The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (John 1:5)
Over the course of the last month, I have had to talk believers off the ledge over current events. Even my wife has had an extraordinary amount of anxiety from worldly events to the point of having nightmares. Strangely I have had a strong sense of calm and security through these last several weeks. My personal life surely has had its fair share of tribulation. Yet, in knowing that GOD is in control and on the throne, I have my peace.
Has “Americanity” (Christian America) gotten so crass to the point of rejecting solid biblical precepts. We have 66 books that answer who we are, who made us, right and wrong, how to deal with circumstances, righteous, sin, punishment, salvation, and so forth. We know there is no other name under heaven in which salvation comes. “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) And that name is the name of Jesus Christ.
Let’s see what our Lord says concerning belief in Him:
“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.
“If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. “But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. (John 15:18-21)
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12)
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. “For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; and A MAN’S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD. “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. “He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it. (Matthew 10:34-39)
As you can see, we are promised tribulation and persecution. I’m actually looking forward to the dark days coming upon us. WHAT?!? Are you mad Brian?!? Well, No. Do I mean I look forward to being persecuted? ABSOLUTELY NOT! I do not wish that upon myself or anyone for that matter. What I look forward to is the yearning of souls seeking someone to save them. They don’t know it yet but, many will be meeting their Salvation in Jesus mainly due to the fact of misery and dark times.
These dark days coming, AND they ARE coming. They will prepare the hearts of many to receive the Lord. These days will also separate the Saint’s from the Aint’s, to be sure. I’m really put off by shallow false teachers telling me I haven’t faith that’s why I’m not perfectly secure, healthy, and/or wealthy. Or going to the typical Americanity Church sitting in a sea of 2000 people for one hour then retiring to a suburban $300,000 home, saying how blessed I am. Being taught that all is well and if it is unwell, you’ll be Raptured away before anything bad happens at all. I’m not diminishing the rapture. Because God will not pour his wrath out on His people during the great tribulation, it DOESN’T imply we will not suffer persecution and death by the hands of those that hate God, as well as the National Judgements God will impose (60 million reasons) Prior to the Rapture… Another false teaching, I tire of: “God wants nothing but the best for His children and will not allow bad to befall them. Only by lack of belief and faith does bad happen to Christians”. Tell that to the Syrian Christian being crucified by ISIS a few years back. Tell that the Coptic’s having their heads removed, or the Chinese brethren being tortured for not renouncing Jesus. Really, by those standards Paul must have had lousy faith and belief, for all his suffering and hardship.
Embrace the coming persecution as it will refine us: And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)
Brethren, I don’t want to go all doom and gloom on you all. Quite the contrary, I hope you press into to the Lord and His word with renewed vigor. I firmly believe the Republic is OVER (I grieve that). I believe that a darkness will consume America as well as the entire world.
A light will shine BRIGHTEST when it is dark. We brethren, we are the ones to carry the Light of Yeshua. It is time, NOW. Not tomorrow, but NOW!
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)
Get your light and get in the fight!
Shalom,
Brian
“The Saints from the ain’ts”
I love that!!!
Yep, it’s coming all right, may I be ready— may the family of the Believers be ready!!!!!!!
Thank you!!!
I can’t take credit for that statement. I got that from a dear brother from my congregation. I discern now more than ever to make sure we have oil for our lamps. I as all believers, I (we) have my (our) share work to do making sure that is so.
Oh so true— may blessing abound for you and your family this Christmas season!!!
I am ready to fight!
Keep sharpening your sWORD. Nothing is more powerful than the Word of God!
Yes, Brian, I wholeheartedly agree with you. Jesus promised that we will have tribulation in this world. In fact, there are so many Bible references about the tribulation of the saints, and we have been instructed to equip ourselves to fight against the darkness in spiritual places: Eph. 6:10-18.
Why should we Americans be any different from those who have suffered torture and persecution whether historically or in this time. People are suffering for Christ at this very moment all over the world. Their faith is an example to us: to be a light in the darkness. To be afraid of persecution and tribulation is a “slap in the face” to those who have suffered for Jesus, the Light of the World.
While no one looks forward to the darkness of persecution and fighting against evil, and we have been promised: “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ”, we ARE going to face dark days ahead until the appointed time of the Rapture.
We WILL face trouble that we never dreamed possible.
I, too, have moments of anxiety and fear about the unknown things that will happen, but at the same time, it is the most exciting time to be alive in HIStory. What a time to show our LIght to the lost! It will be a time when we will depend on Christ, our Light, to lead us in everything we do, although true believers should already be depending on the Light of the world. Still, this darkness, which is already here and will grow so much worse, this temporary tribulation will produce in believers of the Light, “perseverance, character, and a hope that will not disappoint.” paraphrase of Rom. 5:3-5). Think of the blessings ahead of us! Jesus promised that our rewards in heaven will be great when we suffer for Him! We will be eternally blessed! What an opportunity to let our Light shine in the darkness!
Are we willing to bring the Light to those lost in the darkness, or will we hide the Light that has been given to us through Jesus Christ the Lord?
Blessings to all who read this, and to all my Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
Indeed so. Regardless of ones viewpoint of Rapture timing, we will ALL suffer because the world hates the LORD and therefore hates us. So much of the church is apostate and the solid teachings of Jesus Himself are even shelved. The scriptures I quoted are perfectly clear. They’re not obscure or open to multiple interpretation as some scriptures can be. They plainly state X,Y, and Z. So why is it that when X,Y, and Z happens, we are surprised. If Jesus being almighty God said so. Then it must be.
Very well said.