SPECIAL PRÉCIS ON THE POWER OF ENDURANCE: THE LAST DAYS DISCIPLINE LEADING TO TRIUMPH

SCRIPTURE. “Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” – JAMES 1:12, AMP

KEY TERMS: “STEADFAST!” ‘Hupomenó’ [ὑπομένει]: “To stay under [discipline] or remain; have fortitude to undergo and bear trials; to persevere or endure [under affliction or vexation[.”NOTE: “Strong’s 5278 depicts the voluntary choice to ‘remain under pressure’ rather than escape it. In Scripture this endurance is never stoic resignation; it is confident perseverance grounded in the character and promises of God. ‘The term gathers ideas of steadfast loyalty, patient waiting, and unwavering courage.’”

QUOTATION. “‘Hold your ground! Hold your ground!’ Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, my brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me! A day may come when then courage of men fails. When we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields, when the Age of Men comes crashing down! But it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West!’” ― J.R.R. TOLKIEN, “Aragorn’s Speech at the Black Gate,” Lord of the Rings, 1937; edited

COMMENTARY. “‘It is not every man who suffers, that is blessed; but he who with patience and constancy goes through all difficulties in the way of duty.’ Afflictions cannot make us miserable, if it be not our own fault. The Tried Christian shall be a crowned one. The Crown of Life is promised to all who have the Love of God reigning in their hearts. Every soul that truly loves God, shall have its Trials in this world fully recompensed in that World Above, where Love is made perfect.

‘The Commands of God, and the dealings of His Providence, try men’s hearts, and show the dispositions which prevail in them.’ But nothing sinful in the heart or conduct can be ascribed to God. He is not the author of the Dross, though his Fiery Trial exposes it. Those who lay the blame of sin, either upon their constitution, or upon their condition in the world, or pretend they cannot keep from sinning, wrong God as if He were the author of sin. Afflictions, as sent by God, are designed to draw out our graces, but not our corruptions. The Origin of Evil and temptation is in our own hearts. Stop the beginnings of sin, or all the evils that follow must be wholly charged upon us.

‘God has no pleasure in the death of men, as he has no hand in their sin; but both sin and misery are owing to themselves.’ As the sun is the same in nature and influences, though the earth and clouds, often coming between, make it seem to us to vary, so ‘God is Unchangeable,’ and our changes and shadows are not from any changes or alterations in Him. What the sun is in nature, God is in grace, providence, and glory; and infinitely more. As every good gift is from God, so particularly our being Born Again, and all its holy, happy consequences come from Him. A True Christian becomes as different a person from what he was before the renewing influences of Divine Grace, as if he were formed over again.’ We should devote all our faculties to God’s service, that we may be a kind of first-fruits of His creatures.” – MATTHEW HENRY, Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, 6 vols., 1708-1710; edited

DK’S TAKE. Thus as I listen to the live feed from a guest speaker from the UK at New Life Church here drone on about finding “The peace of God that transcends understanding,” here is the gist of his sermon as he labored furiously to gin up emotions in the congregation:

“We don’t watch what is reported on CNN and all the turmoil everywhere, we pay attention only to the wonderful things God is doing all around the world. It’s going to be okay, it’s going to be good, God is good, right?”

Note: At seven minutes of so into his presentation, his computer died, and he could no longer read his comments. He then went to the printed notes and awkwardly tried to carry on, calling it “a demonic attack.” Beloved, while none of us can know precisely why that took place, is it not possible that God is sending ANOTHER WARNING to this house that continues to deny the seriousness of what took place with regard to disgraced former Pastor Brady Boyd?

Hear me now: I am not trying to be cruel, but I most certainly am deeply convicted that “Pretend Church” is rampant in America today, because that is what I found on my recent 11K Circuit Ride around the entire country. Thus, I view NLC as a Tragic Microcosm of the Spiritual Crisis today that has led to the collapse of the American Order taking place right before out eyes every day.

Simply watch exploding reports of the news media telling us what is happening.

Unless of course, we are commanded by our Pulpiteers to avoid watching it, rendering us arrogantly SELF-DELUDED as Jesus Christ stands ready to Return to a Church fully corrupted by these happy-talk False Teachers of a False Peace all across America.

THE LESSONS. Beloved, here is WHAT THE KING SAYS to that Generation who would likely be the one that will see ‘His Appearing’ to bring both Rescue  and Judgment to the earth, depending on the Spiritual State of one’s soul at that Moment.

Let His Words be our Commentary today, the Words in Red that overwhelm the petty words of men who have no Vision of Him nor the Times.

“While Jesus was seated on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, and said, ‘Tell us, when will this [destruction of the temple] take place, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end (completion, consummation) of the age?’

Jesus answered, ‘Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error]. For many will come in My name [misusing it, and appropriating the strength of the name which belongs to Me], saying, “I am the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed),” and they will mislead many. You will continually hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end [of the age]. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs [of the intolerable anguish and the time of unprecedented trouble].’

Then they will hand you over to [endure] tribulation, and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will be offended and repelled [by their association with Me] and will fall away [from the One whom they should trust] and will betray one another [handing over believers to their persecutors] and will hate one another. Many false prophets will appear and mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most people will grow cold.

But the one who endures and bears up [under suffering] to the end will be saved. This good news of the kingdom [the gospel] will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end [of the age] will come.’” – MATTHEW 24:3-14, AMP

CODA. These and only these, beloved, are the Instructions to the Remnant Church of the Last Days. This magnificent OLIVET DISCOURSE is considered by all orthodox theologians to be the very Essence of the Gospel to us in this Hour of Church History.

yet we hear not even a whisper from our Church Leaders about it anymore.

The Point. For the Faithful in Christ, there shall be the Wonder of ‘The Rescue’ at the end of our many trials, with jubilation impossible to put into human language. But for these Reprobate Deceivers, only ‘The Fire!’

CHOOSE WELL. To live and even die if necessary for Truth and Honor all the rest of our days on the Earth. Or to ultimately perish by living and even dying by necessity for Deception and Shame for the rest of our days on this tumultuous Earth.

This should be a no brainer my friends. But then, that would require the Mind of Christ and an unfettered heart toward Obedience at any price. Selah.