PREPARATION FOR THE LORD'S
COMING
"Prepare to meet your God, O
Israel" (Amos 4:14). "And he (John the Baptist) shall go
before him (the Lord) in the spirit and power of Elijah.
. . to make ready a people prepared for
the Lord" (Lk. 1:17). "That servant which knew his
lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither
did according to his will, shall be beaten with many
stripes" (Lk. 12:47). These "stripes" are tribulation
conditions on this earth. HOW should we prepare
ourselves and others? The following ways
are suggested.
I. Prepare by
lifting up the Trumpet (voice) of warning.
We need to warn
concerning:
(1) The
sins which are destroying our nation.
God's word to Isaiah was, "Cry aloud, spare not,
lift up your voice like a trumpet, and show my
people their transgression, and the house of Israel
their sins" (Isa. 58:1). The Psalmist asks the question,
"If the foundations be destroyed, what can (and should)
the righteous do?" (Ps. 11:3). We are living in a day
when the foundations of our society are being eroded
away. When the foundations begin to crumble, then the
walls (of God's protection) also begin to fall, and
people become "open game" to the hordes of marauding
spirits unleashed in our day. In the days before the
flood when similar conditions prevailed (Gen. 6:11-13),
Noah was a "preacher of righteousness" (1 Pet 2:5);
and this is what the righteous must do, preach and hold
uncompromisingly to God's Standards. Jesus warned that
because unrighteousness and iniquity would abound, the
love of many (Christians) would grow cold (Mt. 24:12).
Also with major church groups deviating further from
God's standards, many Christians are going to have to
hear God's call as given in Rev. 18:4, "Come out of her,
my people, that you be not partakers of her sins,
and that you receive not of her plagues." The
clergy of modern-day "Babylonish" churchianity are much
like the compromising prophets of ancient Israel, of
whom God said, "You have not gone up into the
gaps (breaches in the walls), neither made up the hedge
(wall) for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in
the day of the Lord" (Ezek. 13:5). WHY? Because they
were preaching-"smooth things" (Isa. 30:10), and holding
out false hopes of peace (Ezek. 13:10), instead of
warning, declaring God's righteousness, and calling the
people to repentance. We need men like John the Baptist
who came on the scene proclaiming "Prepare [ ] the way
of the Lord, make his paths straight" (Mt. 3:3). His
"paths" are His ways of righteousness for His people.
They had been made so "crooked" by an apostate
priesthood that it took a preacher of righteousness to
"straighten them up." Jesus warned that only the house
built on the sure foundation of His teachings
(His righteousness) will be able to stand in the
coming "storm" of tribulation (Mt.
7:24-27).
(2) The
sword which is coming on our
land.
The "sword" speaks of God's judgment coming
through WAR. God tells Ezekiel in Ezek. 33:1-9 that he
is a "watchman" to warn of the "sword" coming, and tells
him the consequence of the failure to warn. In Rev. 6:4
John sees a RED horse and rider, "and power was given to
him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth. . .
and there was given to him a great sword." This
red horse is RUSSIA, in World War II, after the
successful defense of Leningrad, Great Britain decreed
that a sword should be presented to Russia for her
heroic stand. Thus "A GREAT SWORD" ranking among the
costliest and most magnificent ever made, was furbished
and ceremoniously presented to Stalin by Winston
Churchill at the Teheran Conference in Nov. of 1943; all
that we might KNOW positively who the red horse and
rider is. Russia is becoming more truculent and bold in
her subversion of nations, for she knows our society is
termited with moral decay and lack of will, and that our
peoples (especially the younger generation) have been by
pro-leftist propaganda. She now believes she has the
military power to enforce her will on the nations. This
will be greatly enhanced when she has completed the
space station now orbiting the earth. Read the following
booklet which will help you understand: "Christ vs.
Anti-christ" by Leland Earls. [Ed. note: not
available through this
ministry.]
(3) The
economic crisis that is
coming.
The scriptures are clear that our "Babylonish"
financial system is going to fall (collapse). See. Rev.
