"IT AIN'T OVER UNTIL IT'S OVER" by Edwin Tan (Rapture Ready) Are we really good to go? This thought dominates our psyches as we labor on day in and day out. It might be legitimate to think in this manner, but haven’t we allowed a critical note to slip by? Remember our designated role despite the wickedness that enshrouds the planet. We are His light bearers and deemed to be salt which draws the line – nothing from the realm of lawlessness can cross this line. Certainly made possible not by our abilities but by the infinite power of the Restrainer who indwells every one of us. Our backdrop is certainly everything about poor taste, but does it ever become an instance of ending up paralyzed from the neck downwards. It is more like cuts, bruises and blows in the nastiest case, but are we in any case severely incapacitated? Definitely not the case in the spiritual domain! So we can still function for His Kingdom and Glory in spite of our apparent exhaustion. The Master has not shown up yet, so the lamps must continue to burn bright as our loins are girded (Luke 12:35). Our loving Heavenly Dad will not leave us in the lurch; this is so unlike some earthly dads who chicken out when the going gets tough. Our problem is simply not calling on Him and resting on His promises that are in the Living Word. All too often, we are taken aback by the ominous ramifications of something sinister, to the point that it almost mesmerizes us. This is when we, in our weakness, require His enabling! More reasons to trust in the Lord in the remaining moments because of the swathe of gruesome taunts the adversary is hurling at us. The son of perdition aims to soften our resolve and attempt to break us mentally. When we are but hopeless, we turn to Him for that enabling that empowers us to soak up the pressure. With this enabling, we are standing firm for Him in spite of the more than occasional knocks and bumps. Who says we can’t have a good night’s sleep or a hearty meal in these times? On the other hand, we are more than capable when it comes to being a light for Him. We are happily at His direction; in no fixed manner, He uses us to increase the elements of the Body of Christ! The nearness of the Rapture can be indicated not by things happening at an incredible speed but more so the tenacity! Oh yes! It is certainly fast but very furious. At the beginning of the year, who would have imagined the reality of quarantine camps in Australia and the looming prospect of brute-force recriminations against the unvaccinated in a number of European countries. The grip of totalitarian control is indeed tightening almost relentlessly. What could be next? All of this is hidden from our view by the nefarious brokers of global power. But take heart; the Lord knows everything! So the lines are indeed holding up pretty well for a brief moment. But everything is highly volatile and unpredictable if viewed from the lenses of the unbelieving. However, this prevailing landscape would be shaken and stirred at the twinkling of an eye. Then the horror movie will begin! “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
For all of us who count ourselves as elements of the Bride that could be whisked away at very short notice – the waiting is tough and seemingly getting a lot tougher by the hour. Be it a rumor or something which could translate into a hard reality, there is more than enough to unsettle nerves if not keep many of us on our toes. There are numerous moments where we feel that we have drunk an excessive amount of sea water, a good many saying to themselves enough is enough!
It is really bad, but we have no idea what is much worse; by His grace and mercy we will not be around to be part of it.
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
So the protests continue, but nothing as bad as Tien-an Men has ever erupted. There are strong spots of remnant believers strewn all over the world – most notably like gravity defiance in the state of California! Those thorny mandates have been far from successful. The light has not been expunged, neither has the salt been swept away. The Restrainer of wickedness is alive and very well.
Maranatha
Edwin
