As the storm clouds of this life gather into dark and ominous-looking monsters, especially as we see the signs of the coming Tribulation rapidly unfold, it is crucial that we, the ready remnant,^[1] remember just who it is we serve. In fact, it is at these times ‘when it seems like all hope is gone’ that we need to remember the greatness of God – the most.

Truly, our hope must be in God, as He is endless and without change. Therefore, we can trust Him, no matter what. Yes, our enemies will continue to come against us in this life, and they will do everything they can to diminish our message. But they cannot change God. This is why God sits in heaven laughing at and mocking them (Ps 2:4). He knows the end of each and every one of our enemies. Assuredly, we can and should put all of our trust in Him. Thankfully, God has provided us with scriptural evidence that we can have this kind of trust in Him. Consider King David.

Great Examples

King David is one of the great examples God provided us, as he is the type of person that we may emulate in regard to our trust in God, especially when we find ourselves in situations that make it seem like all hope is gone. David shows us the way; in Psalm after Psalm, he spells out his woes, petitions the Lord to help, and concludes by declaring immense trust in the Lord while glorifying Him as the Lord Most High. Here is one example:

Psalm 13

“[Woes] {To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.} “How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? [Petition for help] Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. [David announces trust in the Lord as he extols Him] But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.” ^[2] [author’s comments]

If one did not know who was speaking these words, it would be easy to imagine they could come from any remnant believer in these, the last of days. For assuredly, it seems like our enemies are being exalted over us as we continue to petition the Lord for help in our time of trouble. Indeed, our enemies are rejoicing as they seemingly are moving us from our position of preeminence, as they succeed in diminishing our message of truth, which once filled the land. ^[3]

Now, the wicked rule in every aspect of life. Through great deception, they have captivated the hearts and minds of the masses by giving them just what they want to hear rather than what they need to hear.^[4] By the way, this is indicative of both church and state, as we witness the abandonment of the truth in both arenas. ^[5]

This should cause us to fret and worry. However, the ready remnant must react differently. We must be like David and call out to our God for assistance. We must petition the Lord to come to our aid. Since we know He is coming soon at the rapture, this call for aid is more than just a call to come for us; it is a petition made for the sake of our faith. Therefore, we must engage in effectual, fervent, and faith-filled prayer that causes our faith to rise. For our faith must be rooted and grounded in the fact that God is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Heb 11:6). We must come to realize that God is greater than anything and that He is more than enough. Essentially, we must come to trust in God rather than in ourselves or our earthly standing.

Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (emphasis mine)

Isaiah 12:2

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.” (emphasis mine)

These passages grow more important every day, especially as those dark clouds continue to mount and gather. This is because trusting in the Lord more than self is paramount for the ready remnant and, at the same time, very difficult for those who have always had much, a condition that could apply to many from prosperous nations. Jesus made sure we understand how difficult it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt 19:23). The good news is that He also provided the understanding necessary to thrive in the midst of this great abundance; he told us the key is being ‘poor in spirit’ (Matt 5:3), which means we must not trust in ourselves or our earthly possessions, but in God.

The Poor in Spirit

Matthew 5:3

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The poor in spirit are those who realize just how big God is and just how small man is.^[6] David was a man after God’s own heart for this very reason (1 Sam 13:14; Acts 13:22). He always magnified the Lord, no matter how bleak his circumstances were. Likewise, David extolled the Lord even when he became rich by earthly standards. For David, like the other psalmists, knew from whence His help was always to come (Ps 121:1). However, we must not forget that David was considered by God to be a man after His own heart because he would fulfill all of the Lord’s will (Acts 13:22b). This indicates that David was ‘poor in Spirit’; he always saw God’s ways as higher than his ways (Is 55:9).

Therefore, if we follow the example of David, we will do well. One could argue that being poor in spirit is the same thing as being ready as a member of the remnant. For to be a ready remnant, we must always have our eyes on the Lord as the only hope of our salvation. For the ready remnant, leaning to our own understanding and trusting in our own means is unthinkable, as it leads to unpreparedness. This is because doing so causes our gaze to become focused on what we are doing instead of what the Lord is doing and what He would have us do.

