The Time Has Come

As of late, those of us at the ESC have been seeing God's word come to pass more and more frequently, convincing us that the day of the Lord is at hand. Because of this, we continue to gather ourselves together even more than usual so that we can encourage one another, sharpen one another, keep one another accountable unto God and share all that the Lord is doing. Knowing that the time draws close when the Lord will send us out and cause us to walk fully in our callings and elections, we try to cherish the time that we are together, knowing that wherever two or more are gathered in His name, He is in the midst of us.

I thank God that He is our Shepherd and that even He encourages us not to look to any man, for many have rejected truth and teach their flocks to err, fulfilling the scripture that they are the blind leading the blind, which leads me into the reason why I felt stirred to write this post. During a business trip early last week, a brother in the Lord (who happens to be a youth minister at his church) that I have not talked to in a while gave me a call. After doing a little catching up and finding out he and his wife just delivered a baby girl a couple weeks prior, we began to talk about the state of the church and the urgency in the Spirit that we have been feeling lately (as most, if not all of you, have been sensing). He then made me aware that in the timespan of about a month, four out of six of the pastors at his church died, different causes of death at different times but all four died. Knowing in my spirit that they were not righteous men (i.e. not the righteous being taken out of the way), I asked him if they loved truth or if they had issues. He confirmed to me that they all had issues and that those who remained were now trying to push him into more of a leadership position. Naturally, he is very hesitant about doing anything in his own strength and he wants the Lord to tell him what he is do.

The time has come when judgment must begin at the house of God. Sound familiar? The Spirit of God has been ministering that to many of us for quite a while now. My brother in the Lord confirmed this to me in a big way, and those at the ESC, that as God has spoken it, all that He has shown us will not tarry. These are the times that we have cried out unto the Lord about for so long. He has been faithful to all of us who have lifted up a voice regarding the destruction that is to come, but as any who can hear what the Spirit is saying, no longer can we pray for God to delay. Judgment comes and God will not hold back any longer.

I believe the Lord desires for all of you to know that His word does not return unto Him void. Do not believe those who say things contrary to the word of God and the Spirit of God. Work out your own salvation before God with fear and trembling for if you try to follow those who speak lies in His name, your end will be the same as the four I mentioned above. God does not delight in the destruction of the wicked, but vengeance is in His heart. He judges a perfect, righteous judgment. All we have to do is have clean hands and a pure heart that we may walk humbly with our God. Seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit that you would have need of no other teacher. A relationship with God and Him accepting you is the only way that you can be protected in the days to come. Make your calling and election sure while there is yet time. Lean not to your own understanding or the understanding of men. The wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. We have to live our lives according to His word, not our own desires. Jesus said that He came not to bring peace, but division. The time will be quickly upon us where we will clearly see the division because God will make the difference. Settle it in your heart this day who God has called you to be and that you will do all that He has asked you to do.

Love in Him,
Ryan