It opened its mouth to blaspheme God and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. It was given power to wage war against God's holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb's book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.

-Revelation 13:6-8

We simply should not be surprised when we see the corruption, disease, war, destruction of Holy Things, and the exploitation of the poor.

1. What should we expect?

Wars, Conflicts, Floods and Famines, Greed and Oppression. These are part of a world order and system that is operated and influenced by Satan. He is the prince of the power of the air.

We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.

-I John 5:19 NKJV

The natural flow of this world is toward Godlessness and is designed to draw you away from God.

Revelation not only informs us but also warns us.

Unless you are fighting hard against the flow, it will suck you in, deceive you, and destroy you.

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

-2 Corinthians 4:4

2. How are we to respond?

This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.

-Revelation 13:10

Patient Endurance

Your battle to push back the darkness that is constantly trying to push its way into your life - is of paramount importance.

And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?

-Luke 18:7-8

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

-Matthew 7:14

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

-James 1:17

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

-2 Corinthians 4:8-9

We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.

-2 Corinthians 4:10-11

Many will not be willing to endure such hardship, or they will not take the battle serious enough to realize they are no longer a threat to the enemy nor an asset to the King.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

-Romans 12:2

Of all the things you do with the day God has given you, the first fifteen minutes are the most important.

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!

-1 Corinthians 10:12

Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.

-1 Corinthians 15:58

Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

-1 Corinthians 16:13

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

-I Peter 5:8-9

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

-Ephesians 6:11

If you are not pushing back evil every day of your life, evil will be pulling you in, until you find yourself in a flow from which it is extremely difficult to escape!

Are you holding the beast at bay?

If you’re not encroaching on the enemy’s territory, he is encroaching on yours. There is no neutral ground.

This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

-2 Timothy 4:7-8

Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.

-2 Timothy 4:9-10

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

-Romans 8:18

1. What are we to expect?

2. How do we respond?

3. When will the end come?

But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

-Matthew 24:36

Now learn this lesson from the fig tree. As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

-Matthew 24:32-34

Then one of the elders asked me, 'These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?' I answered, 'Sir, you know.' And he said, 'These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple.’

-Revelation 7:13-15

 

Who are the ones for whom Jesus will come?

This is the Gospel

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