As we consider the world today, and it's ways, it would be easy to believe that we are in the end times, though I am not saying we are, however, if the world continues on it's current trend, we will destroy one another! IF we are, according to SCRIPTURE, two beasts will be allowed to rule for a while before THE LORD arrives---
REVELATION 13 depicts PERFECTLY what we are noting today! Those who understand the first beast to denote a worldly power, take the second to be also a persecuting and assumed power, which acts under the disguise of religion, and of charity to the souls of men. Also by allowing none to enjoy natural or civil rights, who will not worship that beast---
Already we have heard of those who have buckled under the pressure, as some people HAVE denied THE LORD as they, in fear for their lives, say what is NOT of THE LORD; I PRAY you can understand what I am referring to...
We are WEAKENED when we are NOT existing aligned to *GOD*, and HIS WILL, and the results WORSEN with the times:
2+++For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3+++unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4+++treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5+++holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
Even in gospel times there would be perilous times; on account of persecution from without, still more on account of corruptions within.
Men love to gratify their own lusts, more than to please God and do their duty. When every man is eager for what he can get, and anxious to keep what he has, this makes men dangerous to one another. When men do not fear God, they will not regard man. When children are disobedient to their parents, that makes the times perilous.
God is to be loved above all; but a carnal mind, full of enmity against him, prefers any thing before him, especially carnal pleasure. A form of godliness is very different from the power; from such as are found to be hypocrites, real Christians must withdraw. Such persons have been found within the outward church, in every place, and at all times. There ever have been artful men, who, by pretences and flatteries, creep into the favour and confidence of those who are too easy of belief, ignorant, and fanciful.
All must be ever learning to know the Lord; but these follow every new notion, yet never seek the truth as it is in Jesus. Like the Egyptian magicians, these were men of corrupt minds, prejudiced against the truth, and found to be quite without faith. Yet though the spirit of error may be let loose for a time, Satan can deceive the nations and the churches no further, and no longer, than God will permit.
A LOT of people don't understand WHY THE OLD TESTAMENT matters to Christians, but INDEED it DOES because there we find all sorts of examples by which we can learn from, and develop into greater strength from! Such as Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, the three Men of *GOD* who REFUSED to worship anyone, or anything but their *GOD*, and we thrown into a fiery furnace, so hot it seared even those standing back from it (DANIEL 3)! You see, their FAITH, and FAITHFULNESS SAVED them, DESPITE the best efforts of evil, SO we LEARN from such people HOW to REMAIN IN THE LORD, regardless, and IN HIS WILL, and WAYS, THAT HE IS PLEASED, and INVOKED! There are numerous other examples, but this is merely an illustration designed to reiterate the NEED for DEVELOPING FAITH, and FAITHFULNESS!!!
Just in light of recent times, the FAITH of some HAS been shaken, as they doubt, and question THE LORD because of the imminent evil of this world, NOT understanding that ALL things work towards what IS to come, NOR our own hand in all of this, DUE to LACK of allegiance TO THE LORD, the ONE, and ONLY WHO CAN SAVE us from what is to come, and this world! THEREFORE, we MUST INCREASE in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding that we CAN REMAIN intact as the foundations of the Earth are shaken by what intends to destroy us!!!
WITHOUT THE LORD, we CANNOT withstand! This is IMPERATIVE to KNOWING HIM, and HIS WILL, for HE ALONE, HAS POWER OVER all, and everything, and OVER other so-called powers, ALBEIT, we OFTEN, are lost to these so-called powers BY GIVING them power over *GOD*! SEE???
I could go on, and on, and on, and we WILL certainly, tackle this more in times to come, BECAUSE NONE of us SHOULD be endangered, ESPECIALLY since we HAVE ALL we NEED TO STAND STEADFAST NO MATTER WHAT, and to RETAIN LOVE, HOPE, FAITH, and FAITHFULNESS, AS we move through the times, BUILDING UP THE CHURCH, and one another, FOR THE GLORY OF *GOD*, and our eternal safety!!!
REV. LWINSOR © 2015
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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