Lamentations and Waterfalls

The myriad of eschatological scenarios that are afloat today can be confusing to even the most diligent of inquirers.  We observe the current flow of events, prayerfully inquire as to how these events will play through, search the scriptures which seem to identify the events, and cautiously consider the observations of other like minded saints. We strive to maintain an eternal perspective in this temporal setting.  And yet we can easily become overwhelmed if we are not walking close to Jesus.  While prophetically significant events are unfolding at an ever-accelerating pace, the enemy is attacking from ever facet of life. He launches direct attacks from the spiritual realm, fosters dark policies which are carried out by his agents, and utilizes the people in our ambiance who either know not the Lord Jesus, or are not close to him, to keep to us continuously distracted until his dark champion (antichrist) is in power.  Most of our contemporaries are completely unaware of the catastrophic changes that are upon us, or of the beast system that is ready to take them in; once the old system has been dissolved.

Luke 21:35 “For as a snare shall it come upon all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.“

Adding to the complexity is the number of false alarms that have come and gone throughout the years.  Times which seemed like the end of the world from the perspective of those who were partakers of the event, but later proved to be simply mile-markers; causing many to disregard the authentic warnings of apocalyptic times found in scripture.  Sometimes a particular transpiration will seem like a dead-on “this is that which was spoken of in these passages” only to later on watch the event play out in a manner that disproves the announcement.  In recent years, many of us have, on a number of occasions, believed that “the proverbial bottom will certainly fall out in two weeks…..or this fall…..or this year…..or for certain next year…..because this present flow of events is simply unsustainable-even from a purely physical analysis.”  But then, when the time period in question concludes and everyone is still standing, we realize that our “ironclad conclusions” which seemed to be verifiable with scripture, were inaccurate.  This not only bolsters the erroneous sense of security enjoyed by those who know not Jesus, it causes many saints to “go back to their churchianity” and disregard the wild claims of “that doomsday crowd.” 

II Thessalonians 2:3 “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except their come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.”

II Peter 3:3-4 “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue a they were from the beginning of creation.”

Verses 5 and 6 go on to tell how they willingly are ignorant of past apocalyptic events, such as the flood of Noah’s day, or the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, because they tell of a lengthy season of continuance which was dissolved in an instant. The initial drops of rain in Noah’s time, proved that the world was suddenly a very different place……even before the lower elevations began disappearing beneath the waves.

They weary of watching, of anticipating, of working themselves into a frenzy; (which is contrary to the fruit of the Spirit) then seeing the threat appear to dissolve and the upholders of the status quo appearing to be right once again…..that the doomsday predictions were all hype and no substance. This may be one of the reasons that most of the churches today completely avoid prophetic discussions.  As for those which do enter into such considerations, it us usually in the form of a very surface level study, or series of studies, in which assurances of a pre-tribulation rapture are meticulously sprinkled throughout the troubling content.  Here is the danger of this approach.  Jesus described the time before his return as being one of “great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of this world to this time” which means that it will surpass all of the worlds previous seasons of sorrow.  To not be spiritually prepared for this can be an eternal death sentence.

During the overnight hours of August 25, 2015, I listened to the most recent teaching from Scott Johnson, (Contending for Truth) wherein he expounded on….just a handful of the events that are unfolding……but the potential for catastrophe, contained in that handful, was so overwhelming that it can make one physically ill…..even if they are spiritually minded.  The level of evil in the world today; the atrocities being carried out by ISIS, the atrocities that Planned Parenthood is engaging in for profit, the current economic upheaval, the posturing of key players in the geo-political arena  in a manner that seems headed toward war, the potential for massive loss of life, the knowledge that evil people in positions of authority are actively pursuing a depopulation agenda, the ranks of those who have entered this country for the purpose of destroying it from within, the legalizing of that which God calls an abomination, the excessive number of professing Christians who are discarding biblical truth in exchange for error, the perverting of everything that is pure, and what have you, is enough to nearly “wear out the saints” that are awake……and we are not in the time of tribulation yet.  

The proverbial question is often asked by those who are awake, but beginning to become overwhelmed by the speed at which things are spiraling. “What do we do?”  It’s a question to which everyone who is born of the Spirit has answer, however, we (or at least I) need to be reminded from time to time. Even the newest saint, such as a guy who was without Christ and wicked as they come two days ago, but believed on Jesus and became a new creature yesterday, has the potential to overcome, because we do not overcome in our own strength or ability, but by abiding close to Jesus and ensuring that the entirety of our affection is on things above.  The coming events are so horrific, that, if Jesus is not our first love and we are not completely looking to him…..if we have not, from our heart, completely abandoned our lives in this world, we will fail in the critical moment.  Many will panic when everything familiar has dissolved, and will place their trust in a lie.  There is a teaching that is gaining in popularity, which states that a person can receive the mark of the beast, and later be saved.  THIS IS A LIE and sadly, MANY PROFESSING CHRISTIANS WILL SUCCUMB TO THIS MANNER OF REASONING.  When the food is gone, the children are hungry, and everything they had known is vanished, many who were once solid in the faith, will seek to save their lives in this world.  They will justify taking a mark, using teachings such as the “A person can take the mark and still be saved” doctrine.  

Here is a Youtube presentation featuring John MacArthur making this assertion. Even more troubling is that the two hosts (it features a portion of a talk radio broadcast) are in agreement with John MacArthur, as is revealed after the three minute mark.

John MacArthur (and broadcasters) believe that one can take the mark of the beast and still be saved

Overcoming; not by falling for an erroneous doctrine; not placing confidence in our abilities, our knowledge, or those who are close to us, but by placing our entire confidence and affection upon the Lord Jesus.  “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”  The following items will sound simple, elementary, and even redundant, however, they embody the means by which we will stand in the evil days that are fast approaching.  