14:8; 13:2,10,21. We cannot take the time and space here
to explain the "whys" that make this certain. The
piling up of astronomical debt through our unscriptural
debt and interest money system cannot continue
indefinitely. Inflationary pressures and rising prices,
plus other economic uncertainties, will create increased
climate for unrest, strikes, business failures,
uprisings, riots, etc. Anarchy on a limited scale is
certain, but how bad it becomes will be determined by
what the federal government does. Anarchy is merely the
prelude to some kind of dictatorship. Sooner or later
strong leadership will take over to put an end to the
anarchy. No doubt the debt will be repudiated and new
currency put into use; or the old redenominated.
Remember that money is simply what the government says
it is. Those in power will also likely use this time of
calamity to try to impose an international money
system on the so-called "free world" as a prelude to
world government. Many economists, who are not on the
government payroll, and are thus free to tell the truth,
predict an economic crises in the not too distant
future. One such writes:
"According to our
calculations--the United States dollar is ready to
collapse not with a whimper but with a bang, probably
before the end of 1980, and that there is nothing that
can be done about it because we are locked into
fundamental policies which will not be changed. Our
society is analogous to a huge locomotive rushing
downhill with the brakes gone and with a six-year old
[ ] at the
controls. The end is certain. Your bank deposits will be
worthless so you should convert them into things of real
value before then. The price of all commodities will be
astronomical even though dollars will be scarce. Buy
dehydrated survival food, not only to eat but for future
barter material."--E. L. Anderson, Ph.D.
I am quoting this only by way of illustration,
and am NOT saying that his timing is right or that his
advice should be followed exactly. However, buying some
dehydrated foodstuff at today's prices, which have a
shelf life of several years, and having it available
when food prices go sky-high, seems to make sense, and
should result in great savings. Also, the Lord spoke
prophetically to our assembly in 1974 to begin searching
out ways to store up a certain amount of food for times
of crises and famine that are coming.
(4) The
"stripes" that are coming
through tribulation conditions.
At the beginning of the article we quoted Lk.
12:27 where Jesus warns of stripes coming for those who
know the Lord's will yet fail to prepare. I am
personally convinced that these "stripes" are the
buffeting conditions of coming tribulation. The idea
that all Christians are going to be taken out through
rapture before any tribulation comes is pure myth. The
truth is that multitudes of Christians throughout the
world are already IN great tribulation. All we have
to do is to go back to the great ante-type of the
church, the nation of Israel, to see that God does not
save His people from all tribulation. Israel suffered
the first three plagues in Egypt before God protected
them from the balance of the plagues. Again, in the
wilderness, Israel suffered many plagues before entrance
was effected into the Promised Land. Besides this, there
is a purpose for His church on the earth during the
coming tribulation: to raise up a witness to the truth
in power of the Spirit such as the world has never seen,
that multitudes worldwide might find their way into the
kingdom in a final great harvest of this age. Yes,
a firstfruits (Rev. 14:1-4) will be translated before
the last three and one half years of great tribulation,
but that is only a small portion of the whole church. We
need to warn that there shall not only be "stripes" for
unprepared Christians through tribulation buffetings,
but also for some more careless and disobedient servants
of the Lord there shall be conditions which will lead to
"weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Mt. 24:51). However, we
need to realize that these dealings of the Lord are
redemptive in nature; designed to do a quick work of
preparation, that those prepared might be ready to be
presented to the Lord at His
coming.
II. Prepare
by giving ourselves to those spiritual
revelations and disciplines necessary to get us
personally ready to meet the Master. We need
to:
1.
Arise and respond to the light
God is giving to the church in this day.
In Isa. 60:1-2 we read: "Arise, shine, for
your light is come, and the glory of the Lord is
risen on you. For, behold, the darkness
shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people:
but the Lord shall arise on you, and his
glory shall be seen on you." "Arise" in
this passage means to "stir up", "rouse up", as if one
was asleep or indifferent, or in a measure of bondage.
Read Isa. 52:1-2 where God's people are told to "awake",
"put on strength", and "shake themselves loose" from
captivity.
