We, I believe, are being prepared for this hour, but many still sleep and are afraid of what is beginning to happen. They nervously store up food and water, changing their currency to gold and silver, removing it from banks and keeping it in their possession. They hide it where only they will know, IN CASE they will need to exchange it for supplies and survive with it.
Jesus says many shall come in His Name. They shall come basing their claims on the use of His Name, saying, "I am He," They will mislead many. The famine for God's Word continues to blind and deceive many. While our God is still going to fill this earth with His Glory. That rock, spoken of in Daniel 2, cut out of the mountain without human hands. (No one can add to or take away from God's plan through His Son).
As Jesus was coming out of the temple area, one of His disciples said to Him, "Look teacher! Notice the sort and quality of these stones and buildings." Our eyes, which are so accustomed to looking in this natural realm, are still seeing stone and building, places which are designated for a "this and that" kind of ministry. Very often we judge their success by their size or beauty, or the amount of people attending their program. When Jesus replied to him, he said, "You see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be loosened and thrown down." Our eyes, it seems, are trying to understand in this natural realm. But I believe Jesus' answer to them speaks of a higher understanding. He said, "Be careful and watchful that no one misleads you about it. Many will come appropriating to themselves the name of "Messiah" which belongs to me, in my name, basing their claims on the us of my name, saying 'I am (He)' and they will mislead many." The Word says, "Take heed lest any man deceive you", and Jesus continues to say, "they shall deceive many."
Now Jesus is talking about buildings and stones. But, by the Holy Spirit's Knowledge, we know He is speaking of end-time events that are to take place here in this "last day" also. Our eyes are being made to see in the completeness of revelation knowledge. We are beginning to see truth for this hour coming forth. Praise God! So, wars and rumors of wars are not to trouble us, Jesus says, "Such things must be. But the end shall not be yet. Nation shall rise against nation and Kingdom against Kingdom, and there shall be earthquakes in diverse places and there shall be famine and trouble. These are the beginnings of (sorrows) (Pain, sorrow, travail)."
I believe the Word is very clear about all of this impending disaster and it will be just as Jesus said it would be. The last verse of Mark 13: says that ...he that shall endure unto the end the same shall be saved.
To endure means to last without perishing, to remain, to abide, to suffer without resistance or without yielding, to bear with patience, no sinking under the pressure.
The church today must learn the word endurance and be able to act upon it. Endurance negates fear. Fear is one of the strongholds in the Body of Christ today. So much of what is done is through the power of fear, because people are afraid of the unknown or what their problems will cause. Much of what is done is looked at through the eyes of fear. Fear brings its bondage like a chain wrapped around its victim, holding until it controls. Fear in its full force can cause such a horror that death will come!
Jesus said, "Take heed lest any man deceive you". Deception causes error and blindness when it is in power. The believer is unaware of where or what it is doing to them. It can cover understanding and make wrong look as though it is right! We look around and see the passive, careless, Christians sitting with hands folded, waiting for someone to pray them through. When God is shaping His submissive body. He is dealing with those who are seeking Him, calling forth "His nature within." These will be ready and shall partake of His Word -- becoming His image. This is sometimes referred to as the "High calling of God." This is very real and it is the work of the refiner's fire. This will cause great care of service to Him. Walking pure, holy, glory as we are brought into absolute and complete submission to the Will of the Lord Jesus! We will be ready when He comes!
I have felt for sometime that we should set down our thoughts to encourage like-minded believers in the areas of life where God has taught us. The overcomer's message will be understood by today's generation. How will this happen? Let us look at Isaiah 53:5. Jesus was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him and with His stripes we are healed. The amplified translation states chastisement (needful to obtain our peace) was upon Him and with His stripes we are HEALED.
It seems that everyone is looking for "signs for this last day". I believe the Lord is encouraging every believer to be READY. But, as long as everyone is looking far into the future for events to show that it is the last day, they are diverting attention away from what they really need to ...and that is to GET READY! Get ready, then no matter when it comes, we will be able to walk through it.
Much of God's Word has been like a mystery, hidden from view to this natural realm. In Mark 13:14 we read that when you see the "abomination of desolation" (mentioned by Daniel the Prophet) standing where it ought not to be and let the one who reads take notice and consider and understand and heed this. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. ("Judea" = praise, "mountains" = a high place in God, like yearning for the Lord with all your heart.)
Daniel 9:17-18 - In Daniel's prayer, he says, "Cause your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. (18) Oh my God, incline your ear and hear; open your eyes and look at our desolations, and the city which is called by your Name.
We close with this thought. We are praying for this "last day" people. We are exposing some of the areas that must be looked into. Everything that God has declared will be fulfilled. Most all of these definitions for the abomination of desolation are already in the church. These "attitudes" can be seen on every level of church government. This "last day", I believe, is upon us. "The day of sorrow", desolation, all of these are upon us. The abomination that seems to be so clearly seen is idolatry rebellion. Error is close behind as people are crying out in their warfare for God to deliver them. Jesus still fulfills His Word to us. Everyone is welcome. They called out "Teacher". He teaches and the hungry student learns. God is more than enough.
God's household has been provided with "a secret place" Psalm 91, He that dwells in the secret place of the most high shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty (whose power no foe can withstand).
What a day it is! We encourage all who read this letter to yearn for Jesus and all that He is. Amen! This great family of God, will be ready. The Word is being revealed to all who seek Him ...Jesus! Amen.