1 – MINIMIZE THE STATIC.  The atmosphere is supercharged with winds of doctrine, rumors, opinions, contentions, reportings with no means of verifying, clever deceptions, distractions, and everything that one can contrive, to drag into the arena of ideologies.  We need time to get away – shut down the computer, leave the phone behind, get into a quiet place with our bible, and seek God.  Many of us cannot go ten minutes without either checking our phone, or putting on the headphones, and filling our mind with the productions of our equals. We need time to get away (a deep woods or an isolated beach is nice if such a place is nearby, but a small closet works just as well) and just be with the Lord Jesus.  Fall in love with our Savior, over and over; remembering that we were headed for an eternity of torment, but that he redeemed us with his own innocent blood.  our love for Jesus must be so intense that all of the worlds trophies fade from view.

2 – EXAMINATION ROOM. Taking a spiritual inventory of our present state and asking the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of weakness, compromise, error, or potential for shipwreck.  This is never pleasant, but it’s necessary if we are to resolve the things in our life that need to be resolved.  When the bottom falls out, and our children are saying “oh please; just take that mark so that we can eat”…..that is the wrong time to discover that our affections are still anchored to the temporal.  Asking the Lord to examine us will not only bring to the forefront areas where we know (when being honest with ourselves) we need to grow, it may also reveal weaknesses in areas where we thought to ourselves “I’m solid in this thing.”  It’s humbling, it causes lamentation, it makes us feel as though our sins stretch beyond the stars…….but is is necessary to bring us to repentance and secure resolution to these areas. “Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” 

3 – STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED.  The fact that the land is dotted with mega churches wherein smooth words are spoken, reveals that many are not diligent in studying the word for themselves.  Much of that which calls itself the church, is driven by catchy sound-bytes and all inclusive sayings that sooth…..and relax…..and put one into a slumber unto death.  They keep them entertained with the latest in visual and audio presentations.  They plan out a myriad of activities to keep them moving, and singing, and clapping…….but never really prayerfully inquiring as to whether these things are so.  These have been programmed to go along with whatever is being said.  When the pastor says “repeat after me – I’m claiming that thing by faith” they repeat.  When he says “turn to your neighbor and say I’m living my best life now” they do it. We must be diligent in hiding the scriptures in our heart; ensuring that our understanding is coming from God and not the clever phrases of our contemporaries.  

4 – STEADFASTLY Determine beforehand, and work toward preparing accordingly, that we will not receive the mark of the beast. I have had three dreams, over the past few years, in which I was about to be beheaded for this refusal.  (In the most recent one, the agents of antichrist had set up a beheading station in my place of employment, over in a corner near the paint line.)  Each time, I found myself withing that I had better utilized my time here to be about my Fathers business.  I knew that I could not receive the mark and had no plans of doing so in any of these dreams…….I believe they were meant to cause greater diligence on my part…..to forsake the foolish (which isn’t easy because I was born with a sarchastic chromosome) and be about the things which have eternal ramifications.

5 PRESENCE OF GOD  Abiding consciously, and continually in the presence of Jesus is paramount.  Not only does it keep our affections upon the eternal, being in the presence of the Lord is like nothing that this world could ever offer or hope to offer.  There is a sweetness that is beyond defining, a peace that is all encompassing, a love so intense that the firmament seems ready to burst into a sweet melody of adoration for the God who inhabits sternity.  It’s like (this will sound weird) being at the base of a huge waterfall that comes from the heavenly realm and refreshes the wearied traveler.  Cool, clear, and void of anything that causes bitterness, it comes down and the spray cleanses away all of the burdens laid upon us by this world.  It is like streams from above…..and then bubbling up from within as, for a moment, the world is a million miles away and all that we can see is the realm of the everlasting.

The waterfall analogy actually began with a report about a dream that Michael Boldea had in 2004.  I read it shortly after it was published and it has been a point of cogitation ever since.  Here’s a link to the vision, which falls in line completely with the topic of this posting.  The link was not working, using the conventional method, so I must write it out.  Ah; this method works. https://www.handofhelp.com/vision_51.php

I have read of  hundreds of dreams, and accounts of scores of prophetic utterances; some accurate and some not.  Of all these however, this single dream, given to Mr Boldea as they were driving out to the Dakotas, has remained in the forefront ever since reading it. No such report has ever affected me in the manner that this one has.  Well, this is much longer than intended, so I’ll end it here.  Blessings in Jesus name  

Isaiah 26:3  “thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

II Corinthians 4:18 “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

One Hundred and Twenty Days

The purpose for this completely unplanned posting (until a few minutes ago) is fourfold.  First, it is intended to highlight both the lateness and the seriousness of the hour.  Second it is to encourage all who profess faith in the Lord Jesus to let go of everything that is not of eternal significance and to press in to the Lord.  To be as close to Jesus as we can be and ensure that, at the end of each day, we have grown closer to him.  To give all diligence to be in his perfect will and seek every opportunity to be about our Fathers business. Third, it is to address some ongoing issues in my life which must be remedied now.   Like most,  I am surrounded by unsaved friends, neighbors, family members, co-workers, and what have you.  Priceless souls that, should they pass into eternity before the sun rises in the morning, will be in hell facing an eternity of torment and anguish.  When we begin to truly wrap our mind around this, most of the issues that dominate our thoughts lose much of their significance.

At the end of the day, or at the end of a life, a single issue remains relevant.  “Is that persons name written in the book of life?”  