Even so today. God's people are captive to so
many things, especially traditions, which stupefy and
blind them to what God plans for His church in this end
time. God has been pouring out of His Spirit, and will
do so in even greater measure, not just that we might
get a blessing, but that the church might be disciplined
into truth, holiness, and victory; for the Lord is going
to present to Himself "a glorious church (sanctified by
the glory of His presence), not having spot (defilements
of the world), or wrinkle (no signs of
aging—youthfulness and spiritual vigor restored), or any
such thing; but that it should be holy (totally
separated and dedicated) and without blemish (defects
which would hinder its effective functioning to the
glory of the Lord)." (Ephes. 5:27). The scripture is
clear that those who know their God "shall be strong,
and do exploits" (Dan. 11:32), even greater works that
Jesus did (John 14:12). A double portion and more will
come on the church through the early and latter
rain together (Joel 2:23, Hos. 6:3, James 5:7). The
fulfillment of this vision will not be dependent
on great numbers, but on a wholly
dedicated group of Christians willing to "arise" and
give themselves to the Lord in this time of preparation,
letting the Lord "build" them together in unity and
love. Read the article "The
Three 'I Wills' of Jesus " by Leland Earls.
Let us take heed to Paul's admonition in Ephes. 5:14,
"Awake you that sleeps, and arise. . . and
Christ shall give you light." "It is high time to
awake out of sleep" (Rom.
13:11).
2. Get
extra oil.
In Mt. 25:1-13 we read the story of the wise and
foolish virgins. The wise were made ready through the
extra oil they had in their vessels (25:4). Oil is
symbolic of the Holy Spirit. The "oil" which we received
when we were saved, symbolized by the oil sprinkled on
ail the garments, etc. of the priests when they were
consecrated (Lev. 8:30) is not sufficient. We also need
the oil poured on the head, as in the case of the High
priest (Lev. 8:12; see also Lev. 14:15-18 for the use of
the oil in the cleansing of the leper). This is symbolic
of the Baptism or outpouring of the Holy Spirit which is
to come on us after we are saved to "anoint and
sanctify" for the priestly service "beyond the veil" in
the Holy of Holies of His Presence. We must not think of
the extra oil as confined to one experience, however,
for Paul admonishes us in Ephes. 5:18 to "keep on being
filled with the Spirit." That is, keep ourselves
continually available for the Spirit's continuing
sanctifying work in us, as well as the Spirit's
enablement in us to meet every circumstance and need.
God is "purifying to Himself a people for His own
possession, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14). In
the O.T. pattern, God said "the tabernacle shall be
sanctified by my glory" (Ex. 29:43). Likewise, our
own individual tabernacle must be sanctified by the
glory of His presence. That glory cloud, which filled
the O.T. tabernacle, was actually a pillar of fire. So
are we to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and FIRE (Mt.
3:11). We have been "called to His kingdom and
GLORY" (I Thess. 2:12), but we must "give diligence to
make our calling and election sure" (II Pet. 1:10), if
we want to be associated with Christ in His GLORY and
heavenly kingdom; otherwise our lot will be on
this earth in deathless physical bodies, at least for
the millennium.
3. Seek
holiness.
This is a continuation of the preceding. The
writer of the Hebrew letter admonished: "Follow peace
with all men and holiness, without which no man shall
see the Lord." (Heb. 12:14). This scripture alone should
make us realize that it takes more than just being saved
to be made ready for the Lord's immediate presence.
Jesus said essentially the same in Mt. 5:8: "Blessed are
the pure in heart for they shall see God." John reminds
us that the hope of being with the Lord is a purifying
hope. "Every man that has this hope in him
purifies himself, even as He is pure." (I John
3:3). Paul prays in I Thess. 5:23, "And the very God of
peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray that your whole
spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless
to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." Listen
carefully to the words of Jesus given to the church of
Sardis in Rev. 3:4: "You have a few names
even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments;
and they shall walk with me in white; for they are
worthy." Notice, to be worthy of walking with Him in His
glorified realm, we must keep our garments undefiled.
