Dear Brethren and Friends,
We in this Work cannot serve you or genuinely help you unless we encourage you to face the facts. Therefore, we continually put before you the reality of what lies just ahead. You—as a member of the Living Church of God—should be very familiar with the absolutely terrifying events prophesied to occur within the next several years. And you have also been warned that God's own people will suffer great trials and persecutions at the time of the end.
Remember Jesus Christ's own direct warning: "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household'" (Matthew 10:34–36).
Also, Christ warns us that Satan, the "accuser," will soon be cast down to this earth, "having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time" (Revelation 12:10–12). At that point, probably in the next several years, Satan will strike at the true Church of God that is directly preparing its members to be kings and priests who will replace Satan and his demons in ruling this world. Yes, Satan knows who we are and where we live!
So, we cannot afford to be anywhere but in the very "center" of God's will. We must be truly close to God to have His divine protection—and to have the spiritual strength of character to go through whatever trials and persecutions God may allow to come—even on us. For we will soon be tested by "fiery" trials such as have never descended upon us before! As Peter was inspired to tell us, "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy" (1 Peter 4:12–13).
Are you genuinely "ready?"
Are you—in your daily life—developing the strength of character to go through these trials with faith and with the love of God?
For your sake, please do not "kid" yourself! "For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17).
So, think carefully!
In your daily life, do you often "cut corners"—so to speak—by only praying for a few minutes? Do you fail, sometimes for days at a time, to really study the Bible? Do you only fast once or twice in an entire year?
Also, when you are not really close to God, do you find yourself drifting into "worldly" attitudes and thinking vain thoughts, lustful thoughts, hateful thoughts—thoughts you would be ashamed to have God know about? Of course, He does know about them! In your conduct throughout the day— including the very way you use your time—do you indicate by your actions that God's Kingdom is absolutely "first" in your life? Or does God seem "way off," such that instead of drawing closer to your brethren and your Savior, you find yourself criticizing and judging your fellow Church members, and even God's true ministers at times? And do you then find yourself feeling bitter against others, or "letting down" in many other ways from the standards of Jesus Christ—perhaps drifting into drinking too much, smoking, lying, cursing or cheating in various matters?
Be honest!
Brethren, if we are to survive the coming trials, tests and persecutions, we simply must be filled with and led by God's Holy Spirit! For our daily actions—the "fruits" of our lives— reveal whether or not we are spiritually strong, and whether we are up to facing the enormous challenges and trials just ahead. Godly character cannot be instantly created or granted by fiat. It must be carefully developed by each of us, over a period of time. Character is that moral or spiritual force within which impels one to integrity. True character is exercising the power of the Holy Spirit so that we resist the wrong thoughts and actions and, on the contrary, determine with all our heart—through prayer and study and conscious effort—to do the "right thing" in everything we think and say and do.
Therefore, asking God for His extra help and guidance through His Spirit, we must nevertheless drive ourselves to develop godly habits, consciously make godly choices, and always be sure that we constantly think godly thoughts. Otherwise, wrong thoughts will pull us down. Remember, sin begins in the mind—not in some part of the body. That is why we are told to bring "every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). It must begin in the mind. And then we must carefully determine to develop those habits of humble Bible study, heartfelt prayer, meditation and regular fasting so that we may truly be "drinking in" of the mind and character of God on a regular basis. Otherwise, the attitudes of self and Satan—which are literally swirling around us in this sin-filled world—will predominate in our thoughts and actions!
Certainly, as so many Protestants would be quick to tell us, we are not "saved" by consciously doing good. However, what the Protestants really misunderstand is that we are justified— forgiven our past sins—through the sacrifice of Christ. Then, through Christ in us, we are ultimately saved by consciously yielding ourselves to let Him live in us!
Speaking of Christ, Paul tells us that we have been "justified" by His blood. Yet he continues, "Much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life" (Romans 5:9–10).
How so? By the very process described in my favorite verse in the Bible: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20, KJV). So, although it is "Christ in you" who gives you the strength and power to be ultimately "saved"—that is, to be given eternal life in the Kingdom of God—you still have your part to do in consciously going to God and to Christ, for the needed help and strength without which you would never make it! As the Apostle Paul stated, "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:12–13).
Dear brethren, as you think of the terrifying times just ahead, I exhort you and implore you with all my heart to go all out to build those right habits of diligently studying your Bible, praying fervently, meditating, fasting and then exercising the Holy Spirit in everything you think, say and do. By building those habits as a daily way of life, by consciously choosing—again and again—to do the right thing, you will be developing the character to obey and to trust in God to help you through the terrible times ahead. Only in this way—through Christ really living within you—will you make it into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Please do not "kid" yourself into thinking that just because you keep the Sabbath, attend Sabbath services and have Church friends, you are somehow guaranteed entrance into God's Kingdom. Do you really think God will let weak, vacillating, compromising individuals into the very family of God—to share the awesome glory and power of the divine family?
No way!
Each of us must realize that only by going through the crucible of profound repentance and the continuing emptying of self, going faithfully through fiery trials, truly learning to "walk with God," and—along with all true saints—learning to "cry out day and night to Him" (Luke 18:7)—only in this way can we be certain of living forever in the glorious Kingdom of God! Then, if we really go all out in seeking and serving our heavenly Father, He has promised to give us the needed help through His Holy Spirit. And, He will never give up on us. "For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'" (Hebrews 13:5).