The fourth purpose for this posting is to offer up a link to a broadcast that I wasn’t going to listen to, however, a few hours ago, I went ahead and listened to it.  What I had expected to be a run of the mill discussion of prophetic events turned out to be far more significant than I had expected.  It would be easy to dismiss such information.  I’ve lost count of how many autumn seasons we have entered into where I expected the proverbial bottom to fall out and life as we know it to be greatly altered….only to find that the continuance somehow managed to remain relatively intact.  It is important that we approach such things prayerfully.  We must not surrender to sensationalism and we must not be ruled by fear or despair.  We also must not simply close our eyes and think to ourselves “I’ve heard it all before and none of it ever happens.” Many (if not most) are going to proclaim peace and safety right up to the moment of that peace and safety. Here are the links to the June 7 and June 8 broadcasts of Trunews; where Rick Wiles spoke with Mena Lee Grebin.

MENA LEE GREBIN (part 1)

MENA LEE GREBIN (part 2)

A hundred and twenty days from now will take us to September 7, 2015.  I don’t know what will be transpiring on that day, or how events will unfold thereafter.  At some point, everything seemingly familiar and stable is going to vanish.  Many are expecting the Jade Helm exercise to mark the beginning of martial law, gun confiscation, extraction of citizens thought to be a danger to the powers that be, and what have you.  There are a staggering number of reports to suggest that something is up; from the suspicious Wal-Mart closings in the “hostile” states to the myriad of sightings involving UN vehicles and foreign troops working in conjunction with this exercise.  We have an economic house of cards that can crumble with little warning and a man sitting in the white house who is actively working to destroy the country whose citizens elected him.  Mr Obama may well be the final U.S president. We’ll know in due time. (If the 1973 C Allen Martin vision is accurate, Mr Obama is the last U.S. president.  A link to the vision is on the “end times prophetic sites” page)  

Something very interesting was stated near the end of the second broadcast – something that I had not given thought to until a few hours ago. Mena Lee Grebin stated that she had been shown a revival that will take place after the collapse of all things familiar.  The country as we have known it will be no more.  Perhaps this is what it will take to cause those who survived all of the upheaval to finally consider issues of eternal significance.  According to Mrs Grebin, this revival will actually be the final installment of a worldwide revival that is currently underway.  (According to reports that I’ve seen, multitudes are coming to Jesus in Iran and Indonesia.)  As for now, each of us must steadfastly abide close to Jesus and be in a place spiritually to both recognize, and follow, the promptings of the Holy Spirit.  He will comfort us in all our tribulation and enable us to endure anything that we must face in the times ahead.  He will even sustain us, should our preferred version of eschatology take a hit. 

Matthew 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then the end shall come.” 

This is going to sound gimmicky……because it is gimmicky……but it may help.  About an hour ago, I wrote down the numbers 1 to 120 in reverse order in my notebook, with the intent of crossing them off one by one as the days conclude.  It’s an attempt to remain conscious of how quickly the days pass; thereby causing me to give more diligence to utilizing time wisely.  Time really is running out and this summer is critical.  Even if the continuance remains past September, into next year, and beyond, this fact remains.  Every day is someones last day, and each day carries with it the potential of being our last day.  More than anything, the broadcasts listed above were a call to soberness, examining ourselves before God, and being about our Fathers business in the time that remains.  

Blessings in Jesus name.   

“A L A M O” (watashi wa hitori masen)

II Corinthians 5:1-2 “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven.”

To have our affections set upon a world that we have never seen. To have total confidence in, and love for, the one who was tempted in points as we are, was yet without sin, and tasted death for every man. To be fully persuaded that the word we have received, and believed, is 100% accurate. To be unmoved by the seamless parade of manufactured evidence and supernatural manifestation which supports a false conclusion. (Deuteronomy 13:1-3) To maintain the testimony of Jesus, while everyone else believes us to be the haters of all that is good.  That list of deceived ones which includes friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, people who we rubbed shoulders with in the common areas…..and  saints who once seemed unshakable, during the days of ease, when each of us rested comfortably in our space.  To be in our final moment; surrounded by the enforcers of the new way, along with an array of recorders that are transmitting into all the world, our fifteen minutes of earthly fame.  To finally understand the words of Jesus, when he said “and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

In that moment, with liberty only moments away, all of the distractions will be dissolved. The war is over, and the battle won, as with our final breaths, we focus on a single name….”Lord Jesus; receive my spirit.”  Jesus; the only begotten Son of God who purchased us with his own blood. Jesus; who, every since the hour that we first believed, has been a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Our faithful high priest, who guided us over the highest mountains, carried us through the darkest valleys, and sheltered us while the tempest was raging. His word was the barometer by which we discerned between truth and error.  The Holy Spirit comforted us in all our tribulations while guiding us into the way that we should go. And throughout the journey, he brought into our lives, other saints, who, for a period of time offered refreshing and insight. Gatherings of two or three, in Jesus name, where we compelled each other to remain steadfast; even as ten thousand were caving on every side. 

II Timothy 4:6-8 “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

Contemplating, and preparing spiritually for, the moment when we leave this world at the hands of those who love not the Lord Jesus.  To many, it sounds like a proverbial “doom and gloom” topic as it suggests the prevailing of evil over that which is good. It causes one to, not only consider that the climate to which they have become so comfortable may have an end, it brings a message of betrayal, suffering, and abandonment. It carries one to the end of their time in this world where, in a moment, they will know whether or not they are spiritually prepared for this final stand. The fine line that separates the temporal from the eternal transforms into an endless sea, whereupon all of the trivial matters sail away forever. When tomorrow is no longer within our reach, our distortions are rectified and all remaining inquiries resolved. Is Jesus truly our first love…… or have lingering affections for this world, and our place in it, left in tact a platform from which the old nature of self-preservation will force us to enter into a contract from which there is no way back? 

