God's Plan
Are you troubled by the direction the world is heading? There is an answer. The trouble is FROM God. Hear me out. God is executing a specific plan.
There are over 150 Chapters in the Bible DEVOTED to this plan, but most don’t know what it is!! Distracted by the demands and cares of this life is keeping most of the Church from being about God’s business. Jesus said He is always about “His Father’s business”:
Luke 2:49 And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?"
The Father has been executing a plan since the days of Adam…while the juice was still on Adam’s chin, to redeem…to buy back…what was lost by mankind’s rebellion to the Father’s perfect leadership. God is intense in His desire for what He called “very good.”
Genesis 1:31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Honestly, God is much more intense about our lives than the vast majority of the people that claim to love Jesus are. According to God’s definition of life…God face to face with man on earth with an open heaven…us thriving not in the dim light of the sun, but in the much more powerful brilliant light of His glory…is not even happening right now! Like depraved little “Gollums” (the disfigured little dude from Lord of the Rings), most of mankind is trying hang onto their precious “life” in a dark cave, rather than spend all of their strength agreeing with God’s plan for the return of His brilliant Glory to planet earth. We have a say in when this happens…for the last 2,000 years the Church could have HASTENED the day:
2 Peter 3:11-12 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, (12) looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
The Bible says we agree with God’s plan for redemption by the things we do and the “manner of person” we are. There are men and women in the Bible who demonstrated the manner of person we are to be. Primary in the generation that will see the Lord return is David. Jesus is coming to sit on DAVID’s throne…what an odd truth. Jesus…God… is coming to reign on the throne of a man?!!! I better find out a little about this man that is so prominent Jesus is sitting on a throne that is associated with him!
Luke 1:31-32 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. (32) He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.
Ok, so what is the big deal with David? Well, his heart agreed with God, which means his mind, will and emotions …his desire…lined up with God’s desire. David called “very good” the same thing GOD called very good. David, more than anything else, wanted to be where God was. This is God’s desire, too:
John 17:24 "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
In John 17, when God talked to God, we hear the primary desire: God wants us with him in the open glory of heaven on this earth…what God called very good in Genesis 1:31. Well, David desired the exact same thing as his ONE THING. David, as a conscious decision, desired to put away every other desire that would attempt to steal from this One Thing. David wasn’t perfect at living it out…it was simply the one thing he was seeking with all his strength…his time, his money, and his energy:
Psalms 27:4 One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.
This was David’s prayer, and when God heard it, “triple sevens” rolled for David. Jackpot. David’s desire matched God’s desire and God declares to every generation after David: THIS is MY heart:
Acts 13:22-23 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I HAVE FOUND DAVID THE SON OF JESSE, A MAN AFTER MY OWN HEART, WHO WILL DO ALL MY WILL.' (23) From this man's seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus—
God took this desire of David’s and taught him what the PRACTICAL expression of this heart desire looks like on earth.
Pay attention now. I am going to tell you what will keep you safe through the trouble that is just beginning…for the next several years it is going to intensify. This is called the Tribulation. This is something almost no one teaches any more, but this is the most simple and plain teaching of the Bible. What will keep you safe in the worst time of trouble?...THE time of trouble?
Psalms 27:4-7 One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple. (5) For in THE TIME OF TROUBLE He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. (6) And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD. (7) Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
This is the only right answer to the Tribulation, and the Great Tribulation that is coming in our lifetimes. By the signs in the earth, I believe that it is coming in years not decades. I have taught this and wrote about this extensively. I have very specific views on the timing of the events, but the timing is secondary. What REALLY matters is that there is a PLAIN and SIMPLE plan that ENSURES you are in agreement with God in the time of trouble. This plan is actually what always would have HASTENED the day of the Lord. BUT…and this is the problem for many who resist thinking about Jesus’ return…Jesus is done waiting for the Bride to hasten the day. It has been an option for thousands of years. In little places here and there it has broken out..Acts 2, Herrnhut Germany, Cali Colombia, Moravian Falls, NC…and many more…night and day prayer…”praying always”…literally…is what was always meant to begin manifesting Jesus’ kingdom on earth and usher in the return of the king in glory.
God is enthroned on the praises of His people. If His throne is returning to earth, it is returning to a “bed of praise”…continual.
We could have started making this bed of praise anytime, but God is SERIOUS about coming back to HIS OWN GARDEN. He is honestly done waiting. Rather than the Bride hastening the day by making the bed of praise, the Bible describes what God will do to “hasten the Bride” when the time is up. We call this the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
So, how does God create a “bed of praise” to receive His son in the earth without ever violating the free will of the people of the earth…without ever violating love?
