Patience Endurance and Standing

Setting the Goal of Patience Endurance and Standing
by the Watchman
Dana G Smith
keywords: Lord, Jesus Christ, faith, patience, endurance, Rome, stand fast
words: 1597

“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man comes unto the Father, but by me” Yeshua, Jesus in John 14:6

The fall is well in the swing of everything Wyoming and the western area of the United states as well as others are perfectly content to think of this as hunting season, fall fishing for browns, and the arrival of winter sports.

However, I on the other hand spend time on the end days. Tower and I pass all our time here consumed with warning, praying, answering emails, doing site maintenance, preparing for and doing radio shows. Our goal is as many of you know, is to warn America, the church, and the world of what is coming and help to prepare ourselves so that we may stand by faith. As scripture says in Ephesians chapter six and verse thirteen “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

As I look at this verse and others, I am reminded in my heart and spirit that others have been this way before.  Not only, ‘having to stand’ and doing that ‘by faith’, but also avoiding the entanglements of the world, the lust, and all that tends to grab at the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.  In the times of the Roman empire there were idols, atheists, and also those of the state who would worship both Rome and its Caesar. Rome had a Senate, a ruling power, although it was fueled by a one head of state, Caesar. Their armies were the toughest and most feared on the earth at that day. It was said, “all roads lead to Rome”.  The armies of Rome as history records battled barbarians, nations, and slaves in rebellion. In all this, they were the one nation, toughest, most powerful, richest, decadent, religious, and largest on earth at the time. Yet in this nation the biggest persecution of Christians occurred during the many years of her existence. It would also be a nation that went from her idolatry and power to a nation that accepted and was ruled by a man who claimed to be a Christian, his name was Constantine.  History also reveals that this nation also fell and the dust of her is still found in the catacombs in Rome.

It is also, as we stand today, fast in the Lord, just as the Apostle Paul told the Galatians in Chapter five and verse one “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Now there is no doubt we know that the power of our God and our Christ gives us liberty, having removed the yoke of bondage to sin and its lust. It was to that end, the Apostle told those in Galatia. In the midst of the largest empire on earth, surrounded by temptation, death, lust, appeal, slavery, and darkness, a soul who found Jesus Christ would know power. A supernatural power that would make it possible for them to live amidst all the debauchery and idolatry of the day. So too, this same Christ, empowers us today. For in all our conveniences and knowledge, we have many things in common with Rome of old. It is even more important in these final hours of the ‘history on earth’, where we will soon see the ‘son of Perdition’ arise, out of 2 Thess chapter 2. We are living in those days that ‘no one’ would of believed unless they had of been here. I speak here of the importance of the days in which we live. But in all this, it is coming upon all who dwell on the earth and we are here, waiting with patience and faith for our Lord Jesus Christ to return.  We who are the ‘beloved’, those who hold to the name, Words, and commands of our sovereign LORD and leader, find ourselves doing as the Ephesians in chapter six and verse fourteen were told to do, namely to “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness”.  Philippians were told to “stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved”, in verse one of chapter four. And second Thessalonians chapter two and verse fifteen tells us to “stand fast and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word or our epistle.” Note here the distinction of whether by word, namely in person, or by our epistle, that which we read in the New testament today. We for the most part, have been taught through the epistles of the Apostles.

Standing in the faith may sound easy for many, at least for years, the American church never faced persecution, trouble, or turmoil as such. Now we are heading into one of the most ‘perilous’ times in world history. In this period, ‘standing by faith’ is one thing that will keep us in Christ Jesus.  But with that fervent stance in our Savior comes another requirement that will help us. I speak of patient endurance. Here we find these words from John the Revelator in chapter one and verse nine who said he was “your brother and companion in tribulation”. A Tribulation that was felt by others, many experienced it and thus John was a companion in it with them. But this tribulation was also accompanied with another word by John. This word said “in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ”. He was there in Patmos for the Word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. In this, he shared with all other Christians in the Roman empire of his day. That was being persecuted for the ‘Word of God’ and the ‘testimony of Jesus Christ’.  It is no mystery that the world hates ‘Gods Word’ and the name of ‘Jesus Christ’, not to mention how they loathe those who follow this one named Jesus Christ and hold to his Word.  It is also no mystery that in these days, even in America, we will see even greater persecution of Christians, even to death in America. It is coming and will be upon us quicker than you might believe.

John and all his companions had to face the staunch persecution and martyrdom with faith, patience, and endurance.  Our Lord speaks to us about this in Luke chapter eight and verse fifteen who heard the ‘Word of God’, which was the ‘seed’ that found its way  into the “good ground”. It was this “good ground” that our Lord tells us that in an “honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” As a follower you cannot separate ‘Gods Word’ from the “patience” of the Kingdom principles our Lord tells us. John and his companions new that they must have “patience and endurance” to bring forth fruit for the kingdom.

Moreover, our Lord in his declaration to the church in Philadelphia said they had “kept the word of my patience.” It was this church that the Lord said he would “keep thee” from the hour of temptation that will come upon all the world to try them in chapter three and verse ten of Revelation.  Now this does not mean that all tribulation or temptation would they miss. We know that the Lord told us we would have “tribulation in the world, be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Matthew 24:21  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
John 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the worl

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Many have used this verse to illustrate that the end time church would see no tribulation. Meanwhile, our Lord in Luke 21: 34-36 specifically says to “pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man.”  There is no doubt, however, our Lord is coming back and until he does, we must work with faith, patience, and endurance, until we see him.

Luke 21:34  And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
35  For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

I do not spend time figuring out and trying to work scripture in any kind of rapture theory or teaching. If people want to do that, it is up to them. For us in America today, we are facing many things and will see ‘tribulation and trouble’ in this nation. For that aspect alone, we need to be seeking him, doing as he has called us to do. We must be busy about his work, no matter what the world does or says about us or our Lord. To this end, we will be ‘faithful servants’, if we hold our hope to the end and are faithful to the commands he has given us.

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