Jesus makes it clear to John in the Book of Revelation that
there will be a last day’s battle at the end of the six thousand year time.
Jesus’ army comes from out of the redeemed. Not all of the redeemed are in the
army, only those who are called, chosen, and faithful. Many people are called
to redemption. Out of the redeemed, only some are chosen. The faithful in
afflictions are the ones chosen. There is a key here for us, something that the
faithful learn along the way, the place of peace. There is a peace that we have
during hard times but it is not by simply thinking, it is by doing. Isaiah 26:3
may be misleading in the way that it is translated, and we will look at that
closely. The actions of a soldier, competitive athlete, or farmer, in their
daily lives, is an example of what Paul was attempting to use to train Timothy
and us. Paul was admonishing Timothy and all of us to suffer so we can reign
with Jesus. This is the battle that man was born into as Ezra tells us. And
this is the story we live out so that we can be recruited into Jesus’ army.
Jesus gave us some ideas about being called and chosen. Generally,
as a culture we don’t like this idea because we think that everyone should get
to “play” and that everyone should get a trophy no matter whether a team wins
or loses. We like the feel good idea of “everyone gets saved”, but clearly that
is not the case. In the matter of Jesus amassing his end time army it is most assuredly
not the case. Everyone is individually chosen for the army by his or her own
faithfulness.
Matt 20:13-16 But he answered one of them, and said,
Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?14 Take
that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.15
Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil,
because I am good?16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many
be called, but few chosen. KJV
The first secret saying that Jesus tells us is about a man
who hires a bunch of people to work in his field. The employer sets the wage in
the morning and the people agree. However, when it comes to the late afternoon
the man hires more people for the same wage. The employees who were hired in
the morning complain because they are paid the same as people who only worked part
of the day. The last called will be the first, as in at the end of the ages
before the day of redemption, some only had to live and endure a short time.
The employer is good, that is key, yet the morning workers saw him as dishonest
or unfair. In this life, some become saved and battle for a long time, and some
become saved and battle a short time before they die; either way, everyone gets
the same position among the redeemed. Do not confuse this with rewards, this is
the general endurance we need for redemption. Rewards are determined by our
soul being in subjection to the spirit, but our endurance in this life makes us
worthy for position in Jesus’ army, being called and chosen, and hopefully
found faithful.
Another story regarding the called and chosen is during the
wedding feast a king threw for his son. All the guests received a robe to wear
to the wedding banquet but someone came into the banquet without the garment,
which means he hadn’t been invited. The man was sneaking in like a wedding
crasher.
Matt 22:12-14And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou
in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.13 Then said the
king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him
into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.14 For many
are called, but few are chosen.KJV
No one can sneak into the banquet and doing so gets one
thrown out. Many are called. Remember the story, the king invited some people
but they refused, so he invited them a second time and they again refused, but
this time they killed the servants who invited them. The king got mad and sent
an army to kill the people who killed the king’s servants. Finally he invited
regular people on the streets, and they filled the celebration. That tells us
the first ones called, the Israelites, refused the invitation whereas the non-Israelites
did accept the invitation. Truly if there were no purpose to filling the
wedding banquet then the king would not care if the first people he called
refused the invitation. But there is a purpose to filling the wedding feast and
that purpose is in what comes next. Who accepted the invitation? In this story
the nations accepted the invitation. The Jews did not. Who will be coming back
with Jesus at the end of the six thousand year age? The ones who accepted the
invitation. The many who were called did not all accept the invitation, and out
of those who accepted there were some who were chosen. The bride comes out of
the redeemed and makes herself ready, then comes back with Jesus on the Day of
the Lord. The bride is made up of the called, chosen, and faithful.
Rev 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb
shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that
are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. KJV
When the beast makes war with the Lamb and the Lamb comes
with his army, his army will be composed of the called, chosen, and faithful.
It is not enough to be called, one must be chosen. One may be chosen for
redemption, but then also there are the faithful. Some may be redeemed but did
not stay faithful or endure until the end of their lives. Enduring to the end
is another way of understanding those who are in the army. Truly, the army is
the bride. In our minds we picture a lady who is all dressed up, but in reality
the bride is a tough seasoned group of warriors who just happen to all wear
white, while Jesus wears red. First a dinner party, then war.
