When a saint does not keep God's commandments he cannot possibly present the testimony of the Kingdom of God; he cannot possibly overcome the accuser of the brothers. The Kingdom of God is first, righteousness, then peace, then joy—all in the Holy Spirit of God (Romans 14:17).

Apart from righteous behavior there is no Kingdom of God.

Because of the lack of emphasis on righteous and holy living, the Christian testimony of today is weak. There is much ministry throughout the world but the flame of the lampstand of the Divine Testimony is burning low.

In some instances the Christian ministers, as well as the believers, are guilty of horrid abominations: adultery, fornication, lewdness, looking at pornographic materials, thievery, lying, occult practices, self-seeking, hatred, self-glorification, covetousness, deviousness, drunkenness.

And there is little repentance!

It is time now for God's elect to drive the spear of judgment through the deeds that are destroying the testimony of the Kingdom of God.

And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. (Numbers 25:7,8)

The man was of Israel but the woman was of Midian. This "marriage," or "fornication," between Israel and Midian is symbolic of the Laodicean church. The church of Laodicea represents the uniting of the churches of Christ and the world. Laodicea was one of the seven golden lampstands (Revelation 1:12). Babylon (the Catholic Church and its Protestant daughters), never was of the Lord. It is possible that God never commanded anyone to organize a Christian denomination.

But Laodicea, unlike Babylon, represents that which was of the Lord's Spirit, of God's Israel, but then grew prosperous in the world.

Satan will continue to make war with God's elect, His remnant. These saints keep God's commandments and the Spirit of prophecy is in them. The warfare will continue until the Lord returns from Heaven.

At the coming of the Lord the remnant will be transformed in body and raised to meet Christ in the air. When they return again to earth it will be on white horses, following the Commander in Chief whose robe has been dipped in blood. This invincible army will crush Antichrist in the Battle of Armageddon and the war will be over.

Let us stand fast in the Lord and in the power of His might. We shall prevail in the end. The victory shall go to Christ and to every person who is found in Him.

The time is short. The Kingdom of God is at hand. The Son is ready to take dominion over the kingdoms of the world. He shall rule through His saints with the rod of iron.

God has promised: there shall be delay no longer!

(from The Ruler)