En Route to Global Occupation .pdf - Equal Parenting-BC

156 En Route to Global Occupation
one would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross
and follow me" (Matt 16:24). And John recorded Jesus as saying, "No
servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will
persecute you also" Oohn 15:20). This theme remained constant
throughout jesus' teachings. .
Suffering is therefore obviously not just limited to the great
tribulation, but may be experienced in Western society and in the
world as a whole, prior to the rapture, whenever it occurs.
Conclusion
If we might soon face this type of persecution and deception,
what, if anything, can we do to prepare for it Getting out of debt
and positioning ourselves so that we are less dependent on worldly
institutions is all good and well, and Christians are encouraged to do
so. However, physical preparation should not be our principle concern.
Instead, we should see to it that we are spiritually prepared.
Assuming that you are already a believer, here are some things
you can do to get ready for difficult times.
1. Be an informed and educated Christian.
Equip yourself to discern good from evil-truth from deception.
This involves striving to know the truth about what is going on in
the world around you and becoming aware of Satan's schemes and
tactics. However, while an awareness of current events and critical
issues is strongly encouraged, the most important step you can take
in gaining spiritual discernment is to know the Bible inside out Don't
take a preacher's word for what it says; find out for yourselft Know
what you believe and why you believe it How can you avoid being
deceived if you don't know what the Bible teaches Someone may be
misleading you, but unless you are fluent in Scripture, you will never
know it The time for lukewarm Christianity and Bible illiteracy is over.
Be prepared to defend your faith at all cost; always stand ready
to give the reason for the hope that you have in Christ (1 Pet 3:15).
How can we expect others to come to love and to serve Jesus if we
can't tell them who He is or what He has done for us Only if we know
and understand God's Word can we truly be effective witnesses.
Knowledge of Scripture must be accompanied by a life of example;
we must know (God's Word) how to live according to God's will.
An understanding of the Bible is part of the armor of God, which
Paul exhorts us to put on. Writing to the church in Ephesus, he states:
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on
the full armor of God so that you can take your stand
against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not
against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against
The Coming World Crisis 157
the authorities, against the powers of this dark world
and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly
realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that
when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand
your ground, and after you have done everything, to
stand. (Eph. 6:10-13)
2. Draw near to Christ.
The first step in developing a closer walk with God is to obey
His commands. Jesus said, "If you love me, you will obey what I command"
Oohn 14: 15). Either we love Him or we don't! Are you holding
on to something, or have you truly surrendered every aspect of
your life to Jesus Christ It is important to root out any remaining
sins and destructive habits by committing them to the Lord.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful
nature with its passions and desires. {Gal. 5:24)
Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this
world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you
submit to its rules. {Col. 2:20)
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in this
world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against
your soul. (1 Pet. 2:11)
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly
nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and
greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of
God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the
life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of
aU such things. (Col. 3:5-8a)
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the
desires of the sinful nature. {Gal. 5:16)
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ
in God. {Col. 3:11>-3)
The more we die to self, the more Christ can live through us;
we must become less so that He can become more. The apostle Paul
applied this principle to his own life with amazing results. The impact
of his ~ut commitment is still being felt today. Paul's devotion
is reflected in his testimony.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live,
but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live
by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself
for me. {Gal. 2:20)
Whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for thesake
of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a los~
compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Chrlsl