1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. However with most of them, God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." Neither let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell. Neither let us test the Lord, as some of them tested, and perished by the serpents. Neither grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn't fall. No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
The people who came out of Egypt, the Israelites, were all "under the cloud" and all "passed through the sea" and all were "baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea." All "ate the same spiritual food" and "drank the same spiritual drink."
The water provided for them in the wilderness was of a "spiritual rock" that followed them, and the Rock was Christ!
Notice, however, Paul reminds the Corinthians, that God was not please with the majority of those who came out of Egypt. They were idolaters, sexually immoral. They whined and complained about the difficulty of the wilderness.
So. God let them die there. In the wilderness. In the tribulation. In their misery.
11 Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.
The ends of the ages have come, Beloved. Now, more than ever, we MUST take heed of the allegorical lives of the saints of the past. Not just Paul, Peter, Timothy and John, but the WHOLE BIBLE! We can no longer be a "New Testament Only" Church. We must learn from the lives of the people that Paul was teaching about here. We must read, reread, and read again for the first time, the very Scripture that Jesus taught from. The Scripture of the disciples and the early Church.
The ends of the ages have come! STOP COMPLAINING! We cannot continue to complain about how difficult things have become. There is so much ground left to cover before our Promised King makes His appearance.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-22
But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, and to respect and honor them in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves. We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all. See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, for one another, and for all. Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. Don't quench the Spirit. Don't despise prophesies. Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
I know it is difficult to always be joyful... I know, I have six children... But God gives us grace upon grace, and mercy upon mercy.
Pray without ceasing. DON'T. STOP. PRAYING. The time is so close, Brothers and Sisters! So close! DON'T. STOP. PRAYING.
Give thanks for all things. Don't be like the Israelites in the wilderness who complained about everything. God gave them Manna. They complained. God gave them water. The complained. God rescued them out of slavery. The wanted to go back!
No, let's not be like them. Let us give thanks. Thank you, Father, for the blessing of living in these trying times. For the opportunity to rejoice in this difficult time of confusion and chaos. Thank you for giving us clarity of mind, and for protecting us and our households. Father, help us to humble ourselves. Forgive us of our own wickedness, rebellion and lusts. Lead us in Your Ordinances, Your Law, Your Way. In all these things, Lord, if it be Your plan for us, hide us during this day of trouble. Let our prayers be as a sweet incense in Your nostrils. Protect Your children, Lord. Give us strength when we are tested and tried. Purify us with Your Fire. Amen.
Don't quench the Spirit. How do we quench the Spirit? When we don't give Him time to speak. Just be quiet. I think sometimes we just rush through praying so we can ask God for all the things we want or need, then never wait for His answer. We need to stop doing that. Get on your face. Repent of this. Listen to Him.
When you hear of prophecies, like that of Pastor Dana Coverstone, don't despise them. Test them. Pray about them and LISTEN to the Holy Spirit. I am one of many who has known for years that a shaking, a time of trouble, was coming. Pastor Dana Coverstone has several dreams, given him by God, that you need to hear. His message confirms the things I, and others, have been seeing and feeling coming for over a decade. Here are his messages:
Now, if you search, I think you will find several more people who have had prophetic dreams. I disagree with a pre-tribulation rapture, however, everything that Pastor Coverstone has dreamed resonates with what I have seen coming for at least a decade.
I know the rapture is controversial, and I'll be writing a post about it soon, but it is a side issue. If we are not prepared to give thanks in ALL things, we will be found wanting in this coming persecution.
I do believe, that with prayer, God may turn things for our good. We MUST get on our faces before God, humble ourselves, repent of our sins, obey His Ordinances (His Law), so that maybe, MAYBE, He will hide us in these troublesome times.
Oh, Lord, we want to enter into Your Promised Land. Forgive us, Lord, for blaspheming Your Name, for dishonoring You in our daily lives, for not remembering Your holiness. Wake us up. Wake up the remnant of Your People and prepare us for the days ahead. Be the supernatural element in our preparations for the coming storm.
If we have missed foods, important nutrients, medicines or tools in our preparation, fill the gaps, Lord. We trust in You alone. You are the One and Only Rock that we cling to. Be our Source for everything. We put our trust in You. Amen.
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