He reveals to the people the truth: you cannot live in God’s vineyard without God’s presence. You cannot occupy His garden and not get His presence, so God is going to slowly ”desolate” the earth over seven years…starting first with turmoil in the church and then in the release of seals, trumpets, and bowls on the earth to force the decision…make a bed of praise for Jesus night and day, or rise up in pride and take the vineyard for ourselves?…this is the “Valley of Decision” God prophesied through Joel:
Joel 3:11-14 Assemble and come, all you nations, And gather together all around. Cause Your mighty ones to go down there, O LORD. (12) "Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; For there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. (13) Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, go down; For the winepress is full, The vats overflow— For their wickedness is great." (14) Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
This is going to get VERY ugly…on purpose. The Lord is the one doing this:
Isaiah 24:1-6 Behold, the LORD makes the earth empty and makes it waste, Distorts its surface And scatters abroad its inhabitants. (2) And it shall be: As with the people, so with the priest; As with the servant, so with his master; As with the maid, so with her mistress; As with the buyer, so with the seller; As with the lender, so with the borrower; As with the creditor, so with the debtor. (3) The land shall be entirely emptied and utterly plundered, For the LORD has spoken this word. (4) The earth mourns and fades away, The world languishes and fades away; The haughty people of the earth languish. (5) The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants, Because they have transgressed the laws, Changed the ordinance, Broken the everlasting covenant. (6) Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, And those who dwell in it are desolate. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, And few men are left.
Being a “believer” is not what it takes to endure this time. Being self-focused…trying to hang on to yur precious life in the cave only lit by the sun will not make it through the time of desolation. Only ONE THING will keep you safe through this time. Living like everyone else does…giving into the “cares of this life” will not work. You have to do something different. It is called “praying always” in Luke 21:
Luke 21:34 "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.
Luke 21:36 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."
I know this might sound like a stretch, but this is literally the ONLY plan for the Church to endure the Tribulation that must accompany the return of Jesus. Study it for yourself. Don’t believe me. It is easy to see if you look.
Truth is coming to earth. Truth is a man, and because of how far the earth is running from Him, His return must be intense. Daniel was told it would be the worst time earth has ever seen:
Daniel 12:1-3 "At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. (2) And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. (3) Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.
And Jesus agreed:
Matthew 24:21-22 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. (22) And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.
The elect…that is Christians, you know…they will be here. Jesus, speaking privately to His disciples, made that clear in Matthew 24. Read it in its most plain meaning…without all the theological gymnastics of how it might not be what Jesus meant…just read it in its main and plain understanding like you would a letter from your friend, and it is easy to see:
Matthew 24:3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the DISCIPLES came to Him PRIVATELY, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"
Matthew 24:9-13 "Then they will deliver YOU up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. (10) And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. (11) Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. (12) And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. (13) But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
The answer to this time of trouble is “praying always” according to Jesus in Luke’s version of this same conversation.
Luke 21:36 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."
So what does “always” mean? Was it hyperbole, or did Jesus literally mean pray always and you will escape? This is what the word Jesus used means:
ἐν, en, A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), that is, a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537); “in”, at, (up-) on, by, etc.: - about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-) by (+ all means), for (. . . sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-) in (-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-) on, [open-] ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, [speedi-] ly, X that, X there (-in, -on), through (-out), (un-) to(-ward), under, when, where (-with), while, with (-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) prep.
“Give yourself wholly to prayer MIGHTILY, OPENLY, OUTWARDLY, QUICKLY…intensely…resting in prayer as a main occupation outwardly”…This is exactly what David did! David hired 4,000 musicians to offer prayer to music to God night and day. He started this in a tent and then Solomon, his son, moved that prayer room into a building called the temple. When Jesus came to earth the first time, he threw over all the distractions in the Temple and said night and day worship was about prayer.
1 Chronicles 9:33 These are the singers, heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites, who lodged in the chambers, and were free from other duties; for they were employed in that work day and night.
1 Chronicles 23:4-5 Of these, twenty-four thousand were to look after the work of the house of the LORD, six thousand were officers and judges, (5) four thousand were gatekeepers, and four thousand praised the LORD with musical instruments, "which I made," said David, "for giving praise."
This wasn’t David’s idea of entertainment (although it is amazingly fun). This was David’s governmental and military plan:
1 Chronicles 25:1-2 Moreover David and the captains of the army separated for the service some of the sons of Asaph, of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, stringed instruments, and cymbals. And the number of the skilled men performing their service was: (2) Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah; the sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied according to the order of the king.
