The Daily Word of Righteousness

Enduring to the End, continued

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. (I Corinthians 3:10—NIV)

When you, having been persuaded you never will suffer, finally realize you are not going to be raptured away from trouble, you may turn on your pastor or teacher with satanic hatred. But God will not justify or receive you. It is your responsibility now to turn to your Bible and see if it says anything about Christians being lifted to Heaven when the day of trouble comes.

Does the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew imply you will be here on earth or not be here? Think about it!

The believers in the so-called "rapture" are already reacting with hatred against those who are warning the Christian people they are facing suffering and martyrdom. The "rapture" believers already are taking the side of Antichrist. They are in deception.

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:11)

We have mentioned previously the deceiving pastors, teachers, and evangelists and how readily the believers are led astray. Evangelical theology is in a state of chaos. The foundations of the atoning blood and triumphant resurrection of the Lord Jesus have been established. But on this sure foundation has been erected a superstructure of mythology concerning a Gentile bride, a Jewish kingdom on earth, unconditional grace, mansions in Paradise where the elect will dwell forever doing nothing of importance, and so on and on. Paul's doctrine of grace has been perverted beyond recognition. That which was intended to bring moral transformation to sinners has become an alternative to righteous behavior. It is a massive deception.

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. (Matthew 24:12)

Because we have been taught that the goal of salvation is to make us happy we view tribulation and suffering as being from the devil. But tribulation is not the enemy of the Christian. Tribulation is redemptive. Tribulation teaches us patience—a very important aspect of the Kingdom of God.

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)

The enemy of the saint is not tribulation but lawlessness and wickedness. Because lawlessness and wickedness will abound, the love of the majority of Christians will grow cold. Tribulation is not to be feared because tribulation produces strong saints. But the abundance of lawlessness and wickedness in the United States in the present hour has produced a generation of feeble believers. They will not accept the demands of discipleship because those demands do not make them happy.

The only hope for the American churches is the generation of young people and children who are growing up. If the youth will turn away from the foolishness of the churches and seek Jesus with a pure heart, God is ready to provide them with an anointing of the Holy Spirit without precedent in history—an anointing that will be more than able to overcome all Antichrist can produce.

To be continued.