Looking at 2 Ezra chapter 7 we have a lot of key ideas
here. From reading this book we can see that the Book of Revelation was not just
some crazy vision that stands alone. In fact many aspects of Revelation occur
throughout the Old Testament, but here in 2 Ezra, we can see why this book was
destroyed by people who were embarrassed by its revelation. We will look at
this section in reverse order to bring clarity to our subject.
2 Esd 7:57-61 Then answered he me, and said, This is the
condition of the battle, which man that is born upon the earth shall fight;58
That, if he be overcome, he shall suffer as thou hast said: but if he get the
victory, he shall receive the thing that I say.59 For this is the life whereof
Moses spake unto the people while he lived, saying, Choose thee life, that thou
mayest live.60 Nevertheless they believed not him, nor yet the prophets after
him, no nor me which have spoken unto them,61 That there should not be such
heaviness in their destruction, as shall be joy over them that are persuaded to
salvation. KJV
If one is overcome or cannot handle the battle, bad things
happen to that one. But if one is victorious he will receive life, eternal
life. The Jews did not believe Moses, the prophets, or Yahweh. Those who were
persuaded to salvation, receive eternal life. That is the fight, the battle we
are all born into. This is where Jesus is searching to amass His army for the
end times, He is watching to see who endures to the end. Who will be faithful?
Eternal life is not for everyone and the ones who learn to endure to the end come
back with Jesus.
2 Esd 8:1-3 And he answered me, saying, The most High hath made
this world for many, but the world to come for few.2 I will tell thee a
similitude, Esdras; As when thou askest the earth, it shall say unto thee, that
it giveth much mould whereof earthen vessels are made, but little dust that
gold cometh of: even so is the course of this present world.3 There be many
created, but few shall be saved. KJV
The world to come is for only a few, the redeemed, this is
the key point here. This is the choice of every individual. The idea spoken
here is that there are many casts (molds) for earthen vessels but only a little
bit of gold dust comes out of the earth, in comparison. Mould is the British
variant and spelling of the American word mold; in this context it is a cast
for the earthen vessels. In other words, there are many casts for earthen
vessels but not many for gold. Many
earthen vessels are created, but only the gold ones are saved. Now let’s read
what preceded this section.
2 Esd 7:19-35 And he said unto me. There is no judge above
God, and none that hath understanding above the Highest.20 For there be many
that perish in this life, because they despise the law of God that is set
before them.21 For God hath given strait commandment to such as came, what they
should do to live, even as they came, and what they should observe to avoid
punishment.22 Nevertheless they were not obedient unto him; but spake against
him, and imagined vain things;23 And deceived themselves by their wicked deeds;
and said of the most High, that he is not; and knew not his ways:24 But his law
have they despised, and denied his covenants; in his statutes have they not
been faithful, and have not performed his works.
This seems clear so far, the people did not do what they
should have done and they were not faithful to the decree of Yahweh, and they
did not faithfully do Yahweh’s works. Therefore many will perish and will not
have eternal life. So while many were called, not many were chosen for
redemption.
2 Esd 7:25 And therefore, Esdras, for the empty are empty
things, and for the full are the full things.26 Behold, the time shall come,
that these tokens which I have told thee shall come to pass, and the bride
shall appear, and she coming forth shall be seen, that now is withdrawn from
the earth.
There will come a time that the bride shall appear. This is
now hidden from the earth. The army Jesus is building comes out of the redeemed
saints from the time of Adam through to the harpazo. The harpazo is the day of
redemption and then the bride will come out of that group, they will be the
ones who were faithful until the end. Not just faithful to stand but more
importantly faithful to Him.
