Greetings in the Name of the soon coming King, Jesus. Let not your heart be troubled! As we look at the current challenges facing our nation and the world (which is necessary for us to do as prophecies are fulfilled in these last days), let’s also remember that as Christians, we have a way of escape through our Lord Jesus.
What we are seeing is that some people’s eyes are opening and others are becoming completely shut as they slip deeper into darkness. The prophet Isaiah warned us about the times in which we currently live: “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people” (Isaiah 60:2). Yet, at this same time, there is glory, prosperity, health, and an abundance of peace upon the earth that is greater than all the darkness. The prophet Habakkuk calls it the knowledge of the glory:
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the “Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
—Habakkuk 2:14
The darkness and glory are increasing as we near the end of the Age and the coming of Jesus. The darkness is the default; if you make no effort to move toward God and His glory, you will be sucked into the darkness. You may or may not go to hell depending on your relationship with Jesus; however, the Zoe life of God is less and less obtainable as you slip into darkness. Darkness steals your peace or “shalom,” which is defined as nothing missing or completeness.
If you have any lack in your life, you are not experiencing the fullness of this kind of peace, whether it be in your finances, health, or a troubled mind All of these are under attack today with this pestilence they have named COVID-19. You do not even have to have the disease to be affected by its “dis-ease” in the world.
I have pointed out that Jesus says these things are to be, and He called them the beginning of sorrows (Matt. 24:5-8). These sorrows have a beginning, and they also have an end. In between, the frequency and severity of these sorrows increase, which all lead to the great time of trouble that is coming upon the earth, known as the Tribulation Period. BUT IT IS NOT YET! Although the end of the Age is closer now than ever, YOU are the one who must not let their heart be troubled.
“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
—Luke 21:36
Yes, you must be accounted worthy. Your relationship with the Lord must remain strong. The wisest (and richest) man who ever lived was Solomon. He proclaimed, “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 8:9).
Take an event from Isaiah’s day: The Assyrian Empire’s attack was imminent. Israel had rejected the goodness of the Lord and found an unholy alliance with the king of Syria (Isaiah 8:6). Their trust in God had faltered, and they put their trust in the government of another nation. As Christians, we must humble ourselves and look deep within to see in whom or what our trust lies. Is it in our government, our money, our healthcare, our jobs, toilet paper, or GOD? You can see that the devil can use anything to raise itself above God, even something silly like toilet paper.
Today, as the times grow more tumultuous, don’t allow your trust to be moved to something else. Don’t call for a confederacy or conspire with anyone else but the Lord our God. Do not align yourself with something you think is strong and reassuring, believing it is set apart for your deliverance of a particular sorrow or trouble. Instead, take heed to the Word of the Lord given by the prophet! Isaiah warned:
Do not call conspiracy [or hard, or holy] all that this people will call conspiracy [or hard, or holy]; neither be in fear of what they fear, nor [make others afraid and] in dread.
The Lord of hosts—regard Him as holy and honor His holy name [by regarding Him as your only hope of safety], and let Him be your fear and let Him be your dread [lest you offend Him by your fear of man and distrust of Him].
And He shall be a sanctuary [a sacred and indestructible asylum to those who reverently fear and trust in Him]; but He shall be a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
—Isaiah 8:12-14 (AMPC, emphasis added)
Many people stumble concerning God’s Word; they trip and fall deeper into darkness. They become hard-hearted in their beliefs and refuse to put their trust in Him for certain areas. How do we offend the Lord? How about when you have a symptom in your body? Do you go to the Word first, or the medicine cabinet? When a large, unexpected bill pops up, do you scramble to figure out how to pay it, or do you take it to the Father and say, “I have a need?”
How about when you rob God by not tithing? (His Words, not mine–Malachi 3:8.) He eagerly desires to help you by rebuking the devourer in every matter, great and small. It brings Him great pleasure to be first place in your life.
Now not everyone knows how to communicate their need in faith to the Father. This is a lack of knowledge and why His people are destroyed (Hosea 4:6). Such is why Isaiah goes on to say this:
“Preserve the teaching of God; entrust his instructions to those who follow me.”
—Isaiah 8:16 (NLT)
Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark. They will go from one place to another, weary and hungry. And because they are hungry, they will rage and curse their king and their God. They will look up to heaven and down at the earth, but wherever they look, there will be trouble and anguish and dark despair. They will be thrown out into the darkness.
—Isaiah 8:20-21 (NLT), emphasis added
As the darkness grows in many ways on the earth, there is only one way to stay in the light. JESUS is the LIGHT of the world (John 8:12), and the LIFE of men (John 1:4). In order to be in Him, you must be in His Word. When you come to His Word, you must believe it is the TRUTH! And there is a benefit for being in the Word (Hebrews 11:6; John 14:6). The Word will reveal the Spirit of God who amazingly, in return, reveals even more understanding and revelation of the Word.
How can we remain fearless and an overcomer in these last days? We can remain conquerors and live a victorious life in the midst of the darkness by believing and practicing biblical doctrines about the authority of the believer; keeping your love for God fresh; keeping His Word in your mouth; not compromising what you know He has and desires for you; staying far away from the philosophies of the world and false teaching; and never becoming satisfied with the relationship you have with Him, His Word, and His Spirit (Revelation chapters 2 and 3).
It is not too late to start or increase your study of God’s Word or your fellowship with the Holy Spirit. God’s mercy endures forever, and if you chase God, He will run to you with great haste! He will give you PEACE in the midst of the storm (Psalm 107:28-30). So, do not allow yourself to be drawn into the darkness of these times. Resist the devil, and he will run in terror from you (James 4:7). Walk in the light of His Word and allow Him to be the LIGHT upon your path, for He will see you through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23). Regard our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus as your only hope of safety.
I have been praying for you, my partners! My prayers have been for your safety, families, finances, and health. This plague will pass, and our testimony will make us stronger! We are the mighty ones on the earth, and it’s because of our soon coming King, Jesus!
Thank you for your support and for those of you who have increased that support in these last days. The message of God’s plan and promises of love must reach as many people as possible. So, thank you for making that happen.
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