END TIME STUDY--Pt.25

Those who have a great disdain for the believers, those in covenant with Jehovah, shall be further corrupted in their hatred for the Jews and Christians alike with flattering words from the Antichrist. We can already see this occurring now. When a Muslim blows himself up to destroy infidels, particularly believers in God, he is seen as a great hero with guaranteed entrance into heaven. His family is rewarded for raising such a devout follower of Allah. We shall see this increase immensely in the last days and it shall rise to its pinnacle after the Mahdi, the Antichrist, rises to power. The Muslims will be invigorated by the words of authority with which the Antichrist shall use to flatter them. This will only embolden the Muslims to carry out every wish of their "Messiah" in ridding the world of the infidels. BUT in the midst of all this hatred, persecution and intolerance toward the believers of Jehovah, "---the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out GREAT EXPLOITS (Dan.11:32NKJV).

The true church will not be hiding in some cave, eating tribulation food, gathered around a kerosene heater, dirty, weak, shaking in fear; but, she shall be "a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she should be holy and without blemish"(Eph.5:27), carrying out GREAT EXPLOITS!! This is the church who is now being equipped for the end times. She is having everything that hinders her relationship with a pure, holy Father removed. She isn't worldly minded but eternal minded. She is preparing for a great harvest of souls. She is becoming Christ-like. She soon will look like Jesus; talk like Jesus; love like Jesus. She shall bear his burden for souls. She will settle for nothing that even has the appearance of evil ("abstain from all appearance of evil" I Thes.5:22). A glorious church--one full of his glory!!

"And they that understand among the people shall instruct many." (V.33). Those who understand the events of the last days, due to their knowledge of Scripture, shall be able to give an account of what they believe. They will teach many that they too may have understanding of world events as the history of mankind is in its final chapter. A church "doing great exploits" and "instructing many," after the "abomination that makes desolate," does not sound like an absentee church, one raptured before the seven years of tribulation begins. This doesn't sound like a bunch of "new believers" saved because of the disappearance of all believers. This is seasoned, well-equipped, mature, committed believers that have endured the shaking of all that can be shaken (Heb.12:25-29) and are standing in the gap between the Antichrist and the Christ declaring His truths that will save multitudes--THE CHURCH'S FINEST HOUR!!

Yes, there will be some who are martyred for their faith and testimony of Jesus (Rev.20:4), "---yet they shall fall by the sword, and by the flame, and by captivity, and by spoil many days." (v.33b). But just as the followers of the new world religion will be emboldened by the Antichrist, these martyrs shall inspire the true church to, "---press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil.3:14). After all, they have read the back of the book and they know they win! They have already apprehended, "that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in them. For the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the sons of God." (Rom.8:18,19). God is cleansing His temples ("Do you not know that you are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" I Cor.3:16), that we may become just like the Son of God, thus, being "sons of God." The world is looking for the real Jesus, the Savior, and if the church doesn't show them the real Jesus by living like "sons of God," they may very well fall for the false Messiah, the Antichrist. The world is waiting for the "manifestation of the sons of God." For this reason judgment begins in the house of God (I Peter 4:17), to purify us and give us the same character of Jesus. The fields truly are "white for the harvest." (John 4:35),and its time for the real body of Christ to stand up and gather the souls of men.

In verse 34 the Messenger speaks a somewhat comforting word when He says, "Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help." The word "holpen" means aided. Even when the Saints are persecuted they will receive the aid of the comforter, the Holy Spirit and Angels. Just as Angels strengthened Jesus in the wilderness, (Matthew 4) and again in the Garden Of Gethsemane, (Luke 22), so they will comfort, strengthen and aid the Saints when their time of martyrdom shall come, just like with Stephen (Acts 7). But remember, not all will fall victim to the tormentors. I believe most of the Saints will be among those who will be doing great exploits and enduring "to the end." (Matt.24:13). What a time to be alive!

I have stated numerous times when addressing the church that if you were going to pursue any of the manifestation gifts of the Holy Spirit (I Cor.12:8-10) that you should pursue the manifestation gift of discerning of spirits. Jesus warns us in Matthew 24:10 that, "Many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another." The Messenger is eluding to this in the latter part of verse 34 when He declares, "---but many shall cleave to them with flatteries." He is stating that there will be those who will use flatteries or testimonies in order to appear to be a part of the Saints but their words are deceptive. The enemy of our souls will sow false prophets, false teachers and false Christians into the church in order to spy on the Saints. Through this deception many will be turned in to the authorities betrayed by those professing to be Christians. We need to discern the spirits of those in our midst that we may not only survive but thrive during the Great Tribulation. The church today has already been infiltrated by the enemy. Through our adoption of the world's ways we have flung open the doors of the church to the Trojan horse of secular humanism. Everyone does what's right in his own eyes. Unless the church experiences a real Spirit-led revival she may very well become completely engulfed with the agents of the enemy. But I personally believe that a great revival is coming to the real church, but it will come through the outpouring of God's judgments on His people. He will shake the earth once more and the only thing that will remain is that which cannot be shaken (Heb.12:24). As the church encounters this shaking all that defiles will be removed and all that will remain will be those who were unshakable, clean, pure, righteous and holy.

Even the believers that are among those of "understanding" may fall into the grip of the enemy to be sifted, just like it was with Peter (Luke 22:31). "And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, to purge them, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed." (V.35). Remember that those who understand is referring to those who will have the ability to teach others what Scripture says about the times of the end (V.33). As these leaders are arrested, tortured and/or killed they will bear witness of the peace that passes all understanding. This will cause others to examine their lives to see if they have the spiritual fortitude to endure the same treatment. Many will examine themselves to see if they are pure and holy before God and man thus purging themselves of all uncleanliness.

I also believe that verse 35 is eluding to the use of persecution to cleanse the Bride. As with Israel, God's bride, in the Old Testament, God will use our enemies to cause us to cry out to Him for deliverance. It's in the midst of persecution and suffering that mankind is more apt to give themselves a thorough self-examination. It's when faced with suffering that we have a tendency to meditate upon eternal things. God used the enemy armies of Israel time and time again to get Israel's attention, which usually resulted in repentance. God will allow many believers who were not yet rid of their "pet sins or worldly ways", thus unfit for heaven, to endure suffering that they may "work out their own salvation with fear and trembling." (Phil.2:12). It is out of His great love and desire that "none should perish but that all should come to repentance"(II Peter 3:9), that causes God to chasten us, to bring us to repentance. Through repentance he purges and cleanses us thus making us candidates for His eternal abode. This should cause all believers to examine their lives to see ourselves as God, as well as others, see us. Are we aligning ourselves with the Word of God? When others observe us can they honestly say that they see Jesus in us? Do our habits reflect the inward presence of a holy Being? Do we shun the very appearances of evil? Are we the personification of holiness and purity? Remember, we are in the world, not of the world. (John 17:15, 16).