David’s military captains prophesied by order of the king. “David, do you want us to run the army through some drills?” David replies “what does God say? Prophecy Heman!” David put ALL of his strength into night and day prayer. David’s kids didn’t get left a bunch of money by their dad who was probably the richest man to live up until His time…no, they got to carry on the work. David took MUCH TROUBLE to lay up all the resources needed. The earth’s best king ever let his entire life become consumed by night and day prayer:
1 Chronicles 22:11-14 Now, my son, may the LORD be with you; and may you prosper, and build the house of the LORD your God, as He has said to you. (12) Only may the LORD give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the LORD your God. (13) Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the LORD charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed. (14) Indeed I have taken much trouble to prepare for the house of the LORD one hundred thousand talents of gold and one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond measure, for it is so abundant. I have prepared timber and stone also, and you may add to them.
Jesus is going to sit on THIS man’s throne! Night and day prayer was the key that unlocked the spirit of prophecy, transformation of the land, peace, prosperity, and massive revelation of who God is in Israel as recorded in the Psalms. This is David’s Key.
In Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus tells the seven characteristic churches that make up the future united Bride how to ENDURE…overcome…the Tribulation. Five churches get some serious warnings and adjustments. There are five types of believers…the MAJORITY of believers…Jesus is warning “if you don’t change” you will not overcome. “I will come and sweep you away” is what Jesus is saying:
Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
BUT, there are two Churches that Jesus does not correct. One is the persecuted Church, Smyrna. Jesus doesn’t adjust them to get them ready to overcome, because they are already experiencing the Tribulation. The other Church is Philadelphia. Philadelphia is ESCAPING tribulation, just like Jesus promised in Luke 21:
Revelation 3:10-11 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. (11) Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
What makes Philadelphia so special? They are the night and day praying believers in the earth…the ones agreeing with the “Key of David”!
Revelation 3:7-12 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "HE WHO HAS THE KEY OF DAVID, HE WHO OPENS AND NO ONE SHUTS, AND SHUTS AND NO ONE OPENS": (8) "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. (9) Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. (10) Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. (11) Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. (12) He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
It is all about worship. Jesus tells Philadelphians “The others, who claim to know me, they will worship at YOUR feet. You understood what I wanted. You exercised faith by praying ALWAYS…praying night and day. You watched, prayed, and were found ready!”
Luke 18:7-8 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? (8) I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"
There are over 150 Chapters in the Bible DEVOTED to this plan, but most don’t know what it is!! Distracted by the demands and cares of this life is keeping most of the Church from being about God’s business. Jesus said He is always about “His Father’s business”:
Luke 2:49 And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?"
The Father has been executing a plan since the days of Adam…while the juice was still on Adam’s chin, to redeem…to buy back…what was lost by mankind’s rebellion to the Father’s perfect leadership. God is intense in His desire for what He called “very good.”
Genesis 1:31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Honestly, God is much more intense about our lives than the vast majority of the people that claim to love Jesus are. According to God’s definition of life…God face to face with man on earth with an open heaven…us thriving not in the dim light of the sun, but in the much more powerful brilliant light of His glory…is not even happening right now! Like depraved little “Gollums” (the disfigured little dude from Lord of the Rings), most of mankind is trying hang onto their precious “life” in a dark cave, rather than spend all of their strength agreeing with God’s plan for the return of His brilliant Glory to planet earth. We have a say in when this happens…for the last 2,000 years the Church could have HASTENED the day:
2 Peter 3:11-12 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, (12) looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
The Bible says we agree with God’s plan for redemption by the things we do and the “manner of person” we are. There are men and women in the Bible who demonstrated the manner of person we are to be. Primary in the generation that will see the Lord return is David. Jesus is coming to sit on DAVID’s throne…what an odd truth. Jesus…God… is coming to reign on the throne of a man?!!! I better find out a little about this man that is so prominent Jesus is sitting on a throne that is associated with him!
Luke 1:31-32 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. (32) He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.
Ok, so what is the big deal with David? Well, his heart agreed with God, which means his mind, will and emotions …his desire…lined up with God’s desire. David called “very good” the same thing GOD called very good. David, more than anything else, wanted to be where God was. This is God’s desire, too:
John 17:24 "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
In John 17, when God talked to God, we hear the primary desire: God wants us with him in the open glory of heaven on this earth…what God called very good in Genesis 1:31. Well, David desired the exact same thing as his ONE THING. David, as a conscious decision, desired to put away every other desire that would attempt to steal from this One Thing. David wasn’t perfect at living it out…it was simply the one thing he was seeking with all his strength…his time, his money, and his energy:
Psalms 27:4 One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.
