“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” Revelation 3:10
There is no doubt that great days of testing are upon us. God puts His people to the test, as He does nations and the Church. These “tests” are designed to determine the nature of our commitment to truth or to confirm our rejection of God’s Word and rebellion against His ways. They can also serve to prepare the object of testing for judgment (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). No one escapes this principle in life. The Lord God of Heaven knows exactly what is in our hearts, but He brings it out into the open by the process of testing to make it clear to us and thereby to demonstrate His righteous ways in dealing with us. This applies to people groups, nations and church movements (Deuteronomy 13:1-3).
The “testings of God” always have to do with truth. The truth about God revealed through nature (Romans 1:18-21) and the truth of God revealed through His Word. We are indeed without excuse! The truth of God’s Word cannot be bent, changed or adapted to our liking. It remains forever and is above His name. Jesus said quite simply, “Thy word is truth!” (John 17:17). It is up to us to live by it or reject it. The grace and patience of God always leads us to it, but there comes a time when we have to make up our minds and take a stand.
I believe that this hour of testing has arrived and is coming upon the world in increasing measure and in a unique way. It has to do with:
- Our personal walk as Christians (1 Peter 4:12-17)
We are proved or tested by fiery trials! These seasons of trial enable the nature of our faith to revealed (1 Peter 1:6-7). Only our confidence in God’s sovereignty and loving care over our lives will get us through these times, as we do not always have to understand everything that is happening to us.
- The nations and their response to Israel (Joel 3:1-3)
A terrifying day of judgement is coming to the nations of the world because they ignore truth when it comes to Israel and constantly seek to divide her land and even dismantle her existence. It is truly strange that global democracies constantly fail to support and stand with the only true democracy in the Middle East. The fact is they are driven by greed and expediency – the need for oil and the opportunity to break into big commercial markets. God is watching!
- The Church in the world (Psalm 7:9)
Of all peoples, the wider Church should know and recognise the hand of God upon Israel’s modern-day restoration and its biblical obligations to the Jewish people. After all, they have God’s Word and are the recipients of Israel’s “spiritual things” (Romans 15:27). Sadly, much of the Christian world has gone the way of apostasy and, as in the past, has renewed its antagonism and attack against Israel. The “corporate Jew” is now the target of the new manifestation of anti-Semitism! Much of this attack is pursued under the guise of a so-called commitment to truth and justice. The fact is, in most cases, they have thrown their lot in with radical Islamic elements whose agenda is the destruction of Israel. We can only hope and pray that that the Church will turn from its wicked ways and wake up as the “days of testing” are upon us.
The Bible states that Jesus will remain at the right hand of God in Heaven until His enemies become “His footstool” (Matthew 22:44). That is, until they come out into the open for all to see. This day is upon us!
