TAKE HEART! KEEP THE FAITH!!!
NO ONE, not even CHRIST JESUS knows when THE RAPTURE will happen, and we mustn't believe anyone but HIM, and IF HE comes in this very hour, well, the truth of us all will be laid bare before THE JUDGEMENT seat, SO, the WISE thing to do IS to TURN TO HIM with all you are, and have! Rumours of war HAVE been with us since longer than we can imagine; not to deny the current dangers, but here too, all we can do is prepare, and to RELY ON THE LORD! Evil can only be lessened WHEN people make the CHOICE to give power to THE LORD, and LOVE! You see, our options lie in *GOD*, and within!!!
MATTHEW 24: 6-8...
6+++You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
7+++Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
8+++All these are the beginning of birth pains.
The disciples had asked concerning the times, When these things should be? Christ gave them no answer to that; but they had also asked, What shall be the sign? This question he answers fully.
The prophecy first respects events near at hand, the destruction of Jerusalem, the end of the Jewish church and state, the calling of the Gentiles, and the setting up of Christ's kingdom in the world; but it also looks to the general judgment; and toward the close, points more particularly to the latter.
What Christ here said to his disciples, tended more to promote caution than to satisfy their curiosity; more to prepare them for the events that should happen, than to give a distinct idea of the events. This is that good understanding of the times which all should covet, thence to infer what Israel ought to do. Our Saviour cautions his disciples to stand on their guard against false teachers. And he foretells wars and great commotions among nations. From the time that the Jews rejected Christ, and he left their house desolate, the sword never departed from them.
See what comes of refusing the gospel. Those who will not hear the messengers of peace, shall be made to hear the messengers of war.
But where the heart is fixed, trusting in God, it is kept in peace, and is not afraid. It is against the mind of Christ, that his people should have troubled hearts, even in troublous times. When we looked forward to the eternity of misery that is before the obstinate refusers of Christ and his gospel, we may truly say, The greatest earthly judgments are but the beginning of sorrows. It is comforting that some shall endure even to the end. Our Lord foretells the preaching of the gospel in all the world. The end of the world shall not be till the gospel has done its work. Christ foretells the ruin coming upon the people of the Jews; and what he said here, would be of use to his disciples, for their conduct and for their comfort.
If God opens a door of escape, we ought to make our escape, otherwise we do not trust God, but tempt him. It becomes Christ's disciples, in times of public trouble, to be much in prayer: that is never out of season, but in a special manner seasonable when we are distressed on every side. Though we must take what God sends, yet we may pray against sufferings; and it is very trying to a good man, to be taken by any work of necessity from the solemn service and worship of God on the sabbath day. But here is one word of comfort, that for the elect's sake these days shall be made shorter than their enemies designed, who would have cut all off, if God, who used these foes to serve his own purpose, had not set bounds to their wrath. Christ foretells the rapid spreading of the gospel in the world. It is plainly seen as the lightning. Christ preached his gospel openly. The Romans were like an eagle, and the ensign of their armies was an eagle. When a people, by their sin, make themselves as loathsome carcasses, nothing can be expected but that God should send enemies to destroy them.
It is very applicable to the day of judgment, the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in that day, 2Th 2:1. Let us give diligence to make our calling and election sure; then may we know that no enemy or deceiver shall ever prevail against us.
LUKE 21: 19...
Stand firm, and you will win life.
He answers with clearness and fullness, as far as was necessary to teach them their duty; for all knowledge is desirable as far as it is in order to practice. Though spiritual judgements are the most common in gospel times, yet God makes use of temporal judgments also.
Christ tells them what hard things they should suffer for his name's sake, and encourages them to bear up under their trials, and to go on in their work, notwithstanding the opposition they would meet with. God will stand by you, and own you, and assist you. This was remarkably fulfilled after the pouring out of the Spirit, by whom Christ gave his disciples wisdom and utterance. Though we may be losers for Christ, we shall not, we cannot be losers by him, in the end.
It is our duty and interest at all times, especially in perilous, trying times, to secure the safety of our own souls. It is by Christian patience we keep possession of our own souls, and keep out all those impressions which would put us out of temper. We may view the prophecy before us much as those Old Testament prophecies, which, together with their great object, embrace, or glance at some nearer object of importance to the church.
When he comes to judge the world, he will redeem all that are his from their troubles. So fully did the Divine judgements come upon the Jews, that their city is set as an example before us, to show that sins will not pass unpunished; and that the terrors of the Lord, and his threatenings against impenitent sinners, will all come to pass, even as his word was true, and his wrath great upon Jerusalem.
HEBREWS 10: 35-39...
35+++So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
36+++You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
37+++For,
“In just a little while,
he who is coming will come
and will not delay.”
38+++And,
“But my righteous one will live by faith.
And I take no pleasure
in the one who shrinks back.”
39+++But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.
The Christian spirit is not a selfish spirit; it puts us upon pitying others, visiting them, helping them, and pleading for them. All things here are but shadows.
The happiness of the saints in heaven will last for ever; enemies can never take it away as earthly goods. This will make rich amends for all we may lose and suffer here. The greatest part of the saints' happiness, as yet, is in promise. It is a trial of the patience of Christians, to be content to live after their work is done, and to stay for their reward till God's time to give it is come. He will soon come to them at death, to end all their sufferings, and to give them a crown of life. The Christian's present conflict may be sharp, but will be soon over. God never is pleased with the formal profession and outward duties and services of such as do not persevere; but he beholds them with great displeasure. And those who have been kept faithful in great trails for the time past, have reason to hope for the same grace to help them still to live by faith, till they receive the end of their faith and patience, even the salvation of their souls. Living by faith, and dying in faith, our souls are safe for ever.
And so we see HOW we might endure, and persevere until HE RETURNS; NOT fearing, thus being led far away from HIM, but instead, REMAINING IN HIM, HIS WILL, HIS LOVE, HIS PROMISES, as we daily devour THE WORD to sustain us, enable us, enrich us, endow us, empower us, and encourage us, for we KNOW THE WORD ENLIGHTENS us, and opens us up to THE HOLY SPIRIT LEADING us! We study, we embrace, we utilize; all the while securing our armour, and focusing upon HIM!!!
NO WAY could we survive the throes of this crazed world alone, and so, let us give THANKS, PRAISE HIM, WORSHIP HIS HOLINESS, and REJOICE! Let us PRAY, PRAY, PRAY, as we HONOUR HIM BY STANDING IN HIM, and in LOVE, no matter what! Let us not be overtaken by what is of this realm, but let us look ahead TO LIFE, and JOY ETERNAL! PRAISE, oh PRAISE THE LORD, because if not for HIM, we would be forever chained to this world!!!
LWINSOR © 2018
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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