The Lord desires to bless the faithful who rely upon Him. He told us this throughout Scripture. Here is one of those instances, as relayed by Isaiah the prophet, who said this about the poor in spirit:

Isaiah 66:1-2

“Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” (emphasis mine) [Other translations render this: look on with favor; I will esteem; look to graciously… The idea is that God will look favorably upon the poor in spirit.] [In a word – ‘Blessed,’ which means to this one, God will extend His benefits]

We also see this message in the book of Proverbs:

Proverbs 29:23

“A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.” (emphasis mine)

I don’t know about you, but I would much prefer to have God look favorably on me than laugh at me in scorn. With this in mind, let us assume the lower position and allow God to exalt us in due season (1 Pet 5:6). Put another way, let us humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord and allow Him to lift us up (James 4:10). The alternative is unthinkable, as the Lord will humble the Proud (Matt 23:12). Most importantly, as we humble ourselves, let us remember who it is we are submitting our will to.

Let us Remember Just Who God Is

To list every aspect of who God is would be impossible here in this short message. Indeed, His magnificence is beyond measure, and our finite minds are simply incapable of comprehending all of what God is. However, in an attempt to offer the type of mindset we should have about God, I will share with you the lyrics of one of the songs my wife and I wrote in this regard:

That’s Who You Are

“When it seems like – All hope is gone.
That’s when I remember – Just who You are.
You’re the rest for the weary – You’re the comfort of the soul.
You’re the heavy burden bearer – You care for me.
You care for me – That’s who you are
You’re the faith that moves the mountains – You’re the peace that calms the sea.
You’re the one whose love is endless – You care for me.
You care for me – That’s who you are
You’re the way we are to follow – You’re the truth that sets us free
You’re the bread of life that feeds us – You care for me.
You care for me – That’s who you are.”

These lyrics demonstrate the honor and care God gives to those who humble themselves before Him. As we look upon Him, He looks after us. On this, we can always count because God is the one who promises to care for us, and He is not a man that He should lie (Num 23:19).

One additional point should be made here. While God is all in all, and that will never change, our view of Him can change if we are not careful. Think about this:

When a problem or situation that is beyond us arises, how do we react? Do we begin to doubt God’s ability to deal with said problem or situation? If we do, our view of Him has changed. Suddenly, our Great God, who is above everything, is beneath our circumstances. This will not end well because believing that God is incapable of dealing with our circumstances generates doubt, and doubt never moved a single mountain. Often, it is at this point that those who grow to doubt God begin to strive to deal with the problems that eclipse their ability, in their own power. The result is usually a miserable failure, and the saddest part is those who fail to seek God’s guidance and intervention, when failure comes, blame Him for not helping them.

Therefore, the best choice we can make is to be like David and humble ourselves unto God while making our petitions known unto Him. Amazingly, it is through this chosen position of humility that we most fully trust God, who is glorified by our actions. Remember, it is always best when we maintain the belief that God is the Great Big God we know Him to be, and we remain the humble ones who seek His face. From this place, God looks to our care.

With all of this in mind, instead of blaming God for our problems and turning from His counsel, let us be like David and seek the Lord early and often:

Psalm 63:1

“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.”

1 Chronicles 16:11

“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.”

Conclusion

Like David, we must trust in the Lord in all of our circumstances, even ‘when it seems like all hope is gone.’ Indeed, it is at these times that we must rely upon God even more. After all, as long as God is God, no situation is truly hopeless. He is the one who never leaves nor forsakes us (Deut 31:6; Heb 13:5). This knowledge allows us to have no fear and to be not dismayed (Deut 31:8), even when we find ourselves walking through the valley of the shadow of death:

Psalm 23

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

Website: In His Commission

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[1] For more information, visit, “Ready Remnant.”

[2] “Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the King James Version.”

[3] For greater understanding, see the article, “Direct Attack on Our Shield of Favor.”

[4] For greater understanding, see the article, “The Return of the Godless.”

[5] For greater understanding, see the article, “America: Once like David – Now like Cain.”

[6] For greater understanding, see the article, “Big God – Little Man.”

(There is a special message at the end of this article for those who might happen to read this and do not have Jesus in their life and are looking for peace and a way to better understand the present-day insanity and confusion.)

