End Time Strengthening from the Holy Spirit
Guest Blogger, Author, Teacher Linda J. Quigley Shares Divine Truths To Help Us Through These Perilous Times.
How Many of You Admit That You’re Feeling Drained & Worn Down?
End Time Struggles in This Life
Have we entered the end time? Never before have I seen such rapidly intensifying and widespread struggles among Christians! Are you weary? Are you overwhelmed to the point of feeling like you can’t sustain one more thing? Some of you want the end time to be near because, quite frankly, you don’t know how much more you can endure! How does one not be disturbed by the sharp escalation of troubles?
Life’s Difficulties – manifest in many forms, and often we find them impossible to understand. We see people suffering from sickness, injustice, catastrophes, and many things that can sometimes cause us to question God. Amid this confusion, some people have even abandoned their faith. Problems and trials should compel us to tap into our faith and trust that our all-knowing, all-loving, and everlasting God sees far beyond what our mortal eyes comprehend! We must remember that our afflictions are momentary in the scope of eternity! God’s word tells us they’re working within us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. (2 Corinthians 4:17)
Problems and Promises – There are countless Scripture verses where God tells us our earthly lives will involve variations of suffering. God’s word makes it poignantly clear that since Christ suffered, we should prepare ourselves with the same mind. It also says that it is through many tribulations that we will enter the Kingdom of God. (1 Peter 4:1-2; Acts 14:22) Jesus said this to His disciples, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]” (John 16:33)
Are We in the End Times – If So, What Does This Mean?
Don’t Let Your Heart be Troubled – The disciples inquired of Jesus in Matthew 24:3 about His second coming and the end of the age. Jesus warned them that many difficulties must take place before His return. He emphasized that they should not be troubled. (Matthew 24:6) For years, many have argued that we’re not living in the last days. I want to challenge this mindset with the word of God. Many Biblically prophetic events have already taken place, confirming that we are indeed living in the end times.
End-Time Confirmation – One less conspicuous clue revealing that we’ve entered the last days is in Joel 2:28. There God prophesied that in the last days, He would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. This prophecy was fulfilled shortly after Jesus’ Ascension into Heaven as recorded in Acts 2:17- 18, 33. This prophetic fulfillment confirms the beginning of the end-times. It also reveals a frequently overlooked, God-ordained key for Christian’s spiritual survival during these unprecedented times. The role of the Holy Spirit!
Wearing Down of the Saints
Mental Exhaustion and Weariness – Years ago, the Holy Spirit began speaking to me about an alarming end-time peril facing Christians. Dave Wilkerson spoke of it in his July 23, 2007 issue of the World Challenge Pulpit Series. But it hasn’t been until recently that I’ve heard others mention this specific threat of Satan against Believers. Wilkerson stated, “Satan wants to target our faith… Daniel warned that Satan would be successful in wearing down many saints… Satan wants to bring us down by causing us to give in to a spirit of weariness.”
Daniel 7:25 tells us in the end-times, the enemy will persecute the saints of the Most-High. (One aspect of the original Hebrew means to wear out, specifically by mentally tiring and making minds weary). Beyond exhausting the saints – it is becoming more evident that other prophecies found in this specific chapter are also unfolding.
The Great Shaking and Men’s Hearts Failing vs. God’s End Time Peace.
Strength and Peace – Jesus tells us in Luke that men’s hearts will fail them from fear and expectation of the things coming upon the earth while the powers of the heavens are being shaken. (Luke 21:26) One only needs to look at current worldwide events to ascertain – that fear has become rampant amid this great shaking. Satan’s diverse attacks coming against the saints are becoming more noticeable each day. Regardless of the circumstances, God has promised strength and peace for His people! (Psalm 29:11; John 14:27; 2 Timothy 1:7) “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (John 14:27)
Confusion, Chaos, and Deception – Earth’s atmosphere is inundated with clamoring voices, each insisting what they say is true. One minute something is touted as truth and the next proclaimed to be false. What God’s people know to be true, the masses now declare to be fictional. Contradiction and confusion abound. When you combine the dynamics of conditions seeming so out of control throughout the earth – it’s a formula for chaos, confusion, and deception! It’s no wonder we feel like we’re living in perilous times – undeniably, we are! In this end time, Satan and his demonic hoards are working overtime to usher in deception, hate, lawlessness, and fear. Scripture says that God is not the author of confusion, but rather the God of peace! (1 Corinthians 14:33)
Choose Truth or Deception – Even the Elect Can be at Risk – God’s word tells us in the end-times that Satan will initiate many strategies to deceive if possible, even the most elect. (Matthew 24:24) How do we keep from falling under the same confusion, deception, and fear as the world? God knew we’d be encountering these things, and that’s why He sent His Holy Spirit to lead His people and guide us into all truth. (John 16:12, 13)
Does God Give Us Solutions for Coping During the End Times?
Divine Power for Victory – When we’re weary or overwhelmed, uncertain, or confused, we must remember that God has provided us with His divine power and everything we need – to walk victoriously through this life! (2 Peter 1:3) The worldwide unrest compels me to remind Christians that God has specific “tools” for end-time believers who are struggling with the unprecedented challenges of these days. Even though promises abound in God’s word to help us conquer life’s trials, we must apply them to live victoriously through adversity!
