September 16, 2014
"But mark this, there will be
terrible times in the last days."
(2 Timothy 3:1) ..... Also, Luke 21:25-26 goes on to say, " ... On the earth, nations will be in
anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26)
Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world
.... "
Ok, now as an example, today's Drudge
Report headlines start out with this ...
*The Great Unraveling ...
*It was a Time of Weakness ...
*It was a Time of Hatred ...
*It was a Time of Fever ...
*It was a Time of Disorientation ...
Wow! ... and this is a secular news
site!..... But today, most all the
world's news outlets are full of just these kinds of stories ... stories like
"A World in Turmoil" .. "The World's Nations in Despair" ..
'International Political Upheaval" .. "World Economies
Unraveling" ....... stories talking of many 'signs in the sun, moon and
stars' .. of diseases, plagues and
emerging pandemics .. of famine & drought .. increasing civil chaos ..
Christian persecution & martyrdom .. I could go on for hours with so much
more despairing news ....
Yes, the world appears to be 'on fire'
right now. .. Every category of Biblical prophecy seems to be exploding all
around us. .. And as a result, people are afraid today! ... In fact, many are
'scared to death!' .. For those of us
Christians who are 'paying attention' ... we who are 'tuned in' .. many
of us feel like we are living in the final moments of the Church Age. .. The
mounting crises, the signs of 'great shaking' .. all signs are evident, even to
secular newscasters, who are coming right out and saying that 'we can't keep up
with all that is taking place all around us.' ...... and, according to the
Bible, it will only continue to increase as we move ever closer .....
So now, for every follower of Jesus
Christ, the question of the hour is this ... 'Will our faith endure what is
coming?'
... Simply, I believe the most important
issue of this hour has to do with what is called 'enduring faith.' .. Will the
faith of God's people endure the terrible shaking of all things? .. the intense
trials and testings of which no previous generation has faced? ..
Jesus promised, " .. he who stands firm to the end will
be saved." (Matthew 24:13) ... When
Christ spoke this, He had just described the frightful trials to come upon His
disciples - false messiahs .. wars and rumors of wars .. nation pitted against
nation .. upheavals in the natural world .. earthquakes and pestilences ..
persecution and martyrdom (see Matthew 24:4-12). ... When those days arrive,
Jesus said, "For many will come in
my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, and will deceive many." (vs. 5) ...
What would be the impact of all these things on the church, on those who call
themselves by His name? .. Jesus states very clearly, "Because of the increase of wickedness,
the love of MOST will grow cold."
(vs.12 - emphasis mine). ...
Lately I've had many fellow brothers and
sisters tell me of their worry and fear for their families, for the country,
and for themselves as well. ... Who can blame them in these crazy times! ...
But the one question that has to be at
the front of all our thinking in this hour is this ... and I ask each of you personally .. do you at
present have an abiding trust in the Lord that will hold up when the world
descends into chaos? .. Or will you waver in times of affliction, as the
fearful things Jesus said would begin to appear on the earth? .. When that hour
comes to pass, will your love for the Lord endure? .. Or will it grow cold, as
Jesus predicted would happen to so many believers? .... I ask these questions
not to judge or condemn anyone concerning his or her walk with Christ. ... I
ask them only because these are the questions Jesus Himself put to all who
would choose to follow Him.
The following are just a few verses I
have chosen to share with you. ... I would suggest you read them .. even
memorize them. .. As the times grow
worse with each passing day, they just may be the one thing that will sustain
you in a dark moment .......
*Isaiah 35:4 .. "Say to those with fearful hearts, 'Be strong, do
not fear; your God will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will
come to save you.' "
*Isaiah 41:10 .. "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be
dismayed, for I am your God. I will
strengthen you and help you; I will
uphold you with my righteous right hand."
*Psalm 46:1-2 .. "God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present
help in trouble. 2) Therefore we will
not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of
the sea ..."
Remember this ... we may see dangers on
all sides, including a devil and his principalities who want to drown our faith
in doubts. .. But we also have a fiery guard of angels surrounding us! .. And
we have a God who promises to carry us
through any disaster we face. .. I ask you this .. Do you want to face the
coming storm with quiet confidence and peace of mind? ... Then die today to all
your own ways and means of protecting yourself. .. Commit the keeping of your
life wholly to God's care. .. He is your good and loving shepherd .. and He is
faithful to see you through it all! ...
I Leave you with this ...Jesus said this
when teaching His disciples ... "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give
you. I do not give to you as the world
gives. Do not let your hearts be
troubled and DO NOT BE AFRAID." (John
14:27 - emphasis mine) ...That is His promise to each and every one of us who
put our trust in Him. .... No matter how difficult it may become before He
comes for us, we know that we never have to fear. ... He is always there for
us! ... Hallelujah!
Until next time,