Bible prophecy is being fulfilled. Right now we are witnessing the setup for the conditions for the final 7 year period known as the Tribulation period or the time of Jacobs trouble. During this time the antichrist will rise to power and rule earth for 7 deadly years. In the book of Revelation there are 7 seal, 7 trumpet, and 7 bowl judgments. God will judge the world during that final 7 year period. Of course before any of this can begin the rapture of God's people must first take place.
In light of the lateness of the hour before the return of the Lord Jesus, what should we do? How should we act and react in this sin laden and Christ rejecting world? In this article some suggestions will be given to assist in standing firm in the closing days of history before the return of the Lord Jesus.
HOLD FAST
Hold fast to sound Biblical doctrine and do not compromise your faith. These last days are characterized by great apostasy and falling away from the foundational beliefs of the Christian faith. We are literally seeing the tares and false Christians openly speak out as they teach and present their heresies. Many so-called pastors have gone liberal and have rejected sound Biblical doctrine. The Bible is not considered infallible, the virgin birth is denied, the Trinity is denied, salvation by faith apart from works is denied, and rock and roll music is played in many churches. In light of all this falling away and apostasy, God tells His people to hold fast to our faith! There are many deceivers and false Christians who seek to lead people astray. Our command is to simply... hold fast to sound Biblical doctrine!
Heb 20
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering;
(for he is faithful that promised;)
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
Love one another. This is a rare characteristic in these last days. Love also involves a non-compromising love and stand for the truth. Many people in their backsliding and carnality have waxed their hearts very cold. These people do not love God or other believers who seek to walk with God. As a result of apostasy and falling away, many who profess to be Christians have developed a cold heart void of love.
Matt 24
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
This type of person is easy to spot. First they are very liberal and have not held fast to sound Biblical doctrine. They love their rock and roll in the church and ecumenicism with other false religions. If their liberal and compromising views are confronted or challenged, this type of person can be very vicious and insulting. With their cold and dead heart they attack and attempt to tear down and break anyone who stands for God. These are the first people who cry: legalist, Pharisee, unloving, or judgmental. In reality they are the ones with the problem and not the people they attack. The root of the problem is their cold and dead heart that does not love or obey God. They have fallen away and accepted the things of the devil. As a result they are cold and dead. Avoid such people!
READ THE BIBLE
Read the Bible each and every day without fail. The Bible is spiritual food and it is required for maturity and growth. In fact, show me a person who does not read the Bible each day and I'll show you someone who is backslidden! The Bible is spiritual food and it is needed on a daily basis for strength and growth. Don't starve yourself by neglecting the Word of God!
1 Peter 2:
2: As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that
ye may grow thereby:
PRAY
Pray constantly and make your requests known to God. Talk to the Lord all day. He is near and He hears all your requests and prayers. Do you have a need? Make that request known to God! Do you have a burden for a problem or desire to see someone saved? Pray and talk to God about it! God loves His people and He wants them to speak to Him on a regular basis.
Phl 4
6 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.
James 5
16 Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for
another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer
of a righteous man availeth much.
WITNESS AS GOD LEADS
Witness to the lost as God opens doors and gives opportunity. Pray for the lost and perishing and develop a burden for lost souls.
DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED
The world is currently in a very troubled state right now. Do not be discouraged as you see all the terrible things coming into the world. Instead, rejoice under the knowledge that the Lord Jesus is coming back very soon!
Luke 21
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up,
and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
ATTEND A GOOD, SOLID, BIBLE BELIEVING CHURCH
If you are attending a liberal church in these last days, then get out! What are the characteristics of a liberal church?
1) Acceptance of other false religions that claim to be Christian but in reality are not. For example uniting with the works based religion of Roman Catholicism or following false teachers such as Benny Hinn, Copeland et al.
2) Rock and roll contemporary music in the church. This Satanic trash has no business being in church. Any pastor or congregation that has accepted this music has already fallen far away from God. The deception of rock music is so strong that the adherents are convinced that others have the spiritual problems. These people are totally blinded and cannot discern between good and evil.
2 Corinthians 6
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship
hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light
with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that
believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the
temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and
walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the
Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters,
saith the Lord Almighty.
LIVING SACRIFICE
Give yourselves unto the Lord as a living sacrifice. Make yourself available for the service of the Lord.
2 Cor 8
5 And [this they did], not as we hoped, but first gave their
own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
Rom 12
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that
ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto
God, [which is] your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by
the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good,
and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
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