This was David’s prayer, and when God heard it, “triple sevens” rolled for David. Jackpot. David’s desire matched God’s desire and God declares to every generation after David: THIS is MY heart:
Acts 13:22-23 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I HAVE FOUND DAVID THE SON OF JESSE, A MAN AFTER MY OWN HEART, WHO WILL DO ALL MY WILL.' (23) From this man's seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus—
God took this desire of David’s and taught him what the PRACTICAL expression of this heart desire looks like on earth.
Pay attention now. I am going to tell you what will keep you safe through the trouble that is just beginning…for the next several years it is going to intensify. This is called the Tribulation. This is something almost no one teaches any more, but this is the most simple and plain teaching of the Bible. What will keep you safe in the worst time of trouble?...THE time of trouble?
Psalms 27:4-7 One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple. (5) For in THE TIME OF TROUBLE He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. (6) And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD. (7) Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
This is the only right answer to the Tribulation, and the Great Tribulation that is coming in our lifetimes. By the signs in the earth, I believe that it is coming in years not decades. I have taught this and wrote about this extensively. I have very specific views on the timing of the events, but the timing is secondary. What REALLY matters is that there is a PLAIN and SIMPLE plan that ENSURES you are in agreement with God in the time of trouble. This plan is actually what always would have HASTENED the day of the Lord. BUT…and this is the problem for many who resist thinking about Jesus’ return…Jesus is done waiting for the Bride to hasten the day. It has been an option for thousands of years. In little places here and there it has broken out..Acts 2, Herrnhut Germany, Cali Colombia, Moravian Falls, NC…and many more…night and day prayer…”praying always”…literally…is what was always meant to begin manifesting Jesus’ kingdom on earth and usher in the return of the king in glory.
God is enthroned on the praises of His people. If His throne is returning to earth, it is returning to a “bed of praise”…continual.
We could have started making this bed of praise anytime, but God is SERIOUS about coming back to HIS OWN GARDEN. He is honestly done waiting. Rather than the Bride hastening the day by making the bed of praise, the Bible describes what God will do to “hasten the Bride” when the time is up. We call this the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
So, how does God create a “bed of praise” to receive His son in the earth without ever violating the free will of the people of the earth…without ever violating love?
He reveals to the people the truth: you cannot live in God’s vineyard without God’s presence. You cannot occupy His garden and not get His presence, so God is going to slowly ”desolate” the earth over seven years…starting first with turmoil in the church and then in the release of seals, trumpets, and bowls on the earth to force the decision…make a bed of praise for Jesus night and day, or rise up in pride and take the vineyard for ourselves?…this is the “Valley of Decision” God prophesied through Joel:
Joel 3:11-14 Assemble and come, all you nations, And gather together all around. Cause Your mighty ones to go down there, O LORD. (12) "Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; For there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. (13) Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, go down; For the winepress is full, The vats overflow— For their wickedness is great." (14) Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
This is going to get VERY ugly…on purpose. The Lord is the one doing this:
Isaiah 24:1-6 Behold, the LORD makes the earth empty and makes it waste, Distorts its surface And scatters abroad its inhabitants. (2) And it shall be: As with the people, so with the priest; As with the servant, so with his master; As with the maid, so with her mistress; As with the buyer, so with the seller; As with the lender, so with the borrower; As with the creditor, so with the debtor. (3) The land shall be entirely emptied and utterly plundered, For the LORD has spoken this word. (4) The earth mourns and fades away, The world languishes and fades away; The haughty people of the earth languish. (5) The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants, Because they have transgressed the laws, Changed the ordinance, Broken the everlasting covenant. (6) Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, And those who dwell in it are desolate. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, And few men are left.
Being a “believer” is not what it takes to endure this time. Being self-focused…trying to hang on to yur precious life in the cave only lit by the sun will not make it through the time of desolation. Only ONE THING will keep you safe through this time. Living like everyone else does…giving into the “cares of this life” will not work. You have to do something different. It is called “praying always” in Luke 21:
Luke 21:34 "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.
Luke 21:36 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."
I know this might sound like a stretch, but this is literally the ONLY plan for the Church to endure the Tribulation that must accompany the return of Jesus. Study it for yourself. Don’t believe me. It is easy to see if you look.
Truth is coming to earth. Truth is a man, and because of how far the earth is running from Him, His return must be intense. Daniel was told it would be the worst time earth has ever seen:
Daniel 12:1-3 "At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. (2) And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. (3) Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.
And Jesus agreed:
Matthew 24:21-22 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. (22) And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.
