This was a chapter entitled Places of Refuge which I left out of my end time warning book. I would like to just say, during the time of final tribulation when the mark of the beast comes into effect, we as believers, will not be able to buy or sell or conduct business as usual. This has far reaching consequences for any believer living in houses, apartments and so forth. The reasons are quite obvious. Where then shall we live? Have you given this any thought? True, the Lord may make a way in these types of settings.Indeed, God shall care for us and lead our paths, but to think we will be living in 5 star accommodation and eating the best meals served on bone china will be misleading. I believe there will be places of refuge, places of safety, established by the Lord for the final days of this age.
Many of us who believe, will be fleeing persecution and hiding from the forces of darkness. There will be adverse weather conditions, extreme cold, rain. This time will indeed be a time of the trying of our faith. The just shall live by faith is not only a requirement for all of us who believe now, but will be all the more in the final time of tribulation. Endurance, faith and patience will be the virtues that will be required of us then. We must prepare for this now.
Many of us who believe, will be fleeing persecution and hiding from the forces of darkness. There will be adverse weather conditions, extreme cold, rain. This time will indeed be a time of the trying of our faith. The just shall live by faith is not only a requirement for all of us who believe now, but will be all the more in the final time of tribulation. Endurance, faith and patience will be the virtues that will be required of us then. We must prepare for this now.
I have mentioned before that this final time of tribulation will be a time of maturing the church.This is a conviction I have because of various reasons. God will afford us opportunity after opportunity to turn from our own wilful ways and live by His. When we become hardened by pride, He will then employ more harsher means to align us with His will and purpose.
One of the main purposes of God's dealings with His church during this time will be to set things in order, a work He has already begun, especially in the matters of THE UNITY OF THE FAITH, that which we believe, and THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT. You have to be honest with yourself and admit the church is undone, it lacks the above mentioned unity in reality. The church is divided into so many sectarian groups and denominations, all of which build their own little kingdoms and beliefs at the expense of God's own kingdom. Our professions of the Faith are not always what we actually live.
One of the main purposes of God's dealings with His church during this time will be to set things in order, a work He has already begun, especially in the matters of THE UNITY OF THE FAITH, that which we believe, and THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT. You have to be honest with yourself and admit the church is undone, it lacks the above mentioned unity in reality. The church is divided into so many sectarian groups and denominations, all of which build their own little kingdoms and beliefs at the expense of God's own kingdom. Our professions of the Faith are not always what we actually live.
God has been patient towards us in our divisions but He commands all of us to come to repentance and walk and live in the unity He has called us to. As long as division and disunity remain in the church, we will continue to fail to be the demonstration God requires us to be. We are to be this demonstration to the principalities and powers, of the wisdom of God. This demonstration is part of the eternal plan and purpose of God. It must be made by a church that has come to maturity as that of Christ's very own standard. See Ephesians 3 : 9 - 10. Ponder on these things. May the grace and peace of God be with you.
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