This is why I suffer as I do. Still, I am not ashamed; for I know Him [and I am personally acquainted with Him] whom I have believed [with absolute trust and confidence in Him and in the truth of His deity], and I am persuaded [beyond any doubt] that He is able to guard that which I have entrusted to Him until that day [when I stand before Him]. 2 Timothy 1:12 AMP version
God doesn’t waste time on the inconsequential, He warns so that we who belong to and remain steadfast in Him, will not fear that which eternally holds absolutely no threat for us.
We must always remember; the condition and safety of our Spirit is God’s focus and priority, as it is Satan’s!
Our “trapped at the shore of the Red Sea” moment
While still largely seen from a distance, it is increasingly evident that “pharaoh’s army” (the NWO/beast system) is on the move, riding us down. Our situation is eerily similar to that of the children of Israel for we have in our own abilities, absolutely no way to escape the onslaught.
Yet, we as followers of Christ possess that which the children of Israel could have never even dreamed existed! God has graciously provided us with EVERYTHING needed, to be triumphant in these times!
They had no scripture, but only dimly remembered stories of a God, who more than 400 years prior had made a promise to Abraham. Yet, enslaved for generations, they were nowhere near and most could no longer conceive of a “promised land”.
- WE have The WORD OF GOD – The Word of Life and the power thereof; serving us as the weapon with which we actively fight and prevail in spiritual battle AND the lamp which illuminates our path.
They knew only the lifeless gods (idols) of Egypt, propped up in a “deity status” by priests performing limited miracles, by the power of Satan. (This will be repeated under the antichrist.) [Matthew 24:24, 2 Thessalonians 2:9].
- WE have direct access to and an open invitation to boldly come into the very throne room of The Living God, to participate in an amazing personal relationship with Him!
They knew of and greatly feared the powerful military of their captors.
- WE have Jesus and His mighty armies marching alongside us, fighting for and with us! [2 Kings 6:16, 1 John 4:4]
- WE advance under His delegated spiritual authority, with the ability and even the mandate to while we preach the good news, tangibly exhibit the supernatural power of Him who we preach, by casting out demons and healing the sick! [Mark 16:15-18]
They had a few who tried to faithfully pass down the vaguely remembered stories of old, which for most of the people amounted to “the powerless, nonsensical ramblings of old men”…
- WE have the Holy Spirit, who covets being active in our lives, leading the desirous on right paths and on to an ever more vibrant relationship with Jesus. He is our comforter, encourager and spiritual “floatation device”, when the waves threaten to take us under!
Ancient history
The Israelites experienced the miraculous in spades, yet they repeatedly complained about hardship, brazenly attacked the very nature of God, and actually accused Him of leading them into the wilderness, only to let them die! [Exodus 14:11, 15:24, 16:2-3, 17:2, Numbers 14:2-4] They decided that trusting everything to God, was “way too much to be expected of them”. In the face of uncertainty and fear, had God allowed it, they would have returned to minimal sustenance and maximum abuse, from those who being akin to members of the beast system, thought nothing of killing they and their children at whim.
With few exceptions, that entire generation perished, having died unable to enter the promised land and His rest (a type and shadow of Heaven). [Hebrews 3:10-12]
Our reality
Again operating in the miraculous, doing what no one else could do for us, Jesus delivers us from our captor (Satan) when we genuinely repent, commit to, obey and participate in a true relationship with Him! In light of this, it is beyond tragic that as we’re seeing “pharaoh’s armies” rapidly advancing, and though things haven’t begun to really heat up yet, many are living in debilitating distress and fear.
Most certainly these entities and their goals are real, big and bad – BUT Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, is INFINITELY “bigger and badder” (more powerful)! Never stopping, He continually acts on behalf of those whom He will ultimately introduce to His Father as His beloved bride.
That said, will we be found cowering, crying out in fear, begging to have this cup taken from us or even asking God to let us die, in hopes of escaping the Biblically prophesied horror to come? Will we be heard complaining that what God requires of us is way too much to expect, that He has no right to lay such a load on anyone?
Are we going to, like the Israelites thought to do; willingly go into slavery, abuse and in our case certain spiritual death under the antichrist’s beast system, rather than resolutely traveling the narrow, difficult road of Christ – enduring to the end?
Will you “want to go back” too? [John 6:67-69, Luke 9:62, Luke 18:8]
OR instead, will we cling tightly to a faith guided, laser focus as we follow our Shepherd no matter the difficulty, ultimately arriving in the lush green pastures and refreshing still waters of home?
Remember, when our grip threatens to give out and slip, HIS WILL NOT!
Prophetic “birthing process”
That which will be “birthed” out of the tribulation is the earthly reign of our Lord!
How are we navigating what Jesus compared to “birth pangs”, with COVID-19 being the prophetic equivalent of a woman’s birth water breaking? Do we understand that as was true for the Israelites, our “trapped at the Red Sea moment”, will be but the beginning of many tests (birth pangs/contractions of increasing intensity and frequency), ultimately proving if we will believe, trust and obey God?
We’re truly just getting started folks… Scripture discloses that BILLIONS (with a capital B) will die in these times [Revelation 6:2-8], among them will be many of God’s children, for we are not exempted from trials and tribulation! [Matthew 24:29-31, Mark 13:24-27] Indeed, Jesus forewarned that we should expect troubles for following Him, including extreme persecution and even death.
