Peace to you, dear readers of “Daily Word for Spiritual Edification”!I pray for this day to be filled with new victories from our Lord in our lives. Today I would like to share with you how we can walk in victory in these last days. First, let’s read 5th chapter of Paul’s First letter to Thessalonians.
«But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, „Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labour pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake of sleep, we should live together with Him.
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labour among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil fro evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
Brethren, pray for us.
Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen» (1 Thessalonians, 5: 1-28).
Talking about the last days, Paul gives us very important instructions that God has highlighted for me lately. And I want to encourage you just as they have encouraged me. There is no doubt that these last days are going to be very challenging. The last days are the time of active working of devil and revealing of the mystery of lawlessness. That is what Apostle Paul wrote in his Second letter to Timothy.«But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captive of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth» (2 Timothy, 3:1-7).
The Bible says that because of these trials and deep darkness many people will forsake their faith.«Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition» (2 Thessalonians, 2:3).
«Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons» (1 Timothy, 4:1).
It is sad that people depart from the faith; their love grows cold; they get offended and leave God. (When our relationships with God start growing cold it is a sign of departure from the faith). I would want it to happen with any of you; I wish none of you fall because of the wicked winds of the last days. I beseech you to pay attention to the principles Paul laid out in his letter. In order for us not to fall we need to stand. That is why Paul reveals to us three main spiritual principles we have to focus on:«But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation» (1 Thessalonians, 5: 8).
These principles are our main defence in this last day fight; – it is the breastplate of faith, love and the helmet of the hope of salvation. We will discuss these in more detail in future messages.The word of God for you today is: you will be able to arm yourselves against the tsunamis of evil in these last days if you walk in the light of God’s Word and soberness of mind.Till tomorrow!God bless you!Pastor Rufus Ajiboye