2 Esd 7:27 And whosoever is delivered from the foresaid
evils shall see my wonders.28 For my son Jesus shall be revealed with those
that be with him, and they that remain shall rejoice within four hundred
years.29 After these years shall my son Christ die, and all men that have
life.30 And the world shall be turned into the old silence seven days, like as
in the former judgments: so that no man shall remain.31 And after seven days
the world, that yet awaketh not, shall be raised up, and that shall die that is
corrupt32 And the earth shall restore those that are asleep in her, and so
shall the dust those that dwell in silence, and the secret places shall deliver
those souls that were committed unto them.33 And the most High shall appear
upon the seat of judgment, and misery shall pass away, and the long suffering
shall have an end:34 But judgment only shall remain, truth shall stand, and
faith shall wax strong:35 And the work shall follow, and the reward shall be
shewed, and the good deeds shall be of force, and wicked deeds shall bear no
rule. KJV
Just like in Zechariah, the name Jesus has the same meaning as the name Joshua, but translated correctly here. This tells us 2 Ezra was
scribed from a Greek text just like the Septuagint. We know Jesus will come
with his bride and he will be revealed as King. Those people at the time of
Ezra were still waiting and hoping for the Messiah to come and it was another
400 years before the Messiah’s birth. Then the Messiah, the anointed one,
Christ, died. Once the harpazo occurs, the world goes back to the old silence,
for seven days/years. The administration goes back to the old judgments. Then
those who stayed dead through that time, those that were not harpazo’d, will continue
until after the seven thousandth year which is after the millennial reign when
all the dead rise to judgment. The new
heavens and the new earth will see many good deeds, and those with wicked deeds
will not be in charge. That tells us that what is going on in the world today is
that evil works reign, but in the future good works will reign and rule. Ezra
tells us earlier to endure this world that is run in wickedness.
Ecclus 2:1-6 My son, if thou come to serve the Lord,
prepare thy soul for temptation.2 Set thy heart aright, and constantly endure,
and make not haste in time of trouble.3 Cleave unto him, and depart not away,
that thou mayest be increased at thy last end.4 Whatsoever is brought upon thee
take cheerfully, and be patient when thou art changed to a low estate.5 For
gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity.6
Believe in him, and he will help thee; order thy way aright, and trust in him. KJV
Here is the idea of gold again. Gold comes out from the
earthen vessels that were cast (the many called). The clay vessels with gold
residue go through the smelting process (the furnace of adversity) and what is
left is the gold. Jesus is looking for those who willingly walk through the
furnace of adversity and become gold. Now this is not exclusive to “ministry
work” but in our everyday lives, enduring what is hard refines us. If we are
faithful to Jesus through to the end we will be a part of Jesus’ army.
Mark 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's
sake: but he that shall endure [5278] unto the end, the same shall be saved. KJV
NT:5278 hupomeno (hoop-om-en'-o); from NT:5259 and NT:3306;
to stay under (behind), i.e. remain; figuratively, to undergo, i.e. bear
(trials), have fortitude, persevere:KJV - abide, endure, (take) patient (-ly),
suffer, tarry behind. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and
Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006
Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
If you have made Jesus your Lord you are marked so that
spiritual beings know who you are. You are redeemed. Therefore you will endure
more hardness than those who reject Jesus. The idea of enduring in this sense
is to bear, persevere, or deal with trials. In more urban terminology this is
known as “suck it up”. What kind of a
person would you be in Jesus’ army if you whine and cry at ever discomfort?
2 Tim 2:11-12 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead
with him, we shall also live with him:12 If we suffer[5278], we shall also
reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: KJV
We see that there is a reward for enduring, or as is
translated here for suffering. If we endure we will reign with Him. That’s not
a bad reward, in fact if it simply takes us dealing with hard and difficult
times, then our eyes and our hope are set ahead to the future of the reign of
Jesus. Ezra says that those who endure the peril have works and faith toward
the Almighty.
2 Esd 13:21 The interpretation of the vision shall I shew
thee, and I will open unto thee the thing that thou hast required.22 Whereas
thou hast spoken of them that are left behind, this is the interpretation:23 He
that shall endure the peril in that time hath kept himself: they that be fallen
into danger are such as have works, and faith toward the Almighty.
