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Go To Meeting
Roy Assanti—August 14, 2021
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We live in interesting times!
- we're commanded to wear masks
- we're told to not go too far away from our homes
- we're told not to leave our homes because we are in lockdown
- we're told to get tested for the epidemic
- we're told to get the 'jab' and the second 'jab' and the third 'jab'
I'm going to basically give a blast from the past. We live in serious times, but we have had even more serious times: times of war.
I recall Oct. 6, 1973, a little while back. It was a Jewish holiday called Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Syrian and Egyptian forces had invaded the state of Israel. It was serious; it was somber.
As I recall the account, all these codes were written and spoken through the synagogues in Israel, and there were secret messages and there were messages to specific military units. Places of worship were vacated by different military personnel and they knew what they had to do. They knew what was happening.
Pretty soon army units sprang into action, and the situation that we experienced eventually nearly brought the world to the nuclear brink. I recalled combined services in Sydney, Australia, in my neck of the woods.
There were over 450 in attendance, it was quite serious. We had live services by the late Herbert W. Armstrong beamed on screen live. My timing might not be spot on with all the little bits and pieces that happened. I'll give you the gist of what seek to portray.
So, the late Herbert W. Armstrong would turn around and say, 'We're in the gun lap.' And he was quite serious and shake his head, full of emotion. He was serious:
We're in the gun lap, pretty close to the return of Christ, because we see armies moving.
It was quite, quite serious! At that time there were sermons and speculations where there was a war in heaven that had actually happened and the Michael and his angels fought against Satan/Lucifer and his angels/demons and had been cast to the earth.
A serious time! The mood was that Satan was cast down and he was of great wrath, because he knew that his time was short and he was going to be cast into the place of restraint. That will happen at some point. It has not happened, yet, but it will happen. Satan will be placed in a situation of restraint.
Revelation 12:12: "Therefore, rejoice you heavens and those who dwell in Them. Woe to those who inhabit the earth and the sea! For the Devil has come down to you..."
I want to pause because sometimes we can read through Scriptures.
"…having great wrath because he knows that he has only a short time" (v 12).
When you read something like that, and there are armies moving, it's quite serious; it really struck us very seriously.
Verse 13: "And when the dragon saw that he was cast down to the earth, he persecuted the woman… [the church] …who had brought forth the man-Child."
This is what was going on back then!
Verse 14: "And two wings of a great eagle were given to the woman…"—the Church! '
We thought back then…. We do make mistakes and this was not correct. However, at the time when there were a movement of armies and we didn't know what was going on, we'd look at the Scriptures and indeed as we see things happening we look at Scriptures. It was not yet!
Herbert Armstrong at that time was traveling around the world, and he had a lot of contacts. He was saying, and the ministry were saying, 'Are we going to get a call to leave?' It was very real!
Verse 14: "And two wings of a great eagle were given to the woman…"
Are we talking about passenger liners that the Church was going to be relocated and God would work it out? That's what was going on. Again, with the backlog of war and trouble, it was quite serious.
"…so that she might fly to her place in the wilderness, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent" (v 13)—from Satan's wrath!
That was three and a half years of protection. Back then we called it a place of safety where the Church was going to be protected.
Some of you who have been around for quite a while would know of the traveling evangelist Gerald Waterhouse. He would call it the place of final training.
At the end of the three and a half years Christ was to return. That's the Scripture, God's Word. It wasn't the time, but we were not to know. It was quite exciting and frightening when you don't know when everything is going to crumble before you.
There were Scriptures like Isa. 26—speculation if that would apply to the place of final training, the place of safety that we're going to be given. These Scriptures could also refer to the grave, but could it also apply to a place of protection?
Today we don't have a sense of urgency like that, but then it was no joke. We had nuclear threats, and the late Pres. Nixon ordered squadrons of B52 bombers continually. It was 'first nuclear strike' with the Soviet Union. It was really of potential imminent nuclear war.
