We as Christians having received eternal salvation through the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ are living in an amazing time! We are told,
7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. – 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
The devil wants us to fear the events prophesied in Revelation, but that contradicts what God expects of us in this time! He calls us to operate in power, love and a sound mind!
4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. – 1 John 4:4 KJV
God is greater than he who is in the world! We need to stop being cowards, afraid of what is to come and start prayerfully considering what God seeks from us and for us in these turbulent times. Scripture is clear regarding who will stand with Christ at the first resurrection, it will be those who sacrificed all, just as He did, for their testimony of salvation through Jesus Christ. Those who loved not their lives more than Jesus Christ and Father God will be the ones in the temple with Jesus for eternity!
Stand on God’s word. Stand on His promises in scripture. Stand on His almighty power living in us through Holy Spirit. Stand on God’s infinite strategies to sustain us. Prayerfully consider the role God desires for you in this time and STAND!
Remember Who the 1st Resurrection White Robed Saints Are
Scripture is clear.
9And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. – Revelation 6:9-11 KJV
10Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. – Daniel 12:10 KJV
4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. – Revelation 20:4-6 KJV
12Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. – Revelation 3:12 KJV
We have an awesome opportunity to strive to be a pillar in the temple of God, dressed in white, never leaving Him again for eternity!!!
Choose Repentance
God created each of us and blessed us with the opportunity of choice. We saw that opportunity go badly with Adam and Eve and if we’re honest, we have ALL seen that opportunity go badly in our lives too. Remember Peter?
Peter denied Christ: not once, not twice, but three times as evil was taking Jesus to the cross. He lived and spent every day with Jesus and yet his strength was too weak in those moments to stand and tell the truth. For me, I’m sure the number of times I failed to speak up for Christ is much, much greater than only three times! When Peter initially recognizes the sin of his ways, he is distraught, devastated, feeling lower than I’m sure he ever imagined possible. His sin separated him from God and Jesus. Again, I can personally relate. Betraying Christ and feeling completely undeserving of God’s love, mercy and forgiveness is agonizing. But the story of Peter was not over yet and neither is ours.
After being resurrected from the grave, Christ questions Peter three times. With each question Peter’s understanding grows, helping him to acknowledge his sin, repent earnestly, and finally receive the grace of forgiveness. Christ followed God’s plan to bring forgiveness to Peter and to us!
God created this opportunity for mercy and grace through repentance. Keeping a soft heart is how we graciously receive God’s direction. We have all fallen short and veered from God’s path. But, there is a way back, we just have to choose repentance.
The same way mercy and grace are received by the choice of our heartfelt desire to repent and sin no more, we only grow in relation with Jesus Christ and God through our heartfelt choice to do so. People can read God’s word regarding the last days at a surface level and allow it to stoke fear within them. Or we can choose to study, pray, fast and listen more closely for the next step God is calling us to take in His sovereign plan. We can choose to accept God’s challenge during these times. Becoming a First Resurrection White Robed Saint will not be the outcome for all of us. But God provided us with a choice of what we aspire to.
Repentance with a true and genuine heart desiring and striving to sin no more, combined with the grace of Jesus Christ brought to us by His sacrifice is a miraculous combination for releasing the fire of Holy Spirit into our individual walks with the Lord. As we repent, our hearts, minds and spirits turn away from earthly sin, lusts of the flesh and the devil. Our repentance turns us toward God, seeking His mercy, grace and love to let go of the past and to receive His almighty strength to go forward and sin no more. Through repentance, we are able to learn to be better stewards and servants, working to help others along God’s path, sharing the Gospel of Christ!
Be encouraged to lay past mistakes and sin at the feet of the Lord, seek forgiveness through repentance with a pure heart striving to sin no more. God will meet you where you are. But I promise, He will continue to desire to bring you ever close, challenging each of us to continuously shed earthly ways and grow ever closer in relationship with Him. We have a great opportunity to see and rejoice in the strength and power of God.
TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!!!
Seek Righteousness through God’s Holy Spirit
What we see and listen to impacts our thoughts, hearts and ultimately our spirit. Once we receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, we become filled with God’s Holy Spirit.
16Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. – 1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV
13Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. – 2 Timothy 1:13-14 KJV
26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. – Romans 8:26-27 KJV
Above are just a few scriptures speaking to Holy Spirit dwelling within us, making us temples of God, helping us keep the faith and love of Jesus Christ and interceding for us, helping us with our infirmities and supporting our walk with God along the paths He has established for each of His saints.
