October 14: THE DELIVERER WILL COME
And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. Daniel 12:1c
Beloved, we are living in exciting times. Even though the Bible informs us that the fallen condition of the world will only get worse, we live in the sure hope of the Savior’s deliverance. This is Good News that must be shared! The darker the world gets, the brighter the truths of the gospel will shine forth.
The very worst of times is still ahead. It is the time of trouble that immediately follows the close of probation, a time during which it is too late to repent and ask for God’s forgiveness. Even repentance itself is a gift of God that comes to the heart of individuals by His Holy Spirit. This gift is still available. But when Michael shall stand up, the Holy Spirit will withdraw from the world, and other spirits will rush into the vacuum.
Even now, there are those who have overcome this problem or that problem — unclean spirit(s) — and believe their “house” to be swept and put in order (Matthew 12:44); but if they have rejected any part of the Word, it is evidence that they have rejected the Holy Spirit who inspired that Word, and who also imparts the power to obey it. Jesus finishes the parable: Then [the unclean spirit] goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation (v.45).
But those who wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31) During storms, eagles will often fly upward through the dark storm clouds until they are above the clouds, enjoying the bright beauty of sunny, blue skies. With spiritual eyes, God’s people are enabled to look beyond this temporal world as it is, and into an eternity of perfect beauty, into a trouble-free world of law-abiding citizens (see 2 Corinthians 4:18).
When the time of trouble comes upon the world, those with the seal of God can, by faith, rest in confidence that the Deliverer will soon arrive. But those who have accepted the beast’s mark have no rest day or night (Revelation 14:11). This is a huge clue that the Creator’s seal has something to do with rest! As the first of the seven last plagues falls (16:2), the distinction between the saved and the lost becomes abundantly clear. Beloved, you will want to be certain that your name is written in the Book of Life, and that it stays there. If you love the Lord with all your heart and soul and mind and strength, you will desire to do what pleases Him. Make sure that your relationship with Him is cleared of all obstacles. This world is a minefield of false teachings that are intended by the archenemy to keep you in sin and destroy your relationship with your Creator, who is also your Deliverer! We are living in the hour of His judgment (14:7) which will soon end.
He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. Revelation 3:5 (Other references of divine record-keeping: Exodus 32:32-33; Psalm 69:28; Isaiah 4:3; 30:1, 9; Malachi 3:16; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15