A Foundation For The Impending Storm
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LAST ESTATE Series |
—INTRODUCTION |
This first of quite a few articles on the end of this age is aimed toward helping believers become prepared for that day when we become those targets. Please remain with us through the months ahead—especially till we finish what we outline in this article. My, shall I say, “burden” for you is that you become an overcomer. Not that following all my lessons will make you that, but I do believe they will help you. Actually, what will make an overcomer of you is that you allow Jesus to become your life, the One Who lives in you. The Apostle Paul gave two statements that should make us all want to consider our own spiritual foundation.
What we are starting here I expect will turn into a lengthy series of articles on the closing days. There is, oh, so much to put forth! But, I will try to stay disciplined in it all. Without presently moving into the matter of the end-time persecution of saints, there are other matters I’m convicted to consider first. This is to discuss with you certain foundation stones that can help you build a spiritual fortress for the time of trouble. Daniel tells of them that do know their God being “strengthened” in their time of trouble (Daniel 11:32b). He saw how those of us who know their God—intimately— shall carry on living, all to the consternation of the anti-Christ. He will release his venomous and presumptuous demons to go wherever a saint might be. Their intention, on assignment from that son of perdition, will be to harass us without ceasing. His intention is to crowd us into a spiritual corruption that will so weaken us that we will not—note: the word is not “cannot”—withstand him or any of his demonic “scouts” that are sent to harass us. When the evil one supposes he has the upper hand, he will see how those settled on a firm foundation in Christ come forth against him. Demonic assaults, often disguised as everyday mishaps, can actually make us more pure for God’s Kingdom than we were before his assault came on. The Prophets of the Old Covenant including David, the Lord Jesus, the Apostles John and Peter and then, Paul, have all told us of the closing days of this age. Our purpose is to help you become strong to face it. And, even if we don’t face the final time of evil, we can be made strong to face headlong any time of trouble, tribulation, evil, distress, worrisome affair, and on and on. In Christ, we can withstand anything that might tear us down spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally or in our will. Just let us remember this: All the devices Satan intends to use against us will be brought on in clandestine moves by which he will hope to outwit us. And here is another matter. Every spiritual stone in the foundation we hope to help you build will work to strengthen you for the time in your life should you live to face something like that which Jesus told Peter, the strong, impetuous one.
The last verses of John Keith’s mighty hymn, “How Firm a Foundation” (1787), has these insightful lines: "E'en down to old age all My people shall prove I like the triple negative in the last line above. Christ Jesus will never, no never, no never forsake us! Actually, there are five negatives in the whole verse. When our soul has on Jesus leaned for repose, He will not, He will not desert us to our foes. Though all hell should endeavor to shake us, He will never, no never, no never forsake us! Count those negatives. Get them into your life.
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