Are You Afraid Of Dying?
September 1, 2023 4:26 PM
Bro. John in Mo.
Greetings to all the Saints of God In Jesus Christ. Friends, I have had a great burden for well over a month now, daily seeking the Lord that in some way I might be used by Him to comfort and encourage my fellow Christian brothers and sisters. The true church, those that throughout history have been truly born-again, have been in some form of tribulation or another for over two thousand years, ever since the day of Pentecost. We are now in the final tribulation of the church age, and many among us are truly feeling it.
The word “Tribulation” comes from the Greek word “Thlipsis” the definition means: “affliction”, “anguish”, “trouble”, “burdened”, “persecution”, and “pressure.” (tribulation does NOT mean “wrath” as the lying pastors in the pre-trib rapture camp state) Have you noticed and felt it yourself, that “The Pressure Is On?” We now have economic pressure, (inflation, and soon coming hyper-inflation) spiritual pressure, (greater attacks from hell, greater temptations and satanic enticements) crime in every area is skyrocketing out of control, so is violence, just as it was in the days of Noah.
Many businesses are now closing down, because of out of control shop lifting, and no enforcement of the law. In other words, lawlessness is greatly increasing. As I stated in my last writing, it is my own personal opinion that Satan has now been released on the earth, and things are rapidly spinning out of control, “Because he knoweth that he hath but a short time” (Rev.12:12) (I have a strange feeling that others are going to come to that same conclusion soon also…that Satan truly has been released)
As I said, “THE PRESSURE IS ON!” A little of the right kind of fear can be a good thing, it can make us cautious of things, motivate us to prepare as Noah did, and even save our lives. But a hounding oppressive daily fear of everything that could happen is not of God. (2Tim.1:7) “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Let’s put it this way, it’s not a sin to be afraid, but it is a sin to stay afraid, and constantly be fearful.
Moses, Elijah, David and many other servants of God were greatly afraid at times at the various calamities that had hit their lives. They had no choice but to shake off the fear, and remember that God was still with them, no matter what. Dear Saints, there is Satanic insanity, and gross spiritual darkness now upon our world, the likes of which have never been seen or felt by any of us on this earth before. Stress even in the average Christian household is absolutely off the charts. Job layoffs are increasing. Lawlessness is increasing. Crime, murder and violence is increasing. Homelessness is increasing.
The President of the United States is failing. The Democrats are failing. The Republicans are failing. The Senate is failing. The House is failing. Banks are failing. The Federal Reserve is failing. Social Security is failing. Medicare is failing. Marriages are failing. Friendships are failing. Politics at every level are failing. The Judicial system is failing. The Penal system is failing. The School system is failing. The Healthcare system is failing. The Economy is failing. Cities are failing. Counties are failing. States are failing. Nations are failing. The U.S. Dollar is failing. Law and order is failing. Men’s hearts are failing! THE ENTIRE SYSTEM IS FAILING!! And to top it off, we are now on the verge of Nuclear Wold War 3 with Russia and China, and the U.S. Military is failing.
Why is everything now failing at the same time? It’s because the end of all things is at hand. Don’t you dare try and blame it on the secular world! Don’t even think about it. EVERYTHING IS FAILING BECAUSE THE CHURCH AS A WHOLE HAS FAILED. HOW HAS IT FAILED? BECAUSE IT HAS FAILED TO PREACH JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED. WHEN THE CROSS IS PREACHED, HELL IS TERRORIZED…WHEN THE CROSS IS NOT PREACHED, THE WORLD IS TERRORIZED BY HELL! The majority of the church has utterly failed, because of gutless, whimpering, limp-wristed prosperity/positivity pimps, who are posing as pastors. Yes, thankfully there are some exceptions, but for the most part, the average Christian church has become nothing more than a spiritual whorehouse.
I say that with no pleasure at all, but with great sadness in my heart. The main message in the majority of the mega-churches this Sunday will more than likely be the “sow a seed” and get a hundred fold return scam. God Help Us! Nearly every problem in the world that is taking place, the blame can be laid at doorstep of the church, because the church is not doing what it was called to do. What a sickening mess the majority of the modern church has become. What is really sad is that for someone who would truly get saved today, it would be best for them to just stay out of the churches altogether, and simply pray and study the Bible at home, or be a part of a true Bible believing home church.
Friends, you and I both know that things are getting very bad, and it’s soon to get even worse, so what do we actually do? I too myself have had fear come upon me lately, as I have been “Looking after those things coming upon the earth.” At this particular time, we must get all things personally settled with God, shutting off all distractions, and gaining strength in the school of silence with our Lord. Have you truly made peace with God? Has the day of your death already been settled with the Master? Have you sat in silence and talked to him about it? Are you absolutely positive that you are truly saved?
If you already have the day of your death settled, then you can have confidence that God will help take away all your fears in regard to living life in the future. I have been asking the Lord for a word to encourage you all… especially the broken, hurting and fearful among God’s flock. The Lord is faithful, and He reminded me of this personal story to share with you. This must have been nearly 30 years ago or so, and I was going through a very bad time. What exactly it was, I now can’t even remember, but it was something that was stressing me out badly, and it was greatly concerning to me.
As I sat there thinking about my problem, suddenly the Lord spoke to me and said: “ARE YOU AFRAID OF DYING? I was shocked that the Lord spoke this to me out of the blue, and it kind of caught me by surprise. I didn’t answer back very quickly, so I sat and thought about it for a while. I thought back on all of the intimate and personal ways that the Lord had revealed himself to me since I had been saved, and how he had assured me that I was forgiven, and that I was his own. After much thought, I answered the Lord and said: “NO, LORD…I’M NOT AFRAID OF DYING.” The Lord quickly responded back: “THEN WHY ARE YOU AFRAID OF LIVING?”
WOW! I was completely and totally floored…literally blown away by that word from the throne. That was like a sucker-punch right in the gut! There is someone reading this right now who greatly needed to hear this word. The Lord knows all about that very personal fear that you have, and the things that are horribly stressing you out with anxiety about the future. Put your concerns in his able hands right now, won’t you? God knows. He really truly does. He will perfect that which concerns you. (Psalm 138:8)
God gave me this word in my personal great time of trouble, now I freely give it to all of the Saints of God, because I believe we are now in the church’s great time of trouble. If you are not afraid of dying…then why be afraid of living? Whether we live or we die, we belong to the Lord. Because He lives, I can face tomorrow…Because He lives, all fear is gone…Because I know He holds the future…And life is worth the living, just because He lives. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)
His coming is very near, and when He does come it will be suddenly…in flaming fire! (2 Thes.1:8) Right now, He is preparing a place for us of such magnificent splendor, that our mortal minds cannot even begin to comprehend it. Soon all the wickedness around us that vexes our souls, will SUDDENLY be done away with, never to be remembered again. Press onward Dear Saints, press on. One step at a time. One day at a time. He is faithful to keep you from falling. (Jude 1:24) He will provide and make a way. Blessings to all my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. May the peace and presence of God rest upon all who read this word, and bring you rest, refreshing and comfort. Come soon Lord Jesus! Maranatha!
Bro. John in Mo.
9/01/23
Photos courtesy Depositphotos
