Hebrews 10:35Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
The faith that is spoken of in the above passage is one that should be developed to the point where we are willing to let go of all hands, except the hand of Christ, for in the days that are just ahead, every person must stand in his or her own lot, being rooted and grounded in Christ alone. The reason why the apostle Paul encourages us not to cast away our confidence in thepromises of God, is because the inducements to do so will be very great. And it is a certain fact, that the enemy of souls will leave no stone unturned to get us to bow to the powers that be, when the issue of worship takes center-stage in the public arena, for then many bribes and incentives to turn back will be offered, and when these do not work, he will resort to force, for this is his consistent method of working. Let's read:
Revelation 13:11And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
At the onset of the mark of the beast, the enemy of souls will endeavor to make it as easy as possible for everyone to accept it, for we are never to be deceived into thinking that the use of force will be implemented up front, for satan never works in this manner. If we desire to be instructed in his manner of working, all we need to do is to study and observe carefully how Eve was approached when she was being tempted in the garden of Eden. As she stood with wondering eyes, gazing upon the forbidden tree, the enemy of souls addressed her in musical tones, using logic to question the wisdom of God in withholding the forbidden fruit, and then plucking it and handing it over to Eve. But never was force used up front. Let's read:
(Patriarchs and Prophets. pp 54-56) As if he were able to discern the workings of her mind, he addressed her: “Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” Eve was surprised and startled as she thus seemed to hear the echo of her thoughts. But the serpent continued, in a musical voice, with subtle praise of her surpassing loveliness. Had she been addressed by a being like the angels, her fears would have been excited; but she had no thought that the fascinating serpent could become the medium of the fallen foe.
By partaking of this tree, he declared, they would attain to a more exalted sphere of existence and enter a broader field of knowledge. He himself had eaten of the forbidden fruit, and as a result had acquired the power of speech. The serpent plucked the fruit of the forbidden tree and placed it in the hands of the half-reluctant Eve. Then he reminded her of her own words, that God had forbidden them to touch it, lest they die. She would receive no more harm from eating the fruit, he declared, than from touching it. Perceiving no evil results from what she had done, Eve grew bolder. Without a fear she plucked and ate. And now, having herself transgressed, she became the agent of Satan in working the ruin of her husband.
It is this same fatal, but logical reasoning that will be used at first to try to get the saints to buckle, for many people all around us will be receiving the mark of the beast, and for all intents and purposes, they will seem to be receiving only benefits as a result. Hence the reason why Paul cautions us not to cast away our confidence, for our faith must be able to withstand the advances of logic, popularity, and the many so-called benefits and advantages that may seem to accrue to those who accept the sign of allegiance to the dragon.
Let us also be aware, that it is quite possible, that those of us as Christians who have become permanently mired in debt, could at that time be offered many concessions as a means of relinquishing both our debt and our faith, therefore it is of the utmost importance that we think and do wisely. Let's read:
(The Great Controversy. pp 188) As the movement for Sunday enforcement becomes more bold and decided, the law will be invoked against commandment-keepers. They will be threatened with fines and imprisonment, and some will be offered positions of influence, and other rewards and advantages, as inducements to renounce their faith.
Thus it is, that our faith in the 21st century, will need to be developed and actively exercised so that in every decision and in every move, God's will and His word may be consulted, for what ever we may think, say, or do, must always be guided by a "Thus saith The Lord". By relying solely on His promises, and trusting Him where we cannot trace Him, and by clinging to The Living and written word, our faith will be enabled by the grace of God, to withstand all the fiery darts of the Wicked, and if we stay the course with Christ to the end, God has promised to make us more than conquerors.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to exercise that living faith in God from day to day, and whenever doubts or logic may arise to the contrary, let us then rest our hopes squarely on His promises, for He is faithful, who has promised. Let's read:
Ephesians 6:10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 13 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. 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!