- 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
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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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