The process of trials and trying in scripture is for the purpose of refining and revealing. The prophet Daniel explained that this would be especially true in the last days, or the end times. It is the time when both the wicked and the righteous are revealed. As the person whom we call the antichrist is revealed on the world stage, the people who know their God are also revealed:
"And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he (the king of the north/the antichrist)corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days...And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try (to smelt, refine, like a goldsmith, to test, to prove) them, and to purge (to purify, cleanse, make bright, to test, prove), and to make them white (purified, made white), even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed."
Dan. 11:32-35
Dan. 11:32-35
A great trying comes to God's people during this time. That trying process is like a gold or silversmith who heats the gold and silver to a very high temperature in order to remove the impurities, or dross, from it. What is revealed at the end of the process is the pure, precious gold or silver. For the people of God, this process will reveal righteousness. Revelation tells us that the clean, white, fine linen white garments of the Bride of Christ are the righteousness of the saints (Rev. 19:7-8).
Peter wrote that in the last time, the power of God keeps and reveals those who by faith, have entered salvation (1 Pet. 1:5). The revealing comes from the trial of faith:
"Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial (testing, trustworthiness) of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ...Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." v. 6-7,9
Peter tells us to rejoice in the trials, not only because we are revealed in our salvation, but this is the time when Christ, Himself is revealed also.
"Wherefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." v.13
Our faith has a conclusion, a joyful conclusion, which will be our salvation. We must understand, and stand faithful in hope even through the trials which purify and cleanse us.
Jesus tells the church at Philadelphia that He will reveal those belonging to Satan, while claiming to serve God. As Peter told the church that the power of God would keep them through the trial, Jesus also makes that promise:
"Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly..." Rev. 3:10-11
Again, as the wicked are revealed, as the righteous are revealed to stand true in His name, and in His Word, Jesus relates this to the time of His coming, or revealing.
In these last days, this is the time to test ourselves:
"Examine yourselves (to make trial of, to test: for the purpose of ascertaining quality)whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves (test, examine, as with metals, whether it is genuine). Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" 2 Cor. 13:5
As we see the wicked being revealed more and more, as we experience the trials to the core of our faith and hope, as we know that the return of Jesus is drawing near, this is the time to examine our own hearts, to decide where we are going to stand in the truth, to search ourselves regarding the strength of our commitment to Christ, and to His Word.
As we see the wicked being revealed more and more, as we experience the trials to the core of our faith and hope, as we know that the return of Jesus is drawing near, this is the time to examine our own hearts, to decide where we are going to stand in the truth, to search ourselves regarding the strength of our commitment to Christ, and to His Word.
The prophet Malachi ("My Messenger"), as he describes the imminent arrival, or revealing of the Lord, also describes a refining process for God's people:
"But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' (to wash with trampling of the feet) sope (soap, alkali used for smelting metals): and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness." Mal. 3:2-3
The trial may be difficult, but it is necessary to produce or reveal the end result, righteousness. The Lord has promised to see us through the trial with His power.
The trial may be difficult, but it is necessary to produce or reveal the end result, righteousness. The Lord has promised to see us through the trial with His power.
At this same time (v.5), Malachi tells us that the wicked are revealed, including sorcerers (practicing witchcraft, occultism), adulterers (sexual sin, breaking wedlock, to apostatize), false swearers (liars, the deceitful), oppressors of the poor and weak for profit, the prejudiced or racist (that turn aside the stranger, or foreigner from his right). We certainly see the proliferation of all of these things in these end times. Malachi said that their trial of revealing, however, also carries the judgment of God. Jesus, describing this revealing, advises:
"For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth, Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." Lk. 21:35-36
Who shall abide the day of His coming? Who shall stand when He appears?
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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
"For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth, Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." Lk. 21:35-36
Who shall abide the day of His coming? Who shall stand when He appears?
To Contact/Support the Ministry/Submit Prayer Requests/Order the book, "NAZAH/
To Watch and Hear the Complete Message of Dr. Stevenson:
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
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