How Far Is "DOWN" ?
By Harold Stoddard

Isaiah 48:22, "There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked."
Isaiah 57:21, "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." (KJV)

There was perfect peace in the garden of Eden as God walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day; they could visit and have fellowship together; everything was peaceful and there was peace among all creatures and with their Creator. Adam and Eve lived a peaceful happy life in their innocence. A glorious time it must have been; however at the urging of Satan they forsook the way of peace and from that time until now man's life has been one of rebellion, turmoil and war. Sin of every type has beset the world. How far will man continue on his downward path, away from God and His offer of the return of the peace men once knew? For many, "DOWN" will end in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone. Rev. 20:15.

The warning has been given already, yet we continue to put confidence in the plans of men; we clamour for peace; we desire peace and make programs to bring peace; we even fight wars and wars and wars to force peace; yet peace always eludes us. God has given us the answer in the verses quoted above, but the wicked hearts of men, in their pride and arrogancy, still claim they will find the answer without the help of the Almighty; and so humanity goes on down, down, down away from our Creator and we have become miserable examples of God's creation.

Oh, how far has our own nation fallen today, as we continue to despise God our Saviour who Himself IS the Way of Salvation to all who will believe; and the Way of Truth and Righteousness to every nation who will turn and follow Him in true repentence.

Nations that have forgotten God and have forsaken His way, continue to drift helplessly on Down, despising the blessed Name by which we may be saved. We have so much trouble in our schools and no one seems to know why. How foolish we are to have cast out of our schools even the Name of Jesus Christ, who Himself IS the Prince of Peace!

Our courts today have an overload of cases to try and justice is gone from them, for we have cast the Name and even the Word of Jesus Christ, out of the courts and through their perverted ideas, men reign and justice is denied.

Every year we legally murder untold numbers of babies in our country. Most certainly the most heathen practice ever devised by man is called Partial-birth Abortion. In our state at least (Colorado) you may be thrown into jail for killing a dog or even a rattlesnake...yet, partial-birth abortion is legal.

We are being told today that it is illegal to post the Ten Commandments in the front of a courthouse; yet, they are the only Perfect laws ever written and they are forever settled in heaven and need never be changed. How far is "DOWN"? ...remember the Lake of Fire...That is your answer.

Our Creator in due time, His time, will stop the way we are taking; however it will be too late for individuals to recover and so those who despise Him today will hit Bottom and will KNOW how far "Down" is...

However, with the warning comes also the Way of escape, for the Scripture says: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaish 9:6 KJV)

Jesus Christ Himself came with healing in His wings to save to the uttermost all them that will come unto God by Him. He came as a Babe in a manger, He endured the cross, and He arose from the grave in total victory!

God has promised that although we live today in an evil world of turmoil and trouble with sin on every side, we may have the peace of God in our hearts and lives by simple faith in Jesus Christ. He says in Romans 5:1, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (KJV). You will never get the answer by following the ideas and programs of men but only from the very Word of God which is forever settled in heaven. The Bible says of men's programs: "And the way of peace have they not known:..." Romans 3:17 KJV.

Those who recognize their lost condition and come to Jesus Christ in simple faith trusting only in Him will have the peace of God in their hearts even as the world struggles in turmoil around them. The words of Jesus are these: "Peace I leave with you, my peace give I unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27 KJV.

The Blood of Jesus Christ has been shed for you...no greater price will ever be paid, for Jesus paid it ALL and here is His last invitation to all who are lost: "And the spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst Come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17 KJV.