There Will Be Some Very Hard Times

We've been waiting for Jesus to return for a long time; so long that some have left the faith and others sit on the sidelines to laugh at us. How quickly we forget that time is not a relevant thing for our God. One thousand years is as a day to him. However, there are certain things that must align as the exact day has already been chosen. We were given signs to watch for so that we would known the day was approaching but Jesus said that he did not even know the exact date as that was something only the Father knew. Yet for me, the date does not matter. Being found faithful on that day is what concerns me.

We know the day is approaching because we are recognizing the signs and so we should be considering the warnings we were given by Jesus and apostle Paul about the days in which we live. Paul simply stated:

You can be certain that in the last days there will be some very hard times. (2 Timothy 3:1, CEV)

We are only seeing the beginning of it in North America. There has never been a time in history like we have now when so many Christians are being persecuted and killed around the world because of the name of Jesus. In North America the real hostility toward Christians is just beginning to manifest. We are going to see our governments turn against us. We are going to see persecution grow quickly to the point of people being afraid of identifying themselves with Jesus. All those who have criticized Peter in the past will find themselves in the same situation. What will they do? What will we do?

Mind you, not everyone will be persecuted. Some will not stand their ground. Some will cave to the pressure and will change the Word of God to be accepted by our society. All we have to do to see the truth of this is look at whole congregations who, for the sake of acceptability and growth, accept sin as something holy. Just look at men like Rob Bell who refuse to put on the full armour of God and stand. We are seeing more and more of it. Not because they have found a new truth but because they have fallen for the lies of the enemy which match their own evil desires.

Where do you stand with Jesus? In the days to come you had better be sure of where you stand. You had better check that relationship and verify that Jesus is number one in your life and all desires for this place are dead and gone. Dark days are coming and the enemy is going to shake the tree to see what falls off. The Father is going to come along and cut off anything that does not have life. The great "falling away" is going to continue until all that remains are the warriors of Jesus, and then he's coming to bring them home.

There are going to be some very hard times. People will go to jail because of their faith. Property will be taken away. Many will be killed as they are being killed already in many parts of the world. Along with praying for pastors being jailed in Iran, we will be praying for pastors in our own countries. We will not just be praying for those who have watched their husbands killed and their homes burned in India, we will be trying to take care of our own.

It's happening quickly my friends. Read the news. Pay attention. Look for the signs. Prepare yourself by getting as close to Jesus as you can, and prepare yourself to stand, with the full armour of God. No compromise. No giving up. No denying Jesus. We have the Holy Spirit who will give us the grace to face every situation. There will be some very hard times but we will face them with the joy of the Lord because we are more than conquerors through him who saved us. Amen!