opportunity. For those among us, when true disaster descends, you will know the might of God. Beware of self-righteousness, cultivate reverence, and purge the trash from your minds. Many tell me they want to love God well, but they cannot articulate how. Know that only Jesus is love. People's minds are filled with great confusion, which they write down. But they believe they write well, and they argue that they are right. On the day disaster strikes, they will realize that these writings are useless.
Therefore they shall now be the first of those who go into exile, and the revelry of those who stretch themselves out shall pass away. (Amos 6:7)
My words may be harsh, but I speak them so you may turn back to God. Do not be like the Israelites, who, as God raised up a king to destroy them, confusedly asked why. Do not think you are smarter than the Israelites. If I point out the chaos in your mind, I hope you will listen. What I do daily is to remove the foolishness within people, but they end up destroying themselves. I repeat, know your limits, know that you are human, and know that there is much you do not know.
Nothing we boast is valued by God; it is all eating, drinking, feasting, and violence. If someone claims they have not committed violence, I can only lament. The ministry of some pastors is distressing to observe. Be cautious. The Israelites heard Amos but did not understand him. You hear me but do not understand. When I correct someone, they think I am wrong. They think they are right. There is no way to do this.
III. There is No Fairness and No Justice
In truth, there is neither fairness nor justice, but the Israelites do not recognize their lack of fairness or justice.
Do horses run on rocks? Does one plow the sea with oxen? But you have turned justice into poison and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood. (Amos 6:12)
People's pursuit of righteousness yields fruit that is wormwood, as bitter as gall. A horse cannot run on a cliff's edge, akin to racing on a highway—hurtling towards death. A lack of justice and fairness invites disaster. The Israelites do not believe they lack justice or fairness, thinking they are doing well. They wonder why disaster strikes, questioning if their God should inflict it, if He is not the loving God. But our God does bring disaster because there is no fairness or justice on earth.
who drink wine in bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph! (Amos 6:6)
They are not grieved over the tribulation of Joseph, yet Joseph’s tribulation repeats itself every day. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers in Jacob's camp. But his brothers do not show any guilt. Instead, they find what they did was okay, very ok. Then, when they went to Egypt, they were treated unfairly. They did not like this unfair treatment. But this experience reminds them of what they did to Joseph. There were not any feelings of guilt when they did this evil act. But they were perfectly okay with it. There is no guilt within you either. Do you not think that disaster will come? Look at your lives. Do not think that disaster will not come just because you attend mass regularly.
The Lord God has sworn by himself, declares the Lord, the God of hosts: “I abhor the pride of Jacob and hate his strongholds, and I will deliver up the city and all that is in it.” (Amos 6:8)
God abhors the pride of Jacob and hates his strongholds. These people sold Joseph into slavery. The earth is full of violence. This generation of Israel is similar to the generation of Noah. The generation during Judges is the same as Sodom and Gomorrah. And they still called themselves Descendants of Abraham! Descendants of God! Israelites! Do not think that Jesus would have told you pleasant things at the time of his ministry. The tribulation you receive on earth makes you a hypocrite. Then, because no disaster befell people after it was spoken, some thought his words were all a lie. Eventually, disaster did befall all. It stayed for about two thousand years. They killed Jesus, saying, “Let his blood be on us and on our children!” Joseph's suffering was not remembered. When they crucified Jesus, they did not remember His suffering. They are a very unkind bunch of people.
You who rejoice in the conquest, Who say, “Have we not taken horns for ourselves by our own strength?” (Amos 6:13 NKJV)
The horns here refer to power. Those who seize power by force feel quite pleased with themselves, thinking it's remarkable to become a Prime Minister or President, managing an entire nation. However, King Ahab also felt quite good about himself. All these people who base their lives on ability are bound to invite disaster.
Fourth, All Who Base Their Lives on Ability
The earth is filled with violence because it is full of people who rely on their own abilities. Some feel regret if they can't seize that horn. Some feel it's great, a powerful thing. In our view, many people are ability-centric. On the surface, they may seem impressive indeed. Some, lacking ability themselves, envy those who have it. But deep down, they are still ability-centric. Disaster is sure to befall those who base their lives on ability.
