Greetings,
"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21:28
Things are happening in 'record' and 'historic' fashion. None of it good. But the Lord is revealing to His church, His remnant, that He is up to something. Over the last 10 years, the escalation of death and destruction is right before our eyes, especially with social media reporting more and more of world happenings. And to see it on such a large scale in recent days and weeks is alarming. It almost seems that that the seals and trumpets from Revelation are happening. Although we know that those things happen on a much larger and catastrophic unfolding. But there is no doubt, that the Lord is revealing the beginning of what those things shall look like.
Why? Why would God reveal these things to us. There are a couple of things that we need to be aware of and greatly alarmed about.
1. Understanding why we are here, for here and now
"For such a time as this. . . " God has seen fit to give us life and opportunity. God makes no mistakes and knows all things; past, present and future. And with that knowledge of God, there is a specific reason why we are here, and why now. Now we are finite, He is inifinte. We, or I, cannot understand the depth of all this. But this much is certain with what we know; God has placed us here, for 'such a time as this' in the work that He is, and will do for His Names sake and kingdom sake. Everything about our lives, the church, nations, politics etc. are all be arranged as God sees fit for this purpose.
Discerning the Scripture to see the times that are upon us in these events that we are discussing and seeing happen and unfold in the headlines. Let us not be ignorant of what Christ said about such moments of tribulations and persecutions. Let us see the and recognize that the intensity of these things are greatly increasing. A few decades ago, you would be hard pressed throughout an entire year to find one of these headlines happening. But now, they are not only happening each month, but several during a week. And as this example in this blog posts is affirming, multiple events over a weeks time. This is no accident; but a great shaking.
2. God is revealing that time is running out
With the acceleration and increase in volume of these headlines and happenings, it is a warning of what is happening and what will happen. Now God, as we have said, knows all things. These are no mysteries or secrets unto Him. But unto us, it is not fully revealed. But again, we see enough to know that the purpose of God is behind all these things. That which has been left unfulfilled is being brought to pass. We have such a sinful mindset within the church; and absolutely out of the church, that this life will always continue 'as is'. but we should know better from Scripture, that God shifts and changes as He sees fit. Christ was there during the roman Empire controlling Jerusalem and all the world, but He foretold that the city of Jerusalem's days were limited. And within a few decades it all changed. Within a few centuries, it all changed.
The heightened increase and severity of these happenings are alarming for several reasons.
1. Souls are being destroyed in large fashion by the 1000's and they are dying without Christ.
2. The depth of the severity is increasing. This is compared to Leviticus 26, where God speaks of judgement and for their continued disobedience, He will increase it each time by 7 fold. At last reaching a point of utter destruction.
3. That these are only the beginning of sorrow and that which is to come, is horrifying to consider.
3. Greatest need of our lives is before us
Knowing now that these things are set into motion for His purpose, we should be much more alarmed, urgent and desperate to see our loved ones rescued, the church holy and Spirit filled; and our own lives 'taking heed' to all His ways and to be found right in His sight. The sands in the hourglass are running low and this should press the church to quit playing church and get before Him to know what He would have us to do.
Recently in talking Doug Stringer, on a few of these things, he made the comment, 'Dan, I'm more pressed now to get the church ready for what may be." I agree with that whole-heartedly, 'get the church ready.' REady to face all out assault and persecution. REady to die, be spent and give up all for His Name sake, no matter what the cost. The urgency should be upon us to get ready the answer, 'am I right with You O Lord?' "will You say to me, 'Well Done":?" For God will not say, 'well done' to those that have not done well. IT is a major time to get right with God.
HAPPENINGS:
--MOZAMBIQUE - major storm; death toll rising to over 1000; huge area of destruction along the coast;
--Nebraska - another record storm hitting Mid-West and moving east; 'record' & 'historic' flooding; cattle lost; cities flooded; record setting today, 3/18 for Nebraska and Kansas;
--New Zealand - mass shooting in mosque; 50 dead, over 30 still hospitalized;
--Netherlands - another city shooting, reports still coming in;
--Australia - major huuricanes to impact east & west;
--Democratic Congo - ebola virus; over 1000 affected; close to 600 deaths;
--Brazil - school shooting 10 dead;
--US - unusally high suicide happenings among movie/TV stars thus far in 2019; this is coupled with the trend already in place of 3X higher rates as in years gone by, especially among young people, police officers and military;
--Papua, New Guinea - flooding; 80 dead from storms;
--Nigeria - 100's of Christians are being slaughtered by Muslims ravaging the Christian villages;
WHAT IS TO BE DONE?
Just as God revealed the great famine coming to Pharaoh and allowed for Joseph to be there to interpret that dream, for the saving of God's covenant people. So, God reveals things to us to cause us to awake out of our slumber and arise to meet the great need of salvation to the lost, direction for the church and empowerment for His people to complete the task of the Gospel. God wants to do something, therefore, He causes a burden to come to His people to seek Him like never before.
Three things to be done:
1. A Call to Prayer - there have been probably 1000's of these calls to pray; some for a day, some for 21 days; some for day in and day out; All of which God may receive and work through. It is not so much to me the call to prayer, or even to those that say, they are praying. It is the kind of prayer that is being done.
1. many thinks that everyone is praying; this is not the reality of the church today; my studies last year and letters appealing to SBC leadership and churches that only about 12 - 15% have any kind of a monthly corporate prayer meeting. This is largely due, to the fact that many Christians have no secret closet time with the Lord. how offended leadership becomes when you question their prayer life!! Simply because a call is issued to pray - or someon posts, "Pray for. . . ." does not mean that they are praying. We must acknowledge that we have a healthy prayer life privately and corporately. And if found in sin for prayerlessness, immediately confess and repent.
2. A Call to Holiness -
3. A Call to Speak and Share the Gospel -
Until,
Dan
Started: March 18, 2019
Continued: 3/20;
Finished:
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