This posting must begin with some passages that, whenever we visit them, we are carried, as it were, into the wilderness where the world seems far far away, and the presence of the Lord Jesus is incredible beyond description:
Genesis 15:1 “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”
God is our shield and exceeding great reward……as in, he protects us and grants an inheritance incorruptible to those who believe on the Lord Jesus! It makes the worlds threatenings of non effect (and in nothing terrified by our adversaries) and reminds us of how temporal this present setting is. The treasures and titles of this world lose their appeal.
Psalm 39:12 “Hear my prayer O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.”
Psalm 84:10 “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.”
Psalm 91:1 “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Hebrews
Jeremiah 9:2 “Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people and go from them! for they all be adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.”
A common theme is carried in the above passages; isolation in this present world, and fellowship with the Lord. While Jeremiah 9:2 doesn’t specifically mention fellowship, it does showcase the desire to depart the company of those given to unbridled wickedness, and from those whose thoughts are continuously focused on the temporal. And this is where we are today. This world is growing darker……in ways that many of us could have never imagined. We are seeing much the church embrace teachings which are so contrary to scripture, that even the newest saint should be able to recognize the error. Still others are literally “stuck on lukewarm” and completely satisfied with following Jesus from afar. Finding a true new testament church these days in nearly impossible in many areas. Were it not for social media platforms, such as this one, many of us would feel like Elijah, when he prayed “and I, even I only, am left: and they seek my life, to take it away.”
Elijah is an excellent example of an end-time remnant saint. He was unshakable in regards to his love for, and obedience to, the LORD God of hosts. He was not shaken when seemingly everyone else had followed after Baal. Even when the threatenings of Jezebel drove him into the wilderness, his faith was not shaken…..although he was desiring to die at one point. One day into the widerness, after Jezebel promised to make him like one of the prophets of Baal whom he slew, Elijah cried out to the LORD “it is enough; now, O LORD. take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” This man, who had seen God work miraculously on a scale that most had never witnessed, became overwhelmed by the level of wickedness in the land and the forces that were seeking to do him in. In his life were manifested five things which an end time remnant saint will be able to relate to.
1 – A profound lacking of companionship. If we walk close to Jesus, and the things that he is concerned with become the things that we are concerned with, we will find a diminishing number of contemporaries who are in agreement with us. Here is a test that many will not agree with, however, it makes a point. I do not like to engage in holiday celebrations. Not so much due to the pagan origins of most of the traditions, but primarily because they take ones mind off from the eternal, and place it on the temporal. But to tell others of this…no matter how much emphasis is placed on the profound liberty associated with detaching from tradition……people still want their traditions and will defend them vigorously. In this vicinity, I’m the only one who feels this way in regards to holidays…..but the freedom is priceless.
Today, it may be something as simple as whether or not one esteems one day above another. Tomorrow, it may well be something far more blatant, such as same sex marriage, or co-mingling with false religions. These are trends which are gaining momentum in the church. Trends which, twenty years ago, wouldn’t have been given the time of day by most professing Christians. As the days grow darker, and such wicked inventions continue to add converts, anyone taking a stand for scriptural truth will face increasing isolation, and increasing ridicule – especially from those who think that they are doing God service. Seriously……these professing Christians who are locking arms with the muslim religion, seriously believe that they are serving God. This is what strong delusion will do to a person. Discernment falls by the wayside, and they are no longer able to identify the lies of the enemy.
2 – It will seem like the entire world is against us. Jesus stated that a mans foes would be they of his own household. In other words, even those whom we are the closest to will turn on us if we maintain a biblical worldview. I fear that most of us (including me) are truly prepared for this. This thought has been with me for months. I have adult children who are not saved. I have a very good relationship with them, however, their world view does not reflect faith in Jesus. If this doesn’t change, the time will come when they will be prepared to turn me over to the authorities. It seems hard to believe now…..and I pray that they will be born of the Spirit before such a time arrives…..but this is an eventual reality which all of us……must come to grips with. When the proverbial bottom falls out and the illusion of continuance is washed away, the hearts of all will become apparent to all.
3 – Our sustaining will be supernatural in nature. Elijah was sustained by a brook, while ravens delivered sustinence two times a day. when the brook dried up, the Lord prepared another situation, with a widow lady, and there preserved life until the rain returned. In the days ahead, our sustaining will be supernatural in nature. In Daniel 7:21, we read “I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them.” In Revelation, it’s stated more plainly:
Revelation 13:7 “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.”
If we are one who is appointed to be standing here when the Lord Jesus returns, he is able to hide us, and sustain us; even during a time which he described as “great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” It must also be noted, however, that if we are one called to maintain the testimony of Jesus until put to death for our testimony, he will be with us during that time and strengthen us to remain steadfast. We must determine within our hearts, to remain faithful; even if it costs us our place in this temporal setting.
Something else must be considered in regards to sustaining……..it’s always supernatural. If Satan had his unadulterated will, he would take all of us out in a moment. I was reminded of this earlier when awakened shortly after 5:00. During a short time of prayer, I thanked God that everyone in my household is still breathing. God holds in his hand, the breath of life and, in any moment, can determine a life to be concluded. As is written in Ecclesiastes, “No man hath power over the spirit, to retain the spirit.” So while our sustaining in the final days will indeed be supernatural on a level that few of us are familiar with, the truth is that our remaining here has always been supernatural.
4 Better living through….wickedness? All of the physical manifestations (not only the supernatural, but the conditions in general; at least early on) will favor the system of the beast. There will be a pseudo recovery from chaos, the people who received the mark will seem to have their lives back on track…..and anyone who is not familiar with scripture will look a the situation and think “this is a good thing…..this world ruler, who has pulled us from the brink of destruction and brought peace……who could make war with him?” Elijah had been 40 days in the wilderness, when, in a still small voice, the LORD inquired “What doest thou here, Elijah?” The prophet responded:
I Kings 19:14 “And he said,I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”
Elijah witnessed a situation in the physical realm that was fundamentally similar to the one that will exist during the time of antichrist. And a primary element of that situation will be the appearance that everyone has wondered after the beast. political leaders, pillars of the community, the neighbor nest door, the mail man, the electrician, the babysitter, the waitress at the diner where we sometimes stop for breakfast, the people across the street who attended church every time the doors were opened……it will seem like there is nobody left. In Elijah’s day, this was a false perception. The LORD revealed to him that there were 5000 in Israel, who had not bowed the knee to Baal. And so shall it be in our time. Despite the appearances, there will be a remnant, scattered throughout the four corners of the earth, who maintain the testimony of the Lord Jesus.
Luke 9:27 “But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.”
Please become familiar with Psalm 37, Psalm 73, and psalm 91. The first two discuss how we should not be troubled, when evil appears to be prevailing and prospering. Psalm 91 discusses how the Lord can sustain us; even in the most inhospitable of environments……and finally:
5 – Supernatural departure. Elijah was carried away by a chariot; making him the second person (the first being Enoch) to leave this world without experiencing physical death. This is why many believe that Enoch and Elijah are the two witnesses……because every man is appointed to die, and these two men have not done so. Anyways, we must be prepared for the physical return of the Lord Jesus, who informed us that nobody knew the exact time of his return. This sounds pre-tribber-ish, but it’s really not. People today are debating whether or not the tribulation is close…..or has started already……or is afar off still. If we cannot even be certain of when this time period begins, we certainly cannot know when the return of the Lord Jesus is to transpire. Revelation 16 offers some insight. It’s the time when the three unclean spirits, like frogs, come out of the dragons mouth, the beasts mouth, and the false prophets mouth.
These unclean spirits go unto the kings of the earth and gather them to oppose the return of Jesus. Then, in verse sixteen, Jesus breaks into the flow of description with these words:
“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”
In the midst of the great tribulation, Jesus states his soon return as being “like a thief.” And with this post approaching 2000 words, it is time to go. The title translates into “I am not alone.” Indeed, we may be separated from the company of our contemporaries, and many whom we once trusted may well betray us. But the Holy Spirit abides within and, regardless of physical circumstances, the rivers of living water will continue to spring up from within. Jesus has promised to be with us always, even unto the end of the world. Alone in regards to this world…..we can expect it……but Jesus never leaves us hanging. We may drift, we may become lazy and get distracted, but he remains faithful. I’m not suggesting once saved-always saved, however, I am confident that, if we keep our hearts with all diligence, the Lord Jesus is faithful to sustain us through anything that we may have to endure.
Blessings in Jesus name.
Grace County 