THE VISION by Don Randolph - HTML preview

CHAPTER ONE

PERILIOUS TIMES

THIS KNOW ALSO, THAT IN THE LAST

DAYS PERILOUS DAYS SHALL COME. FOR

MEN SHALL BE LOVERS OF THEIR OWN

SELVES, COVETEOUS, BOASTERS, PROUD,

BLASPHEMERS, UNTHANKFUL, UNHOLY,

WITHOUT NATURAL AFFECTION, TRUCE

BREAKERS, FALSE ACCUSERS, FIERCE,

DESPISERS OF THOSE THAT ARE GOOD,

TRAITORS, HEADY, AND HIGHMINDED,

LOVERS OF PLEASURE MORE THAN

LOVERS OF GOD, HAVING A FORM OF

GODLINESS, BUT DENYING THE POWER

THEREOF: FROM SUCH TURN AWAY. 2nd

Timothy 3:1-5.

The Greek word which was translated as “perilous”

in 2nd Timothy 3:1 is found only one other place in the Bible. It was used to describe the Gadarene demoniac.

(Read Mark 5:1-20). The word translated from the Greek language as “perilous” means “violent” and/or

“fierce.” Those words certainly describe the days which we are now living in.

Some Bible translations translate the words “perilous times” as “terrible times.” However, the term “terrible times” does not and cannot accurately define or express the perilous times which we are living in today. Jesus warned us of the days which we are living in today in 7

Matthew Chapter 24. Perilous times have come, and they are certainly fulfilling every prophecy Jesus gave to His disciples.

These “perilous times” were birthed by “demonic entities” that are dedicated to facilitating the total death and destruction of mankind. These demonic entities enable the wicked to steal, kill, and destroy through wars, violence, weather anomalies, and pestilence to name a few.

When people are more interested in earthly, erotic, and sensual pleasures than God they are more apt to languish deeply in sin and devilish debauchery. Perilous times occur when people reject the grace and mercy of God. Perilous times come when people love and pursue earthy pleasures more than godly treasures.

THE CARNAL MIND

VERSUS FAITH IN GOD

Perilous times come as a result of mankind’s rejection of God and the truth which is the only thing that can set people free from the bondage of sin. In essence The truth is the only thing that can set people free from the carnal imaginations and the sins that so easily besets them.

Carnal man will always be subjected to “many perils”

because their hearts and minds are bent toward

“earthly” rather than heavenly treasures.

The Bible tells us that the carnal mind is the enemy of God. (See Romans 8:7). The carnal mind cannot and will never be able to know and understand the heart, mind, and will of God because it is “carnally” subjective.

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Natural man will continually be “subjected” to perilous times due to the evil that dwells within their evil hearts and minds. Paul wrote about the perilous times which would come due to mankind’s rejection of God in his second epistle to Timothy. Jesus also warned us of these perilous times in Matthew Chapter 24.

Faith in God is the pathway which leads to possessing the mind of Christ and knowing what the will of God is in every situation we may face in life. It is the mind, motives, and attitudes of Christ when found in His people that pleases God. Carnal men are void of faith and cannot and never will be able to please God.

The Bible tells us that "Without faith it is impossible to please God.” (See Hebrews 11:6). Our faith in the finished works of the cross is the doorway to finding and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. Faith in God is the key that gives us access to the Throne Room of God.

Our faith in the finished works of the cross is also the key to receiving all the promises of God. As Christians we sit in heavenly places in Christ through the power of the cross and Christ who dwells within us.

WHEN THE SON OF MAN COMES, WILL HE

FIND FAITH ON EARTH? John 1:51.

Jesus asked the disciples this question after sharing the parable of the widow and the unjust judge with them.

The widow was “persistent” in her attempts to get the

“unjust judge” to rule on her behalf. God is not an unjust judge. The Bible tells us “The Lord executes righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.”

(See Psalm 103:6).

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True faith is persistent. If our faith is not persistent, we cannot expect to receive anything from God. Jesus said, “Will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night. I tell you He will see that they get justice, and quickly.” (Read John 1:7-8

NIV). We should never stop praying for something if we know that it is the will of God for our lives.

How many “true and faith-filled believers” will Christ find on earth at His coming? Only God knows. We know that before Christ’s return there will be a great falling away from the faith first and the Antichrist will be revealed. (Read 2nd Thessalonians 2:1-12). Many will be

“inducted” into the New Beast System, and his Mark.

THE PERILS OF TRIBULATION

Jesus said that “As it was in the days of Lot so shall it also be in the days when the Son of Man is revealed. (See Matthew 24:28-30). The same day that Lot left Sodom, fire and brimstone rained down from the heavens and destroyed the city and its wicked citizenry.

The Great Tribulation period comes as a result of the gross depravity and the sins of many evil “carnally minded” people. The “desperate despots,” dictators, and tyrants that are in leadership positions around the world today are leading the nations down a pathway toward total destruction .

Speaking of the Great Tribulation period Jesus said if the days were not shortened there would be no life left on earth. (See Matthew 24:22). There are enough nuclear weapons on earth today to destroy all life on this planet.

Unfortunately, many of those weapons will be used in the 10

coming years and a few billion people will die from the death and destruction that will come. Mankind’s failure to live at peace with one another will exact a great toll on both the just and the unjust before Christ returns.

IT IS THE SPIRIT WHO GIVES LIFE; THE

FLESH PROVIDES NO BENEFIT; THE

WORDS THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU

ARE SPIRIT, AND ARE LIFE. John 6:63

NASV.

It is the Spirit of God that testifies and confirms that the life of Christ is hidden within our hearts. It is the Spirit of Christ within us that sets us free from the bondage of sin and depravity. It is the Spirit of Christ within us that gives us the faith to believe, receive, and trust fully in Almighty God.

In Christ our life is secure. Christ is our firm foundation. That foundation can only be shaken if and when we allow it to be shaken. If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we will be able to endure the temptations and trials that are ahead of us.

Christ is our Light. Christ is our foundation. No other foundation can or will be able to stand during the shaking and the perilous times which we are now living in.

Perilous times cannot and will not affect us negatively if we are harmoniously walking in the light which is Christ. In Christ we are more than conquerors. In Him we live and move and have our being. Outside of Christ there is no sanctified life or personal peace during perilous times.

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God never promised that would not experience any trials and tribulations in life. Contrarily, He told us that as Christians we would suffer persecution, temptations, and trials.

God never promised that we would not experience sorrows or heartaches in life. However, He did promise that He would be there with us regardless of the trials and tribulations we may face. God promised that we could and would be at peace even during the storms of life if we will fully trust in Him.

For Jesus to find faith on this earth when He returns, we must remain “faithful.” We cannot and must not be moved by the perils and tribulations we may experience or the destruction we may be witnessing around us.

Our hope must not lie in this world but in Christ who promised that He would never leave us nor forsake us.

Our hope must be in Christ our Redeemer and not in the ability of armies, politicians or “world leaders” to protect and look after our best interests.

I believe that we have already entered into the

“apocalyptic” days that Christ warned us about in Matthew Chapter 24. All the signs He spoke about that would define the end of the age are happening all around us. As Christians we must remain steadfast and immovable in our faith regardless of what we may see and/or experience in the coming days and years.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse have now been released, and they are riding together to accomplish their nefarious goals of worldwide conquest and subjugation.

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