The elect…that is Christians, you know…they will be here. Jesus, speaking privately to His disciples, made that clear in Matthew 24. Read it in its most plain meaning…without all the theological gymnastics of how it might not be what Jesus meant…just read it in its main and plain understanding like you would a letter from your friend, and it is easy to see:
Matthew 24:3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the DISCIPLES came to Him PRIVATELY, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"
Matthew 24:9-13 "Then they will deliver YOU up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. (10) And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. (11) Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. (12) And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. (13) But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
The answer to this time of trouble is “praying always” according to Jesus in Luke’s version of this same conversation.
Luke 21:36 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."
So what does “always” mean? Was it hyperbole, or did Jesus literally mean pray always and you will escape? This is what the word Jesus used means:
ἐν, en, A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), that is, a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537); “in”, at, (up-) on, by, etc.: - about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-) by (+ all means), for (. . . sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-) in (-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-) on, [open-] ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, [speedi-] ly, X that, X there (-in, -on), through (-out), (un-) to(-ward), under, when, where (-with), while, with (-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) prep.
“Give yourself wholly to prayer MIGHTILY, OPENLY, OUTWARDLY, QUICKLY…intensely…resting in prayer as a main occupation outwardly”…This is exactly what David did! David hired 4,000 musicians to offer prayer to music to God night and day. He started this in a tent and then Solomon, his son, moved that prayer room into a building called the temple. When Jesus came to earth the first time, he threw over all the distractions in the Temple and said night and day worship was about prayer.
1 Chronicles 9:33 These are the singers, heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites, who lodged in the chambers, and were free from other duties; for they were employed in that work day and night.
1 Chronicles 23:4-5 Of these, twenty-four thousand were to look after the work of the house of the LORD, six thousand were officers and judges, (5) four thousand were gatekeepers, and four thousand praised the LORD with musical instruments, "which I made," said David, "for giving praise."
This wasn’t David’s idea of entertainment (although it is amazingly fun). This was David’s governmental and military plan:
1 Chronicles 25:1-2 Moreover David and the captains of the army separated for the service some of the sons of Asaph, of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, stringed instruments, and cymbals. And the number of the skilled men performing their service was: (2) Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah; the sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied according to the order of the king.
David’s military captains prophesied by order of the king. “David, do you want us to run the army through some drills?” David replies “what does God say? Prophecy Heman!” David put ALL of his strength into night and day prayer. David’s kids didn’t get left a bunch of money by their dad who was probably the richest man to live up until His time…no, they got to carry on the work. David took MUCH TROUBLE to lay up all the resources needed. The earth’s best king ever let his entire life become consumed by night and day prayer:
1 Chronicles 22:11-14 Now, my son, may the LORD be with you; and may you prosper, and build the house of the LORD your God, as He has said to you. (12) Only may the LORD give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the LORD your God. (13) Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the LORD charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed. (14) Indeed I have taken much trouble to prepare for the house of the LORD one hundred thousand talents of gold and one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond measure, for it is so abundant. I have prepared timber and stone also, and you may add to them.
Jesus is going to sit on THIS man’s throne! Night and day prayer was the key that unlocked the spirit of prophecy, transformation of the land, peace, prosperity, and massive revelation of who God is in Israel as recorded in the Psalms. This is David’s Key.
In Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus tells the seven characteristic churches that make up the future united Bride how to ENDURE…overcome…the Tribulation. Five churches get some serious warnings and adjustments. There are five types of believers…the MAJORITY of believers…Jesus is warning “if you don’t change” you will not overcome. “I will come and sweep you away” is what Jesus is saying:
Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
BUT, there are two Churches that Jesus does not correct. One is the persecuted Church, Smyrna. Jesus doesn’t adjust them to get them ready to overcome, because they are already experiencing the Tribulation. The other Church is Philadelphia. Philadelphia is ESCAPING tribulation, just like Jesus promised in Luke 21:
Revelation 3:10-11 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. (11) Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
What makes Philadelphia so special? They are the night and day praying believers in the earth…the ones agreeing with the “Key of David”!
Revelation 3:7-12 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "HE WHO HAS THE KEY OF DAVID, HE WHO OPENS AND NO ONE SHUTS, AND SHUTS AND NO ONE OPENS": (8) "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. (9) Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. (10) Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. (11) Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. (12) He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
It is all about worship. Jesus tells Philadelphians “The others, who claim to know me, they will worship at YOUR feet. You understood what I wanted. You exercised faith by praying ALWAYS…praying night and day. You watched, prayed, and were found ready!”
Luke 18:7-8 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? (8) I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"
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