We studied this section in detail regarding those who were
of the 10 tribes led into captivity and then left Assyria to a new place called
Arsareth. This entire chapter deals with Jesus coming on Mt Zion during the Day
of the Lord. Those left behind have a chance to receive Jesus, but those
already dead made their decisions. That is why those left behind are more
blessed in this context. When the people come to make war against him, Jesus
will rebuke them and they will be tormented. Then the tribulation believers
will be gathered from faraway places (the angels gather them from the four
corners of the earth). And no one can see Jesus or his army until that day and
time. That means that we don’t know who is in the army until they are revealed
on the Day of the Lord.
2 Esd 13:52 And he said unto me, Like as thou canst neither
seek out nor know the things that are in the deep of the sea: even so can no
man upon earth see my Son, or those that be with him, but in the day time. KJV
Again we can see why someone would want to eliminate this
knowledge, because this is not a good book for the Jews. Ezra’s dream has many parallels
to John’s apocalypse. http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2014/06/conquest-of-babylon-atheism-latter-days.html
One of the things Paul mentions to Timothy recurrently was
the idea of enduring hardness. Was Timothy weak, was he pampered as a child?
Why is Paul pushing the idea on Timothy so strongly?
2 Tim 2:3-7 Thou therefore endure hardness [2553 TR and
4777 NA27], as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth
himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen
him to be a soldier .5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not
crowned, except he strive lawfully.6 The husbandman that laboureth must be
first partaker of the fruits.7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee
understanding in all things. KJV
Paul gives us three ideas of how we endure hardness. One is
as a solider, one as an athlete, and one as a farmer. We all may function in
one of these categories or some may be a combination of these types. Either way
these are ideas we should look closely at.
There is a slight discrepancy here between the TR and the
NA27. The NA27 notes hardness with
the prefix sun which denotes “union,
together with”. The only difference with the addition or subtraction of sun is that people either endure
hardness alone or together with others. In context, a soldier does not fight
alone and an athlete does not race alone. This may be why the Englishmans does
not include #2553 in their Concordance for this verse, but instead includes
hardness under #4777. Yet the hardness may not be the same kind of hardness for
everyone. Let’s look at the two words.
NT:2553 kakopatheo (kak-op-ath-eh'-o); from the same as
NT:2552; to undergo hardship: KJV - be afflicted, endure afflictions
(hardness), suffer trouble.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and
Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006
Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:4777 sugkakopatheo (soong-kak-op-ath-eh'-o); from
NT:4862 and NT:2553; to suffer hardship in company with: KJV - be partaker of
afflictions.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
In context one endures as a solider alongside other
solders. That does not mean everyone goes through the exact same thing at the
exact same time. In one unit there can be various problems the soldiers
individually endure but they all work together to one goal or mission to
achieve their objective. If we remember what the army of the Lord looks like from
Joel when they come on the Day of the Lord, at the end of the six thousand year
time frame we see that they have incredible abilities. But to be able to become
a soldier they have to endure hardships. Let’s look at this section in the AP
Polyglot.
2Tim 2:3G1473You G3767then G2553suffer
hardship G5613as G2570a good
G4757soldier
G*of
Jesus G5547Christ!
4G3762No one
G4754soldiering
G1707entangles
himself G3588in the
G3588 G979[2existence
G42301matters
of]; G2443that G3588[2the
G47583one
recruiting him G7001he
should have pleased].
5G1437And if
G1161 G2532also G118anyone
should fight, G5100 G3756he is
not G4737crowned
G1437if G3361[2not
G35454lawfully
G1181he
should 3fight]
6G3588TheG2872[3tire
by labor G10921farmer
G11632must] G4413before first
G3588[2the
G25903fruits
G33351sharing].
7G3539Comprehend
G3739what G3004I say!G1325[2may 5give
G10631forG14736to you
G35883the G29624Lord] G4907understandingG1722inG3956all things
Looking at these three categories of enduring
hardship, the soldier does not get caught up in “pop news” or does not concern
him/herself with deflated footballs and bizarre entertainers. The soldier is
focused and driven for the mission he/she is called to. He/she is trying to
please his recruiter, not the enemy. The athlete is not supposed to cheat to
win, the winner will be crowned if he/she plays by the rules. If an athlete does
cheat he/she will have his/her crown taken away. The farmer labors with
planting, watering, weeding, and fertilizing the crops. The farmer partakes of
the fruit not to just fill him/herself but to harvest seeds for next season. If
a farmer waits until the end of the growing season to gather seeds he/she might
have suffered hail, blight, or flood, and not be able to get good seeds for the
next growing season. Therefore the farmer labors to get the seeds for the
future crop. That is the first fruit the farmer labors tirelessly for.
