they may lay hold on eternal life" (I Timothy 6:19).
He That Shall Endure Unto the End
Have you ever felt weary, discouraged, worn out from the
battle? Does it seem that nothing goes as planned? Be encouraged, the Bible
has much to say about hardship and suffering. Contrary to the popular prosperity
gospel that makes everything seem easy, the Christian life is a struggle,
filled with trials and temptations. Though the trials are severe, God is
always near and it will be worth it all in the end.
Jesus said, "...................he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" (Matthew 24: 13). As long as we are in Christ and He is in us, nothing can separate us from His love. We cling to the promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us. It is a battle every day and the enemy is fighting hard to bring discouragement, distractions, and destruction. The devil knows that his time is short and he is coming with great wrath to make war with the saints of God. We must be sober and take heed to what the Word of God says, ".....................the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;" (Daniel 7: 21). It is a battle! It is warfare, but we know that we have the victory in Christ! It was sealed and assured at Calvary! But, we must endure unto the end, because the enemy will war and prevail against the children of God, "Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom" (Daniel 7: 22). Until that time, it will be a constant battle and we must have on the whole armor of God.
While much of the church world has its head down, waiting for the next big revival, the enemy is plotting and targeting the saints of God. Many churches are more concerned with how to have the American dream than how to prepare for a mansion in Heaven. Prosperity and material possessions are elevated over seeking first the Kingdom of God. Psychology is taught instead of the Bible. Seminars on financial planning are held rather than preparing for the perilous times that the Bible assures us will come in the last days.
The first thing that Jesus said when asked by the disciples, "....................Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" (Matthew 24: 3), was, ".................Take heed that no man deceive you" (Matthew 24: 4). If Jesus told this to His own disciples, how much more should we, upon whom the ends of the world are come, take heed! It was also at this same time that Jesus said, "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" (Matthew 24: 11-13).
We are living in a time where the influence of evil is everywhere. As Jesus said, iniquity is abounding and the love of many is waxing cold. I believe we are in that time period now! Never has there been so easy access to evil. Television is full of perversion and sadistic violence and pornography is easily accessible on the Internet. People's hearts are turning cold because their minds are being filled with self gratifying lust.
Instead of watching for Christ's coming and preparing for the things prior to His return, many churches are adopting church growth strategies. I was at a business meeting this week and heard some of those in attendance talking about a large church in the area and what it had done to get so big. Somebody mentioned how small his church was and wanted to know what was the, "draw," at the big church. That is the mindset of so many that call themselves Christians today. "What can we do to build bigger churches,?" they say. "What can we do to attract people to come?" If the methods to attract members are not based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the hope of eternal life, then it has no foundation and you are making them, ".....................twofold more the child of hell than yourselves" (Matthew 23: 15).
Ask yourself, what does the Kingdom of God mean to you. You should come to the conclusion that it means everything, so much so, that you are willing to lose everything because of it. "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost , whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying This man began to build, and was not able to finish" (Luke 14: 28-30). It must be like that pearl of great price, "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it" (Matthew 13: 45-46). As we lose the world, we gain the riches of Christ, "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ," (Phillipians 3: 7-8).
The Kingdom of God must be everything to us so that nothing will be able to move our faith and trust in Jesus Christ! We must have a determined heart and mind to continue on in the faith through much tribulation to the very end. Jesus made it very clear that endurance and patience are essential for the Kingdom of God.
We should prepare our hearts for sorrows. You may rarely hear this preached, but we need to prepare our hearts. Jesus said, "All these are the beginning of sorrows" (Matthew 24: 8). He talked of false christs, wars and rumours of wars, nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places. To this, He said, take heed, and tells us it is those that endure unto the end that shall be saved.
Prepare for sorrows! Prepare for trials! Prepare for tribulation, "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another" (Matthew 24: 9-10). Many today pass over this very sobering word from The Lord Jesus Christ. They say it either doesn't apply to the church, or make no mention of it at all. I recently heard a prophecy teacher say that the antichrist will persecute the Jews. The truth is, the antichrist will persecute anyone that has the testimony of Jesus Christ, "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 12: 17). The Book of Revelation tells us, "And it was given unto him to make war with the saints.................." (Revelation 13: 7). People better take heed to what Jesus said. The Word of God tells us that, "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (II Timothy 2: 12).
God will indeed judge the nations and a stern warning goes out to all that will not repent. But, the warnings found in end time prophecy are for all to take heed, including the church. And considering the words of Jesus in Matthew 24, it is especially for the church. Jesus, in addressing His disciples in Mark 13, said, "But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them" (Mark 13: 9). "But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" (Mark 13: 11-13) Jesus tells His people to take heed--to prepare for what is coming.
We are to believe His Word and take it literally. You cannot gloss over places in the Word of God because it does not appeal to your flesh. Jesus said, "....................Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him" (John 6: 53-56). After hearing these words, The Bible tells us, "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him" (John 6: 66).
To serve Jesus Christ means we must give our all. He told His disciples at the last supper, before going to the Cross, "................Drink ye all of it:" (Matthew 26: 27). To serve Him we must surrender all, "Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14: 31-33).
