FEAR NOT

FEAR NOT

                Where are we in time? It is my personal conviction that we are just weeks away from the beginning of the Time of Jacob’s Trouble, or what is commonly called “The Tribulation.” I say this is my personal conviction, but that doesn’t make it so. Yet I see an amazing convergence of events and signs and numbers, all of which seem to be pressing us into some of the most important prophetic events in history.

                I would say that we are moving into uncharted territory, but in fact, there is no other period of time in history that has been more “Charted” than the days ahead. Large portions of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation tell of the Day of the Lord and I cannot lie: It is a period of time unprecedented in all of human history.

                Some complain that watchmen are fear mongers… that we needlessly scare people with our tracking of signs and events. But the purpose is not to scare, but to prepare. It is the same reason that Jesus gave us these signs to begin with. He wants us to face these things without fear and that means putting our complete faith in Him. It means completely dying to self so that we love not our own lives unto death. It means having complete confidence in God and His Word and His promises. It means facing reality and learning how to walk through it with Yeshua.

                Jesus said to the synagogue official when his daughter died, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” When the disciples were frightened thinking Him to be a ghost as he came through the storm walking on the water Yeshua said to them: “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.”

                Jesus, in talking to the people said to them: “Which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life’s span?” then He said, “And do not seek what you shall eat and what you shall drink and do not keep worrying, for all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek first the kingdom and these things shall be added to you.” And then He finished by saying; ”Do not be afraid little flock for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.”  

                We need to develop a childlike faith that everything is in our Father’s hands and He loves us with an infinite love. We are in training for royalty… for reigning, for positions of authority beyond   imagination. The training may at times be rigorous and even fearful, but we are told that we will overwhelmingly conquer through Jesus Christ our Lord.

                Many of us carry burdens and responsibilities that seem to overwhelm us at times even now. How can we even think of surviving when all hell breaks loose? But this is why we talk about these things and this is why we face them and mentally and spiritually prepare for them. After all, would you rather remain oblivious to prophesied events     and then fall away?

                Paul warned Timothy saying, “But the Spirit explicitly ways that in the later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.” There will be major delusions that if possible will deceive the very elect.

                Paul spoke to the Thessalonians saying: “Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying ‘Peace and safety’ then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”

                Notice here that Paul says “they”; “They shall not escape.” And then Paul proceeds to say to the believers: “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night, nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober… For God has not destined us for wrath, but or obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep (alive or dead) we may live together with Him.” 1 Thess. 5:1-6, 9-10.

                Then near the end of this same chapter Paul says, “Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. (In other words when we despise prophecy we quench the Spirit who gave it to us.) But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good” Then he finishes out the chapter by saying: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus. Faithful is He who calls you and He will also bring it to pass.” 1Thess. 5:19-24

                As near as I can tell from my own research, we will not be here on earth to face the wrath of God which is poured out on unbelievers and the kingdom of the antichrist. However we will see   the great falling away and the revealing of the man of sin. (2 Thess.2:3, 4) I personally believe that the Mark of the beast will be our final test of loyalty and if we pass that we will be taken out of here before the wrath of God is poured out. The Bible clearly says in several places that we are not destined for wrath and that we will be kept from that hour of testing that will come upon the whole world.       

                Exactly what that hour of testing is I cannot say unless it is the Mark of the Beast test which the Philadelphians may miss because they have nothing written against them. They are certainly of the wise virgins that make it into the marriage supper of the Lamb. They are of the Barley Company that has been separated from their chaff by the gentle wind of the Holy Spirit and need not be violently threshed like the wheat that comes later.

                Beyond these little glimpses, I cannot go, but I know that we can and must learn to trust implicitly in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I know that a complete death to self will remove our fear and we will love not our lives even unto death. Try to remember that the wicked are going to have it even worse than the righteous. Thinking to save themselves, they will learn too late that they too are lambs for the slaughter because the New World Order wants to kill off most of the population.

                How much better it is to face all of these things with hope and with joy and bravery because we have learned to walk with Yeshua through everything and we trust Him. He will never leave us or forsake us and after we have passed the test we will receive our reward... Eternal life and an eternity with Jesus Christ, when we and our children will be healed and whole and perfect and we will be filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory.