In the last few years, my heart has become wrapped in the Lord. He has become my steadfast hand that I fully rely on. My heart has not wavered from His almighty hand since the day I lost my earthly father. I have said it many times and will continue to say, I am grateful that my father died because I have found a solid foundation on which I now stand, my heavenly Father. I'll save you more details as I've talked about that many times. Today I would like to say something else.
Since finding a relationship with our Father, my heart became stirred over and over to read and study Revelation. Maybe it's because I love the disciple John and the way He served Jesus. He opened His heart to all things of God and was open to hear from the Father. The more I studied, the more it became clear that we are living in these last days. This sounds absolutely crazy to most people, even Christians, to acknowledge that His plans are unfolding faster than ever. Many say we don't know the day or the hour, and that's correct. But the word says His people will be aware of the season, just as we are aware of when the weather is about to change. I've been astounded to hear over and over people say to me that they just don't feel it relevant or important to read Revelation, Isaiah, Daniel, or even the World of God at all. To those I always like to remind Revelation 1: 3
"God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near"
There are so many cool things to learn from the word of God. But I don't know why my heart is so entranced by what the book of Revelation and specifically Daniel have to say. I believe the more I have read these books in the bible, the more relevance I see in the basics of Christianity spoken about in entirety of the New Testament. My mind has become "eternity wired". I have realized the importance of every small act of kindness or leap of boldness from my mouth has eternal value and has the potential to build the kingdom of God. Worship for me has transformed over the years. It's become an everyday, all day act for me. I have learned to take joy in sharing fellowship with others, to be edified and lifted up by others, to encourage others in what God says He has in store for us. & most importantly, my heart aches for the lost all that more.
I write these words as I see the plot of the Bible unfolding before our eyes. The 21 Christians killed to send a message to "the people of the Cross' by ISIS and the Muslim faith, is straight from the story line of Revelation. Those who look away from the Word is search for answers will find they are going in the wrong direction. The entire bible points to what is to come. Not surprisingly, yesterday as I sat and watched the news for an hour, the reporter stated that while this may become the next World War, it may be the first to start as a Holy War.
Revelation 12: 10
"Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, 'It has come at last -- salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth -- the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time."
Revelation 14: 13
"And I heard a voice from heaven saying, 'Write this down; Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!"
Revelation 17: 3-6
"So the angel took me in the Spirit into the wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that had seven heads and ten horns, and blasphemies against God were written all over it. The woman wore purple and scarlet clothing and beautiful jewelry made of gold and precious gems and pearls. In her hand she held a gold goblet full of obscenities and the impurities of her immorality. A mysterious name was written on her forehead: 'Babylon the great, Mother of all Prostitutes and Obscenities in the World.' I could see that she was drunk - drunk with the blood of God's holy people who were witnesses for Jesus."
It is within these three passages that God has warned us about these things. Many don't become alarmed because it's been said before that He is coming. The Nazis came. World War I came. World War II. 9/11. To our time table it has been coming for far too long to care. But I warn you to not become complacent in the way in which we approach the Jesus and His alarm. God is alive and He wants us to treat Him that way. He doesn't leave our side, He is available 24/7 to talk to, and He is ready for you to know Him. To pray. To approach Him in holy praise. To be bold.
The more I read the word, the more I notice the use of the word "Endure" by Jesus alone. In Matthew 24:13 Jesus says, "But the one who endures to the end will be saved." In Matthew 10: 22 Jesus says, "And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved." I suppose this enduring thing is pretty important. It's become evident that enduring in the small things is important, too. To know the principles of loving our neighbor, marriage is a covenant between a man and woman, and Jesus Christ is the Messiah is something that does not change. Even when the world throws all these convincing facts out or cultural doctrines that tell us otherwise: we are to endure. We are to keep looking to the Word of God for answers, not to the media.
I suppose my point here is that we as Christians have a duty to pay to those 21 Christians who were beheaded for their faith. They too felt a duty to Jesus and did not deny Him.
We are not to deny the one who came to save us. Jesus is the King of kings, the Lord of lords, and He is coming to proclaim that truth to all. We have one duty, to endure and stand by the gospel. Satan has no power over me, over my family, over my friends. I will endure to the end.
We can be sure that paradise and an eternal kingdom is coming. I hope that you would be encouraged to learn more about the kingdom coming while you live in the world of all about me, don't serve your neighbor, media loving culture satan has set up to distract us.
Revelation 6: 9-11
"When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony. They shouted to the Lord and said, 'O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?' Then a white robe was given to each of them. And they were told to rest a little longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters -- their fellow servants of Jesus who were to be martyred-- had joined them."
Revelation 20:4
"Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Revelation 22: 7, 12, 16
7: (Jesus speaking) "Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book."
12: (Jesus speaking) "Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."
16: (Jesus speaking) "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star."
Revelation 22: 17
"The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come.' Let anyone who hears this say, 'Come.' Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life."
Revelation 22: 20
"He who is faithful witness to all these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon!'(Jesus speaking) Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
Let us come boldly before our Father, praising Him. Let us boldly speak of His love to the lost and hurting. Let us not forget to thank Him for all He has done, is doing, and will do! The season is at hand! Let us work to build His kingdom.
