(MICHAEL 4).
 

 

(Cont. from Page 14/6/89).
 

THE  LAST  PREPARATIONS  BEFORE  THE
 APPEARANCE  OF  ARCHANGEL  MICHAEL.

Our Lord Michael the Son of God and champion over sin, is about to appear, so there is a need for servants of God to know what to guard against and how to be spiritually prepared for his coming.  (Matt 24:36-44).

We are told that his Spirit manifestation will be primarily in the form of Judgement. (Isaiah 11:1 5)  (2 Thess 1:6  10). The presence of Michael will not be a physical presence. Our lives must therefore be in unity with his Spirit disposition, made known to us through Spirit instructions from the Word of God, and in obedience to its Source.  (1 Peter 4:1,2).

In the Lord's words to Ezra we are warned that during the "time of the end" his Spirit presence will bring a period of great distress for mankind. (2 Esdras 13:25-28 NEB). To be set free from all distress,*  the instructions given to Ezra are to assist us to make the necessary preparations:

ADVANCED WARNINGS FOR SERVANTS OF GOD FROM 2 ESDRAS 16:35-78 NEB.

(1) "Get ready for battle" against evil spirit influence and wrongful desires.  
(2)

When the calamities surround you, "be as though you were strangers on earth."

 
(3)

The seller "must expect to have to run for his life."

 
(4)

The buyer "to lose what he buys".

 
(5)

The merchant "must expect to make no profit".

 
(6)

The builder "never to live in the house he builds."

 
(7)

The indignation of God is upon those lavishing care on themselves and on their property.

 
(8)

Abandon your sins, and "have done with your wicked deeds for ever".

 
(9)

We must obey the commandments and Spirit instructions from God.

 
(10)

Some will attempt to make you "eat pagan sacrifices".  Do not tolerate apostate teachings.

 
(11)

Some will plunder and destroy the property of those "who still fear the Lord" and will "throw them out of their homes" (congregations).

 
(12)

Married persons must not expect children, the unmarried must think of themselves as widowed.  For in that time many children will have been bred only for captivity and famine.

 

But before we mentally 'tick-off' each item on the list, it would be wise to examine what it means to obey these instructions, as in some cases there are both physical and spiritual implications. For example, what does it mean to "be as though you were strangers on earth"?  It means to be a non-member of this Godless society; a society that promotes dissociation from God through harmful regulations, worship of false gods, and depraved practices. There is also great danger in maintaining friendships with those who stubbornly refuse to serve God, including relatives and neighbours. (James 4:4 NEB). We must withdraw from society until the denunciation of God has passed over.  (Isaiah 26:20,21).  Although restrictive, keeping a low profile safeguards us from sharing in the sins of the Godless and the "plagues" pronounced upon them.  (Rev 18:4,8).

There has been a conspicuous increase in the number of do-it-yourself home improvement stores selling home modernization wares on a grand scale. (See (7) above). We are also warned against overeating, heavy drinking, and the anxieties of life. These activities are widely practised and feature in the lives of most people and their conversations.  (Luke 21:34,35).  Meanwhile, drought-stricken countries suffer large scale plunder, captivity and famine.

"God is your Judge: fear Him! Abandon your sins, and have done with your wicked deeds for ever!  Then God will set you free from all distress." *  (2 Esdras 16:67 NEB).

(Cont. on Page 28/6/89).

22/6/89.
 

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