Can You Be Found Guilty If You Don't Know The Law?

If we are not aware of or familiar with or knowledgeable of specific laws, and we happen to break a law, in ignorance, can we still be held accountable (found guilty, arrested, punished)? 

Let's face it, most of us are not attorneys and did not "study the law" in school.  So what happens if we break a law that we're not even aware IS a law? I think the answer is obvious, and I'm attempting to make a point here, but I will share an experience that I had, personally, to start.

I was 26 years old and had recently moved to California.  It was Halloween weekend and I was "out and about" with some friends.  We were "celebrating" the holiday at a popular restaurant/bar.  As it turned out, there were 2 "competing" Halloween parties going on in the area and they happened to be across the street from each other.  We didn't want to miss either party so we were spending about an hour at one and then "running across" to the party at the bar across the street.

On my way back to the original party, I was crossing the street, again, and waited for the right time, and made a run for it (to avoid the traffic on the road).  The road happened to be PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) and while this isn't a major road/freeway, this portion of PCH is close to the beach and can have a bit more traffic.  So, I made it to the median, waited for the road to be clear of all traffic, and then sprinted across to the other side.  This was probably the third time that night that I had crossed back and forth this way, however, this time when I reached the curb I heard, "Hello, Ma'am"?  I knew immediately it was a cop!

I couldn't believe it!  Then I thought, "what could I have possibly done wrong?"  I suddenly had that sinking feeling in my stomach and just knew that this had something to do with my just having crossed that street.  Sure enough, I approached the police officer and he asked me if I knew where the crosswalk was.  "Crosswalk?", was he kidding?"  No one was using a crosswalk and I didn't see any nearby.  The thought of using a crosswalk had never entered my mind.  I "didn't know" I HAD to use a crosswalk to cross the street (as naive as that sounds).  It just wasn't something I was familiar with, I guess.  I didn't live in a big city with crosswalks on every corner...and, this street didn't appear to have one.  I had no idea there was even a crosswalk on the street...BUT, he pointed one out to me....roughly 75 feet down the road from where we were standing, just under the traffic lights (go figure!).  

I tried explaining that I wasn't aware that there was even a crosswalk on the street but before I could finish I was handed a lovely ticket in the amount of $55!  He couldn't care less what my excuse was.  His response was exactly what you'd expect: "it's your responsibility to be aware of the laws" (something to that effect).  I was furious.  I couldn't believe it...not to mention it was $55 just for running across the street!  

So What's The Point:
This is just one, simple, example of how we, as citizens, are expected to know the law.  Period.  It makes no difference if we are not knowledgeable about the law, don't understand the law, never bothered to "check" what the local laws are, etc.  If we break a law, we will be held accountable.  Ignorance of the law is no defense.

My Point is that we should expect no less than the Righteous Judgment of God.  I will speak for myself here; I grew up in a Catholic home, was raised Catholic, attended Catholic Middle School and High School as well as worked at my local Parish (Church Office) from the age of 16 through 19.  I volunteered with the Catholic "Charities" and when I was old enough to live on my own, became a member of my own local Catholic Church....all the while NEVER having opened, never mind read, the Bible.  How is that possible?  It's not only possible, it's unfortunately very, very common.  I went so far as to purchase a book titled "The Catechism of The Catholic Faith" (which is a very thick book listing each and every little thing a "good Catholic" should or shouldn't do (according to the Catholic Church)...yet, I did not read the Holy Bible.  I write this now and still can't believe it, yet it's true.  

In my particular case, I was witnessed to, by a Born Again Believer and that is what planted the seed within me.  That was many years ago but now I believe many, many Christians, worldwide, are sharing The Truth, The Gospel, The Word of God in various ways and one of those ways is online.  So, at the very least, for someone to say they have never "heard" The Truth, The Gospel, The Word of God....well, for most of the world, I find that almost impossible.  

