What Will It Take?*

 

The signs of the End Times are abundant around us, including devastating storms and world events, but these things seem to roll off of us like water off a duck's back. What will it take for us to pay attention, and to take these things seriously?

Ages of enlightenment, and rationalism have given birth to philosophies that have distanced men from God, like deism, universalism, atheism, humanism, and have caused men to disregard the word of God. As these waves of men's philosophies have gained influence, God has sent spiritual movements of revival to counter them, and to call men back to Him and to His saving truth. Often out of these great spiritual awakenings, however, men have found ways to create debates of man's understanding and strife within the church that end up causing destructive divisions. Jesus told us that a kingdom, or a house divided against itself cannot stand.

The coming day of the LORD is not something to be taken lightly. The prophet Amos described it this way:

"Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light. As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?"

                                                                                                     Amos 5:18-20

The prophet Joel described the day of the LORD in the same manner:

"Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD, Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come...Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand. A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness... there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations."  Joel 1:14-15, 2:1-2

Joel called the people to sound the warning alarm, and to sanctify themselves in the face of this coming terrible day of the LORD. He urged the people of God to "cry unto the LORD".

Peter also called the church to keep in mind, to stir up the pure mind, regarding the things of which the prophets wrote. It is this constant washing of our minds in the word of God that keeps us in truth, and prepares us for those things that appear now, and also are to come. Of the coming day, he wrote:

"But the day of the LORD shall come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness...the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?"   2 Pet. 3:1-12 (excerpt)

Again, knowing the things which are soon to come, Peter asks "what manner of persons ought ye to be...?" While the Lord will deliver the godly out of temptations, the unjust are reserved for that day of judgment, those who walk after the flesh, presumptuous and self-willed. We see the number of those called the unjust growing daily.

Both Peter (2 Pet. 2:1-2) and Paul (2 Tim. 4:3-4) warn the church to beware of false teachers and prophets who would deny the word of God, teaching fables, causing many to follow after them. Their motive is to make financial gain from these false teachings that cause men to embrace false doctrines and philosophies. God has already shown that He was willing to judge the angels, and the old world before Noah, as well as Sodom and Gomorrah, as a warning example to all of us (2 Pet. 2:1-6). He only restrains Himself in holy patience not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). We cannot mistake His patience for a failure to keep the word that He has clearly spoken. He is allowing as much time and opportunity as possible for repentance. Are God's people coming to Him in repentance? Are we calling others to repentance, or have we remained unmoved, accepting the lie of Satan and men's philosophies that sin does not result in death and eternal condemnation? What will it take for us to wake up, turn and cry aloud? This is what it takes to break the hold of lies, and deliver into spiritual revival.

The prophet Joel urged God's people to fast, and to gather all of His people together to be sanctified, to turn to the LORD with all of their hearts, with weeping and mourning (Joel 2:12-13). He called the priests, the ministers of the LORD, to which ministry all believers have been called, to weep and cry out to God, "Spare thy people, O LORD" (v. 17). How much of the church is currently being called to this vital role by those in its pulpits? Paul told Timothy to "Preach the word!"

As the priests and people of God stand in the gap, in repentance, the prophet Joel wrote about a great restoration of the land, and an outpouring of God's Spirit in response. The revival of all revivals (Joel 2:18-29).

Joel went on to write that the LORD will gather the heathen into the valley of Jehoshaphat (also known as Meggido), into the valley of decision, where He will judge them. Their wickedness is great, the harvest is ripe, and the sickle is being put in. Revelation 14:15 states the same thing:

"And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped."

What will it take for us to hear the word of the LORD, and respond?

 

*The above is based upon the 8/18/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.

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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. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. 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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Understanding Our End Time Warfare

 

In his two letters to Timothy, the Apostle Paul includes instruction in spiritual warfare. Paul associates the conditions of this warfare specifically to "the last days" (1 Tim. 4:1, 2 Tim. 3:1), which he refers to as "perilous times". The condition of men's hearts have so degenerated, that it is dangerous to them, and to believers around them. Paul states that, among other things, men in these last days have become blasphemers, false accusers, fierce, despisers of those that are good, and traitors (2 Tim. 3:2-4). Some of these even have an outward appearance of godliness, but, in truth, they deny God's power and authority (2 Tim. 3:5). We can see these same dangerous traits in our times, which are indeed the last days before the return of Christ. It is in the midst of these circumstances that Paul instructs Timothy, and us also.