As a matter of fact, the term for the nuclear negotiations that they had was termed as 'détente'—between the Soviet Union then and the American leadership. Actually what that means and where it came from was of French origin with two dueling parties would meet each other and they have a gun next to their side with the finger on the trigger. It would take someone to move and then it was the first one to pull the trigger—'détente'
It basically portrays the seriousness, the urgency and the imminent danger that was in the world. Anybody listening to the news really felt it.
Isaiah 26:20: "Come, my people, enter into your rooms and shut your doors around you; hide for a little moment, until the fury has passed by."
This can refer to the grave, and then you're resurrected. But we were looking at this and could it be protection, a place of protection against all the world trouble that was to come.
Verse 21: "For behold, the LORD comes out of His place to punish the people of the earth for their iniquity; the earth also shall reveal her blood, and shall no more cover her dead."
Then we also looked at Psa. 91; could this be the real meaning? It was a serious time! There was potential nuclear warfare, not just conventional warfare. But as a matter of fact, the B52 bombers were a continual potential bombing runs. If there was going to be a nuclear exchange, he one who would get the best out of it was the first one in. I recall that in Time Magazine they had this cartoon:
Brezhnev (Soviet leader) from the Soviet Union was asked how many nuclear weapons would it take to take England out. He said, 'Oh, that's difficult, that's very difficult. Probably 33-36 would do it, finish England off.'
What about Germany? That's little more difficult, probably 45 would do it!
What about the USA? 363!
They knew, they had it all worked out how many, what cities and how many nuclear weapons each city required. It was a serious, serious time, and that was a reflection, in a sense of the reality of where America looked who was the enemy and who the USSR looked who was their prime enemy.
Psalm 91:1: "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
There was speculation in the Church: are we talking about Petra in the Middle East? Petra is isolated, deserted desert place. As a matter of fact, at the time I recall that Herbert W. Armstrong would visit all these world leaders and he spoke to King Hussein then about the possibility—just how serious it was; the thinking anyway—of the Church going Petra. He was just asking and feeling King Hussein out. I recall that it was reported that he turned around and said, 'Oh, you don't want to go there; it's an uninhabitable place!'
Verse 2: "I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in Whom I will trust.' Surely He will deliver you from the fowler's trap and from the destroying pestilence" (vs 2-3).
We had these sermons at the time that we would be there in Petra. When all this destruction was talking place, we would see it. We were aware of the events.
Isaiah 1:9: "Except the LORD of hosts had left us a very small remnant, we would have been as Sodom; we would have become like Gomorrah."
So, a small remnant was going to be left after all of this destruction. The protection promise continuing:
Psalm 91:4: "He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge. His Truth shall be your shield and buckler."
They are promises for sure! We went through this Psalm with the backdrop of this terror behind us.
Verse 5: "You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flies by day."
Speculation: Are we going to see missiles fly over us and we're protected, because there's going to be an angel there to push it away and so on?
You might think that that's really crazy talk. But given the backdrop of the seriousness, the somber situation…. There was also a time when Pres. Richard Nixon made it known to the Russia leader at that time that he raised the alarm first; 'the nuclear button, I'm going to push it first!' Whoa! What is going on?
Verse 6: "Nor for the plague that walks in darkness, nor for the destruction laying waste at noonday." Was this going to be:
- biological weapons?
- disease epidemics?
- of man's making?
Back then there were reports that the chemical, biological warfare was so potent that even a drop of this chemical was enough to kill a person, to destroy the nervous system. I don't know what it means, but that was the report. They were stockpiled, chemical, biological weapons were stockpiled, and I guess they still are.
Verse 7: "A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand; it shall not come near you."
We had these sermons of the 'place of final training' and that's where it was. 'You got to get your mind on this.' It was serious! Serious circumstances world events and tug-o-wars between major nations. War was everywhere. What were we going to do. Our minds were looking at the Scriptures.
Verse 8: "Only with your eyes you shall behold and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD, Who is my refuge, even the Most High, your habitation, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling, for He shall give His angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways" (vs 8-11).