Why Is This So Important:
It's important because where (and how) we will spend eternity depends on it.  Just take a look around.  I happen to be blessed to live in a country that (so far) has not suffered like the rest of the world.  I do not believe that will last however.  I do believe judgment is coming to this country (and I'm afraid that the majority of the people in this country are NOT ready for what is coming).  We've had it TOO easy....most of us here have.  That being said, there is no denying that especially in this past year, just the natural hazards/disasters alone are beginning to take their toll here....like we've never seen before.  The entire world is experiencing horrific weather...deadly weather.  I do believe that God uses these things to shake up / wake up His people....for those who will listen.  It's becoming almost impossible to deny that "something" is definitely going on, going wrong, has changed in this world.  Maybe, just maybe God is trying to get the attention of every last person who's willing to listen.  

Why Is The Word of God So Important:
For one, as a Bible believing Christian (who only began reading the bible a little over 2 years ago)......I can attest to the FACT that the Holy Bible IS The Living Word of God.  It will change you.  

Secondly: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" 2 Timothy 3:16

Third: What does God want/expect from us?
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth".  2 Timothy 2:15

Here is an excellent "blog post" I found online regarding the "rightly dividing the Word of Truth:
Rightly Dividing The Word

There's only one way to really know God the Father and the Lord Jesus.....Read His Word.



Read (or listen) to the Word of God (free) online: https://www.biblegateway.com/

Remember What He Told Us - (cont.)

Are We Living In The End Times?

In the previous post, "Remember What He Told Us" (pt 1), we were reminded of the first few signs that Jesus told the disciples would be THE SIGNS this world would see just before His return.  Again, beginning in Matthew, chapter 24 and verse 5:

1. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
2. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye not be troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
3. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
4. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
5. And many false prophets shall rise, and deceive many.
6. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

The last post left off with "for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom".  The next thing Jesus told the disciples (and us) that this world would see would be famines.  Of course with all these "signs", each sign, in and of itself is not what we are to be "looking for" but rather the increase and intensity of each sign.  Remember, Jesus likened all of these signs as "the beginning of sorrows" which in it's original context (or translation) meant "birth pains".....similar to a woman giving birth or the labor "process" where the "birth pain" intensifies up until the moment of birth.

Famines:
The most recent data (2014 - 2016 estimates) puts the "Number and Prevalence (%) of Undernourished in the World" at 794.6 MILLION (10.9%) of the world.

Famine can stem from natural causes such as droughts, floods, earthquakes, insect plagues, and plant disease.  It can also stem from man-made causes such as wars, civil disturbances and deliberate crop destruction.  

While famines are, sadly, not unheard of or even not uncommon, especially in certain parts of the world, if we take into account all the factors that lead to / cause famine, we are unfortunately going to see this number skyrocket.  We were "told" that in the end times, in the days leading up to Christ's return, one of the things we would see on this earth if famine.  I don't think we've come close to seeing the worst of this yet.  The following signs are the other signs Christ said we would see just before His return....I believe the unprecedented increase in the following "signs" is what will lead to "a famine in the land" like this earth has not seen before.

Pestilences:
Pestilence - a fatal epidemic disease, especially bubonic plague; a contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating (especially bubonic plague).

January 5, 2016:

Biological Hazard - France - 800,000 ducks and geese will be culled under measures announced by the French Government to halt the spread of bird flu. January 5, 2017  -  Link

Epidemic Hazard - Australia - A fifth person has been diagnosed with meningococcal disease. January 5, 2017 - Link

Chile has detected bird flu at a turkey production plant run by poultry producer Agrosuper in the country's central Valparaiso region. January 5, 2017 - Link

A man in China's eastern province of Shandong has become at least the fourth person to die this winter from H7N9 bird flu, state media said on Thursday, while officials in southern Guangdong confirmed 14 cases of the virus in December. Regional fears of a major bird flu outbreak have been sparked by a record outbreak of avian influenza in poultry in South Korea, as well as infections in birds in Japan. - Link

Biological Hazard - Canada - Those tasked with identifying what was behind a recent massive herring die-off say they may never know the exact cause. - Link

Epidemic Hazard - Zimbabwe - In the past two-plus months, Zimbabwe has seen an outbreak of typhoid fever that has resulted in more than 2200 suspected cases and at least nine deaths, according to local media. - Link

Epidemic Hazard - Australia - Queensland Health has confirmed that a sixth person has tested positive to meningococcal disease in the space of a week.

