When MOST people think of fasting, they think of the person who is fasting giving up some sort of food (or beverage). However, many moderns believe fasting involves giving up SOMETHING (Sorta like Lent…) BUT, fasting refers to the faster giving up some sort of food for a period of time.
WHY FAST?
IF one asks around in a modern church, he will get a NUMBER of reasons why one should fast–and almost NONE of those answers will be correct. At one church a number of years ago, NONE of the people in the church answered that fasting had anything to do with HUMBLING one’s self.
A LOT of people gave the answer that fasting helped “purify the body”–even the pastor gave this answer. It sounded like a number of those folks were regular watchers to New Age TV shows.
It is little surprise that this errant line of thinking is HEAVILY promoted by Satan’s Mouthpiece.
The Number One reason for fasting is to humble one’s self before God–to show God that He is more important than even food.
“But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting”
–Psalm 35:13
King David claimed that fasting chastened (humbled) his soul.
“For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.”
–Psalm 69:9-10
One need look no further than Jesus to see FASTING in action. Jesus began his ministry by fasting for forty days in the desert.
“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.”
–Luke 4:1-2
In addition, Jesus did NOT instruct his disciples whether to fast, but WHEN they fasted, they needed to follow certain rules. Jesus just presumed that His disciples would fast.
“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
–Matthew 6:16
NOW, a few odd thoughts on FASTING:
(Most of these come from one fellow a few weeks back who asked a LOT of questions; it became hard to answer him without much thinking first.)
1- DOES IT BECOME EASIER TO FAST IF THERE IS NOT MUCH FOOD AROUND?
Fasting is a SPIRITUAL practice, not necessarily a physical one.
2- DOES IT EVEN COUNT AS A FAST IF THERE IS NO FOOD?
If one fasts, God will tend to that person’s provision.
3- IF A PERSON DOESN’T EAT BECAUSE THERE IS LITTLE FOOD AVAILABLE, DOES THAT COUNT AS A FAST?
IF a person fasts because of food availability, then that person is really not fasting properly.
During the end times, FASTING will become more difficult–regardless of whether or not food is readily available–because of SPIRITUAL REASONS.
Satan knows why believers fast and will be anxious to have fasters eat before their time. THIS is one of the ‘wiles’ of the devil.
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
–Ephesians 6:11
Those who FAST will most likely be told (repeatedly) that they are wasting their time for one reason or another.
There are quite a few reasons to fast during the end times; Satan doesn’t particularly like ANY of them.
FASTING is like building a strong wall around yourself–and God is inside with you.
ABSTAINING from fasting is like poking holes in that wall: it’s not very strong and it does not keep everything out.
Those who fast during the end times are building up their spiritual strength!
“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”
–Isaiah 58:6-11
(Food availability ONLY becomes important AFTER the FAST is OVER, anyhow. When a person is fasting, he is NOT eating anyway.)
During the end times, regardless of whether or not there is plenty of food available, FASTING will become MORE difficult for SPIRITUAL reasons.
Plenty of food indicates a PHYSICAL concern; fasting is a SPIRITUAL process.
DOES the reader fast and for what reason(s)?
It is not YET too late–although time is surely running out: 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: March 28, 2023.]
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
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© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-23. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP 2007-2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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