Paul's beginning comments to Timothy also reveal his beginning stance regarding all of these things:

"...without ceasing, I have remembrance of thee in my prayers day and night."  2 Tim. 1:3

Paul makes the definitive statement that we are in a warfare (1 Tim. 6:12, 2 Tim. 2:3-4), comparing believers to soldiers who go to war. Paul's stand in this warfare begins with his continual prayer for Timothy and the saints, and that is where our stand begins also. Are we praying for the saints faithfully and continually?

The warfare in which Paul instructs Timothy could be described as having three levels. The first level of warfare pertains to Timothy, himself. Paul instructs Timothy to understand the nature of his calling:

"...God who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began."   2 Tim. 1:8-9

Our calling is from the will of God, given to us through Christ, even before the world was formed. We are not to be ashamed of that calling, or of others who suffer because of that calling. It is a holy, supernatural, eternal thing.

Timothy is to keep, or hold fast, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to the scriptures and spiritual principles that he has learned from Paul, and throughout his spiritual training (1 Tim. 6:20, 2 Tim. 1:13-14, 3:14), and to continue studying the Word of God (2 Tim. 2:15). We will see that the knowledge of the Word of God plays a vital role in the next level of warfare.

Timothy is also instructed to endure through, and be a partaker of, suffering and hardship (2 Tim. 1:8, 2:3, 9-12). We cannot expect to reign with Christ if we refuse to share in the sufferings of Christ. Are we willing to share the sufferings and hardships that come with standing in the truth of Christ, or do we fear them, and avoid them? Paul tells us that fear is not to have any part in our holy and eternal calling (2 Tim. 1:7). Many saints across the world have had to endure extreme suffering and hardships because of their faith in Christ. Yet so many of us back away from hardship, and hide our faith in the face of it.

Paul also warns Timothy of the corrupting, sorrowful, and destructive power of the love of money and wealth, describing this love of money as the root of all evil (1 Tim. 6:5-11). Paul tells Timothy to flee from this particular love and pursuit. We flee from this powerful lust by committing ourselves to contentment with godliness. As we flee from this evil lust, and other youthful lusts (2 Tim. 2:22), we flee towards righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness.

Moving outward to the next level of warfare described, Paul instructs Timothy about the dangers of those who speak or teach lies, causing harm to those who believe them (2 Tim. 2:14, 3:6-7). On one hand, there will be those who teach the lies, sometimes in pursuit of wealth, but on the other hand, there will be those who are looking for lies in which to believe (2 Tim. 4:3-4). This is especially the case in these latter times:

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron;...evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived...ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of truth."   1 Tim. 4:1-2, 2 Tim. 3:13, 7

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears."  2 Tim. 4:3

This is the level of warfare that requires a sound knowledge of the Word of God. Timothy is to remind himself, and other believers the true words of faith and good doctrine that we have received (1 Tim. 4:6). He is to instruct those who are in error with meekness, gentleness and patience, with the goal that they might find repentance with God (2 Tim. 2:23-26). Timothy is to preach the Word, always being ready to do so (2 Tim. 4:2) because:

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works"   2 Tim. 3:16-17

Paul tells Timothy to do the work of an evangelist (bringer of good tidings), which is the full proof of his ministry (2 Tim. 4:5). We all have this same work. The Word and the salvation of God is good news! Men need the good news in these last days. They need to hear the truth that has come to stand against the lies that destroy faith and lives.

As Paul instructs Timothy to be diligent in his study, rightly dividing the Word (2 Tim. 2:15), we also need to prepare ourselves by studying the Word of God, and learning the Word from faithful servants of Truth. The Word is both our defensive, and offensive tool against the lies that have been released in these last days. We have no excuse for continued ignorance and laziness regarding the Word of God.

The third level of warfare that Paul revealed to Timothy is the most far-reaching, and unfortunately the most overlooked, even neglected. The results of this warfare can change the very conditions around us. For this warfare, Timothy is instructed once again to use prayer:

"I exhort therefore that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."   1 Tim. 2:1-4

How many of us pray, and give thanks for all men? How many of us pray for those in leadership and authority over us? We, the Church, have become so politicized and polarized by the spirit of this world, that we have forgotten:

"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will."   Prov. 21:1

The effects of these prayers of thanksgiving and supplication for all men, and especially for those who lead us, are salvation, peaceful living, honesty, and godliness-the very things which we desire to see most in these times. However we may feel about all men and leaders, we are exhorted to pray for them with thanksgiving. Our conflicting opinions and feelings are not relevant in the face of the expressed thoughts, will, and Word of God, "who will have all men saved".

We need to pay attention to the groundwork of warfare that Paul revealed and instructed in his letters to Timothy. It is the Word of the LORD for the time in which we live.

 

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