March 19, 2023

…continued from yesterday

Paul had been visited in a vision by Jesus who said: “Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony about Me.” Acts 22:18

It was because of erroneous notions that had been propelled to the forefront of messianic expectations—and believed!—that Jesus’ own people failed to recognize Him.

Now put on your prophetic glasses and fast forward to the time of the end, the days in which we are now living (see Daniel 11:40, 12:4, Revelation 22:10). Paul’s brethren in Jerusalem, about whom he cared deeply, today parallel believers who see themselves as Christ-followers but who will vehemently resist the testimony concerning Jesus given by true and faithful followers of Christ.

Many of those who are sincerely seeking will begin reading the Bible from its beginning. The first three chapters contain certain doctrinal “building blocks” such as that of Creation, the seventh day of the Creator’s rest, His desire for man to live forever in harmony with Him and each other, the essential requirement of obedience, the reality of death, the marriage covenant which symbolizes the covenant relationship between God and His people, the reality of a deceptive enemy, and a plan for the Savior to come.

Some of the above teachings are being pushed aside in favor of traditions that arose later, some within the church during the Dark Ages. Other sound doctrines have been downplayed while man-made ideas have become church “doctrine.” And, just as in the Dark Ages, those who seek to honor and live plainly by the Bible are to be marginalized and labeled as troublemakers.

As we move through the time of the end, the multiplicity of subtle misinterpretations of God’s word are on the increase. The enemy’s purpose to cause confusion is steadily intensifying. Technology in the hands of the enemy will more and more be used to propagate deceptions. Jesus warned that there will be great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect (Matthew 24:24).

Yet, in another sense, it will become easier to distinguish counterfeit message-bearers from genuine ones. In Revelation, God’s true people are identified as those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 12:17b; 19:10b)

Believer, are you thankful for this clear identification? In the last days, those who desire peace by force will actually have no rest day or night (14:11) but those who honor God’s commandments (including the fourth) will experience peace, even in the midst of the final time of trouble.

Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:12 (see also Psalm 91)