These are the inner soul garments which have been
"purified through obeying the truth in the power of the
Spirit" (I Pet. 1:22). Such will walk with the Lord "in
white" (inner purity). James reminds us that "pure
religion and undefiled before God is to . . . keep
oneself unspotted from the world." Jesus admonishes in
Rev. 16:15: "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he
that watches, and keeps his garments, lest
he walk naked, and they see his shame." "Naked" would
simply symbolize lack of preparation and readiness.
Lord, help us to seek holiness and pursue
it.
4. Put on
righteousness.
Paul admonishes us in Eph. 4:23-24, "Be renewed
in the spirit of your mind; and that you put on
the new man, which after God is created in righteousness
and true holiness." Notice that both righteousness
and holiness are necessary for the "new creation" within
us. As we have seen, holiness (or sanctification) is the
negative (purging, purifying) work of God's Spirit
within us, whereas righteousness is the positive
(imparting, vivifying, fruit-producing) work of God's
Spirit in us. But we must cooperate with the work of the
Spirit by "putting off" (the old ways) and "putting on"
(the new ways). Read Eph. 4:22-32, Col. 3:8-l7 &
Rom. 13:12-14, for "putting off" and "putting on."
Righteousness is called a fruit of the Spirit in Eph.
5:9. It is likened to a robe of fine linen in Rev. 19:8.
Linen is made from flax, and thus a "fruit" or product
of the growth process of the earth. Even so,
righteousness as a "fruit" must grow and develop within
us, or like the strands of "fine linen" be "woven"
gradually within the fabric of our soul until we become
more Christ-like in nature, conformed to His image (Rom.
8:29). We begin our Christian life with a divine deposit
of imputed righteousness; that is, Christ's
righteousness "put down to our account" so that we may
be accepted (Eph. 1:6). This is a legal transaction, and
is what might be termed "positional righteousness." This
takes place the moment we truly believe in Christ, and
might be likened to the coats of skin with which Adam
and Eve were clothed when God killed the sacrificial
animals in the garden of Eden (Gen. 3:21), which
typified the sacrifice Christ made for us that our
nakedness might be clothed with His imputed
righteousness. However, such "sheep-skins" of imputed
and positional righteousness which make it possible for
us to be accepted and saved, are not sufficient for us
to be made ready to dwell in the immediate presence of
Christ as part of His "ruling" Body. His righteousness
must also become personal within us, imparted and woven
within us as the garment of fine linen. For it is not
just the "sheep-skin" which makes the Bride ready, but
the fine linen of His rightousness WITHIN. [Ed. Note:
Brother Earls clarifies in "The First and the
Last
" that the first stage
salvation of imputed righteousness does not
include actual new birth which belongs rather to the
second stage of imparted
righteousness.]
5. Follow
the Lamb.
In Rev. 14:4 we read of those who "follow the
Lamb wherever He goes." In Mt.
16:24, Jesus said to His disciples, "If any man will
come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross, and follow me." Here the question is not
salvation, which is a free gift (Rom. 6:23), but of the
desire to follow Jesus into the heavenly kingdom,
receiving a glorified body like to His (Phil.
3:21), whereby those who so rule with Him will be able
to help subdue all things to Him in the ages to come.
Those who inherit the heavenly kingdom, instead of the
earthly, must be prepared through discipleship, and
Jesus gave three requirements:
(1) self-denial (loving Him more than self and
others),
(2) taking up our cross (willing submission to
the path He has set before us), and
(3) following Him (in close fellowship and
obedience).
Those who are not willing to do this, Jesus said,
are NOT WORTHY of Him. He is not referring to salvation,
for salvation is not a matter of worthiness; but rather
of fitness to live in close proximity to Him in His
glorious kingdom (see Mt. 10:34-38, Lk. 14:25-33).
Discipleship (being taught and disciplined by Him) is
necessary, and Jesus reminds us in Mt. 14:33 that
"whosoever He be of you that forsakes not all
that he has, he cannot be my disciple," and again
in John 8:31, "If you continue in my word, then
are you my disciples
indeed."
6. Put on
the whole armor of God.