Again, our choices drive our spirit to be filled in greater portion by the Holy Spirit of God or by the sinful spirit of the world.
16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. – Galatians 5:16-26 KJV
Reading these verses again, we see there is absolutely no overlap between the Spirit of God and the spirit of the world. We remember the Hebrew boys in Daniel who were living in Babylon and yet stayed true in mind, heart and spirit to the one true Almighty God. They maintained lives of prayer, worship, fasting and complete dedication, discipleship and trust in the plan God had for each of them.
8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. – Ephesians 5:8-11 KJV
15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ – Ephesians 5:15-20 KJV
30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. – Ephesians 4:30 KJV
God continues to be constant and true. He blesses us with His power of Holy Spirit operating inside of us and He teaches us the choices to make to increase the presence of Holy Spirit within us. We began in darkness but now we are able to choose light, the light living in us through Holy Spirit. We are to be wise in the ways of the Lord, rejoicing in the Lord in our hearts, always giving thanks to God.
Being unable to listen to the Father and Son regarding our sin grieves Holy Spirit. Avoid choices that bring His silence! Seek daily, in every minute to have a pure heart, full of desire to only serve. Strive for righteousness continuously.
7Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. – Matthew 7:7-8 KJV
We must continuously hold our hearts and minds in check to seek the ways of the Spirit, pushing out the ways of the flesh. Isaiah also speaks to the Spirit of the Lord.
1And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
2And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
3And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: – Isaiah 11:1-3 KJV
The Spirit of God rested on Jesus. That Spirit of God brings wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and fear of the Lord. Notice God alone is to be feared. Learning to fear the Lord will result in “quick understanding” for us. Seek greater righteousness and to more deeply understand the Spirit of God dwelling inside us to face the last days.
Trust the Promises of God
Responsible Given More
When seeking with a true heart and growing in faith, be prepared to be given more, and I’m not talking money. I’m talking knowledge of God and His ways, understanding of how He wants to see His children behave and operate when caring for others. Be prepared to see supernatural protection from all evil and supernatural supply of every basic need. Please understand, basic need is used in the most extreme of true need. It is difficult to believe many earthly comforts will be around after the literal shaking of earth prophesied of in Revelation. But, if there are for the children of God, that will be great! However studying scripture and looking at the suffering of God’s prophets, it is hard for my human mind to believe we will experience something different.
Look at Ezekiel. He was told to prepare food that would last for over a year so he could lay on his left side for 390 days as a message to Israel, to then be told to lay on his right side for another 40 days! The stories of prophets from the Old Testament show us the level of sacrifice God calls us to when we choose to serve Him.
I do believe we have the opportunity to choose to some degree. God continues to open doors or close doors based on our own level of commitment. The higher level of commitment we each choose for servitude in our lives, the greater actions we will see God perform in support of our commitment. He will call us to greater levels of trust in Him as our commitment increases. Continuing to say, “yes” only grows our relationship with God the Father. As we experience greater and greater closeness with Him, the fear of saying, “yes” dissipates and God’s power working through Holy Spirit in us increases.
Expect God through Holy Spirit to work His wonders through you, as you are willing to give up more and more of yourself to ONLY follow His plans for your life, turning from sin and earthly ways leaves less and less room for evil.
The parable of the mustard seed reflects our opportunity to grow in God’s greatness!!!! It doesn’t stay a dormant seed in the ground, simply going to church once a week and doing little more. The mustard seed thrives from rain water, sunlight and fertile soil. Our seed is fertilized through reading God’s Word, prayer, faith, fasting and taking action to share Christ’s Gospel of Peace. Without being a responsible steward of our own mustard seed, we will be left dormant and useless for the Kingdom of God. Be responsible and prepare to be given more.
Gather Oil
Jesus told the parable of the ten virgins awaiting an invitation from the bridegroom to join the marriage feast.
1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. – Matthew 25:1-13 KJV
Each virgin was responsible for having oil. It wasn’t something that one could give to another. We each need to prepare our hearts with the Word of God to have oil for our lamps as we await the glorious return of Jesus Christ!
Function with Gifts of Holy Spirit
Manifestation of Holy Spirit is given to all to further God’s kingdom on earth.
4Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. – 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 KJV
Notice there are no limitations indicated in these verses. The more we allow ourselves to be filled with Holy Spirit, cutting off the spirit of the world by turning from sinful ways, the more we make ourselves available for use by God and Holy Spirit. God meets us where we are and He has developed a powerful method for His Holy Spirit to operate through His temples.
Jesus tells His disciples to go out into the world in pairs and do as He did.
7And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. – Matthew 10:7-8 KJV
Jesus tells His disciples to wield the power of Holy Spirit. We received this free gift from God the Father and are told likewise to give freely. Spend time communing with God to gain wisdom regarding the gifts of the Spirit He would like to develop within you.
Steward Talents
Jesus taught us to be good stewards of the talents God has blessed us with.
14For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
19After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. – Matthew 25:14-30 KJV
Put on Armor of God
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints – Ephesians 6:10-18 KJV
God tells us how to protect ourselves: truth, righteousness, gospel of peace, faith, salvation and the word of God all dwelling in us. All the pieces of armor are used for defense except one, the sword of the Spirit of the word of God. It will be the word of God and our testimony of salvation through Jesus Christ that will be used to fight against the powers of evil that will grow on the earth in the last days.
11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. – Revelation 12:11 KJV
Spiritual warfare is real, but He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world. The devil seeks to steal, kill and destroy, but we do not need to fear. God tells us not to be concerned with what we will say when called to account.
19But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 20For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. – Matthew 10:19-20 KJV
God’s Word is so beautiful!! He continues to promise His saints He will be with them through the power of Holy Spirit. We do not need to be concerned or fear not finding the right words to say. God through Holy Spirit will provide His words to be said at whatever point they are needed!
Heed Warnings of God and Jesus Christ
Many Will Fall Away
Hebrews speaks to the generation of Israelites who grieved God with unbelief.
1Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. 3For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. 4For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. 5And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; 6But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
7Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
8Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
9When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.
10Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
11So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
12Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
15While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
16For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 17But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? 18And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 19So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. – Hebrews 3:1-19 KJV
We are the church of Christ and must learn God’s ways. As last days saints, we must be faithful to Christ and God who sent Him. We are called to hold fast until the end. Protect your heart, there will be temptation in the wilderness. Do not err in your heart with unbelief or parting from God. God is the Creator of heaven and earth. He is almighty and powerful. Arrogant hearts with unbelief in His great, unfathomable power is what we are warned against. Unbelief hardens our hearts!
Deceitfulness of sin likewise hardens hearts. Be of Christ and continue with Him steadfast to the end. We are the church of Christ, the Ekklesia, and we can hold close to Him through the power of Holy Spirit. Erring in our choices will lead us away from God and to hardened hearts.
Some of the Hebrews led out of Egypt by the miracles of God almighty still fell in the wilderness. They strayed from the commandments of God. They were up close and personal with the power of God working through Moses to free them and yet they still lost hope. They hardened their hearts against God and at one point even made a golden calf to worship, giving the golden idol glory over God!
Revelation scripture makes it clear there will be another great falling away prior to the return of Jesus Christ. Hearts will harden when God’s plan is different from what some people desire. Being sloth to seek and learn more of God’s ways and understand His greater plan evolving in the last days will facilitate that falling away. We need to protect our hearts, keeping them soft and in a state for God to mold them. We need to do our part to protect ourselves from being led astray. Lost discernment leads to unbelief!
False Doctrines Preached
Christ warned His disciples there will be division in the earthly church, false doctrines and a need to endure.
1I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. – 2 Timothy 4:1-5 KJV
We are commanded to know the word of God! We are warned of a time when people will seek doctrine twisted to meet their own lusts. They will seek and find teachers willing to proclaim false doctrine to scratch the itch of these people’s ears. The more people turn to these false doctrines the further they will stray from the Lord.
God’s word is truth and we as disciples need to rebuke evil fables and teach truthful sound doctrine, at all times and especially during times of suffering. God blesses us through Holy Spirit with the ability to discern teachings. There will be a falling away as was proclaimed in numerous scriptures. There will be teachers of false doctrine masquerading as followers of Jesus Christ. But in the end, Jesus will say He did not know them. Again, the saints are called to endure the affliction of these false doctrines. We are called to discern with God’s Spirit, not an earthly spirit with itchy ears.
