What encouragement is there for Christians in dark days? Two forces are on a collision course. 1) “Unstoppable” force: A majority of Americans will vote against those in power (mid-terms go in favor of the party not of the Presidency, especially in times of economic turmoil) 2) Immovable object: The party in power has demonstrated it will go to any lengths to keep themselves in power.
Encouragement is in the sixth Intransitive I AM statement. I AM #6: Jesus is Prophecy fulfilled.
When we think of who Jesus said that He is, this "I
AM" statement regarding prophecy reminds us that God is in charge. Jesus
was prophecy fulfilled. In John 13:18-20, the context is faith in times of
doubt. The disciples were about to go through what would undoubtedly be the
darkest time in their lives—those hours between the betrayal and the
resurrection.
When Judas Iscariot revealed himself as the traitor he was,
the disciples needed to know that this too was a part of God’s plan. They
trusted Jesus and what’s more, no one suspected Judas to be the betrayer.
John 13 says this:
18 “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’ 19 Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I AM. 20 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”
Judas was not an obvious betrayer. He was entrusted with the
money of the disciples. He seemed genuinely interested in the poor (John
12:4–7; 13:29). When Jesus said a disciple would betray Him, no one pointed to
Judas (Matthew 26:22). Even when Jesus clearly indicated Judas, by giving him a
sop of bread, the disciples did not suspect him. Read John 13:25-29 to see how
blind-sided the disciples were by Judas.
25 Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, John said to Jesus, “Lord, who is it that will betray you?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” 28 BUT NO ONE AT THE TABLE KNEW FOR WHAT REASON HE SAID THIS TO HIM. 29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.
The disciples had NO CLUE of the betrayal that was about to
take place. And neither do you know that something or someone at some point in
your future will truly shake your faith.
Not only did Jesus prophesy that he would be betrayed, but
1,000 years earlier, the Bible even predicted it.
In Psalm 41:9, God foreshadowed that a close friend who ate bread with the Messiah would lift up his heel against Him. The act of betrayal by a friend was especially bad if it was done after eating together. “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.”
Have you have been hurt by a close friend? By a Christian
friend? Have you ever been blind-sided? Have you heard of major Christian
leaders whom you trusted, falling into sin or doing things you would never have
thought? If not, be forewarned: If it happened to Jesus, if it happened to the
disciples, it will and does happen today and may happen to you.
How do you respond when those closest to you, even
believers, hurt you and betray your trust?
When we have times that test our faith, in God, in church,
in our family, and yes even in our country, God wants us to know He knows the
future, He is in charge of the future, and He prepares us for it.
Later on in the Apostle John’s life, he once again had to be
reminded of this lesson. He forgot that the focus of his faith should solely be
on God. He forgot that he should only
worship God. John fell at the feet of one of the 24 elders, someone who was his
brother in Christ and had a testimony of salvation in Jesus. So overwhelmed by
the majesty of this event, he fell at the feet of someone to worship him.
“And I (John) fell at his feet to worship him (one of the 24 elders). But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Revelation 19:10.
There is a deceiver in the world. He was behind 9/11. He is
behind this recession. He is behind the approaching Great Reset (Rapture?). He
is behind all that is evil in the world. The lies that say, “The Border is
Secure”, “We are not in a Recession”, “Men can give birth to babies”,
"Children in the womb are not human persons", are all part of the
lies that stem from the first questioning of God, "Did God really say
...?" and the first lie, "You will not certainly die." (Genesis
3:1, 4)
No, the deceiver was not and is not Osama nor Obama. It is
neither George Soros nor George Bush. It is not Donald Trump nor Joe Biden. It
is not Xi Jinping nor Vladimir Putin. It is not the Deep State nor the
semi-fascists, whatever that is.
He who was a deceiver from the beginning is deceiving still.
And all is allowed by God and part of His plan. We are privileged to watch
Biblical prophecy unfold.
If you have been hurt, if you are confused by the world’s
confusion, if you have been lied to, trust that God will take your grief, your
despair, your worries, and ask Him to use it to bring glory to Himself; in
spite of it all.