In Eph. 6:10-18, Paul gives instructions
concerning the armor which God has made available to
Christians for their battle against the forces of
darkness and demonic hosts of Satan. We cannot take time
here to discuss and evaluate this armor, but especially
in these days, when the pit has been opened (Rev. 9:2),
and demons in ever increasing numbers are being allowed
to prey on human beings, it is extremely important for
Christians to make sure they are heeding Paul's
admonition to "take to you (put on) the whole
armor of God, that you may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil", and "that you
may be able to withstand in THE EVIL DAY, and having
done all (the crisis demands) to stand (resist and
stand your ground, firmly in your place)." (Eph.
6:11,13). I believe the time in which we live is
especially "the evil day" of which Paul spoke. We don't
want to yield to the enemy in these critical days, but
rather to vigorously seek to conquer and overcome the
enemy in every area of our lives. Paul says in Rom. 8:37
that we are "more than conquerors through him that loved
us." The Greek word translated "conqueror" here is
nikao. This word, in its verb or noun form, is
used over 30 times in the New Testament, and means to
gain the victory, conquer, prevail, or overcome. It is
the word used repeatedly in Rev. chapters 2 & 3
where special promises are made to the "Overcomers." The
Word is clear that only the overcomers will rule and
reign with Christ (Rev. 3:21). Therefore let us heed the
admonition of the apostle Paul in Rom. 13:12: "The night
is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast
off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor
of light."
7. Walk
circumspectly.
"Walking" is symbolic of the way we live; our
daily life and conduct in the sight of God and before
the world. In Eph. 5:15-17, Paul admonishes his readers
to "walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore
be [ ] not
unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord
is." The Greek word translated "circumspectly" means
accurately, precisely, exactly, and assiduously
(diligently, with unremitting attention and
devotion). Paul further underscores this in 5:17 by
indicating that this would be according to the "will of
God." He also points out that by this kind of careful
and accurate and purposeful living, we can REDEEM the
time; that is, buying up each opportunity and making the
very most of the time we have in preparation for the
momentous days ahead. For, says Paul, "the days are
evil" (5:16). Evil has ever been in the world since the
fall of man, but I believe Paul's statement here is a
prophetic implication of the last days when evil's "cup
of iniquity" is coming to the full. Read I Tim. 3:1-7
where Paul gives a graphic description of the conditions
in the world in these last days. Therefore let us "watch
our step" and "walk honestly" (Rom. 13:13), "walk worthy
of our calling" (Eph. 4:1), "walk in love" (Eph. 5:2),
"walk as children of the light" (Eph. 5:8), living
purposely and carefully in this evil
world.
8. Rejoice
in the tests and provings of life.
A prepared people must be a tested and proven
people. James tells us to "Consider it all joy, my
brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing
that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And
let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be
perfect (mature) and complete, lacking in nothing."
(James 1:2-4). "Blessed is a man who perseveres under
trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive
the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who
love Him" (1:12). There are numerous scriptures which
declare that God tries, tests, and proves His people.
Prov. 17:3 says, "The fining pot is for silver, and the
furnace for gold; but the Lord tries the hearts."
Psalms 66:10-l2 gives a graphic description of such
provings of the Lord and their purpose: "For
you, O God, have proved us; you
have tried us, as silver is tried. You
brought us into the net; you laid
affliction on our loins. You have
caused men to ride over our heads; we went through the
fire and through the water: but you
brought us out into a wealthy place (place of
freedom)." Testing is necessary to prove the
genuineness of anything, to reveal strengths and
weaknesses, to show what needs to be corrected, and to
"refine" or purge out impurities, that those proved
might be prepared for something greater in inheritance
and responsibility. Job said, "when he has tried
me, I shall come forth as gold (23:10)." See also I Pet.
1:7. Deut. 8:1-3 gives a vivid account and
enumeration of the reasons why God tested Israel in
the wilderness: "to humble you, and to prove
you, to know what was in your heart,
whether you would obey his commandments or
not. . . that he might make you know that man
does not live by bread only, but by every word
that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord."
Israel had to go through the wilderness before they
could possess the Promised Land. Even so are
"wilderness" testings necessary for us to prepare us to
possess the fulness of the inheritance that God has
prepared for us. "For the righteous God tries the
hearts and the reins (Ps.
