The Patience of the Saints

Luke 12:51-53 "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law."

Luke 21:1619 "And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my names sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls."

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Let me propose a question that has been asked before but is worth thinking on. "If Jesus was to walk the earth in a body of flesh as he did 2000 years ago, how many churches do you think he would be invited to preach in?" I would contend that the condition of things in this day are very reminiscent of those during the days of his earthly ministry. In the postings of this particular stop in the blogosphere, you will find talk about some things that are "hard on the flesh." I don't talk much about prosperity, or the philosophies of men, and I try to avoid gnat straining over totally insignificant matters. Usually any talk concerning geo-political events is done in relation to their place on the prophetic timeline. I strive to cause any passer by to ponder the things that are coming to pass, to get right with God, and to be aware of the "perilosity" (don't bother looking that up in a dictionary) of the times. Perils from false doctrines, perils from the lust of the flesh, perils from this present world with its ever enlarging arsenal of diversions and perils from falling into a state of spiritual slumber.

I don't want to park here for too long, but the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine has come to fruition as virtually the entire evangelical world has taken it to heart. (I really wasn't planning to go here.) Like all such teachings, it's a "smooth thing" (Isaiah 30:10) Anytime that you try to admonish someone to be prepared for the times ahead, they always resort to the "escape clause." They will usually intervene with "Oh brother, don't you know? We're not going to be here when those things take place. All of those scriptures throughout the bible are for the jews and the carnal christians who didn't name it and claim it very often because they didn't have enough faith." (Yes; I'm being a little sarchastic) Before going on, let me list some scriptures, in case you really want to check it out for yourself. PLEASE with much prayer in sincerety, CHECK IT OUT FOR YOURSELF. Don't take ANYONES word at face value, including mine, as we all see through a glass darkly.

Isaiah 26:20....Daniel 7:21-27....Daniel 8:23-25....Zephaniah 2:3....Matthew 24:22....Matthew 24:29-31.... Mark 13:20....Mark 13:24-27....Luke 21:28....I Corinthians 15:51-52 (at the last trump)....I thessalonians 4:16-17 (at the last trump)....I Peter 3:10 (day of the Lord)....Revelation 12:11....Revelation 14:12....Revelation 15:1-3....Revelation 20:4-6

This concept of going through the tribulation is rough at first. When I first understood it, I asked the Lord in sincerety "If this is true, please let me embrace it and prepare us for the times to come. It was then that I truly started to learn to be "in the world but not of the world." Things that used to get to me just don't get to me anymore as my sights are truly on the world to come. My primary concern here is the salvation of souls; that folks would come to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

For anyone who has ears to undrstand this, we are going to be cast out as evil by friends, family members, co-workers, and anyone who reject the truth. Let me propose a senario, that's not really as far-fetched as it may seem. I recently read an interview with a retired Chinese general. He stated that the Chinese military strategy is very similar to the tactics employed in the martial arts; to attack at the pressure points. Just suppose that the Chinese have drained everything out of this country that they can drain and it's time to move to the next level. A nuclear air burst at the proper location could render every electronic system in this country useless. All of our electronically stored records, banking, personal, etc. GONE. All of our security systems down and our military totally incapacitated. No more internet. No more blogging about the end of the world. (or anything for that matter) Can you even begin to imagine the result of this. Complete economic stoppage; total unpreparedness by the vast majority of citizens and an ensuing societal breakdown that would make the aftermath of katrina look like "spilled milk" in comparison. (This is not to make light of the Katrina tragedy as it resulted in hundreds or even thousands of precious souls going into eternity.) All of this from one detonation and this doesn't take into account the growing list of nations that dislike us or the porous borders that will allow passage of practically anyone who wants to get in for whatever reason they want to get in for. The point is this. Our present situation can dissolve in a matter of seconds. (Get out of the cities)

It will be a chaotic situation of like manner (exactly how it will come to pass, I don't know. We just need to watch and know that every event is significant) that will facillitate the man of sins rise to power. This man will be smooth, cunning, have a pleasent personality, quick with a zinger here or there, and he will "put things back together" again. Peace will be reinstituted and men will, at that point "sell their birthright for a loaf of bread" as they receive his mark. The faith of many will be shipwreck as they had no idea that they would ever face something like this. Read II Thessalonians and Revelation about how the false prophet will perform supernatural signs. There will be events taking place that will not only seem to disprove christianity, but will make it look totally "buffoonable." (Don't look that up in a dictionary either) Anyone maintaining the faith of Jesus Christ will become a laughingstock as a result of the seeming abundance of "tangible proof" to the contrary. The stage for this transpiration is already set with the political correctness mindset, eccumenical teachings, sensitivity training, "UFO" sightings, and what have you. This nation which calls itself "christian" is only a small step away from "wondering after the beast" as is the entire world.

Revelation 13:5-8 "And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."

All who don't know Jesus Christ as their Savior "will" worship this man of sin. Let me state this one thing again. If you can't live for the Lord Jesus Christ now, how are you going to die for him when that will be the cost of not submitting to the antichrist government? This idea that only the carnal, lukewarm christians will be here; that they will suddenly get right with God and endure the strongest delusions that the world has ever seen is erroneous. If you're not close in to the Lord now; if you're following afar off, you're going to be ill-equipped to stand in those days. "Those days" are upon us. I read a report recently stating that in ten years, all British citizens will have a chip implant. It sounds so logical, so safe and secure. So conveinent to have everything, your bank account numbers, medical history, personal profile, security access, (no more fumbling around for keys) everything at your fingertips; LITERALLY. The system is in place; the technology is perfected, the pieces are coming together at a phenominal pace.

I brought up the verses at the beginning for this reason. When this all comes down, those friends, family members, and acquaintances who don't know Jesus will turn on you. When you refuse to accept a mark and cannot buy for your household, you will be made to look like a criminal. In those days we will have to completly rely on God. We will have to have our hearts thoroughly established if we're to not be taken by the events that are coming to pass here.

Again these are not necesarily pleasent things to think on. We know that such events are coming to pass, even though the exact details of how and when remain somewhat unclear. The basics are in place. The situation in the world at this present time simply CANNOT go much longer. Saints of God, you can get by without a new boat. You can survive living in an apartment or even a tent if you had to. But you cannot stand in the hour that we're living in if you follow afar off. You and I absolutly MUST abide in the True Vine and hide the word of God in our hearts. I repeat this often even though you know it because we all need reminding, lest we get too busy with things and become negligent.

Jesus Christ is returning. This is what really matters. We need to look to him continuously. If you look at the storm, you'll sink. FAST. Look to Jesus who has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. We all know people who are lost and we must pray fervently for them and do everything to win them for Christ. To have our conversation on things above and to not be drawn in to frivilous communications. This is an area where I struggle daily but with so many souls hanging in the balance, we must lay such things aside. As I write this morning, I,m talking very much to myself as anyone. We all need to stay focused. Well I'll be going for now. I may be posting a little less often in the times ahead as there are things that need to be tended to. Let me close out with a very familiar passage.

Matthew 7:13-15 "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."