Know too, there is GREAT REWARD waiting for those who endure to the end, remaining faithful to our Magnificent Lord, obeying His commandments!
It is the righteous who are urged/welcomed to run into our “faithful and true” strong tower, where we assured of spiritual safety!
A word of warning; if the promises we are “standing on” include only that which appear “good” to us, we are in grave error and DANGER. God “promises” both blessings and curses, with the receipt of either being fully contingent upon on our obedience to Him. Common are they who wrongly believe they’re entitled to receive the promises/blessings of God, while trampling upon His precepts. [Psalms 50:16-17] Many who do this will ultimately renounce their faith, hearing from Jesus “depart from me, I never knew you”.
Jesus is very particular about His bride [Ephesians 5:27]
Satan and his henchmen (demon and human) are expert at planting seeds, even full-grown forests of fear, for they know that fear and despair cannot and DO NOT co-exist with faith and hope.
The company of souls whom Jesus will proudly present to the Father as His beloved bride, will include NO cowards (those who have once belonged to Him, but in fear choose to abandon/deny Him). [Revelation 21:8, Matthew 10:33]
Thankfully, God actually walks with us, giving us strength and bolstering our courage – accomplished in large part through our appropriation of His Grace! God doesn’t expect anything from us that He won’t also make a way for us to accomplish!
By the strength and courage found in Him, we MUST have “a backbone of steel”, or we may not make it. [Isaiah 35:3-4, Hebrews 12:12-13]
Here am I, send me
Scripture tells that some will be supernaturally protected and provided for, even performing miracles while diligently working to introduce others to Jesus. How will potential brothers and sisters in Christ understand the Gospel, unless someone rightly explains it to them? [Acts 8:26-31]
In response to His question “who will go for us” [Isaiah 6:8], would you gladly volunteer to remain, working alongside He and His armies, snatching souls from the clutching talons of the hosts of hell?
Millions of Christians have been martyred for their unwavering faith in Jesus. These and the multitudes who are yet to join them, would not and will not give up the Savior in exchange for ANYTHING!
Will you fellowship with these at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb?
When in the thickest darkness we cannot see our way, remember that darkness is as light to God – there is NO obstacle big enough to prevent His rescue of our soul!
Author
Thank you Deborah! I love this article. This is exactly what the body of Christ needs during this season.
Let this podcast build upon what God is saying:
Blurb:
God asks the author suddenly, “Do you want to be the wind?” Without knowing what it means, the author answered ”Yes,”
The relaxing exchange between God and a believer, reveals powerful insights about the coming revival, the White Horse Rider in the book of Revelations.
Learn about the foamy waves, lighting speed and ripening golden harvest of souls, prime for the kingdom of God.
The Holy Spirit is the fire, we are wind.
Blow wind, blow…
Set the earth ablaze with the fire of God
Our teen group has been studying Exodus and it has so many important messages for today. While we wait for God’s power to rise and fight and destroy our enemies, may we have faith and lead many through the parted sea into Christ’s arms.
Hi Kelly,
It is great that your teen group is studying Exodus as we exactly need the next generation of teens to learn it well.
The story of the Israelites’ exit from Egypt and 40 years in the desert is about building character and perseverance in the long haul and patience without complaining.
40 years in the desert, being led by God shaves off all the debris and what remains are pure gold. The end product is a people brave unto the Lord, pure and true, totally obedient and died unto Him.
So right Kelly!
I’m glad that your group of young people are interested in this important study and in learning of it’s application for our times.
Hi May,
Thank you for your contribution, I’m glad it was a blessing to you. As a response to your recording, regarding signs and wonders, I would say:
The hallmarks of Jesus ministry were signs, miracles and wonders, without which His words, no matter how true and well delivered, would have been received by a few, then remembered and found only in obscure dust-covered tomes.
Many are those who greatly lament the modern powerless religious experience. Deep in their spirit, they know that if miracles did still occur at the hand of Gods people, multitudes would see the power of Christ and thereby be drawn to a relationship with the One True God.
The hallmarks of His work amongst men have not changed, for He has not and will not change. What has changed is that instead of Jesus bodily walking the earth today, we are now His body. Therefore, the same signs and miracles, which happened then and through His followers in the millennia following His return to Heaven, should be and can be happening today.
Tragically, most believe satan’s lies (as presented through modern church doctrine), that miracles done by His people have ceased – that “the gifts” of the Spirit were temporary. However, no spiritual gift ever given by God has been rescinded as a “limited time offer”, just as His “gift” of salvation and eternal life WAS NOT limited only to the early church.. In a nutshell – far too many do not believe what Jesus said… (John 14:12, Mark 16:17 to name only two).
I for one greatly desire to walk in and perform the miraculous by Jesus’ delegated power and authority. I have experienced supernatural healing and deliverance in my own life – so can testify to the fact that neither have “ceased”!
Thanks Deborah
Exactly, deliverance in our own situations, being debt free, excellent children, deliverance from demonic addictions, recovery from an illness, conversion of non Christian family members…. these are all miracles at our level.
We may not have have faith to do the great earth shaking miracles; in fact both our faith and miracles are supernaturally endowed by God e.g. the two witnesses in the end days to fight back the beast. Let us at least pray for faith for the unblocking and opening of daily life miracles in our own lives, small scale slowly build up.
When people see the way God loves us and cares about our daily lives, etc. they will be stupefied.