“making war against the saints”

Friday, September 22, 2017

God’s Spirit said by John, “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God…Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Rev. 19:11–16).

The Rev. 19:11–16 passage concludes this present age as Christ descends from heaven. But until “the last day” (John 6:40), at “the first resurrection” (Rev. 20:4–6), at “the times of restoration of all things” (Acts 3:21) “the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19).

The final seven years of this age are ruled by Satan’s Antichrist. Most Christians disbelieve Christ that they will be on earth for the tribulation, but a few of us actually believe Him and prepare accordingly for that difficult time. Today, six categories describe most Christians.

1. Those who are clueless and without discernment that the end-times are even near.
2. Those who know the world is much worse now, but don’t know why, or what to do.
3. Those who know the world is much worse, but think President Trump will restore it.
4. Those who know what’s wrong, but do nothing while awaiting their pre-trib rapture.
5. Those who know the NWO is near and buy guns and ammunition to war against it.
6. Those who know the NWO is near and arm themselves in God’s enduring truths.

Thefridayletter.com is written that those of all six categories might learn God’s truths and be equipped in that truth, knowledge and discernment that they would faithfully endure until the great Day of the Lord. Without faith in the enduring Words of Jesus Christ one is hopeless.

Today we consider number 5 above. But first, let me clarify: there’s a big difference in using guns and ammunition to protect your home and family from tribulation “beasts of the earth” (Rev. 6:8) and thugs hell-bent on violence and theft, from using those same weapons against agents of the NWO, otherwise known as the UN’s “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, whose not-so-distant goal is the confiscation of civilian weapons on the guise of world peace.

Jesus said, “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace” (Luke 11:21). God also said, “if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Tim. 5:8). However, civil weapons for protecting your family and home is an entirely separate issue from waging war against the New World Order led by Antichrist’s One World Government. Be discerning of it.

God has firmly decreed that those who would wage war against the NWO and its Antichrist beast-system will utterly lose. But do you believe God, and will you prepare accordingly?

Preparing to endure end-time catastrophic destruction, storms, civil unrest, droughts and famines, is biblically expected of Christians. Noah prepared because he believed God. Joseph, in ancient Egypt prepared because he also believed God. Joshua prepared because he believed God and was repeatedly victorious. Many biblical examples show the salvation of God-believing preparation.

But today many believe it’s a sign of faithlessness to prepare for the end-times, but those who do so show their ignorance about faith, for God said “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:20). “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26). Therefore, “Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18).

In other words, faith acts. Faith in Christ will produce actions corresponding to one’s professed faith. Faith that is inactive, however, is merely a said faith with corresponding inaction proving one’s said faith. And God said that “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb. 11:6).

Again, don’t confuse preparations for the first half of the tribulation with the second half when Antichrist crushes the world with his mark of the beast in order for people to buy or sell. At the time of the latter, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36). Some will find God’s safety and provision for 1,260 days, (Rev. 12:6), but many Christians will not.

During the first half of the tribulation one should protect his family and home against thugs bent on plunder and shear violence. But during the second half of the tribulation, for those not finding the safety and provision of God according to Rev. 12:6, 14, do not think for one second you can fight against the NWO and win, because God promised that those who would wage war will lose.

God said by Daniel, “I was watching; and the same horn [Antichrist] was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them” (Dan. 7:21). The Spirit also said by John, “It was granted to him [Antichrist] to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation” (Rev. 13:7). The saints’ calling is different: to testify.

“And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. But before all these things, they will lay hands on you and persecute you…You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist” (Luke 21:11–15). [emphasis added]

God warned every believer, “by the meekness and gentleness of Christ…I beg you that when I am present with you I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us [saints] as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God…and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Cor. 10:1–6). [emphasis added]  Do you believe God?

Marlin J. Yoder