In these times of worldwide fear and turmoil, there is a tendency for many who would not otherwise do so to turn to the Bible for answers. Often, they will focus on the prophecies contained within the Book of Revelation that occur after the opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll detailed in Chapter 6:1-17 and Chapter 8:1-5.

This can lead to a great deal of confusion and misunderstanding of the meanings and purpose of the prophecies, as well as their timing. And that, in turn, can result in skepticism and create mistrust when events do not meet their misplaced expectations. It is indeed a good time to be aware of what the Word of God has to say about these future events, but as is often said (and it certainly applies here), “Timing is everything.”

Most often discussed or even speculated on (or even decried) are the first four Seals which introduce the four riders on the different colored horses and the descriptions that are associated with them.

Numerous people in articles and discussions on the various internet blogs and websites have declared that they believe the “4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse” (as they are frequently referred to) are riding forth even now.

While it is clear that the different descriptions of the four horsemen associated with this particular prophecy are evident in a limited way in the world today, the opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll has not yet occurred, and their ride into the world will not commence until the most profound and (literally) earth-shaking event occurs: the removal of all true Christ-worshipping persons from the surface of this earth in the “twinkling of an eye” by a God who is fully able to do it.

This is popularly referred to as the “Rapture” of the True, Christ-worshipping and honoring Church. It is a very real prophecy, and God will execute it at His appointed time. I believe that this specific event is very close.

Having made all this clear in this limited space, this commentary focuses on a much less discussed but very important and indeed tragic prophecy voiced by the Lord Jesus Himself in three different Gospel accounts, as cited below. It was an early warning to all who would see with their eyes and hear with their ears.

This prophecy is indeed being actively fulfilled today and is, in fact, expanding and growing like a terrible, out-of-control and all-consuming fire.

“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:7-8; Luke 21:10-11; Mark 13:8) Emphasis added by me.

Jesus clarified in the preceding verse, “the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:6).

The emphasis above, placed on “nation rising against nation,” is possibly the saddest and most grievous of all sinful and unnecessary human conditions that we see everywhere today.

It is a scourge on mankind, and it is self-inflicted. God is not the least bit responsible.

“Nation” is defined as “ethnos,” or ethnic group. A more common word for this is “race,” and its current manifestation in the form of rampant “racism” is a plague on mankind.

The mention of this debilitating human condition by Jesus almost passes below the radar when reading this very often quoted passage of Scripture, but it is profoundly sad, and it is a harbinger of much needless suffering to come.

The term “racist” is now utilized as a bludgeon to try to shame truth into silence, or as is done so often today, it is applied to inanimate objects in order to further political agendas. It is also frequently used as a pejorative directed at another individual who holds a different viewpoint when the user is incapable of having a rational conversation or defending an undefendable position. In other words, it is a hate-filled smokescreen.

When this becomes part of the “new normal,” which it obviously has, I believe the corner to insanity has been turned, and it could be incurable for those who practice it.

The implication of this prophecy is that racial conflict, which has ALWAYS been inherent in fallen humanity in ALL races and in varying degrees, will explode in the last days of human history, and it will result in so much suffering and misery that it was specifically called out by the Lord as part of the “beginnings of sorrows.”

“Sorrows” is, without a doubt, the appropriate descriptor for the human condition today.

I have studied the Word of God diligently over the past 30 or so years, and while “nation rising against nation” is part of the human record throughout history, the Word of God NEVER condones it, and there is no instance of any person throughout the scriptures being condemned or judged based on what their racial makeup is or was.

Racism is a purely human construct, and it is one of the most effective weapons that evil (Satan and the fallen angels) uses to divide and conquer the human race.

And this tactic is working like nothing else ever has because it is a personalized weapon directed at individuals instead of groups of individuals, no matter what those groups may be comprised of. When people band together and engage in this kind of conduct, they may enjoy a false sense of anonymity, but they will still be held individually accountable to a Holy and Righteous God, as He has made abundantly clear.

In all my years of studying God’s Word, I have not been able to find even the slightest trace of prejudice directed by the Lord at anyone on any basis. People are condemned according to their own willful and unrepentant sin. It is willful sin and only willful sin that condemns ANYONE who rejects the Saving Grace of Jesus’ sacrificial death in their place.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

“He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2).

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).

