March 2004

Calm Before The Storm
By Tennessee Elijah

Have you heard the news today? What is the media focusing on in great detail at this moment in history? What are your family members, friends
and neighbors thinking and talking about most of the time? Have you been hearing about war troubles in far places, about problems with governments of the world, about people who want society changed to accomodate carnal obsessions, about famous and rich celebrities who are honored for career accomplishments, and about Jesus-haters who think Christians are fanatics?

"These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate
themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit." Jude 1:16-19

All things of Life are not making humankind unhappy during normal days, yet we are often saddened by emotional stress resulting from bad news. In the midst of our joy and laughter while experiencing goodness to be found on this planet, we are often distracted by the evil words or actions of those who do not appreciate the lifestyle of Christians. If children of the nations had been taught how to think and behave according to standards set by Christ during the previous 2000 years, would the media be focusing our thoughts upon natural disasters, contention between world leaders, uncivilized idiots engaged in suicide bombings, politicians speaking deceptions, immorality, poverty, diseases, starvation -- and the potential for World War III?

As bad as things may seem on certain days when the news is unpleasant,
we are now in the calm before the storm. Even though we should remain alert to guard ourselves from those who wish us harm, it is not good to be dominated by fear. When we have faith in Jehovah God, we can let Him protect us from enemies. We can look to Him for guidance as we attempt to cope with challenges that make survival difficult. Simple things can be done by all of us to make our lives safer and better. Most importantly, we can take advantage of the "calm" to prepare for the "storm" that is sure to come.

"Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them. After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them. Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee. Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land." Ezekiel 38:7-12

It is not a multitude of evil persons, but one good person alone that matters most when deciding what it is that must be done before the storm comes. Who are they in this place of torment who can speak the right words, perform godly deeds and do those things to prepare for events which will be capable of destroying civilizations? Who is it that can explain to lost souls how to save themselves from the coming tribulation?

"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, whoso readeth, let him understand: Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." Matthew 24:14-22

Wise people will begin to set realistic priorities! We will see the emphasis of Christian organizations changing from doctrinal differences to the new concept of community unity. Instead of wasting resources on materialistic endeavors, due to the urgency of these hours leading to the final storm, we will see money being spent on inspired Spiritual messages for the purpose of leading lost souls to repentance. We will see compassionate undertakings by sincere children of God who believe it is wise to do good unto the downtrodden, to those who are outcasts -- without food, without water to drink, without clothes, without respect, without freedom, without friends, without shelter and without hope.

"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed
of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation
of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matthew 25:34-40

During these days known as the calm before the storm, we Christians have
it within our power to delay, but not eliminate coming events ordained and explained by God through prophets. We can enter secret communion with the Father in a request for deliverance, yet there will be a time when Satan must be confronted. Between now and then, we will witness desperation among those who have cast their lot with the Evil One. Deceived souls instinctively sense on a spiritual level that their wickedness cannot be forgiven them -- even when they seek to gain acceptance; evil will not
be tolerated by God -- even though the "gods" of this world will
condone their degeneration.

As horrible things happen more and more frequently, evil people will rejoice, believing themselves to be victorious over their righteous enemies. They will become more and more determined as they see corrupted versions of reality being manifested in their wicked lives. As time goes by, the contrast between "good" and "evil" will become easier to recognize. Ultimately, there will be no legitimate excuse for confusion as souls take their sides on the issues -- either with Jesus or with Satan.

Now is the time for decision!

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" Matthew 6:24&25