January 7, 2016:

Epidemic Hazard - China - A new case of human H7N9 avian flu, has been reported in Zhuzhou City in central China\'s Hunan Province. Link

Biological Hazard - India - Experts from the Union health ministry on Saturday took stock of the situation at Hathijan village in the district where over 1,400 birds were culled following the death of Guinea fowls brought from Mumbai due to bird flu.  Link

January 8, 2016:

Biological Hazard - Zambia - Livestock and Fisheries Minister Michael Katambo says there is an outbreak of Anthrax in cattle in Limulunga, Nalolo, Kalabo, Shangombo and Sioma districts of Western Province. Mr Katambo  Link

Epidemic Hazard - Ireland - Seven people have died from the flu in the last few weeks, it's been revealed. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has said there were 341 cases of flu in mid December - with 270 people hospitalised before the new year. Link

Biological Hazard - India - Two samples of chicken were found positive for H5N1 bird flu in Kadaiya village in Daman district following which the administration has prohibited import, sale and storage of poultry products, and banned restaurants from serving chicken and egg products for a month. Link

Biological Hazard - United Kingdom - Bird flu has been found in a small flock in a backyard in North Yorkshire, the UK\'s chief veterinary officer said, warning that people who kept chickens and ducks in their gardens needed to be vigilant. The remaining live birds in the small flock of chickens and ducks are being humanely culled. Link

Biological Hazard - Slovenia - After a case of bird flu was confirmed in Pragersko in the north-east of Slovenia on Wednesday, another dead swan tested positive for the virus subtype H5N8. Link

January 9, 2016:

Biological Hazard - United Kingdom - A famous swannery owned by one of the richest women in Britain has been struck by a bird flu epidemic. Eighty wild swans have died at the historic Abbotsbury Swannery in Dorset - with nine confirmed cases of H5N8 strain of avian influenza. Link

Epidemic Hazard - USA Colorado - The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is warning the public that a person diagnosed with measles recently visited a wide variety of locations in Boulder and around the Denver metro area. Link

Biological Hazard - USA Montana -  Avian influenza has been confirmed in a hunter-harvested mallard duck in Fergus County. Link

January 11, 2016:

Epidemic Hazard - USA Washington - Seven Mead School District students have been diagnosed with mumps. Health officials said large outbreaks are occurring across the U.S. including in Washington State. They said up to 30 percent of people with a mumps infection will have no symptoms, while others can show signs of fever, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite and swelling/ pain of the cheeks and jaw. Link

Biological Hazard - Nigeria -  A devastating new strain of Avian Influenza has hit the poultry industry with over 3.5 million birds affected currently. According to the minister, the new strain is very pathogenic and more devastating to poultry species. Link

Biological Hazard - India -  Seventeen ducks and two ducklings were culled late on Saturday night at Mirasol Lake and Restaurant, Kadaiya village, Daman, after laboratory reports confirmed that the mysterious deaths of two ducklings there earlier, were due to the H5N1 virus known as bird flu/avian influenza. Link

Earthquakes, in divers places:

Rather than list all earthquakes by year or decade above a given magnitude, for the past decade, to illustrate the undeniable increase in number, magnitude and depth/magnitude of worldwide earthquakes, I will simply include the following link to a site which has already done this and done a great job depicting the massive increase in quake activity:

Endtime Earthquakes in Divers Places - Documented Proof!

There's no question that earthquake activity is on the rise as well as the intensity/magnitude of the earthquakes we are seeing now.  Jesus didn't just say we would see MORE earthquakes or BIGGER earthquakes...He said we'd see them in "divers" places.  In other words we would see these quakes in various places, ALL over...and yes, unusual places (for quakes, anyway). Well, this specific "condition" is true as well.

For anyone interested in monitoring current earthquake activity, I would recommend this site: USGS Latest Earthquakes  (in the upper right-hand corner is a gear icon where you can change settings for the map and what you'd like to see).

If you are interested in staying up-to-date with not just earthquakes, but ALL types of worldwide alerts, such as biological hazards, volcanic activity, etc., I would recommend this site: RSOE EDIS - Emergency Disaster Information 

John 14:29

29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

Luke 21:28

28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

(click on above prayer card to make larger and/or save/download)