Walking in the Spirit is not an optional extra; it is an essential requirement if we are going to survive the next few years. The end-times are not going to be a picnic, as we see the maturing of evil, as well as good, begin to accelerate. The clash between light and darkness will become the battle of the ages, and even though we know the outcome, surviving it will depend on our walk with God.
A great portion of the Church is still in an “it’ll all be OK” attitude, waiting for the rapture, when Jesus told us that at least 50% won’t be ready:
MATTHEW 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3, They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4, But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Being born-again does not qualify you for the rapture. I know that may be an inflammatory statement to some, but Jesus was quite clear: five were ready and five were not. The word virgin refers to the church…
2 CORINTHIANS 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Jesus said, “As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the last days”:
Matthew 24:37-42 37. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39. And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
There were three categories of people in the days of Noah: The ordinary people who scoffed at Noah: these drowned. Those who were sometimes disobedient in Noah’s days: these also drowned. And Noah and his family survived. The middle group is mentioned in 1 Peter 3:19-20:
1 PETER 3:19-20 19. By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20. Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
The middle group was those who had some love for God but were not ready. After Jesus died on the cross, He went and preached to this group of people. As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be at the end of the age.
What many Christians do not realize is that just being a Christian does not necessarily qualify you for the rapture. Many Christians don’t like to hear this and don’t accept it because they are spiritually asleep, and they just want to continue as they are. These foolish virgins (Christians) want to believe that life is a bowl of cherries and it will all work out.
Many Christians will die in the coming darkness that is about to overtake the earth. Many Christians will be left behind.
REVELATIONS 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
REVELATIONS 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
These are Christians – they have the testimony of Jesus (Rev 12:17).
Don’t let escapist theology deceive you. Those who survive the end times are those who are found dwelling in the secret place of the Most High.
PSALMS 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
5. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6. Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 8. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
How do these people escape?
PSALMS 91:9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation (they live in God) 10. There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High – in the inner Holy of Holies in your spirit. These are those who have oil in their lamps, those who walk in the Spirit, those who are awake and walking with the Lord.
Once again, I say so you can hear it – walking in the Spirit is not an optional extra; it is an essential requirement if you are going to survive the next few years.
ROMANS 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.