I remember that some of the comments were:
- What does this mean? If a stray missile was going to come into Petra!
- What would happen?
- Would an angel actually redirect it and push it away?
We're going to be kept safe!
The bottom line is that God's Word is God's Word! These warnings are from God! These things are to happen. It seemed like it was going to happen then, but right now we're going through a time, I guess, of relative peace and safety.
We can see with this disease that is getting around, and we're told to wear masks and so on. That's a different type of thing that makes us think about how temporary life is.
Joel 1:14: "Sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the elders and all the people of the land unto the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD…. [here's the warning]: …Alas for the day! For the Day of the LORD is at hand, and it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty" (vs 14-15).
Combine the situation that was going on and throw some Scriptures in like this, and I can tell you, we were pretty diligent!
Matt. 24 is a Scripture that we're all familiar with, but:
- Are we too familiar withit? or Do we look at the depth?
- Are we falling asleep? or Do we take it for the intensity that it is presented with?
They're Christ's words! This is a Scripture that we need to contemplate, we need to be warned, we need to be prepared.
Now, this is the one I say to myself, 'Are we awake?'
Matthew 24:18: "And let the one who is in the field not go back to take his garments." A message of complacency!
Verse 19: "But woe to those women who are expecting a child, and to those who are nursing infants in those days!"
Pretty serious times, ominous! This is what we got back then. We looked at it!
Verse 20: "And pray that your flight be not in the winter, nor on the Sabbath; for then shall there be Great Tribulation… [world troubles; this is the never before or hereafter generation]: …such as has not been from the beginning of the world until this time, nor ever shall be again" (vs 20-21)
If it's world trouble that has never been and never will be again, it's all talking about one specific point or time in history. There are many other Scriptures that warn us of this time, never before and never after.
We really understood v 22; we felt it with B52 bombers making potential bombing runs on the Artic at the top of the world with all the Russian/Soviet cities. There were satellites armed and so on. It was quite a scary time. It could have potentially explode at any time.
Verse 22: "And if those days were not limited… [if they were allowed to continue] …there would no flesh be saved… [mankind would be obliterated] …but for the elect's sake… [those who are faithful] …those days shall be limited."
In Judges 16 there is a type with lessons for us. Today it's China, we view China as the enemy of the free world. Back then (in the time of the 1970s) it was the USSR (former Soviet Union). Is there going to be a #3. Is the next one going to be the King of the North or a European leader? We witnessed in WWII someone who was demonically inspired: Adolf Hitler. He was absolutely 100%! It was not pleasant!
Look at this principle in God's Word that '3' reveals. Its about Samson and he told Delilah; she finally got it out of him: What is the secret of your great strength?' The descendants of Jacob were promised tremendous blessings. They were faithful to God.
But when our people betray the faith, betray their God completely, what happens?
Judges 16:17: "And he told her all his heart, and said to her…"—finally the third time! A 'harlot' in God's Word can represent a false church. So, we can apply it nationally to people as a principle.
"…'A razor has not come upon my hair, for I am a Nazarite to God from my mother's womb. If I am shaven… [when we betray that faith, that trust that we have with God] …then my strength will go from me, and I will become weak and be like any man.' And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, 'Come this once, for he has showed me all his heart.' Then the lords of the Philistines came up to her and brought silver in their hands. And she made him sleep upon her knees. And she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head. And she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. And she said…" (vs 17-20).
She said it before but Samson hadn't betrayed the faith, the promise, bond and understanding that he had with God.
"…'The Philistines are upon you, Samson!' And he awoke out of his sleep and said, 'I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself free.' But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him" (v 20). The result was slavery and bondage!
Verse 21: "And the Philistines took him and put out his eyes… [point of no return] …and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass. And he did grind grain in the prison house."
That's a principle! So, there has been a world threat in the past. Now we have another challenge and it is nuclear, as well: China! What's next? What's #3, a nuclear European power?
The people who are generally from whom the German nation is from is Assyria, which is 'the rod of God's anger' to punish the descendants of Jacob and modern Israel.
