Saturday, February 4, 2012

Are You Ready?

"For I consider that 
the sufferings of this present time
are not worthy to be compared 
with the glory
that is to be revealed to us."  
Romans 8:18

What did Paul's sufferings look like?

"...in far more imprisonments,
beaten times without number,
often in danger of death,
five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes,
three times I was beaten with rods,
once I was stoned, 
three times I was shipwrecked,
 a night and a day I have spent in the deep.
I have been on frequent journeys,
in danger from rivers,
dangers from robbers, 
dangers from my countrymen, 
dangers from the Gentiles, 
dangers in the city,
dangers in the wilderness,
dangers on the sea,
dangers among false brethren;
I have been in labor and hardship,
through many sleepless nights,
in hunger and thirst, 
often without food,
in cold and exposure..."
2 Corinthians 11:23-27

Can any of us say we have come even close to such suffering?

What did Jesus say would occur to some of us before He returns?

"Many will come in My name, saying, 
'I am the Christ',
and will mislead many.
You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars,
See that you are not frightened,
for these things must take place,
but that is no yet the end.
For nation will rise against nation,
 and kingdom against kingdom,
and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.
But all these things are merely 
the beginning of birth pangs.
Then they will deliver you to tribulation,
and will kill you,
and you will be hated by all nations
because of My name.
At that time many will fall away 
and will betray one another and hate one another.
Many false prophets will arise
and will mislead many.
Because lawlessness is increased, 
most people's love will grow cold.
But the one who endures to the end,
he will be saved."
Matthew 24:5-13 

John had this to say about the coming times - 

"If anyone is destined for captivity, 
to captivity he goes; 
if anyone kills with the sword, 
with the sword he must be killed.
Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints."
Revelation 13:10

What are you doing to prepare?

Are you ready for what is going to happen before the Lord's return?

What will you do if your family is drug before you and you are told 
if you give up Christ, they will not slaughter your child,
or grandchild?

Are you prepared to face such a choice?

When the church was young, 
believers faced great persecution.  
As the end of the age closes, 
the church will face the greatest persecution ever to occur. 

Are you ready?  

Will you stand for Christ?

Do you love Jesus above all things?


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