Last Days Saints Will Be Disgusted
The closer we are to God, the more sin makes us sick. Daniel was ill for days after receiving prophecies from God regarding the last days. We should expect similar reactions as the end approaches. The world will continue to be increasingly unstable. We will experience the birth pains as the earth is destroyed. However, there is still time to reach those in need with the Gospel!!
Recognize we are living through the fourth and final rise of Babylon on earth. We have seen the takeover of so many parts of our world by evil. We are truly living in modern day Babylon with a rise in satanic worship and the occult. Some churches have stopped preaching repentance of sin, totally undermining the opportunity for greater understanding through and appreciation of mercy. Basic respect for life and the right to live peacefully have been completely disregarded in so many areas of life. God commands us to keep discerning hearts through His Holy Spirit.
1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. – 1 John 4:1-6 KJV
God tells us how to identify evil spirits from His Spirit. It all circles back to the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross for our salvation and if a spirit is able to acknowledge the name of Jesus Christ who walked in flesh on the earth. God has shown us the way and will continue to give us strength and direction to overcome. We need to listen and be discerning, knowing the voice of God through His Holy Spirit.
God Is Sovereign, In Control and Has a Plan
Trust God
Noah listened to God and acted accordingly. Remember, faith without action is dead. He heard God, built the ark and trusted the food supply he was told to put in the ark would be sufficient to last for however long God had planned for him, his family and all the animals to live in the ark. We need to do the same, but our “arks” are going to be our Bibles. Knowing God’s Word and understanding His ways and having the closest of relationships with God will sustain us in the wilderness. We need to be in prayer and God’s word daily, just as God taught us through Noah, Abraham, Elijah and Enoch. Our lives need to replicate the same habits, so we will walk straight on God’s path at every moment, with every word, obeying God’s commandments in thought, word and deed, with our whole heart!
Putting our complete trust in God, His almighty power and His supernatural ways of sustaining us are what is called for in the last days. By being in continuous relation with Him and growing in His Holy Spirit, we increase our ability to receive messages from God directly and specifically, for each day, for each step. We can seek His consult to address anything the devil chooses to throw at us.
1He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. – Psalm 91:1-16 KJV
Psalm 91 is one of complete trust in God for the last days. As faithful servants following His commandments, we can trust God to deliver us from snares and pestilence. God’s angels are charged with protecting us and helping us stay in the ways of God. We can trust in God’s plans to protect us.
The devil, the dragon will be trampled under the feet of God. The wicked will be rewarded accordingly in God’s time. God’s love for us will deliver us! He will be with us in troubled times. So, we can endure without fear, trusting God is in complete control!!
Learn, Grow Patience and Have Hope
Scripture tells us:
4For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. – Romans 15:4 KJV
1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. – Romans 5:1-5 KJV
The endurance and encouragement of scripture is to provide hope in ALL TIMES. Revelation scripture presents events that will completely rip apart the physical earth we know. Seal 6 speaks to the earth flattened with four corners and an angel at each corner. It says heaven will roll up like a scroll, man will hide in caves. There are multiple references to earthquakes. The ground will literally be shaking beneath us! The level of earthly shaking will be like nothing any of us have ever experienced before! We must remember, Almighty God is always in control and able to win any battle and will ultimately be victorious in the war against evil playing out on earth.
Thank God for moments of hunger and lacking. Glorify Him through the pain and pray as the apostles did in their time that all suffering be used by God to bring Him glory and bring His kingdom come. And may all suffering be counted eternally as beneficial to the plans of God the Father. Tribulation brings patience, bringing experience, bringing hope, bringing our unashamed testimony of Christ through God’s love in our hearts by Holy Spirit.
I believe there will be signs we as the Ekklesia, will be able to see and be encouraged by. When Moses went to Pharoah for the freedom of the Hebrews, the magicians could not keep up when it came to the power of God. For the first few plagues, the Egyptian magicians appeared to perform the same acts, but they only appeared to be similar. Their evil power was found lacking.
Likewise in Daniel, the magicians and sorcerers of the day may have interpreted Neduchadnezzar’s dreams in prior events, but all their power and abilities not of God were found insufficient when put up against the power of God working through Daniel.
Scripture was written for our learning, comfort and patience that we may have hope. My prayer today is to commune with God as Moses, Daniel and the three Hebrew boys did. I pray to be with God in the tabernacle or at His feet on the mountaintop in prayer, seeking righteousness and saying, “Yes” to His calling as I study and continue to hand over more and more of my everyday life to Him. God is my hope yesterday, today and for eternity! Amen!