Perilous times are coming, "Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth. For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion" (Joel 1: 5-6). Weep and howl for the day of the Lord cometh, "Blow ye 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;" (Joel 2: 1).
Seek The Lord while He may be found! Ask for His grace to stand strong in the days ahead! Fast and pray, "Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?" (Joel 2: 15-17).
Pray that He will lead you not into temptation, but deliver you from evil! Take hold of His promises that you are an overcomer in Christ Jesus! Praise The Lord at all times. Know and stand upon the Word of God for patience, strength, and endurance, "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord" (Psalms 27: 14). "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isaiah 40: 31). "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:" (Romans 5: 3-4).
Amidst discouragement, we still must go on. We have to continue in faith in spite of the obstacles and disappointments. The Bible says, "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (I Thessalonians 5: 16-18). It was David that said, "How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?" (Psalms 13: 1-2).
Sorrows in our lives help prepare us for the beginning of sorrows in the world, "Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better" (Ecclesiastes 7: 3). "It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart" (Ecclesiastes 7: 2). "...................after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you" (I Peter 5: 10). David, crying out to The Lord, asking how long his trial was going to last, rises up in faith and puts his complete trust in God, "But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me" (Psalms 13: 5-6).
We will not endure unto the end in our own strength, but in the power of Christ. Our righteousness, strength, and salvation is only in, by, and through the Blood of Jesus Christ! That is all that we are clothed in! We can't change our past. We can't dictate what happens to us in the future. We are only in the Hands of The Lord. Picture yourself standing before the throne of God, so that when He sees you, He does not see you, but the Blood! In our own righteousness we are nothing. It is as filthy rags. But, in the righteousness of Christ, we stand boldly before the throne of Grace.
Lord Jesus, my strength is not in myself. Aside from You, I am nothing and have no ability to do anything on my own. I cannot save myself nor, in my own strength, do I have the ability to endure unto the very end. It is all in You, Dear Lord. You are my only Source of Strength, my only Refuge, my only Salvation. In You only, can I do anything, and only in You, Dear Lord Jesus, will I be able to stand and continue on in the days ahead. Dear Heavenly Father, give me the strength to stand bold in the days ahead and to stand firm in my faith in You.
Lord, I give you my past. I give you my future. I can't change what I've done. I can only ask You to give me strength for the day and guidance for the rest of my life. I rejoice in Your salvation and I rest in your mercy and grace. I stand firm in Your promise that your mercy endures forever and that you are with me always, even unto the end of the world. Thank you, Dear Heavenly Father. I pray this and ask this in Jesus' Name. Amen.
"The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel" (Joel 3: 16).
Blessed be the Name of The Lord.
Go back to home page?
Jesus said, "...................he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" (Matthew 24: 13). As long as we are in Christ and He is in us, nothing can separate us from His love. We cling to the promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us. It is a battle every day and the enemy is fighting hard to bring discouragement, distractions, and destruction. The devil knows that his time is short and he is coming with great wrath to make war with the saints of God. We must be sober and take heed to what the Word of God says, ".....................the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;" (Daniel 7: 21). It is a battle! It is warfare, but we know that we have the victory in Christ! It was sealed and assured at Calvary! But, we must endure unto the end, because the enemy will war and prevail against the children of God, "Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom" (Daniel 7: 22). Until that time, it will be a constant battle and we must have on the whole armor of God.
While much of the church world has its head down, waiting for the next big revival, the enemy is plotting and targeting the saints of God. Many churches are more concerned with how to have the American dream than how to prepare for a mansion in Heaven. Prosperity and material possessions are elevated over seeking first the Kingdom of God. Psychology is taught instead of the Bible. Seminars on financial planning are held rather than preparing for the perilous times that the Bible assures us will come in the last days.
The first thing that Jesus said when asked by the disciples, "....................Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" (Matthew 24: 3), was, ".................Take heed that no man deceive you" (Matthew 24: 4). If Jesus told this to His own disciples, how much more should we, upon whom the ends of the world are come, take heed! It was also at this same time that Jesus said, "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" (Matthew 24: 11-13).
We are living in a time where the influence of evil is everywhere. As Jesus said, iniquity is abounding and the love of many is waxing cold. I believe we are in that time period now! Never has there been so easy access to evil. Television is full of perversion and sadistic violence and pornography is easily accessible on the Internet. People's hearts are turning cold because their minds are being filled with self gratifying lust.
Instead of watching for Christ's coming and preparing for the things prior to His return, many churches are adopting church growth strategies. I was at a business meeting this week and heard some of those in attendance talking about a large church in the area and what it had done to get so big. Somebody mentioned how small his church was and wanted to know what was the, "draw," at the big church. That is the mindset of so many that call themselves Christians today. "What can we do to build bigger churches,?" they say. "What can we do to attract people to come?" If the methods to attract members are not based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the hope of eternal life, then it has no foundation and you are making them, ".....................twofold more the child of hell than yourselves" (Matthew 23: 15).