In the past, God used the precious blood of Jesus Christ to cover our transgressions, delivering us from curses and diseases. Yet, our repentance is lackluster. Deep down, we remain ability-centric. Those who admire the strong will follow their logic. With poor judgment, everything seems chaotic. They don't perceive their pastor as shepherding them, but rather think they are being manipulated. How can this not invite disaster? Sometimes, I truly wish disaster would fall from the heavens, so that all of us would have a fear of God.
Five, God Will Deliver the City and All Its Inhabitants to the Enemy
God would raise up a nation to destroy Israel, and eventually, it happened. Now, the nation of Israel has virtually no tribe of Dan, Asher, Reuben, or Simeon. Only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin remain, which is modern-day Israel. To be frank, the Jews aren't much better than them. God speaks these words for us Christians to hear. God will deliver all the inhabitants of the city to the enemy, for this place will surely see the nation that God raises up to attack them. Today, if you look closely, there are too many perplexing things.
The Lord God of hosts has sworn by Himself, Saying, “I abhor the pride of Jacob, And hate his palaces; Therefore I will deliver up the city And all that is in it.” Then it shall come to pass that if ten men remain in one house, they shall die. And when a relative of the dead, namely, his uncle, picks him up to burn him, he shall take the bones from the house, and say to one inside the house, “Are there any more with you?” Then someone will say, “None.” And he will reply, “Hold your tongue! For we must not mention the name of the Lord.” For behold, the Lord commands it: He will break down the great house with breaches, And the little house with crevices. (Amos 6:8-11 NKJV)
Ten people all die. One shouts to ask if there is anyone else in the house, but it's unclear who answers. They are all dead. God raised up a nation to attack them. Today, look closely at what you rely on. Even the glory of the temple cannot prevent disaster. Nothing can prevent disaster, only the repentance of man can. Few people repent today. People are so foolish, to what extent must they be foolish to think they can escape disaster on their own? No matter how much grace is experienced, it is useless. Merely experiencing grace does not solve the problem; only repentance can stop disaster.
How many people feel that when disaster strikes, the problem lies with themselves? Some don't think it's their problem. They are possessed by demons and still want to teach me how to be a pastor. People must know they are foolish. If they are foolish and unaware, that is a disaster. The things they say make no sense, yet they think what they say is reasonable, utterly confused. So, we must all become wise. What I hate most when shepherding people is foolishness, yet there are so many foolish people, self-righteous people abound. They can't understand what I'm saying. I ask them to sort out all the foolish things they've done since childhood, but they can't sort them out and still think they are clever. They are completely unaware of the foolish things they've done. Must we wait until the end of time for them to awaken? When I point it out, they argue, fully demonstrating their foolishness.
There are so many foolish people like this. If people weren't foolish, how could they live such messed-up lives? After my service and God's grace, they walk out of disaster step by step. When they get a little better, they become incredibly arrogant. Thank God, my heart is already full of holes; a few more holes are fine. Shepherding foolish people is a terrifying thing, because they are foolish and unaware, so they continue to rush headlong down the road to foolishness. They can't distinguish who is good to them, who wants to harm them, or deceive them. That's foolishness. Think about what we have in our minds and what we say, which sentence is the word of God? There are many people among us who have been deceived, but the stories of being deceived cannot be mentioned, it's too embarrassing.
The reason they are so easily deceived is that they don't know they are foolish. I often say to ponder these foolish things, but they have not pondered them for a long time, so they think they are clever and good, and they drag in a lot of irrelevant things to prove they are clever. What they write looks like a joke, but they dare not say it. If they say it, they will definitely be hurt. Even a gentle reminder makes them argue with me, so I won't say it. Those who know they are foolish can become wise; those who don't know they are foolish will never become wise. What I say today is quite harsh. The Israelites are the most intelligent people in the world, but they are so foolish that God is shouting about impending disasters, and they still think it's impossible. They think they are all good, even if they eat the lambs, they are still good.
