The rewards that are available today are exceedingly great. The promise of sitting with Jesus in His throne has been given to the conquering saints of the church in Laodicea, that is, the saints of the end-time. A dark hour is coming upon us, an age of moral horrors; and it is during this period of satanic deception and oppression that the greatest of all opportunities will be available to those who follow the Lord Jesus with a pure heart.

Some of the characteristics of the invading saints are set forth in the second chapter of the Book of Joel:

. . . as horsemen, so shall they run. (Joel 2:4)

. . . as a strong people set in battle array. (Joel 2:5)

Before their face the people shall be much pained: . . . . (Joel 2:6)

They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: (Joel 2:7)

Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded. (Joel 2:8)

Notice the spiritual strength and the discipline that are outlined here. As we consider the miserable weakness and lack of disciplined obedience to God of many Christians it becomes apparent that the next few years of history must witness changes in the ranks of Christendom. According to the Scriptures there will be a great falling away from the faith on the part of most believers, and the remnant that is left will be refined by fire (Matthew 24:12; Zechariah 13:8,9).

The army of Christ must be created if the Kingdom of God is to come to the earth.

The reader may be experiencing difficult trials and testings. These are for the purpose of developing the spiritual strength and discipline that will be required for total victory over the enemy in the Day of the Lord. Each of us must exercise vigilance in prayer if he or she is to escape the deceptions and persecutions of Antichrist and finally stand in victory in the Presence of the Son of Man.

The spiritual level of Christianity as it currently is practiced in the wealthy nations of the world is not nearly adequate for that part of the development of the Kingdom of God taking place now. The Christians who intend to continue to live in victory must be prepared to be changed and stretched by the Lord. The changing and stretching require much trust and patience on the part of the dedicated believer. The remainder of those who term themselves "Christian" will be tossed about like so much straw.

At what point in time shall we Christians become a strong people set in battle array who "march every one on his ways" and do not break our ranks?

We are not to wait until the Battle of Armageddon begins before we are ready for the Lord to develop strength and discipline in us. It is foolish for us to take this attitude, to waste our time now and expect God to do marvels through us in the future.

To be continued.