We are
living in some quite turbulent times now, when believers
should evaluate their level of faith and obedience to God's Word.
We can feel the winds of persecution and tribulation
approaching fast and coming very soon against the true followers of Jesus
Christ, in the Western world in particular. And surely many Christians will be
worrying about it, if their faith is not grounded in God's powerful,
life-giving Word.
But why worry about the coming worldwide persecution
because of our faith, and even about dying for the name of Jesus and the
Gospel's sake? In fact, we shouldn't fear, because this is what we pledged and
committed to, when we gave our life to our Lord and Saviour. He bought us with
his holy Blood, and we now belong to Him completely. And because of this, our
time of passing away is in his hands!
According to the Scriptures, the Lord will let us know
when will be the time of our departure from our present body to a heavenly
realm, so that we don't need to worry in advance.
Jesus admonished us saying:
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow
will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own
trouble.
"When they persecute you in this city, flee to
another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities
of Israel
"But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do
not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given
you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit
of your Father." (Mathew 6:34; 10:23; Mark 13:11)
Since the beginning of Jesus' ministry, the Jews were
ready to throw Him down a hill; at other times they wanted to stone Him or take
Him. But each time He managed to walk through them and escaped because it was
not his time to die and go yet.
The apostle Paul was warned by the Holy Spirit in
every city he passed through, that he shouldn't go to Jerusalem Jerusalem
But Paul's time didn't arrived yet to meet the Lord.
There was still work for him to do. Because later on the Lord reassured him
saying: "Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem , so you must also bear witness at Rome
In a second letter to Timothy, Paul let him know that
his time to pass away was near when he said:
"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time
of my departure is at hand. I
have fought a good fight, I have finished my race, I have kept the faith:
Finally, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
righteous Judge, will give me at that Day: and not to me only, but also to all
who love his appearing." (2Timothy 4:6-8)
The apostle Peter also mentioned about his
departure:
“For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you
always of these things, though you know and are established in the present
truth. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent (body) to stir
you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent (body)
just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. Moreover I will be careful to ensure
that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease (death)."
(2Peter 1:12-15)
No matter what will happen to us, the Lord wants us to
be a WITNESS to this dying generation and He wants us also to REJOICE in
persecutions, because we are partakers of Christ's sufferings and our names are
written in the Book of Life. Hallelujah!
When the apostles were beaten for preaching Jesus,
"they feared greatly and stopped preaching..." REALLY?
Let's see what the apostles did after they were
beaten
"And when they had called the apostles, and
beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus,
and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, REJOICING
that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And DAILY in the
temple, and in every house, they CEASED NOT to teach and preach Jesus
Christ." (Acts 5:40-42)
Hallelujah!
Jesus said in the powerful and marvellous book of
Revelation:
“He who OVERCOMES shall be clothed in white garments,
and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will CONFESS his
name before My Father and before His angels.
"Because you have KEPT My command to persevere, I
also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole
world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold
fast what you have, that no one may take your CROWN (glorious body). He who
overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go
out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of
My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I
will write on him My new name.
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone
hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and
he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I
also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:5,
10-12, 20-21
)
(Prayer:) 'Thank you, Father, and thank you, Jesus,
for your precious promises! Thank you for helping us to keep our eyes in you.
We rejoice that we are part of your Kingdom and that you have a perfect plan
for each of your children. We rest in you. Our desire is to do your will and be
faithful each day, one day at a time until this blessed Day when we will meet. Hallelujah! Glory to you!'