Finish the Race Well!
Challenge Yourself and Take Action
Consider where you have been and what you have learned in your life. Do you see a path growing closer to Jesus and the Father? Are there times you have followed Holy Spirit leading to bring the Gospel of Christ’s salvation and peace to others? Are you continuously seeking more righteous ways in your own life?
5Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
6Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 7And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. – Isaiah 6:5-7 KJV
8Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. – Isaiah 6:8 KJV
Pray in that day and time to be cleansed like Isaiah by the angel bringing coal from God’s alter to his lips. Isaiah knew his sin and that he was unworthy. But he also knew God loved him and had a plan for him. Isaiah wanted to fulfill that plan. We need to continuously request cleansing to stay aligned with our Father in these end times. He is waiting with open arms for us, at all times! He knows when we are genuine and truthful in our heart’s desires. We must always be honest, good and bad, and seek to fulfill God’s plan.
Read scripture daily. A verse or two is great, but don’t short change God. Find a way that works for you to spend more time in God’s Word. You can listen in your car, while you work out or the best scenario, in a quiet space you can go to regularly.
Pray daily. Not just asking God to solve problems in your life or the lives of others, but honestly seeking His will for your life and daily activity. He cares for us and every facet of our lives here on earth and He can use every element of our lives to bring His Kingdom come, if we let Him and agree to follow His direction.
Remember Our Biblical Charge as Christ’s Ekklesia
What is our charge as the Ekklesia (Ecclesia):
34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. – Matthew 25:34-40 KJV
Jesus sent the disciples out in pairs. He didn’t send them with earthly power, He sent them with the power of God Almighty through Holy Spirit!
7And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. 9Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 10Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. 11And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. 12And when ye come into an house, salute it. 13And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. – Matthew 10:7-14 KJV
It’s really that straight forward. Scripture may feel hard to live out in real life. But the reality is, the concepts are simple. We are to trust in the Lord solely for all our needs, for direction and for sustenance. Our sole thought should be to serve, seeking to understand exactly the ways God desires for each of us to serve. And as scripture promises:
2And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. – Isaiah 2:2 KJV
2In the last days, the mountain of the LORD’s house
will be the highest of all—
the most important place on earth.
It will be raised above the other hills,
and people from all over the world will stream there to worship. – Isaiah 2:2 NLT
We as Christ’s Ekklesia have the opportunity to seek to be part of all nations coming together to worship on the mountain of the LORD’s house! We can seek to part of the 1st resurrection!
Continuously Choose to Fight for Christ!!!
We prevail with the blood of the Lamb and the testimony of the Gospel of Peace!! So, stop behaving with weakness!!! The outpouring of the Holy Spirit will be greater than anything we have ever seen before or has ever been seen!!! There will be an abundance of miracles and taking down of strongholds!! Choose to be part of the battle!!
John was told to eat the paper which was sweet in his mouth and bitter in his stomach. I have prayed regarding this scripture for years and some time ago, I believe God shared His wisdom. Revelation documents the outpouring against evil in the last days and the destruction of earthly elements. I believe God’s message to me was that the sweet in John’s mouth was going to be all the beauty of God pouring out in parallel on the earth: His great miracles, His great wisdom, His great love, His great supernatural power displayed through angelic power and grace which we are going to see with our own human eyes. There will be great outpouring of Holy Spirit power, God’s power!
Be Ready to Do Exploits and Teach
And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. – Daniel 11:32-33 KJV
Those who know God, trusting in His promises and His ways, will “do exploits”. We can trust the exploits of God, worked through His saints, will be greater than any exploits of the beast or the man of lawlessness. Look at the plagues of Egypt documented in the book of Exodus, when Moses requested the Hebrews be allowed to go into the wilderness for three days to worship and give glory to God. Pharoah’s sorcerers made cheap replications of the first few plagues, but God proved in front of their eyes they were only fake knockoffs of God’s power. Remember the staffs turning into serpents? For a brief moment, it appeared as those in Pharoah’s kingdom had equal power, also turning their staffs into serpents. But God’s power was greater and that was quickly indisputable when the serpents of Moses’ and Aaron’s staffs consuming the serpents of the sorcerers.
