The Final Battle Pt. 2

We are in very dangerous times right now and need to understand that things could shift at any moment. The Russians have warned that if anyone interferes with their invasion, they will retaliate against them. To show they’re serious, they played a video of a nuclear missile that has the ability to wipe out territory as large as the entire U.K. As intense as things are in the outside world, it’s important to remember the most important battle is within your mind. 

There’s no doubt we’re in a dangerous position. Our government has aired news about how we helped the Ukrainians assassinate some of Russians generals and destroyed their supply chains. How arrogant is the Biden administration? They are putting this country in harm’s way with the Russians who have already threatened nuclear war. At any moment we could be wiped out. The Lord says that tomorrow is never promised to us (Prov. 27:1). That is exactly how the early church lived, because they knew that at any given moment they could be captured, tortured, and martyred. They lived everyday like it was their last. 

The Lord tells us that if our soul is not washed, and if we are not prepared, we won’t make it into the kingdom. Many think that a simple prayer to receive Jesus is all that’s needed. In Matthew 19:17-20, the rich man asked Jesus what we must do to receive eternal life. Jesus replied that to inherit eternal life, one must fulfill the commandments. Jesus went on further to say that in order to be perfect, the rich man must sell all that he has and give it to the poor. Jesus didn’t tell the rich man to pray and confess with his mouth that Jesus is Lord. Instead, Jesus told him to follow the commandments in order to receive eternal life. Jesus even said, “Why do you say that you love me and don’t obey my commandments?” After this exchange with the rich man, the disciples were discouraged and asked, “Who can be saved?” Jesus replied saying, “With men it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

If our salvation is so certain by just a simple prayer, why did the apostles ask, “Who can be saved?” Paul says we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12-13). Having negative attitudes with others can stand in your way from having eternal life. Many worship and profess the name of Jesus as hypocrites and not as true believers. 

Jesus taught that those who have aughts with others will not be forgiven of their sins until they forgive others. Jesus warned that one of the biggest problems at the end would be offenses. Catching offenses is one of the most dangerous things we fight in our minds. This is why Jesus taught us to love our enemies, to bless those who curse us, and to turn the other cheek. We shouldn’t just act like civilians when we have been called to be set apart. 

Irenaeus, an early church father who learned from Polycarp and witnessed the Apostle John speak with him, taught that at the end of the age, people would be separated based on what draws them. He taught that people would either be drawn by light or darkness. We make the choice about our priorities. Irenaeus taught that what happened in the days of creation in Genesis are a prophecy of what God is going to do at the end. He taught that just as Adam was created on the sixth day, it was a prophecy of how God would create His holy ones on the sixth day, and they would live a thousand years on the earth reigning with Christ. 

Lactantius, who was another early church father who lived about a hundred years after Irenaeus, taught the same thing. They both taught that the tribulation is for those who would be saved to prepare for the coming glory. Without tribulation, there is no inheritance of the glory. Many believers cling to the “rapture” as a way to escape tribulation, but that false belief disqualifies them from being partakers of this glory because they are unwilling to go through suffering. Paul says that if we suffer with Christ, we will be glorified with Him (Rom. 8:17). 

The Early Church taught that only one-third of believers would be left after these end time events. Jesus said it Himself that many are called but few are chosen. There are events coming shortly where many people are going to be removed. We are now starting to hear about food shortages, people dying from the Covid vaccine, and we have nuclear war right at our doorstep. Now is not the time to be distracted. We need to press in for God to bring His glory. God’s glory is the only remedy. We need to go to the people we have issues with and settle those aughts quickly, because tomorrow is not promised.

Sincerely,
Apostle Michael Petro