What does all of this tell us and what was Paul
saying to Timothy? We are to be driven and focused, not distracted. We are not
to cheat and manipulate to get a “win” but to make every effort to be fair and
just in our competition with everyone. We are to cultivate tirelessly to get
the best seeds for our next generation of harvest. We are to be motivated for
the future seeds. These are some great ides to apply into our lifestyle.
Really, in an army, athletic event, or on a farm, if there is a person who is a
complainer who hates discomfort then that person has not learned how to endure
hardship and is not learning to become a faithful chosen one. Paul goes on to tell Timothy to make full
proof of his ministry.
2 Tim 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions
[2553], do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. KJV
This tells us that one cannot prove his/her ministry if one
does not endure afflictions. Many people are called but not many make full
proof of their calling because they lack faithfulness to hardship. James uses
this idea and points out how the prophets are an example of enduring hardships
and afflictions.
James 5:10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken
in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction [2552], and of
patience. KJV
James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted [2553]? let him pray.
Is any merry? let him sing psalms. KJV
NT:2552 kakopatheia (kak-op-ath'-i-ah); from a compound of
NT:2556 and NT:3806; hardship: KJV - suffering affliction.(Biblesoft's New
Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew
Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International
Bible Translators, Inc.)
James says that f anyone is enduring hardship then he/she
should pray. Well that’s not very informative. Pray about what, how should we
pray? I would suggest here that praying is not for the alleviation of the
hardship, but for the endurance through the hardship. Prayer is communication,
meaning we should start a dialogue with Jesus regarding the matter. Seek out
the Holy Spirit’s wisdom on how to proceed.
2 Tim 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of
our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions
[4777] of the gospel according to the power of God; KJV
Now Paul is asking Timothy to actually partake in
afflictions along with the other evangelists, prophets, and ministers of the
gospel. Again this idea of sun together
with, means that Timothy is not alone in suffering. We saw from Ezra that this
is the battle that man is born into. This is the conflict that presses in on
every one of us. We are not alone in suffering but what we suffer may be
different than our friends. Someone might have blisters from walking and
running, someone may have a sore back from carrying heavy equipment, someone
may have tired arms from tilling the ground. Someone else may have broken
knuckles from hitting an opponent and someone else might have lost a limb from
an enemy attack. All of these things are mental images, though we are speaking
of physical metaphors to help our minds with our understanding. We do most of
our enduring of hardships between our ears, meaning we wrestle in our thoughts.
We have to learn to lead our thoughts captive and then act in a faithful
manner. Ezra already told us how to behave, which is our biggest battle in this
life. Let’s review this again.
Ecclus 2:1-6 My son, if thou come to serve the Lord,
prepare thy soul for temptation.2 Set thy heart aright, and constantly endure,
and make not haste in time of trouble.3 Cleave unto him, and depart not away,
that thou mayest be increased at thy last end.4 Whatsoever is brought upon thee
take cheerfully, and be patient when thou art changed to a low estate.5 For
gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity.6
Believe in him, and he will help thee; order thy way aright, and trust in him.
KJV
Here is what we do. Prepare for temptation. Set our heart
right. Endure and do not freak out. Cleave to Yahweh. Do not leave Yahweh. Deal
with hardship cheerfully. Be Patient when smacked down. Remember gold comes out
of adversity. Believe in Yahweh, and trust in Yahweh.
This brings us to a verse we have all attempted to put on
in scripture memory but may not actually be translated correctly. I can see why
someone translated it in this manner, but it does not flow in context, the Jews
took one too many liberties with this verse.
Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is
stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. KJV
This verse has been grossly translated and we can see that
keeping our mind on Yahweh is not the point in the context.