7:9)."
9. Be
faithful.
In Rev. 17:14
we read of certain ones who are "with the Lamb "--sharing
His power and victory, and they are said to be "called,
and chosen, and faithful." In the parable of the talents
(Mt. 25:14-30), those who are commended and invited to
enter the greater inheritance are greeted with the
words, "Well done, you good and faithful servant;
you have been faithful over a few things, I will
make you ruler over many things."
Notice the emphasis on faithfulness. God does not ask us
to do great and mighty things for Him, but He does
require that we be faithful in the small things
committed to us, for "it is required in stewards that a
man be found faithful (I Cor. 4:2)." Also, the Lord
requires faithfulness in the sense of "fidelity" in our
covenant-commitment and love relationship to Him. James
tells us that the "friendship (intimacy) of the world is
enmity with God (4:4)." In II Cor. 11:1-3, Paul
says to the Corinthian Christians, "I have
engaged you to one husband,
that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ"
(11:2). But then he expresses concern lest the serpent
(Satan) who beguiled Eve would succeed in corrupting
them from the "simplicity" (single-hearted and pure
devotion) toward the Christ (11:3). In other words,
concern lest they be unfaithful, and not totally
committed to their "first love" (see Rev. 2:4). Lord,
help us to be among the called, chosen and
faithful
.
10. Watch
and pray.
Jesus connected the words "watch" and "pray" on
more than one occasion. To "watch" means
to be awake and alert, and "on guard" against the
tactics and encroachments of the enemy. Jesus said,
"Watch and pray, that you enter not into
temptation; the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh
is weak" (Mt. 26:41). Thus prayer is coupled with
"watching" for we need to "reach out" for the Lord's
strength and enablement. Prayer is the soul's awareness
of its complete dependence on God. We dare not
trust the "arm of flesh" (see Jer. 17:5-8). Prayer is a
part of our weaponry against the "wiles" of the devil
(Eph. 6:18). Jesus also admonished to "watch and pray"
with reference to the approaching end of the age and His
coming again. "Take [ ] heed, watch and pray; for
you know not when the time is. . . Watch [ ]
therefore: for you know not when the master of
the house comes. . . lest he comes
suddenly and find you sleeping. And what I say to
you I say to all, Watch" (Mk. 13:33, 35-37). See
Lk.17:36.
11. Love
His appearing.
Paul speaks of the "crown" laid up for him, which
he will receive at the day of the Lord's coming, and
also for all who "love His appearing" (II Tim. 4:8).
This "crown" is NOT salvation, but rather the
privilege of "ruling" with Christ in His own glorious
realm. Are you ready for the "crown"? Then ask yourself
this question: "Am I longing for His return?" "Does it
thrill my soul to think of the lover of my soul coming
soon?" "Do I love His appearing?" The Hebrew writer
reminds us that "to them that LOOK FOR HIM shall
he appear the second time without sin to
salvation" (Heb. 9-28). Jesus, referring to the
worldwide distress of nations and other signs, said,
"When these things begin to come to pass, then look up
(expectantly), and lift up your heads; for your
redemption draws near" (Lk. 21:28). What a
glorious thought: He is coming
soon!
12. Press
on towards the goal.
In Phil. 3:13, Paul says of himself: "forgetting
those things which are behind, and reaching forth
to those things which are before, I press toward
the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus." First, Paul admonishes, forget the past!
We can get so hung up on past failures, disappointments,
sins, etc. that it hinders our "going on" with the Lord.
We need to put the past in the same place God has: in
the "sea" of His forgetfulness. Benefiting from past
experiences in terms of learning important lessons is
good; but other than that, all time and attention given
to "brooding" over the past is folly. Forget it!
Then Paul says, "press on toward the prize of the
high calling." Notice, he uses the word "calling".