I have added emphasis to the above Bible verses in order to make it clear that God does not exclude or preclude ANYONE and, as He makes clear below, you should not make the error of assuming that God’s Word and Salvation are only for the Jews:

“He says: ‘It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth’” (Isaiah 49:6).

A “light for the nations.” Not specific Gentiles (non-Jews), not some Gentiles, but the Gentiles; that means everyone in addition to the Jews.

According to the Word of God, we are ALL descended from the same two people.

In the description of either Adam or Eve in Genesis, you will not find any mention of skin color, eye color, hair color, or any other reference to what could be construed as “race or ethnicity.” In fact, you will not find any references to appearance at all.

In almost every single “news” report that we are now exposed to, there is an implied or even purposeful racial overtone. Often, the actual story is masked by manufactured “racial” implication(s), and the true goal of the story becomes clear: Incite racial conflict.

It is the true pestilence that is killing the human spirit and ruining countless lives, and those who purposely engage in it damn themselves.

I cannot find one single positive that can be found in propagating this evil. It is all negatives: Divide and conquer, destroy and pervert, willfully serve evil.

Sadly, the Word of God does not indicate that nation rising against nation will abate in this fallen world until Jesus returns to execute Judgement.

This evil has invaded virtually every aspect of human conduct in the present day, but, as individuals, we don’t have to be enslaved by it.

“They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for ‘people are slaves to whatever has mastered them'” (2 Peter 2:19).

Perhaps you have asked yourself recently, “What is wrong with people?” If so, then maybe it is not yet too late for you to turn away from the evils of racism and godless humanism if you are participating in it. If you are, and you keep drinking that caustic acid and accept it blindly, it will eat a hole in your soul that can’t be reversed.

I would ask you to consider something that is profound in the natural order of God’s design and in the simplicity of His unchanging truth.

Next time you sustain an injury, small or large, that causes you to bleed, take a moment to take a close look at that blood. It is the same color blood that every other person bleeds regardless of who they are, what color they are, what they look like, or where they come from.

God declares in His Word: “For the life of the flesh is in the blood” (Leviticus 17:11).

When Jesus Christ allowed 9″ spikes to be driven through His hands and His feet, He bled the same exact color blood that every other person on this planet bleeds, and He did it in order to set us free from the prison of prejudicial hatred and the evil it feeds on.

People, ALL people, are who Jesus died for, and that includes you, me, and every single other person you see in this life. Jesus loves that person that you blindly hate if you live under that curse just as much as He loves you, and He does love you.

Just before Jesus was crucified, He told His disciples and, therefore, all of us through His Word in the Gospel of John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

And then He went out and paid our debt with His own innocent blood.

Jesus bled red, just like all of us.

The special message I promised you:

For anyone who may read this article that has not trusted in Jesus Christ and therefore has no hope or peace in your life:

You can have hope. You can have the peace that Jesus has promised to all who have made Him their Lord and Savior. The peace that passes understanding.

It requires that you come before God on His terms.

And, what are His terms according to His Word?

• Genuine repentance (turning to God instead of continuing to reject or ignore Him).
• Confession of sins (that you are a sinner and acknowledge that to God).
• That you understand that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
• To acknowledge to God that you are unable to pay that debt.
• Belief that Jesus Christ paid your death sentence for you on the cross.
• To believe that Jesus is the Way, the only Way, that God has established by which humans may be saved from the consequences of their sin and rebellion.

God has made it absolutely clear that there is no one who comes before Him, under His terms, that will be refused.

• No one: no race, no color, no country of origin, regardless of any previous belief system: no one.
• No matter what your past sins have been, God can and WILL forgive you because He says He will.
• Salvation is available to everyone without any exceptions.

If you put all your trust for salvation in Jesus, and Him only, you can follow that prayer up by simply saying, “Thank you, Father God, for hearing my prayer and saving me,” because we can trust Him to keep His Word. He always has. He always will.

“Truly, Truly, I say to you that he who hears My words and believes the One who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned. He has crossed from death to life” (John 5:24).

There are no answers and there is no hope in the world by governments, organizations, politics or politicians. There are only lies and deception. But you can have the Truth and the peace you seek.

The answers are in the Word of God—The Bible. If you ask God, with all your heart, He will hear you.

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).

Pro Salvator Vigilans

To contact me: canoeman96@gmail.com