Following the
prophecy
on the "Two Witnesses
" are four prophecies which should
be read carefully and prayerfully. They are
"A
Time of Preparation ,"
"Vessels and
Instruments
," "Spiritual Sight ," and "Abiding." They relate to your
own personal Spiritual preparation for the trying
days that are ahead. Only a fool would go into
battle as a soldier with no preparation, or into an
athletic contest with no training. Yet millions
of Christians are going to get caught with little or
no spiritual preparation for the tribulation days
ahead when more will be required of God's people
than at any other time in human history. There is
nothing more important for your life now than
for you to let the Lord prepare you for the days
that are shortly coming.
Read Luke
12:31-48 (especially), but it would be well to read
and meditate on the whole chapter. Notice verse 42,
which speaks of that "faithful and wise steward"
whose responsibility is to give out what is
called the "meat in due season." In its first
application that "steward" is the Holy Spirit who is
being faithful to make known that specific "meat" or
spiritual revelation for this end-time. Much
concerning His plan and purpose, God has
reserved for this specific
time in human history, and the Holy Spirit as
the "faithful steward" is now making known this
"meat in due season." In its second
application that "steward" is represented by those
special ministries which God has raised up in this
hour with a special commission to receive this
end-time revelation by the Spirit and make it
known to those who will hear. That which you
have received through these publications is a
portion of that "meat" for this hour. In its
third application that "steward" is YOU. You
have a responsibility to be faithful in that
which you are receiving. You have a special
stewardship in this end-time, and it is imperative
that you not only prepare yourself but also help to
pre pare others. You cannot escape this
responsibility!
Notice
verses 47 & 48 of Luke 12. We read that
the servant who knew not his Lord's will and did not
prepare shall be beaten with few stripes, but
the servant which knew his Lord's will, but
prepared not shall be beaten with
many stripes. "For to whomsoever much
is given, of him shall much be
required." The "stripes" here are not literal
but figurative, and refer to the time
of tribulation coming on
the earth. Just what these "stripes" will
involve I do not know, but I surmise that they refer
to the buffeting by trying and difficult
circumstances during the tribulation through
lack of the
complete protection and guidance of the Lord. They
will be the natural consequence of a failure to
prepare.
Will
you not heed this admonition now? Our time is short.
Seek the Lord as never before and let Him do a work
of preparation in your life. Share with others of
like mind and help to prepare them. Will you not
also help to hold up the hands of those God has
chosen to be in the fore-front of the battle with a
special end-time message and ministry? Pray for us
daily, WE have a stewardship. To whom much is given
much is required. This is balanced by the fact that
if we are faithful in that which has been given us,
then great shall be our blessings and reward.
Whether you have any particular responsibility
toward this ministry through whom you are receiving
these revelations is between you and the Lord. But
you might consider the question posed by Paul in 1
Cor. 9:11, "If we have sown to you spiritual
things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your
carnal (material)
things?"