“and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.”
–Acts 5:40-41
MAKE YOUR CHOICE
A spectator came upon a discussion on whether Christians should speak up and be bold during the end times OR whether they should exercise discretion and live to battle another day.
The answer–though it wasn’t touched on during the discussion–lies in Revelation 12.
“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 12:13
The more discrete thing to do in the end times is to keep one’s mouth shut, but believers are COMMANDED to overcome “by the word of their testimony.”
Unless one is proficient at sign language, it’s hard to testify when one’s mouth is shut.
“Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.”
–Luke 17:33
Running away, keeping quiet and practicing discretion is not for the Christian–unless he wants to lose his eternal life. The end times are SPECIFICALLY to find out who will talk the talk and who will walk the walk.
Besides, its NOT men who keep themselves (by running away, remaining silent or any other man-centered strategy), it’s God Almighty Himself. IF the Father wants you to stick around, there’s no power on earth that can harm you.
SO, it’s put-up-or-shut-up time for all the pew-sitters and pretend Christians. All those people taking up space in the churches who chatter on about “loving Jesus” will get their chance to prove it.
The flesh will ALWAYS whisper “Are you crazy? Hey, be quiet! You want to get us killed?”
“and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”
–Revelation 20:4
In the same manner, many search the Internet for information about “What will happen to Christians in the end times?”
Here are two clues:
#1 – There’s very little true information to be had by Googling. All one needs to know is in the Bible.
It’s too bad very few believe the Bible.
#2 – The great majority will not have to worry about what happens to Christians in the end times because there are so very few Christians in the world.
“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
–Matthew 7:14
What happens to Christians in the end times?
ALL are persecuted.
ALL suffer tribulation.
But then, true believers suffer persecution and tribulation every day presently.
TRIBULATION: What is Tribulation?
Some die.
Some get martyred.
Some are imprisoned.
While the world believes those to be horrible fates, the Christian knows if he suffers any of the above for the name of Jesus Christ, it’s all glory for eternity.
But few there be…
Persecution, Tribulation, Troubles, Trials: What the Bible says to Christians
Some believers do make it through to meet Jesus in the air upon His return.
But no matter what happens: it’s all good.
As long as believers remember to use the blood of the Lamb; to use the word of their testimony; and, to love not their lives unto death.
It’s all very, very good.
“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 12:13
Speak boldly or fade away; eternal glory or eternal shame: it will be the reader’s choice.
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:”
–2Corinthians 4:3
THE GOSPEL
“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
“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
—John 20:31
“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
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: April 16-17, 2016.]
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
image: ETPR/pd
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