I have written on this subject (dying in the Lord) previously but it is becoming more real to me.

While dying in the Lord could refer to the physical death of a believer ("the dead in Christ will rise first"), I believe the above verse may be applied to our crucifixion with Christ and our entering the rest of God.

The expression "who die in the Lord from now on" is interesting. From now on after what? After the time when people worship Antichrist and his image and receive his mark on the forehead or on the hand.

It is my point of view that the image of Antichrist is man making himself his own god and depending on money for power and security. The mark, or impress, in the head and hand indicates that the individual thinks according to the spirit of the world and acts in ways approved by the world.

In our time we see the emphasis on self-will, on man as his own god. This is Antichrist. The incredible growth of communication technology is making of mankind one giant group. It is true of groups that they tend to bring the thinking of the members down to or up to the values of the group. The one world of technology does not espouse Christian values but the value of self-rule, of education, of the acquisition of material comforts, of amassing money.

American Christians already are worshiping self-will, money, and worldly entertainment. While they are worried about having computer chips implanted in them in the future, they already are in the clutches of Antichrist.

We love to focus on computer chips and on a pre-tribulation rapture. This is because we desire to avoid the inward transformation, the new creation that is the purpose of the new covenant. We much prefer to be occupied with something we can do, or will happen to us externally, while we still preserve our self-life.

We are altogether undone and in doctrinal chaos, in America.

Jesus spoke of the hour of darkness when no man can work.

As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. (John 9:4)

What does it mean, "when no man can work." Does it mean that the present blanket of darkness will be so heavy, so satanic, that true Christian work no longer can continue?

How shall we survive during the coming age of moral horrors, or even in the midst of the multitude of material distractions that are robbing American Christians of their ability to present their body a living sacrifice to God; of their willingness to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow the Lord Jesus?

The solution is to die in the Lord.

To be continued.