Daniel has recorded movements of large armies and a major conflict about to happen. We look at the Scriptures; they're there and they're God's Word. We don't say, 'That's it!' but we don't push them aside. This is a time when mankind has the power to eradicate all life on earth. It's never ever happened before.
Because we see relative peace, that's fine, but the Scripture also says, 'When they say peace, peace sudden destruction…' We have to be serious minded. We're continually admonished not to go to sleep; be awake! To be alert! Not to be foolish!
Dan. 11 pin-points the time. We won't go into the complete prophecy:
Daniel 11:40: "And at the time of the end… [of the age of man] …the King of the South shall push at him…."
We're talking about the King of the North having power. We say this a European power. It looks like it may be, but we don't know. However, we're talking about in proximity to the Holy Land, Jerusalem. There's a King of the North and a King of the South.
"…the King of the South shall push at him…." (v 40).
In the past we had it that there was union of nations and they have a conflict with the northern kingdom. What could that be? The speculation in the past was oil. What else? That's all the riches and that's what everybody needs—oil! Is this going to be the situation that going to cause the flame.
"…And the King of the North… [he's the factor regardless] …shall come against him…" (v 40). When? At the time of the end!
These are end-time events. There is a war and it's history written in advance.
"…like a whirlwind with chariots and with horsemen…" (v 40).
For someone writing back then, they wouldn't have seen things like tanks, jets, gun positions, etc.; they wouldn't have seen that.
"…and with many ships… [aircraft carriers, destroyers, nuclear subs] …and he shall enter into the countries and shall overflow and sweep through" (v 40). This is going to be a bit of a pushover!
Verse 41: "He shall also enter into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown. But these shall escape out of his hand: Edom and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. And he shall stretch out his hand also upon the countries. And the land of Egypt shall not escape" (vs 41-42).
That last war we spoke about, the Mid-East War, Egypt and Syria basically led the attack.
Verse 43: "But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver…"
A lot of money there, speculation in the past: money, power, oil supply. Everything flows now, but I can tell you that when they started to restrict the amount of oil that was flowing, it was truly a situation, a tinderbox!
"…and over all the precious things of Egypt. And the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. But tidings… [invasion] ….out of the east and out of the north shall alarm him…. [northeast, an eastern power, an army of 200-million] …Then he will go forth… [the King of the North is challenged, and he'll overcome and be successful] …with great fury to destroy and to utterly annihilate many" (vs 43-44).
These are the Scriptures that we looked at back then, thought about and went over. We can look at God's Word. We have to look at it, but we can't say [our speculations] are exactly what's going to happen. Can we bypass the seriousness, the serious message and the need to be diligent, spiritually alive and alert? Christ told us not to sleep!
Revelation 9:16: "And the number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred thousand thousand… [200-million] …and I heard the number of them."
I wonder how 2000 years ago could someone describe an army like this! They hadn't seen modern weapons! They saw bows, arrows, slings, swords, etc.
Verse 17: "And so, I [John] saw the horses in the vision, and those sitting on them, who had fiery breastplates, even like jacinth and brimstone. And the heads of the horses were like heads of lions, and fire and smoke and brimstone shoot out of their mouths."
This would have been a sight completely alien to someone who had never seen mechanized warfare. Did John actually see modern weaponry actually firing? It's there for consideration!
Verse 18: "By these three a third of men were killed: by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone that shoot out of their mouths…. [the ejection of the missiles, whatever they may be] …For their power is in their mouths; for their tails are like serpents, and have heads, and with them they inflict wounds" (vs 18-19).
Today we hear of Covid, we all wear masks, who would have known that just a few short years ago that this would happen? The world can take sudden, unexpected turns! That's the point.
But we have great examples of protection, examples of God's power and intervention. We're not helpless!
2-Chronicles 16:7: "And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, 'Because you have relied on the king of Syria and have not relied on the LORD your God, therefore, the army of the king of Syria has escaped out of your hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Libyans a huge army with many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand, for the eyes of the LORD run to and fro in all the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him…." (vs 7-9).