Hebrews 3:12 “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”

Maintaining our testimony steadfast until the end is literally a matter of life and death and one that none of us can take lightly.  We are witnessing firsthand, the great falling away that is written about in II Thessalonians chapter two; evidenced by trends such as the increasing number of churches that embrace sodomy, the rapid rise of chrislam, and the number of professing Christians who have no fear of God as they partake of one unscriptural practice after another.  We are also witnessing the various components of the beast system as they are being fine-tuned and then implemented by those who have knowingly given their allegiance to the father of lies. We are bombarded with reports of our brethren are being counted as sheep for the slaughter in an increasing number of locations.  Meanwhile, in the seemingly stable areas, many professing Christians  heap to themselves teachers having itching ears who will talk at length about their best life now, “supposing that gain is godliness,” and lead them away from the God whom they claim to be serving.

II Thessalonians 2:3-4 “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”

The falling away is coming to the full and soon, a beast will take center stage. (Those who received not the love of the truth will, not only follow this beast, they will line up with enthusiasm to do what is required of them to be in good standing with him….and preserve their life in this world. They will be carried away by flatteries and clamor for his mark. And while the exact makeup of this mark has yet to be determined, we know that it will forever separate its recipients from the presence of God and dissolve any shred of hope for everlasting life. These folks may well become “something not completely human,” and they will become our enemies – regardless of how close they may have been to us beforetime – as they will no longer have any control over their facilities. (That sounds somewhat extraordinary…..unless one considers how much the majority of our contemporaries are already being controlled by the official narrative.)  

Revelation 13:4 “And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?” 

They are worshiping the dragon – even before the mark is implemented. “Who can make war with him?” The lofty words, the supernatural manifestation, and the manner in which this entity is able to resolve all of the issues that brought the world to the brink of destruction, will cause the deceived ones to follow him with fervor…..and subsequently view anyone who opposes him as “the enemy of all humanity!” By this time, many of us will, either be in very small groups of like-minded saints, or completely alone, in a world where every institution, every governing entity, every media outlet……and every person who knows not the Lord Jesus, will be in lockstep with the dragon.  But while every facet of this world will be against us, this may well be the most incredible time that we will have ever known. Having abandoned all earthly aspirations, our focus will be completely upon Jesus……and the fellowship with him will be on a level that we never experienced back when we still had a portion in this world. 

Luke 21:28 “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

This is the primary thrust of this posting. To encourage all who love the Lord Jesus to look up with anticipation; placing this temporal world into a proper perspective …..and focusing on the issues which have eternal significance. To have our affections on the eternal and not the temporal. If our affections are truly “there” we will not be drawn away by the events “here.” The false promises of this world will have no power to entice; nor will the threatenings of the enemy be able to diminish our confidence. Our eyes are fixed upon Jesus our Savior, our heart dwells in eternity, and we understand fully the words of the apostle Paul when he wrote “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” 

“The Alamo moment” is in reference to ones final stand in this world. it is the saints final testimony of Jesus before an unbelieving world. The historical Alamo was established as a Spanish mission.  Later it was hastily converted into a makeshift fort by Texas soldiers who were facing insurmountable odds as the armies of Santa Ana moved north. It has become symbolic of the proverbial “last stand;” a point where one is completely surrounded by the opposition and is left with only their testimony. In the physical sense, the battle is over before it begins. But the real campaign was waged, and won, while the enemy was still beyond the horizon. Back when, in a reflective moment, we determined that we would maintain our testimony, regardless of the physical consequences of doing so. We understand fully that the Lord can sustain us in any situation, and when our testimony is completed, receive us unto himself. “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints” and “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” 

The final two passages reveal the mindset of the apostle Paul in regards to the issue of maintaining our testimony until the end: 

Acts 21:12-15 “And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.” 

The apostle Paul was not carelessly seeking death and running headstrong toward that end. He was, however, ready to die if that should be the conclusion of his trip to Jerusalem. His entire focus was upon the Lord Jesus; regardless of consequences. The following passage offers a more refined example of Paul’s mindset. 

Philippians 1:23-24 “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”

His heart was firmly in heavenly places and he desired to be with the Lord Jesus. He anticipated that wonderful moment when he would enter the presence of the Lord and never again be apart. At the same time, however, the care of the churches weighed on him immensely. He understood his office and comprehended the incredible challenges that the churches faced in those opening moments of the church age. Well, it’s time to go for now. My prayer is that all of us will be prepared spiritually for whatever we may face in the days ahead. I’ll end with a passage which, has become my personal “Alamo verse” as it perfectly outlines the means by which we endure until the end.

Revelation 12:11 “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

Blessings in Jesus name.

Kunen o totte seija ga senren suru

Sometimes we come across a simple quote which seems to revolutionize the way that we consider a particular thing. The truth contained may appear to be insignificant to most; including the one who uttered the quote. But for one, the seemingly insignificant statement becomes an observation that is revisited often. For example, several years ago, we attended a church north of here for a period of time. One day, the pastor mentioned “the hundred year test.” The idea was simple – whenever something is getting us out of sorts or causing distress, we should ask ourselves “will this issue be relevant a hundred years from now?” If the answer is no, than it’s probably not very significant now. It may seem monumental at the moment, such as loss of employment, a lengthy illness, wrongful imprisonment, or what have you. But they are all temporal in nature, and, one second after one’s final breath passes, all such issues cease to be relevant. 

The statement outlining the hundred year test is not found in the bible, yet there are enumerable passages and events recorded therein, which touch on the need to maintain an eternal outlook and not focus on temporary circumstances. God inhabits eternity and Jesus stated that his word would never pass away. The hundred year test narrative became very important in the months following.  Our family went through a storm so intense, and coming from so many angles at the same time…..that I began battling thoughts of wanting to end my life – thoughts that a born again follower of the Lord Jesus should never “ever” entertain. By the grace of God, I learned some important things during that time. First, I learned how to renounce such voices which came directly from the pit. Second, I began to let go of physical attachments which had previously been a struggle. And third, when a substantial loss of physical assets became a reality, it was like a massive liberation. My heart was no longer attached to those things.  

Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Our life in this world is but a vapor; a spark that shines for a split second and then disappears forever from this realm. Maintaining this eternal perspective will enable us to arrange our priorities in a proper manner. In recent months, other quotes have caught my attention. All of these were found as pictures on social media and, subsequently, I have no idea as to who originally presented them. They are by no means a substitute for scripture. Again; Gods word is eternal and by it we discern between truth and error. Every time confusion arises in my life, bible verses which address the issue are quickly brought to remembrance. Nonetheless, these phrases have had an impact….beginning with: 

 “Speak the truth, even if your voice shakes.”

I am a quiet person who likes to be at peace with everyone as much as possible. Sometimes the pressure to compromise seems nearly overwhelming, and, in such instances, I tend to hurry my speech and trip over words easily. This fault has always troubled me because the righteous are supposed to be as bold as a lion. And if this is a struggle now, what will be the result of having to stand for truth when doing so will mean a quick exit from the theater of atoms…..or will result in those of my household being harmed? This passage, not only provided another angle of consideration, it became a prayer. “Lord Jesus; please let every syllable that comes out of my mouth be truth….even if I struggle to get it out and become totally disoriented in the process.” Even if speaking the truth results in the loss of everything in this life.” Standing for truth; maintaining our testimony of Jesus until our final breath is how we overcome this evil world. Speaking truth is also the only way that others can be delivered from death.

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” 

“For it is the power of God.” A few days ago, I read the account of a man who pastors a large church in Tennessee. He has succumbed to the pressure to embrace the same-sex lifestyle. Despite his years of assembling sermons and presenting biblical truth before a congregation of thousands, he finally caved under the immense pressure to agree to something that, thirty years ago, would have been unthinkable in most evangelical churches. Yet, today, in church after church, the preaching the gospel with power is being replaced with the false wisdom of this world and an entertainment-driven agenda which draws in a large crowd, but doesn’t offer any spiritual nourishment. The pastor seemed conflicted as he announced this change of policy, however, it goes without saying that the seeds of compromise were planted long before the official announcement. Whether it was fear of losing members, fear of ridicule, or love of this world, the snare finally yielded visible fruit. 

Matthew 10:18-20 “And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.”

The pressure to compromise is gaining momentum by the day, and we must be prepared to stand for truth. Throughout the book of Acts the apostles are filled with the Holy Ghost and speak the words of life boldly. We should seek to be in such a place to do likewise; abiding close to Jesus and trusting that he will meet us in that moment. It goes without saying, however, that we are not always in our most spiritual state and the enemy may well corral us when we are not fully watching. When such a situation arises, we must be prepared to speak truth…..even if it comes out shaky and sounds unconvincing. Another statement that I heard recently contained words to this effect: “The enemy will not entice us with blatant things……he simply wants to get us to go along with him on something – no matter how insignificant.” Once he gets a proverbial foot in the door, he can set up shop and begin hammering away at our resolve.

I’m convinced that very few of us are fully prepared for what we are soon to face in this physical realm. No matter how accurate ones eschatology may be, (or may not be) all who are present when the bottom falls out will witness things that they weren’t expecting. We must maintain the testimony of Jesus; even when every shred of evidence and every ounce of momentum seems to be favoring a conclusion that is contrary to scripture……even if our eschatology has become unraveled…….even if our voice shakes and our words are classified as foolishness by those who have already secured their place in the lake of fire. The testimony of Jesus Christ is our proverbial “Alamo” when nothing that we see is making sense; knowing that he has washed away our sin with his own blood and that we are but a heartbeat away from being forever in his presence.” 

 “This world is the only hell that a Christian will ever know. This world is the only heaven that the wicked will ever know.”

Three portions of scripture instantly come to mind in regards to this truth. Psalm 37 and psalm 73 speak of when the wicked seem to be prospering at everything they do; yet the time comes when their time ends and all of their aspirations cease. In Luke chapter 16, we read about the rich man and Lazarus. Lazarus was an outcast, but has now been with Jesus for over two thousand years……while the rich man is still thirsty. In this life, the wicked often seem to get away with their wickedness” while those who stand for truth are troubled on every side and their  cries for justice unheard. When we see this transpiring, it’s important to maintain an eternal perspective and remember that “everything is being recorded.” Nobody is getting away with anything, and unless a person believes on the Lord Jesus; sincerely repenting of, and turning from, their sin, they will give account for every syllable, every deed, every thought, every motive, and every evil campaign that they stood in agreement with during their days in the land of the breathing.

A strange thing is happening in the opening quarter of 2015. Wickedness is on the rise on every front; fueled by an official narrative which calls evil good and good evil. A president sits in Washington who refuses to equate islam with terrorism, but has no problem classifying Christians, constitutionalists, and anyone who stands for traditional family values as potential terrorists. In church after church, the standard is being lowered to embrace all manner of wickedness, while those who preach the truth of Gods word are becoming increasingly rare. Liberty is steadily vanishing and peace is being taken from the earth. Revelation 13:7 reads “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.” Their hatred of us will be unrestrained…..but they cannot pursue us beyond the grave and, once our testimony is completed, we will never again have to face our adversaries. 

II Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

I Peter 4:12-13 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 

And finally:

“Those who have walked through the fire, leave sparks of light everywhere they go.”

this quote came from a secular source, however, it touches on a truth that is both incredible, and ominous. On the morning of march 1, 2015, I saw a nearly four year old video featuring Brigitte Gabriel; a lady that I had never heard of before. She grew up in Lebanon and remembers when it was a prosperous and open society. She also witnessed what happened when Muslims became the majority of the population and began seeking to destroy all of the “infidels.” She lived in a bomb shelter for years while she and her parents survived on dandelions and whatever else could be found. Finally, they were facing certain extermination, until the Israeli army began standing in the gap. She was giving her testimony before a very large congregation and I wondered…..how many of them actually heard her words, considered their significance, and responded accordingly. I also wondered how many went their way afterward, thinking “that was an inspiring message” but were not changed by it.

The video of Brigitte Gabriel can be viewed Here

Those who have been through the fire have a different perspective than those who have had a time of relevant ease. Not only does such tribulation factor in when eternal reward is granted, those who have been through the fire have a story which can inspire others to take more serious about the issues that really matter, become involved in areas that they may not have considered previously…..and prepare for a time when they too may have to face adversity…….because someday, the beheading of Christians isn’t going to be restricted to a few countries in the middle east and northern Africa. (Actually, there is much more going on, even now, than is being reported by the primary media outlets.) 

Acts 8:4 “Therefore, they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.”

Philippians 1:12-14 “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel:
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”

This post is already too long, however, one more thing has to be included.: 

II Corinthians 1:3-4 “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort:
4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” 

In the second paragraph, I mentioned a dark season where I was actively contemplating something horrific, and how the Lord brought me through that season. That season ended up making me stronger and more focused on the eternal, however, it did something else as well. I can better comfort and encourage anyone who is going through a similar situation; having been on the brink of destruction myself. Beforehand, if someone had come to me contemplating such a thing, I could have given a few bible verses on why they should not do it, however, I would be unable to fully relate to their dilemma. But now I can offer another perspective….as one who has been there, and not simply a stranger quoting scripture. (not to downplay scripture – Gods word never returns void) Nearly all of us have had seasons of affliction and turmoil which have made us what we are today, and placed us in a position to minister to any who are going through a similar season. 

All of us; that is, every saint who is currently alive in this world, is being prepared for what lies ahead. (I had wanted to delve into Daniel 11:32-35, but this is already too long.) There will come a moment when most of our contemporaries will be unable to deny the trends that most of us see taking place already. When this happens, there will be small “windows of opportunity” where they will be receptive to truth and will diligently seek out anyone whom they perceive as having answers to what is transpiring. (some will cleave to us with flatteries.) Those who are born of the Spirit will be able to reach some of them, however, these opportunities will be short lived. According to scripture, most will succumb to the official narrative; a narrative that was hatched in hell and will be accompanied by signs and lying wonders.  Those who still reject the truth will believe the strong delusion……and ultimately turn on anyone who maintains the testimony of Jesus. Maintaining an eternal perspective, with our affections firmly upon the Lord Jesus is imperative. A hundred years from now, all of us will be in our eternal situation.  

Blessings in Jesus name.

Inhabitors of the Continuing City

The late Leonard Ravenhill made an observation concerning those among us who, from their heart, have let go of this worlds allegiances and have set their affections firmly upon things above. He spoke words to the effect of “they live in eternity six days a week, and on the seventh day, they come down to attend church.” Physically speaking, they are as much a part of this world as their neighbors.  They work and raise families; they are model citizens who may be found in nearly every facet of society. But their conversation, their perspective, and their focus is on the eternal. They cannot be enticed with shallow discussion and dead religion holds no place for them. They have a walk with the Lord Jesus that all of us strive to reach as they fully identify with the words of the apostle Paul. “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.” 

For the saints in this category, eternal mindedness is no longer a theological construct. They dwell continually in the presence of Jesus and concern themselves primarily with issues of eternal significance. I feel woefully inadequate to embark on this as I am continually reminded of my own shortcomings. Subsequently, this is as much a “note-to-self” as it is an encouragement for all who love the Lord Jesus. To use an old cliche “we’re all in this together.” 

This post will involve a visiting of passages which are familiar to many of us. It’s likely that a number of them are carefully preserved in our memory and we visit them on a regular basis. As the days grow darker and the strong delusion continues to take on attributes that none of us were expecting, it is imperative that our focus is on the Lord Jesus and that our perspective is eternal. Satan plays to the three lusts like a skilled musician; incorporating the full emotional spectrum. from a euphoric sense of wellness to overwhelming despair, as he seeks to direct our attention away from that which is eternal and back to the itinerary of this world. These distractions may seem noble. Many will have a form of godliness. Pursuing them will oftentimes cause us to think to ourselves “I’m doing God service” as they lure us into a continuous loop of earthly focus and endeavor. If we make mention of them to other professing saints, many of them will not recognize the distraction as being such. We must have our senses exercised to discern between good and evil as we forgo the frivolous and lay hold of the eternal.

The first passage below is necessary because striving to be more like Jesus and less like us is a lifelong endeavor. At the end of any given day, we will have either become a little more like Jesus, or we will have surrendered territory which must be regained. We face pitfalls and distractions of a nature that previous generations did not have to contend with; due largely to the current state of technology, coupled with the steady rise of spiritual darkness as the final moments of the age play out. We must look to Jesus; focused squarely on the eternal, while nearly everyone and everything in our physical ambiance is trying to pull us into the vortex of perdition. 

Philippians 3:13-14 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ.”

I become discouraged when considering where I desire to be spiritually……and then comparing it with an accurate assessment of my current state. These words are a remedy for anyone who, at times, finds themselves becoming overwhelmed by the journey and the issues that they struggle with. This passage is not a license to remain in a state of complacency or continual stumbling. Rather, it compels us to repent, get back up, and keep looking to Jesus. “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” (I John 3:3)

This next passage is the perfect summary to the listing of saints from past generations who maintained their testimony until the end. 

