Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy,” James 5:10-11.

There is a great need I believe, for the body of Christ to learn endurance.

We live in a time when there is so much confusion and turmoil in our world today. And not only this, but I believe more than anything, that we must develop such an endurance that no matter what comes our way, that we will remain steadfast and find a way to endure to the end.

I say these things because without having a patient endurance, we will surely lose hope.

We know that hope deferred makes the heart sick, simply because the fulfillment of expectations do not often come when we expect them to come.

The road ahead is truly going to be more difficult than any can even imagine. I say these things, not because I am a dooms day prophet, apostle, or a teacher that relishes in these things.

I say them simply because I care about all who would strive to live this life in a way that they aren’t left by the wayside trembling in the darkness and great deceit that is coming.

We must learn to pace ourselves as if we are on a long journey ahead.

Way off in the distance we can see the distant mountains that would bring us hope, and yet we must traverse through the valleys ahead that have all kinds of obstacles and obstructions.

There are obstructions of perhaps financial insecurity and loss. There is the ever-present turmoil and skirmishes around the world and in our own land, of governmental unrest, deceit, and division.

There is the ever-present threat of war upon our own borders from insane and dubious leaders.

And there is the insidious news media and counterfeit conspirators who twist the truth to their own agendas causing many even among us to believe lies that are at the best only half-truths.

The time has long come when developing a discerning ear to the voice of the Master is paramount above all else.

With so many different voices vying for our attention, the only way out of this crazy maze is through hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit above all else. And yet many who claim to hear from Him, have now gone off into other extremes.

These are those who claim to speak in the name of the LORD, and yet they have added to it with their own agendas and opinions. And if one would attempt to correct them, then they would not be listened to, or labeled as a heretic.

Along with these voices are those preachers who water-down a gospel that is only good for pigs to eat.

Seldom is there talk from the pulpits about the days that are to come that are now at our very doors. No, these would rather speak of old familiar stories and antidotes from the past.

And so, we must not only look to the One who we must follow, but to learn the lessons from those who have gone before us. We must look to those faithful prophets and patriarchs who now have given us a pattern of how to patiently endure to the end.

They looked ahead to the time that we are now living in. They had the Spirit upon them and not “in them.”

And so, we now have an advantage with the Comforter who has come to abide with and within us.

We are told that He would guide us into all truth, not speaking of Himself, but only what He shall hear, that is what He shall say, and yet will show us of what is to come.

Many claim to speak about this event or that one, and yet only time will truly tell of what shall transpire. But the time will truly come when we must learn to live without the luxuries that many now take for granted.

Many of those things that we now hold so dear in terms of possessions, will be taken away from us.

Our very foundations are now being shaken so that the only true foundation, which is Him, will be left.

We hold our families especially close to us and they are a gift from God Himself. And yet we are told:

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life,” Matthew 19:29.

For some won’t be able to endure unto the end. They haven’t been tested in ways that many of us have.

The difficult trials and tribulations that many are now going through, will prepare them for what is ahead. For truly these are given as gifts from God Himself to prepare us.

Amen.

 

Selah,
~ Stephen Hanson

---

Stephen Hanson of In His Truth Ministries came to the LORD is a special way in 1975 and has prophesied regularly since. In these end-time birthing pangs we are reminded that judgment must first begin with the household of God. Will we be prepared and ready?

Back to Top