The reality is that we can rely—individually, or as a church or group—on God! His promises are firm, strong and real! We need to believe God over our senses, whatever the situation or circumstances tell us.
Daniel 6:3: "Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the presidents and satraps because a surpassing spirit was in him. And the king was planning to set him over all the kingdom."
However, he was observed and not everybody was happy about it.
Ephesians 6:12: "Because we are not wrestling… [not opposing] …against flesh and blood… [that's not the problem] …but against principalities and against powers, against the world rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual power of wickednessin high places… [solution]: …Therefore, take up the whole armor of God so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having worked out all things, to stand" (vs 12-13).
Daniel 6:4: "Then the presidents and rulers sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom. But they could find no occasion or fault because he was faithful…."
That's a message to you and men! Faithful! That's what does it! We need to be faithful
- to our calling
- to God
- in prayer
- in faith
- in trust
"…Neither was there any error or fault found in him…. [so they hatched a plan]: …Then these men said, 'We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the Law of his God.' Then these presidents and rulers assembled to the king, and said this to him: 'King Darius, live forever. All the presidents of the kingdom, the prefects, and the satraps, and the officials and governors, have consulted together that the king establish a statute, and to make a strong decree, that whoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, except from you, O king… [appealing to his vanity] … he shall be thrown into the den of lions'" (vs 4-7)—trial! Back against the wall! What happens?
Verse 8: "'Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it may not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians which cannot be revoked.' Therefore, King Darius signed the writing and the decree…. [snookered] …And when he had learned that the document was signed…" (vs 8-10)—end result!
It's easy to justify, but when your back is against the wall:
- Do you trust God's Word?
- Do you have that faith, the real trust?
Verse 11: "Daniel went to his house. And his windows were open in his upper room toward Jerusalem; and he kneeled on his knees three times a day and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did before."
Daniel loved God and he set an example of praying three times a day. What was he thinking? He knew that if he died…
Revelation 12:11: "But they overcame him through the blood of the Lamb, and through the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death."
If I die, I die! I'm not going to be unfaithful with my trust, that relationship, that understanding and knowing of God Almighty, of the Father and Christ.
Daniel 6:16: "Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions' den…. [Can you imagine that?] …The king spoke and said to Daniel, 'Your God, Whom you serve continually… [he realized he'd been snookered] …He will deliver you.'" The king actually encouraged Daniel!
Verse 20: "And when he came near the den, he cried with a grieved voice to Daniel. The king spoke and said to Daniel, 'O Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God Whom you serve continually able to deliver you from the lions?' Then Daniel said to the king, 'O king, live forever. My God has sent His angel, and has shut the lions' mouths, and they have not hurt me…'" (vs 20-22).
What a trial! Can you imagine a wild beast coming at you? You're done! But not if God is involved, according to God's will. A lesson in living faith, living trust! It's not a fairytale!
"…because before Him innocency was found in me. And also before you, O king, I have done no harm" (v 22).
Can you imagine? He's thrown in there and these lions rush at him and they would have just rubbed their heads against Daniel. They couldn't open their mouths. God shut their mouths! They're just pushing him, salivating over him, but they couldn't open their mouths. They probably couldn't reach with their paws either, because Daniel wasn't scratched or hurt; God protected in an incredible way!
What an example for you and me of God's power, IF we are faithful and trust Him!
2-Timothy 4:1[transcriber's correction]: "I charge you, therefore, in the sight of God, even the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is ready to judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom… [the instruction] …Preach the Word! Be urgent in season and out of season; convict, rebuke, encourage, with all patience and doctrine" (vs 1-2).
Verse 5: "But as for you… [a message to each one of us individually] …be vigilant in all things, endure hardships, do the work of an evangelist… [do the work that God has given you: be a witness, an example] …fully carry out your ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand" (vs 5-6)—at the end of our lives!
Verse 7: "I have fought a good fight; I have finished the course; I have kept the faith."
