The Apostle Paul has borne the fruit that he has because the Lord slew him.

Paul was troubled, perplexed, cast down. He was persecuted by the Roman Empire. The Judaizers were busy corrupting the minds of the Gentile believers from the simplicity that is in Christ. Some of Paul's coworkers left him to go to other places. There was one problem after another.

The Apostle Paul loved not his life to the point of death. He relinquished his instinct for self-fulfillment and self-glorification so the Life of Christ could come to those to whom he was ministering. Paul revealed in himself the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Think of the effect Paul's writings have had on the history of the world! This profound influence has proceeded from the fact that Paul was willing to die in Christ.

Wrestling to the point of personal death brings forth all that is in us. If there is anything of self-glorification remaining, be sure it will be brought to the light. All must go.

The story of Samson portrays the victory that comes through death. Samson won great victories during his lifetime, but more Philistines were slain by his death.

Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines!" Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived. (Judges 16:30—NIV)

So it is that the eyes of the Church have been put out because of its worldliness, lust, and self-will. The world mocks its lack of strength. But in the last days the Church, with one hand on the blood of Christ and the other on the Holy Spirit will bow in death to self. Then the very pillars of the temple of Hell will crumble.

Today we see the hand of the Lord falling upon the Christian believers. God is calling us away from our personal kingdoms and self-aggrandizement into a walk of faith and humility. How many of the Lord's people are ready to lay down their own accomplishments and favor in the sight of people and walk in this new (to our generation) way of lowly, cross-carrying obedience to Christ?

The Day of the Lord is at hand. No flesh will stand in His Presence. Those who insist on preserving their prominence, their ministry, their ways of doing, their groups, the people, objects, and places familiar to them, will surely fall. Each of us must decide to follow Christ or else to follow the self-love encouraged by Antichrist. The hour of decision is upon us. Multitudes are in the valley of decision. The Day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.

The rewards go to the conquerors, to God's Israel. Only those who suffer will reign with the Lord Jesus. Spiritual rulers are created in the present world, as we bow in the travail of death so God's Christ may be formed in us.

We overcome sin through the blood of the Lamb.

We overcome the tribulations and temptations of the world, and the wiles of Satan, by our Spirit-enabled testimony that God is true and faithful, that His Kingdom shall come and His will shall be done in the earth.

We overcome our separation from God by dying to our instinct for self-glorification.

We struggle with God until all hindrances to total victory are conquered. We are changed from "Jacob" to "Israel."

In so doing we overcome the accuser of the brothers. (from Israel—God's Conqueror)