Hebrews 12:1 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and run with patience the race that is set before us.” 

The great cloud of witnesses. A company which, since the time of this writing has grown beyond our comprehension. It now encompasses those who left this world at the hands of Islamic invaders, and the untold thousands who refused to agree to the unscriptural doctrines of Rome. It is composed of missionaries who left their nativity with no expectation of returning and evangelists who regarded not their own well-being as they brought the words of life to hostile shores. Pastors, farmers, craftsmen, a few statesmen who revered God more than their office – people from every generation and every walk of life, who, in the face of adversity and firey trial, maintained the testimony of Jesus while darkness swept across the land.  These have crossed the finish line; leaving behind a legacy of souls who were birthed into the kingdom and an example for those following who would be tried in like manner.

The message is clear. “Let go of everything that hinders and lay hold of eternal life; trusting in Jesus who is our faithful Creator and Redeemer.” As the days grow darker, it will become easier to let go of the trivial matters that currently hinder so many of us. The firey trial will do this. It silences everything that is irrelevant and amplifies the issues that truly matter. For one who is truly born of the Spirit, it brings the eternal into perfect focus; burning away every shred of lifeless religion and dissolving any residual fascination with the trappings of this evil place. Hebrews chapter 12 continues: 

Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  

From before the foundation of the world, Jesus was knew that a moment would arrive when he would be crucified at the hands of evil men. He was fully aware as this moment went from being thousands of years away to hundreds of years away…..and eventually just around the corner has he began his earthly ministry. When the moment arrived, we can see his agonizing as it was recorded by Luke “And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,  Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine be done. And their appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Regardless of what we may have to endure in this world, it will not even come close to the agony that Jesus went through on our behalf.

He could have called twelve legions of angels…..but didn’t. He could have come down from the cross when the mockers were compelling him to do so…..yet he remained. We must be continuously mindful, and eternally thankful, that our faithful Creator redeemed us with his own precious blood.He endured the cross and was faithful unto death. Three days later, he rose from the dead and is alive forever more. 

Hebrews 12:3 “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

We were once in absolute contradiction to the person and nature of the Lord Jesus Christ…..until that moment, when, in sincere repentance and desire to leave the old behind, we called out to him. It wasn’t simply a fire escape or a decision made while a fleshy praise team worked the crowd up into a frenzy. It was a sincere desire to follow Jesus. My personal story bears repeating. The moment that I believed on Jesus, there was no overwhelming euphoria or feeling of release. Quite the opposite. As I sat there “believing” that if I truly called on him and asked for forgiveness, he would do it. Then the strange “thought” came to me. it seemed to come from just outside my right ear. It spoke to me “you know that you can never live like that. Three or four days and you will be back to your old self again.” That thought from the enemy caused me to…think….and then proclaim with emphasis “NO! I’m tired of what I have been all of my life. I’m serious about this.” and I was. despite seasons of struggle and one lengthy season of backsliding, that day was the most important in my life. it was my one “turning point” in every sense of the word.

Hebrews 12:4 “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.”

And because Jesus overcame this world, and we have the Holy Spirit abiding within, we too can overcome the wicked one……even in a time of tribulation which Jesus warned us would be more severe than any other season of adversity; before or after.  Our time in this world is but a vapor that appears for a fraction of a second. Then we enter our eternal situation, “and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” I recently heard it described like this. This world is the only hell that a true Christian will ever know. This world is the only heaven that those who reject the truth will ever know.  The final two passages were actually part of a draft that involved a different topic, however, they fit this issue perfectly

James 4:8 “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.  Cleanse your hands ye sinners; and purify your hearts ye double minded.”

Revelation 2:17 “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone, a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”

The first one encourages us to draw close to God and cease from the works of the flesh. To repent and turn from anything that separates us from the Lord Jesus and unite our heart to follow him without reservation. The second passage is one that blows my mind upon every remembrance. If I understand it correctly…..in the age to come, each of us is going to have a special name that nobody else knows except the Lord Jesus. Without a doubt, we will have an identity that is known to others, however, we will also have a secret name…..and only the Lord Jesus will know that name. WOW! Even now, it blows my mind that he can have a personal deep relationship with each of us at the same time…..as though we were the only person on the planet. But the words found in Revelation 2:17 carry this into a whole new dimension.  This idea is in the realm of things “too wonderful to comprehend while inhabiting a vessel of flesh and seeing through a glass darkly.”

A name that only the Lord Jesus knows. This is far more incredible than the grandest mansion, the widest street of pure gold, the indescribable features of a world with no ending,  or any other reward that one could receive, This is what comes to mind whenever my thoughts venture into heavenly placves. Being in the presence of Jesus and surrounded by the company of all who entered eternity with their testimony intact.  “For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” I’m looking forward to the moment when we are all gathered around the throne of God, who inhabits eternity. 

Blessings in Jesus name.

 

Kokuo no aru kaodachi kyoretsu – Hanketsu ga kuroppoi rikai suru

This posting must begin with two links to the same site. The first link takes one to the general homepage, where the latest teaching will always be located at the top of the page.  The second takes one to a specific portion of what is currently the most recent study.

Scott Johnson home page

Scott Johnson February 1 Teaching, part 3

 In the third part of the February 2, 2015 teaching, (second link) Scott Johnson discusses two aspects concerning the time of the end that none of us can easily dismiss. The first involves a person who could potentially be the notorious son of perdition.  We all wonder who will eventually move into that position.  The reason that the discussion is so important is that it highlights the elements of deception that will accompany the arrival of this fierce king…..regardless of who ends up fulfilling that role. The individual mentioned in the teaching, not only made an appearance wherein miracles were performed, a local Christian leader introduced him as Jesus. Prior to his appearing, another well known Christian evangelist prophesied that this guy would appear on June 11, 1988, which turned out to be the exact day of the appearing. This evangelist also referred to him as Jesus. To add even more intrigue to this, the travels of a then-24 year old Barak Obama brought him within a few yards of where this individual appeared.