Salvation is a gift; not a calling (Rom.6:23). The
"calling" is to win the PRIZE, for which one is crowned
(I Cor. 9:24-27). Salvation is not a prize. Without
taking time here to go into detail, let me say that the
"prize" which Paul wanted to win, and which he knew the
possibility of falling short of (I Cor. 9-27),
was that of being in the "out-resurrection", "out from"
the earth (Phil. 3:11) into the glorified estate to be a
co-ruler and co-heir with Christ in His heavenly kingdom
realm. This can be ours only if we "press on" and not
give up. One of the most important principles the
Lord wants to teach us is that of persistence or
steadfastness. Heb. 6:12,15; 10:32, 35-36. [Ed. Note:
Brother Earls deals extensively with the gift vs. prize
distinction in "The Gift and the
Prize."]
13.
Cultivate a growing, personal relationship with the
Lord.
Paul wanted so much to be related to the Lord in
an intimate way that he declared, "I count all things
but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of
Christ Jesus my Lord. . . that I may KNOW Him. . . and
be found (in experience) IN HIM" (read Phil. 3:7-10). To
the foolish virgins Jesus said, "I know you not" (Mt.
25:12). "Knowing" in this sense means a personal
intimate relationship with the Lord. The foolish virgins
were saved people who were not walking close to the
Lord. Enoch is a type of those to be translated, and
"Enoch walked WITH God" (Gen. 5:22), and God translated
Him without the experience of death (Heb. 11:5). Jesus
said to Philip, "Have I been so long time with you, and
yet have you not known me, Philip?" (John
14:9). What pathos! How the Lord must feel grieved when
He has been with most Christians so long, and yet they
do not know Him in a living, personal, intimate way.
Peter admonishes us to "grow in grace (favor), and the
knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
(II Pet. 3:18). Not just a head knowledge, but a growing
inner experience of "knowing" Him through His grace
working in our lives by the Holy
Spirit.
14. Build
on the Rock.
Read Mt. 7:24-27. These words (and parable)
conclude Jesus' teaching in what we call the Sermon on
the Mount. If we hear His sayings and DO them, we are
like the wise man who built his house (life) on THE
rock. The King James version says "a rock," but the
original Greek text has THE rock, for Jesus Christ
Himself (and all He taught) is that specific ROCK
on which we must build (see I Cor. 3:11). Such a
"house," Jesus said, would STAND in the storms, whereas
the house built on sand would FALL in the time of
testing. There are many "storms" of life that TEST how
well we are building, but there is also one great
worldwide storm that is coming which is to be a time of
testing such as the world has never seen (see Lk.
21:25-26, Rev. 3:10). And we need to BUILD well now,
that when the "floods" of Satanic oppression and
persecution come in fulness, we will be able to
withstand all that shall come on us and to
remain unshakable on that solid
rock.
15. Abide
in His presence.
Psalm 91 has ever been a source of great comfort
to Christians, but the Divine protection and
provision promised there is conditioned; it is for those
who "dwell" or "abide" in a certain "place." "He that
dwells in the secret place of the most High shall
abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of
the Lord, He is my REFUGE, and my fortress; my God; in
him will I trust" (Ps. 91:1-2). I believe vs. 11 is
particularly significant, for the ministry of ANGELS is
going to increase dramatically in the closing years of
this dispensation. "For he shall give his angels charge
over you, to keep you in all your
ways." Help us, Lord, to abide in You; finding that
perfect "resting" place of security, for "I will
trust in the covert of your wings" (Ps. 61:4, see
also Isa. 32:2), Amen!
&&&&&&&&&&
Dear Friends in
Christ;
This article is sent with the hope that it will
"stir you up" to the realization that NOW is our time of
preparation for the momentous days ahead, and for the
personal return of Jesus Christ to this earth. I hope
that it will make you realize that just
"run-of-the-mill," lukewarm Christianity will not meet
the test of what is coming. Neither will you be prepared
for the Lord's coming by just resting in your
"salvation," even though that is an important first
step.
I also hope that you will find in this article a
"tool " you can use to help alert others; to help
fulfill your responsibility of warning, as well as to
help prepare others for tribulation and persecution
coming on the church. Did you know that over half
of the world's Christians are already in great
tribulation? Others need to know what the Lord requires
to be ready to enter by translation the Lord's glorious
kingdom; and this article will give them
information not preached in many
churches.
Leland Earls