Isa 26:3G482taking
hold of G225truth,
G2532andG5442guarding
G1515peace http://studybible.info/ABP_Strongs/Isaiah%2026
Isa 26:3 An imagination supported Thou fortifiest peace —
peace! For in Thee it is confident. YLT
26:1 In that day they shall sing this song in the land
of Judea; Behold a strong city; and he shall make salvation its wall
and bulwark. 2 Open ye the gates, let the nation enter that keeps
righteousness, and keeps truth, 3 supporting truth, and keeping
peace: for on thee, O Lord, 4 they have trusted with confidence for
ever, the great, the eternal God; 5 who hast humbled and brought down
them that dwell on high, thou shalt cast down strong cities, and bring them to
the ground. 6 And the feet of the meek and lowly shall trample them. http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Esaias/index.htm
It is not enough to keep thinking about Yahweh to have
peace, we have to order our actions, like Ezra said. We are looking for that
safe place, a hiding place where there is peace, but where is it? If we are in
afflictions we are upset, frustrated, and have inner turmoil. There isn’t a
physical place on earth that we can go to get away from it. There is however a
spiritual place we can go to calm down. That place is a place of peace in the
midst of mayhem. This is where faithfulness comes into play. By staying the
course, and by finding that place of peace, we can endure our hard times. We are made “just” by faith in Jesus Christ. Faith
is strengthened by us having peace in the middle of havoc, and that helps us to
endure to the end. We are an army of
faithful ones. What is it to be faithful? Paul tells the Roman believers the
progression of faith.
Rom 5:1-9 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:2 By whom also we have access by faith
into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.3 And
not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation
worketh patience;4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:5 And hope
maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the
Holy Ghost which is given unto us.6 For when we were yet without strength, in
due time Christ died for the ungodly.7 For scarcely for a righteous man will
one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.8 But God
commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died
for us.9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved
from wrath through him.KJV
This tells us that enduring hardships and afflictions saves
us from wrath. That is such an unheard of idea in the church, but we have
explored this many times before. “Wrath” here is the wrath of the Lamb and the
wrath of the Father. Those two wraths are not happening on the earth now. They
will in the future. This wrath to come is avoided by those who suffer now. Why?
Because at the present time, the devil is the prince of this world, the god of
this age, the prince of the power of the air, and our afflictions are caused by
him, not by the Heavenly Father or Jesus. If we endure the attacks of the enemy
now we will not be here to have to endure the wrath during the tribulation.
This is why Ezra was concerned about those left behind. Those who are left
after the harpazo will have the choice to believe on Jesus which means they
will be beheaded, or choose allegiance to the beast which means those people
will not have eternal life. We have to think spiritually minded about the
future that has been prophesied in order to have peace during a crisis.
Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be
spiritually minded is life and peace. KJV
Think spiritually when in the midst of affliction and
hardship. Then by prayer, which is communicating, supplication, which is
requesting and asking, and thanksgiving, which is cheerful appreciation, we
make our needs known to God.
Phil 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto
God.7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. KJV
When we do this we have peace from God that goes above and
beyond our understanding. This supernatural peace keeps our hearts and minds
steady though Jesus Christ. And because we are going to have to learn to endure
hard times, we have to learn the secrets to supernatural peace. Now this really
only applies to those who have been called. We make the decision to adhere to
the precepts Jesus gave us and then if we have been chosen and redeemed we may
be found faithful and in the army. This is the battle mankind was born into. Those
who are faithful until their own end are the ones who become the warring bride.
Jesus is amassing an army of people who are faithful in hardship and
afflictions. Jesus does not want people who are complainers and need lots of
comforts to be in his army. Those people may still be redeemed but they will
not come back with Jesus on the Day of the Lord, only those who were called,
chosen, and faithful come back with
Jesus. Therefore it is to our benefit to learn to endure hardship as virtuous
soldiers. The warrior bride is building character now while the prince of this
world is in charge of the beatings, but on the Day of the Lord the warring
bride comes back with Jesus to beat the devil and his cohorts and to toss them
into the lake of fire. Are you with Jesus or against him? Are you willing to
develop your endurance now on earth or would you rather enjoy a comfortable
life? The choice is ours.
