Protection for Purpose in the Last Time
- Now Think On This
by Steve Martin
“Praised
be God, Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, who, in keeping with His great
mercy, has caused us, through the resurrection of Yeshua the Messiah from the
dead, to be born again to a living hope, to an inheritance that cannot decay,
spoil or fade, kept safe for you in heaven. Meanwhile, through trusting, you
are being protected by God’s power for a deliverance ready to be revealed at
the Last Time.
Rejoice
in this, even though for a little while you may have to experience grief in
various trials. Even gold is tested for genuineness by fire. The purpose of
these trials is so that your trust’s genuineness, which is far more valuable
than perishable gold, will be judged worthy of praise, glory and honor at the revealing
of Yeshua the Messiah.”
1
Peter 1:3-7 Complete Jewish Bible
You would need to have your head buried in the sand to think that
troubled times aren’t here in the nations, with more of it to come. In fact,
for many, they have already been living in and through heavy trials and
tribulation.
The Lord God Almighty has always protected His people. He has always been
the One for those who have put their trust in Him, and stood on the Rock of His
eternal Word. Without fail, He has kept His promises through the ages. He can
do no other, being He alone is God.
With the naked eye it may not have looked that way at times. Even when
going through the refining fire, both naturally and spiritually, He has brought
His people, both Jew and Gentile, through the appointed and assigned pressures
and problems, to bring about His exact purposes. Though literal fire, sword,
torture or ongoing persecution have been part of the process for many believers,
now and in times past, His wisdom has kept them through it all - for the salvation
of their spirit, soul and body. Their final destination, in heaven with the
King of kings and Lord of lords, has become their eternal resting place. The
promised rewards that had awaited them for their faithfulness is now part of
this completion in their lives.
We too are going to face hard times. We are not going to be just raptured
out of this place for the sweet bye and bye. Not just yet anyway. We are instead
going to remain here longer, and by receiving the rugged grace, true grit and
supernatural courage to be the Body of Christ He has intended us to be, we will
accomplish His will. We will be the ones who are to bring the Good News to
those who will yet be saved from this evil and wicked generation.
The Lord has always left a remnant to be His light in the nations. The
Jews, through the ages, have been the undeniable proof of His ability and
trustworthiness in His keeping that light. Though they as a people have been
through the meat grinder, and left for dead many times, they will again, along
with His redeemed ones from the Gentile nations, boldly proclaim His redemption
in these last days we are living in. It will occur before our living eyes.
I believe the words of the Jewish prophets, from ages gone by, that this
redemption will happen. I believe the prophetic words of those speaking forth
now, that these things will happen.
By His Holy Spirit, the Ruach HaKodesh of the God of Israel, He has also compelled
me to write it like it is. Troubled times are coming. We are going to be here
through them. His people will be lights in the nations because His heart is for
the nations, and He had already determined that this is the way it will be. The
Body of Messiah functioning as the living Body of Jesus Christ on earth, doing
that which we have been destined to do.
Will many of us suffer? Of course we will, even as Jesus (Yeshua) Himself
did. Even as the Jewish apostles Peter, Paul, James, John, Andrew, Phillip and
all the rest did. Even as the early church disciples (and yes, they were primarily
all Jews) did suffer. And yes we too will suffer, even as the Jew and Gentile saints,
those who believed in Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah, did themselves suffer.
This has been written as an example and encouragement for us: “And what
more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson,
Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered
kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths
of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from
weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured,
not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and
others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They
were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death
with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute,
afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in
deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.
And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not
receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so
that apart from us they would not be made perfect.
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us,
let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles
us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our
eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before
Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand
of the throne of God.
For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against
Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Heb 11:32-12:3 NASU)
Will some of us too be martyred? Yes. It is already happening in the
Middle East and other nations, right before our eyes. I myself expect to be in
that group of those who will be asked to testify of our faith, while facing the
sword of death.
Protection in this last time will be ours first though, for one main
purpose of being here to proclaim His Way, His Truth and His Life. With our open
mouths, written words and courageous stance, we will remain here long enough to
witness that last soul which is to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus
Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach. This will result in them knowing the Salvation of
their souls too.
We must not be afraid, nor let the fear that will come upon the nations
come upon on. With our eyes kept on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our
faith, we will experience His protection to finish the call on our lives.
It won’t be easy, but it will be all worth it in the end. Crowns of glory
await us who will give our lives for Him and the nations He loves.
Now think on this,
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People. Inc.
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of the Father in the nations.
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Now Think On This #182
“Protection for Purpose in the Last Time” by Steve Martin
Date: In the year of our
Lord 2015 (10.04.15) Sunday at 8:00 am in Charlotte, NC
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