Matthew 24:23-24 “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there: believe it not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.“ 

In the study, Scott Johnson touched on aspects of the incident that I was unaware of, such as the evangelist who “prophesied” the exact day of his appearing. This man is well known and respected among evangelical Christians. I have never taken time to study this man, or listen to his teachings, so my commentary here is strictly in regards to this single incident that transpired 27 years ago. An incident that reveals the dangers of following a man…..any man…..regardless of how legitimate they appear, how on track their teachings are, or how focused on Jesus they seem to be. None of us are completely immune to deception. The greatest danger that a saint faces is not deception from a way that is blatantly contrary to scripture, but from one that appears to be spot on. If such a one unwittingly places more emphasis on miracles than they do on that which is written, the danger becomes even more profound. 

I Thessalonians 5:21 “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”

It is not certain as to whether or not Mr. Obama had a direct encounter with this man. The fact that the Mr Obama just happened to be visiting the country at the same time as the appearing seems well beyond the realm of coincidence. What can be documented, however, is that right after June 11, 1988, Mr Obama was taken out of total obscurity and placed on the fast track to power.  He received favor in every facet of life and was repeatedly placed in positions that nobody with his limited level of experience should have been able to secure. He is now the president of the United States and can no longer mask the contents of his evil heart. Ever since he took office in January of 2009, he has diligently sought to advance every evil agenda that one can think of while doing irreversible damage to the nation that he now “rules over.” One of the primary attributes of a tyrant is that they bring great harm to the nation where they are in power. In regards to harm; both to the nation and its citizens, Mr Obama has done far in excess of any who occupied that office before him.

Two things have prevented Mr Obama from joining the ranks of Joseph Stalin, Adolph Hitler, Pol Pot, and similar vessels of Satan. One is the God who spoke all things into existence and with a word can either raise up a nation or bring down a nation.  This is the primary reason. Another element to consider is that miraculously (as in God is merciful) the machinery of democracy is still functioning. It has viruses; it has lost critical pieces of infrastructure, the people who understand how to maintain it are disappearing, and certain people who hold positions of authority have sought to redefine key sentences in its constitutional mandate. Nonetheless, those portions that still remain have prevented Mr Obama from implementing all that is in his heart……at least for the time being. Tomorrow may be a different story, and eventually all that is familiar will be washed away. 

The second aspect, covered in Scott Johnson’s Feb 1 teaching involves medical implants; more specifically, the number of implants that are being embedded without the patients awareness. Before delving into this further, I must mention a report that I first saw years ago because it highlights just how alluring something like this can be. The report focused on an implant which, when embedded into a person who suffers from Parkinson’s Disease can virtually neutralize all of the symptoms that accompany this condition. naturally it was hailed as a major advance……but something was troubling me; not so much because of that one thing, but because one can see where it’s headed. Increasingly, implants are being used to address other areas of infirmity. Most of the time, the patient knows about them, but other times, they are introduced unawares. Many who have discovered implants that they were not told about have sought legal action……to no avail. This indicates that something quite sinister is transpiring just under the surface. 

Scott Johnson’s teaching covers this in much greater detail.

The reason as to why something like this carries such significance can be found in Revelation 13:16-17 “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” This is where this will eventually lead. Medical implants, rfid chips in the name of convenience, and what have you; Satan seeks to get under our skin. One reason for this is conditioning of the population to be receptive to such things. Then, when the final “mark” is rolled out, most will receive it with joy…..and forfeit any hope of eternal life with the Lord Jesus. Another reason is control. If a medical implant can offer its bearer positive benefits, another can be produced that can have quite a different mission…..as in a third party having control of the person in whom it is implanted.

It has been suggested that, the final mark of the beast, will literally alter a persons DNA and render them….not 100% human anymore. One thing is for certain. It does place a person beyond the reaches of conviction and repentence…..and Satan knows this. Subsequently, he is promoting anything and everything that will lower a persons resistance to such a thing. He’s dressing it up with promises of a better tomorrow – health, convenience, prosperity, and what have you. Employing all of the three lusts, he will use his two ambassadors to lure all who know not the Lord Jesus into receiving an identifier that will seal their doom. As Scott Johnson mentioned in the teaching, whenever it is possible to do so, we should resist any effort to implant something in us; even if it promises great medical (or other) benefit. We must look at everything through an eternal lens; resisting anything that seems suspect.

The day may well be close at hand, when a seemingly innocent medical implant contains the media through which other parties will have partial control over the person.  Satan seeks total control, and total destruction of all who are made in the image of God. And according to scripture, the final deciding factor will be a mark. None of us know exactly what it will entail, however, this much we do know. Once a person receives it, they are forever lost…….no matter what John MacArthur says. The below link tells of how this man; also with a large following, has taken an unbiblical stand in regards to the mark of the beast.

John MacArthur – he claims that a person can be saved; even after they have received the mark of the beast.

The events that will ultimately usher in the dark champion are unfolding quickly; even to the point that the most diligent watchmen struggle to keep up with the developments. Each of us must strive to keep our hearts with all diligence and not be moved when the unexpected transpires. We must be close to Jesus and have his word hidden deeply in our heart, to the point that any doubt or wavering is driven out. Our affections must be on the eternal……because Satan will pander to the three lusts in ways that most of us may have never been exposed to before. The coming strong delusion will dislodge anyone who is not firmly anchored in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Blessings in Jesus name.

Daniel 8:23-25 “And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
25 And through his policy also, he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.”