People must know they are foolish. If they still don't know they are foolish, telling me their strengths as weaknesses won't work. Doing so will not stop disaster. Disaster will surely come to those foolish people. Start turning from here today, don't force God to repeatedly bring disasters. Some say they haven't done this, that's because you are not qualified to do so. When you are qualified, you will definitely be a violent person. Now we must know, O house of Israel, God will raise up a nation to attack you. Many of us often believe twisted logic as truth, which is hateful. I expose them one by one, risking the possibility that this person might leave. I'm not afraid of you leaving. Just this one simple thing, to sort out all the foolish things since childhood, and the person leaves.
When I point out your problem, don't think I'm manipulating you. I tell you what I see, not for anything else, but to let you suffer less disaster. Look at how many disasters you have experienced in the past. Do you still think you haven't experienced enough disasters? You just came out of disaster and you think you are amazing. But who served you? These people have many problems: some have eyes that cannot see, ears that cannot hear, can't poop or pee, can't sleep, and their heads are buzzing.
As long as people are willing to learn, having a learning attitude can solve problems. For example, once God tells us these things, we should know that we should respond, know that doing so is wrong, and what the right way is, and what we should do. I just want to get a word in edgewise, that is, everyone asks what to do if you want to do it right. If you want to know how to do it right, I can tell you with scriptural references, this is the attitude of learning. People will not become smart on their own. If you want to become smart, you must learn the word of God. I said that some of the things people say are nonsense, and their response is dismissive. Even with such an attitude, I still patiently explain it to them.
We must all repent. Everyone in the church is a sinner and a fool. The difference is only between big fools and small fools. Don't think that small fools can laugh at big fools, or big fools can laugh at small fools. All people are sinners, so don't say you believe in your pastor. I have never told you to believe in me. I have said long ago that in our church there can be no financial dealings. If there must be, the most you can do is give him some money for food. Saying you believe in your pastor very much, and as a result you are deceived. I never asked you to believe in your pastor. Sometimes he is a human being, sometimes a ghost. It seems that we all have a Janus-like face. When the evil energy comes, we are like ghosts. When the positive energy comes, we are like angels. When we shout Hallelujah, it's as if angels are singing, but we are still fools.
I want to teach everyone an important lesson, that is, if something is not right here, and I can't fix something, I won't fix it. I'll say さようなら to you, hand it over to God, and let God fix it. Someone as powerful as you should let Amos fix it. I have prompted you again and again, but basically you don't respond to my prompts. Every time it's a conflict, but I really don't want to conflict, I'm really tired. Someone asked online what the right way is, the right way is like Joseph.
I have never done anything to be sorry to anyone. I have neither sold anyone to Egypt, nor have I taken a needle or thread from anyone. Why must I be kicked away like a piece of garbage? This is how I have come through. May God remember me and show me grace. There are still many misunderstandings, because people are self-righteous to an outrageous extent. He thinks you are going to harm him even if you are good to him. People's flesh is very powerful, they are all so self-righteous, you must deal with them. Today I reiterate that people are all carrying demons, even your pastor is the same as you, we are all sinners. Someone asked if I borrowed money from them, should I not lend it? My answer is don't believe me, you don't know when I will become a ghost. I never borrow money. I buy what I can afford, and I don't buy what I can't afford; I eat what I can afford, and I don't eat what I can't afford. If one day I borrow money from you, you will know that it is a ghost, don't lend it to me. There are times when I am accidentally possessed by a ghost, so we are all sinners.
Even today, as I testify to the brothers and sisters while shouting to the heavens, be careful not to be a foolish person. Be a smart person, blame yourself for being stupid, for being foolish, blame yourself for what you are after. If you feel there is a profit to be made and you are deceived, then you deserve it. That's also you taking the bait, you can't blame others. There are still many things inside us that are exactly the same as what Amos wrote in the 《Bible》.