Ask yourself, what does the Kingdom of God mean to you. You should come to the conclusion that it means everything, so much so, that you are willing to lose everything because of it. "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost , whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying This man began to build, and was not able to finish" (Luke 14: 28-30). It must be like that pearl of great price, "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it" (Matthew 13: 45-46). As we lose the world, we gain the riches of Christ, "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ," (Phillipians 3: 7-8).
The Kingdom of God must be everything to us so that nothing will be able to move our faith and trust in Jesus Christ! We must have a determined heart and mind to continue on in the faith through much tribulation to the very end. Jesus made it very clear that endurance and patience are essential for the Kingdom of God.
We should prepare our hearts for sorrows. You may rarely hear this preached, but we need to prepare our hearts. Jesus said, "All these are the beginning of sorrows" (Matthew 24: 8). He talked of false christs, wars and rumours of wars, nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places. To this, He said, take heed, and tells us it is those that endure unto the end that shall be saved.
Prepare for sorrows! Prepare for trials! Prepare for tribulation, "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another" (Matthew 24: 9-10). Many today pass over this very sobering word from The Lord Jesus Christ. They say it either doesn't apply to the church, or make no mention of it at all. I recently heard a prophecy teacher say that the antichrist will persecute the Jews. The truth is, the antichrist will persecute anyone that has the testimony of Jesus Christ, "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 12: 17). The Book of Revelation tells us, "And it was given unto him to make war with the saints.................." (Revelation 13: 7). People better take heed to what Jesus said. The Word of God tells us that, "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (II Timothy 2: 12).
God will indeed judge the nations and a stern warning goes out to all that will not repent. But, the warnings found in end time prophecy are for all to take heed, including the church. And considering the words of Jesus in Matthew 24, it is especially for the church. Jesus, in addressing His disciples in Mark 13, said, "But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them" (Mark 13: 9). "But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" (Mark 13: 11-13) Jesus tells His people to take heed--to prepare for what is coming.
We are to believe His Word and take it literally. You cannot gloss over places in the Word of God because it does not appeal to your flesh. Jesus said, "....................Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him" (John 6: 53-56). After hearing these words, The Bible tells us, "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him" (John 6: 66).
To serve Jesus Christ means we must give our all. He told His disciples at the last supper, before going to the Cross, "................Drink ye all of it:" (Matthew 26: 27). To serve Him we must surrender all, "Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14: 31-33).
Perilous times are coming, "Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth. For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion" (Joel 1: 5-6). Weep and howl for the day of the Lord cometh, "Blow ye 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;" (Joel 2: 1).
Seek The Lord while He may be found! Ask for His grace to stand strong in the days ahead! Fast and pray, "Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?" (Joel 2: 15-17).
Pray that He will lead you not into temptation, but deliver you from evil! Take hold of His promises that you are an overcomer in Christ Jesus! Praise The Lord at all times. Know and stand upon the Word of God for patience, strength, and endurance, "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord" (Psalms 27: 14). "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isaiah 40: 31). "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:" (Romans 5: 3-4).
Amidst discouragement, we still must go on. We have to continue in faith in spite of the obstacles and disappointments. The Bible says, "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (I Thessalonians 5: 16-18). It was David that said, "How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?" (Psalms 13: 1-2).
Sorrows in our lives help prepare us for the beginning of sorrows in the world, "Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better" (Ecclesiastes 7: 3). "It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart" (Ecclesiastes 7: 2). "...................after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you" (I Peter 5: 10). David, crying out to The Lord, asking how long his trial was going to last, rises up in faith and puts his complete trust in God, "But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me" (Psalms 13: 5-6).
We will not endure unto the end in our own strength, but in the power of Christ. Our righteousness, strength, and salvation is only in, by, and through the Blood of Jesus Christ! That is all that we are clothed in! We can't change our past. We can't dictate what happens to us in the future. We are only in the Hands of The Lord. Picture yourself standing before the throne of God, so that when He sees you, He does not see you, but the Blood! In our own righteousness we are nothing. It is as filthy rags. But, in the righteousness of Christ, we stand boldly before the throne of Grace.
Lord Jesus, my strength is not in myself. Aside from You, I am nothing and have no ability to do anything on my own. I cannot save myself nor, in my own strength, do I have the ability to endure unto the very end. It is all in You, Dear Lord. You are my only Source of Strength, my only Refuge, my only Salvation. In You only, can I do anything, and only in You, Dear Lord Jesus, will I be able to stand and continue on in the days ahead. Dear Heavenly Father, give me the strength to stand bold in the days ahead and to stand firm in my faith in You.
Lord, I give you my past. I give you my future. I can't change what I've done. I can only ask You to give me strength for the day and guidance for the rest of my life. I rejoice in Your salvation and I rest in your mercy and grace. I stand firm in Your promise that your mercy endures forever and that you are with me always, even unto the end of the world. Thank you, Dear Heavenly Father. I pray this and ask this in Jesus' Name. Amen.
"The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel" (Joel 3: 16).
Blessed be the Name of The Lord.
Rich and Kay Fyke
Eternal Life Ministries
P.O. Box 23453
Belleville, IL 62223-0453
etrnlife@midwest.net
http://home.midwest.net/~etrnlife/
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