Imagine if you can say this, think it in your heart; v 8: "From this time forward…
This man has been faithful and had been faithful to the end. At the end of our lives we need to be able to say this. How wonderful it is to know it in the heart!
"…a crown of righteousness is laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me in that day—and not to me only, but also to all who love His appearing" (v 8).
Regarding the Father and Christ, here's a hypothetical. The largest star that has been measured would reach Mars. You would look up in the sky and all you would see is this massive ball of light. Our sun would be like a pinprick towards it.
Isaiah 40:5: "And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.'"
Verse 10: "Behold, the Lord GOD will come with a strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; behold, His reward… [yours and mine] …is with Him, and His work before Him. He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those with young" (vs 10-11).
Look at this power!
Verse 12: "Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out the heavens with a span?…. [multitudes of light years] …And who has comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, and who was His counselor that he might instruct Him? With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him…" (vs 12-14).
- What kind of power are we dealing with?
- What kind of power are we appealing to?
"…and taught Him in the path of judgment, and taught Him knowledge, and made known the way of understanding to Him?" (v 14).
This is the encouragement. We've talked about rockets, missiles and implements of destruction; let's get it in perspective.
Verse 15: "Behold, the nations are like a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust… [doesn't even more the scales] …of the scales; behold, He takes up the isles as a very little thing. And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts of it sufficient for a burnt offering. All nations before Him are as nothing; and they are counted by Him as less than nothing, and vanity. To whom then will you compare God? Or what likeness will you compare to Him?" (vs 15-18).
Verse 25: "'To whom then will you compare Me… [He's challenging] …or who is My equal?' says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold, Who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number?…. [they cannot be counted] …He calls them all by names by the greatness of His might, for He is strong in power; not one fails" (vs 25-26).
Look at the promise; v 29: "He gives power to the weary; and to him… [and her] …with no might, He increases strength. Even the young shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall; but those who wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint" (vs 29-31).
Let's get personal, and we'll end on an encouraging, personal note. Consider where these promises come from. This is the instruction that you and I are given. Here are our priorities:
Luke 12:31: "But seek the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father delights in giving you the Kingdom" (vs 31-32).
Who cares what you've got; v 33: "Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make for yourselves purses that do not grow old, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief can come near, and no moth can destroy. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let your loins be girded about and your lamps burning… [three times a day; Daniel was an example] …and you yourselves be like men who are waiting for their lord, whenever he shall return from the wedding feast; so that when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him" (vs 33-36)
Verse 37: "Blessed are those servants whom the lord, when he comes, shall find watching…. [you don't take a nap or a break from seeking and growing] …Truly I say to you, he will gird himself, and will make them sit down, and will come and serve them."
Can you imagine Jesus Christ serving us!
Verse 38: "And if he comes in the second watch, or comes in the third watch, and finds them watching, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief… [you're not going to expect it, so you do it every day, follow my words] …would come, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into" (vs 38-39).
Verse 40: "Now you, therefore, be ready; for the Son of man is coming in an hour that you do not think."
Always remember through the hardships, the difficulties, whatever trial:
1-John 4:4: "You are of God, little children… [what an encouragement] …and have overcome them because greater… [you're not alone] …is He Who is in you than the one… [the enemy] …who is in the world."
Scriptural References:
- Revelation 12:12-14
- Isaiah 26:20-21
- Psalm 91:1-3
- Isaiah 1:9
- Psalm 91:4-11
- Joel 1:14-15
- Matthew 24:18-22
- Judges 16:17-21
- Daniel 11:40-44
- Revelation 9:16-18
- 2 Chronicles 16:7-9
- Daniel 6:3
- Ephesians 6:12-13
- Daniel 6:4-11
- Revelation 12:11
- Daniel 6:16, 20-22
- 2 Timothy 4:1-2, 5-8
- Isaiah 40:5, 10-18, 25-26, 29-31
- Luke 12:31-40
- 1 John 4:4
RA:bo
Transcribed: 11/8/21
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