The Outpouring and Baptism of the Holy Spirit – for Us Living in the End Times
The Holy Spirit’s Infilling and Empowerment was Reserved for the End-Times – It is often overlooked that God expressly reserved the outpouring of the Holy Spirit for the end-times. The context of Joel 2:28-32 refers to the last days. This correlation between Old Testament prophecies and their subsequent fulfillment is significantly relevant for Believers today. Why? Because when the fulfillment of Joel 2:28 took place in Acts 2:1-4, it substantiated that we’re NOW living in the end-times. It is essential to observe that Jesus deemed it NECESSARY for His people living in the last days to be filled and empowered with His Holy Spirit! (Acts 2:1-4)
Jesus’ Ascension Made the Holy Spirit Available to Us – Scriptures tell us that before Jesus’ Ascension, the Holy Spirit was confined to only a few individuals. In His foresight, God knew end-time Christians would need extra empowerment from the Holy Spirit to overcome the increased demonic onslaught. Jesus told His disciples that it was in our best interest for Him to go to the Father so He could send the Holy Spirit to us. (John 16:7; Acts 2:33) When Jesus ascended to Heaven, He then sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in His followers. (2 Corinthians 1:22; Galatians 4:6; I John 4:13) Jesus’ Ascension provided an exponential increase of the Holy Spirit’s manifestations upon the earth!
Jesus’ Specific Command – Just before His Ascension, Jesus COMMANDED His disciples not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which was the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The word command significantly emphasizes that Jesus felt it vital for His followers to be empowered with the Holy Spirit! (Acts 1:4, 5, 8)
The Essential Role of the Holy Spirit
The Empowerment of the Holy Spirit is Vital for Us Today – The Holy Spirit’s function is very comprehensive. We need to align ourselves and yield to His sustaining power to be overcomers in the future! Many of His gifts specifically empower and strengthen, lead, and guide God’s people.
Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit refreshes and strengthens our inner man. He gives us rest and peace. He helps us in our weakness and makes intercession for us. The Holy Spirit regenerates and renews us. Praying in the Holy Spirit builds up our faith! (Isaiah 28:11, 12; Romans 8:26; Ephesians 3:16; Galatians 5:22; Titus 3:5; Jude 20)
How Does the Holy Spirit Help Us Prevail Against Satan?
The Holy Spirit’s Indwelling Power is Greater Than Satan’s Attacks – Make no mistake about it – Satan is fixated on destroying us! After Jesus was crucified, the disciples huddled together behind locked doors in fear of their lives. (John 20:19) Yet God never intended for us to hide from the enemy‘s attacks! He’s equipped us to be overcomers!
The Promise of the Coming Baptism – Jesus‘ promise to His disciples about the forthcoming empowerment from the Holy Spirit was significant. (Acts 1:5) Those who tarried for the Lord encountered an unprecedented event when they received the infilling of the Holy Spirit. He manifested His presence with extraordinary power through signs and wonders. They experienced the historical activation of Joel‘s prophecy, which tangibly marked God‘s availability of supernatural power for end-time Believers! (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2) We overcome because greater He who is us – than he who is in the world! (Acts 2:17-18; I John 4:4)
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit – The Apostles and the early Church understood the struggle of following God by adhering to the letter of the Law. When they first became Christ-followers – they did so without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them – they were ecstatic! Their appreciation for God’s extraordinary gift of the Holy Spirit filled them with such zeal and enthusiasm that 3,000 people were saved that very day! The infilling of the Holy Spirit impacted them profoundly. Many went on to spiritual triumph despite great persecution and trials – and even martyrdom.
It was the baptism of the Holy Spirit that empowered them to live out the rest of their lives victoriously!
Choose Today – The Holy Spirit’s Power or the Devil’s Peril – God has always known that Satan’s oppression will escalate as the time of Christ’s return nears. The dangers we face today are far more extensive than what the early Church encountered. How will those who snub the gifts of the Holy Spirit endure the increasing darkness and oppression of this end-time?
Have you, as a Christ-follower, ever specifically sought the baptism of the Holy Spirit? If not, I strongly urge you to do so. (Acts 19:1-6) Perhaps you’ve already received God’s gift, but have taken it for granted. The disciples realized the importance of pursuing continuous infilling from the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:52) To disregard and disrespect the Holy Spirit and His gifts puts us in a very precarious position. God does not take it lightly when we ignore His Holy Spirit! (Isaiah 63:10; Matthew 12:31; Ephesians 4:30)
God desires that we tap into His fortification for these perilous days in which we live. He has given us all we need to overcome Satan and his evil hoards in the end time! Should we neglect to utilize the Holy Spirit’s power, we stand the chance of becoming like the saints in Daniel 7:25 – immobilized by the enemy! These end days are not the time for complacency or apathy! Let us rise in the authority and might of the resurrection power of Jesus Christ! Lord God, please forgive us for all the ways we’ve grieved you by not listening to Your Holy Spirit. Please help us utilize the support You have provided us through Your precious endowment of the Holy Spirit!
© Linda J. Quigley 10/2020
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