“Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.”
–Daniel 2:20-22
The one question which should be occupying man’s mind as we approach the climax of human history (the return of Jesus Christ) is
“Why did God–who is in control of all things; who created all things EXACTLY as He desired; who could have created many things about the end times differently–create the end times as He did?”
Why the persecution and martyrdom of the followers of Jesus Christ?
[NOTE: Not ALL of the followers of Jesus Christ will be killed. There are a FEW who survive to meet Jesus in the clouds upon His return. However, God KNOWS each man’s heart, so He KNOWS who WOULD HAVE LAID DOWN THEIR LIFE had they been called upon to do so.]
Why the raising up and then, the HUMBLING of the wicked?
Why have His ONLY begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to hold some of the CENTRAL parts of the end times?
God created the end times as they are BECAUSE that is EXACTLY how God wanted them.
God’s reasoning?
“Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands? Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth? Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded. I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts. Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God. Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour. They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols. But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end. For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else. have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.”
–Isaiah 45:9-19
God has not been shy about declaring his purpose in creating the earth and man.
“And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.”
–Leviticus 26:11-12
“That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.”
–Ezekiel 11:20
“And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.”
–Jeremiah 24:7
God is looking for men who will worship Him as God–and He will be a God to them.
To such a purpose, God is NOT interested in finding 98 or 99% of the men who claim they are God’s.
God is interested in finding ALL of His people.
Because He is God, He is able to do ALL He desires.
“But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.”
–Psalm 115:3
God wants men who will lay down their LIFE for Him. This is one proof that that man is committed WHOLLY to God.
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
–Revelation 12:11
So, it was foreseen that the end times would have a component to them that featured persecution and martyrdom to the followers of God.
In this manner, God is certain that all who profess God with their lips are REALLY His.
This is why–among other things–the end times are structured the way they are: to allow God to fulfill his purpose by finding His people.
One additional reason: the men who are God’s?
Persecution and martyrdom demonstrate to THEM that they value God ABOVE all else.
DID the reader ever wonder if there was some sort of rhyme or reason to the end times?
It is not YET too late: there is still a LITTLE time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
A Reminder: The Gospel is Simple
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: July 11, 2022.]
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
images: End Times Basics by etpr; Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.com
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