We will still experience bitter in our stomachs, as we have a front row seat just as Noah did of those attempting to escape the flood. It will be bitter to see the increasing rejection of Christ boldly professed in city squares, even beyond what we see today. But we need to remember who we are, blessed children of the one true God!! He chose us and we chose Him!!! And He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world! Hallelujah!!
We need to continuously breakdown the walls around our hearts and minds to allow Holy Spirit to work through us in new and greater ways. Think of the Israelites leaving Egypt. They needed:
- Physical protection from those who sought their death.
- Water to drink
- Sustenance to eat
- Shelter to sleep and recharge to continue along the path God planned for them.
- DIRECTION: The pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day, showing them where to go, when to stop and when to proceed.
God addressed all these needs and more! Yet some in the group still fell away, seeking help and guidance from false gods created by human hands! It is surprising to me the number of Israelites that fell away when Moses was on the mountain top with God longer than anticipated. It is scary to think that Aaron, who was also so close to God and to Moses facilitated the process. We need to TRUST GOD is still with us, even when it may feel He is not. He will never forsake us!
This knowledge should give all of us pause. We are going to be susceptible to falling away, if we do not continuously seek a close intimate relationship with God. The same falling away is warned of in scripture and we need to be aware not only for ourselves, but for those around us.
Scripture gives clear direction on how to address our fellow Christian who may be going astray. We need to understand this process, follow it and when necessary, walk away. We need to be keen not only of our own sin, but not being caught up in the sin of others.
BE STRONG IN FAITH, READ TO UNDERSTAND GOD’S WAYS OF PROTECTING HIS PEOPLE!!!
Do Not Look Back!!
Lot’s wife looked back because she had found comfort in the ways of evil. In her heart, she had grown complacent. She had dulled the Spirit in her, leading her to look back, longing for a place among the evil that existed in Sodom. We need to steep ourselves in scripture to be wholly devoted to God’s next step for each of us, never looking back!!
Experience Peace When Surrounded by Evil
We will experience peace.
7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7 KJV
We will find peace resting in the Lord through the most difficult and egregious times. Be ready for the fresh and on-going outpouring of Holy Spirit. God will not forsake us. He has a plan for each of us, so be patient and endure!
Take Up Your Mantel
Take up your mantel! What evil plans for destruction, God will use for good.
11And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. 13He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; 14And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over. – 2 Kings 2:11-14 KJV
Elisha was told to stay back many times, but instead, he continued close to Elijah knowing he would see an act of God. When God’s chariot of fire did come and take up Elijah, his cloak fell and Elisha picked it up. Elisha’s dedication resulted in him seeing Elijah taken away and being blessed with his cloak, which wielded the power of God. Elisha made the choice to elevate his persute of God and he was rewarded!
We are each called to know God and His Word. We are called to be different individual parts that make up one body. We are all called in some way to serve, as uniquely as God created each of us. Regardless of the situation or circumstance, speaking the truth is God’s way. Our sensitivities will be challenged and at times hurt, but it is better to cling to God’s truth than our weaknesses, shortcomings, and lack of understanding.
Strive for Eternity
Aspire to hear God’s greeting.
21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. – Matthew 25:21 KJV
23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. – Matthew 25:23 KJV
Continue handing everything over to God and do not fear! Trust! Discern! Practice listening to Holy Spirit and taking action! Everyday we have here on earth is another day to win more souls to Christ. As you grow in God’s strength working through you as a vessel, the devil will flee. Plead the blood of Jesus Christ for cleansing. Repent of sin known and unknown in your life. Seek wisdom of unknown sin, so you can work to sin no more. God’s desire is to commune with each of us. That is the beautiful conclusion of all these events on earth. You too can grow that communion with the Lord God Almighty now!!!
My greatest fear is NOT being with God and Christ for eternity! There would be pain, but the true suffering would be separation from God and Jesus Christ for eternity!! So:
- Be Courageous
- Be Encouraged
- Continuously Repent of Wrongdoings
- Trust God is more creative and protective then you ever imagined
- Trust God loves you more than you can fathom!!!
- We need to Ready Our Hearts!!
Let us strive together to hear, “well done, good and faithful servant,” as we are raised up on the last day at the 1st resurrection, given white robes and blessed to spend eternity in the temple with God the Father and His Glorious Son, Jesus Christ for eternity!!!