Warm hellos friends, brethren, co-workers, spiritual family, and scattered children of God from here on the Gulf Coast. My wife and I pray and hope this finds you doing well, and that again your week has been blessed.
In just a little over 2 weeks we will be observing the Festival of Trumpets and then shortly after we’ll keep the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles and 8th Day/Last Great Day. My wife and I are eagerly anticipating worshiping with many of you as these days are a highlight of our year!
During this year’s Feast of Tabernacles, no doubt we’ll here in some of the messages and conversations a focus on “preparation and being ready for challenges and difficult times ahead of us”. It is sobering to examine what Bible prophecy predicts regarding the events that accompany the end of the age.
We as members of the Body of Christ have still had rather peaceful conditions in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe when you consider what many members faced in centuries past. Bible prophecy tells us that will indeed absolutely change in the future!
Already we continue and are seeing an anti-Bible and an anti-Christian attitude in court decisions and policies in government agencies here in the United States. Groups like the American Family Association and FRC regularly document these actions. There are storm clouds bubbling like cumulonimbus clouds on the horizon and this year will no doubt again be very telling regarding what the future holds.
In history, Adolph Hitler stirred up hatred against the Jews as he pointed to them as a target and accused them for bringing about circumstances the country was facing that generated frustration and anger.
We’ve seen similar tactics being used. In the future will Bible-believing Christians be accused for problems the nation and world is facing?
Jesus described a sobering scenario in the Olivet prophecies. “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.” (Matthew 24:7-9)
This prophecies to be a widespread situation! This has happened in centuries past to true Christians. It will intensify and escalate in the future. Jesus went on to predict a discouraging and demoralizing development that would affect society and members of the church at that time. “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. . . And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” (vv.10, 12)
How hurtful when a brother turns in another brother to authorities while denying his or her being a part of the group that is being targeted. Jesus went on to declare that “he who endures to the end shall be saved.” (v.13) It is going to take a determined endurance to survive the challenges that are coming.
We have to determine now that we will make a stand for the truth and not back down or falter. We must desire that our loving God will write His laws on our hearts and minds and empower us to both live by them and put our trust in Him. We must look to God’s Word and instructions, not to outward displays of signs and wonders and emotionalism.
When things are bleak and ominous it is easy to latch on to something showy that a person can see and put a false hope in. Jesus warned that in the midst of conflicts and persecution and betrayals, “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. For false Christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” (vv.11, 24)
The beast and false prophet will also be influencing many to buy into their message and the attendant signs and wonders will cause many to be convinced to give their allegiance to them. Jesus gave a parable about not being able to predict when a thief would break into one’s house and then stated, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (v.44)
You and I must make “being spiritually ready” a daily and life-long goal. Our focus must be spiritual my friends. Honestly ask yourself, is my focus spiritual? We’ll be shortly celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles that pictures that overall time of peace, unity and abundance for all, and law and order based on the laws of God. It will take time. It won’t automatically be perfect as many fellowships have taught. The apostle Peter alluded to the future even beyond the Millennium and second resurrection period. “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.”
He went on to instruct the disciples, “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked.” (v.17)
At the beginning of this epistle Peter listed a series of actions and practices that we need to implement. Then he stated, “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.” (2 Peter 1:10)
As we come up to His fall Feasts, let us walk with care and stability and avoid those things that would trip us up…I encourage you to spend more time on your knees staying connected with God, His Spirit and letting Him live in us!
Arms up friends! Our prayers and thoughts are with you daily. Please do pray for us as well.
