The Daily Word of Righteousness

The Day of Christ, #9

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day [the Day of Christ] come upon you unawares. 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. (Luke 21:34-36)

Even today many believers have not been able to stand against the increase of spiritual darkness. They are living in the spirit of the age.

Antichrist already has overcome many believers by means of covetousness and the cares of this life. Although they have agreed to the "four steps of salvation" they are more in union with Antichrist than they are with Christ. They have fallen before Antichrist because they have not, in many instances, been taught to watch and pray with utmost diligence.

Christ promised the overcomers of the church in Philadelphia that He would guard them from the hour of temptation. But in order to be guarded they must guard the Word of Christ's patience. They must be faithful unto death throughout the days of testing.

Because thou hast kept [guarded] the word of my patience, I also will keep [guard] thee from the hour of temptation [testing], which shall come upon all the world, to try [test] them that dwell upon the earth. (Revelation 3:10)

The key concept is patience in cross-carrying obedience to the Lord Jesus at all times and in all places.

I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 1:9)

If we are patient in tribulation, guarding the Word of Christ, Christ will guard us, keeping us from the snare of sin and lawlessness during the era of testing that has commenced already.

If we do not follow Jesus with the utmost care in the present hour we will be deceived and will fall into sin.

Mankind is rushing toward demon possession. Mankind is rebelling against all authority, including God's authority. The supreme goal is to make people happy. People love themselves. The worship of money and continued indulgence in pleasure, lust, violence, and sorcery are on the rise.

We must exercise great patience in prayer and waiting on the Lord's will if we are to escape the lust and corruption that are in the world. Many Christians have yielded to the lusts of the flesh. The churches are filled with entertainment, lust, and the love of money. The ministers of the Lord compete with one another for the largest congregations, the finest buildings. They speak to please their listeners. Sometimes they are engaging in adultery while they are preaching the Gospel of Christ.

A faithful few keep before the Lord, patiently obeying His Word and waiting for Him to reveal the true nature of these synagogues of Satan.

We can stand in Christ today if we so desire, but not without unceasing prayer and self-denial. If we are willing to forsake our own life, take up our cross, and follow Christ, we will not be deceived. Otherwise we will be deceived—Christian or not.

To be continued.