GOD'S PROTECTION IN THE TIME OF TROUBLE TO COME: PART 2 (UPDATED)

Well, whether anyone's listening or not, the Lord has showed me quite clearly that I'm to keep talking about the trouble to come, despite whether I'm in 'no-man's land' now or not.

So an important, but also quite easily overlooked aspect of how God will protect His people in the coming time of persecution and trouble is quite simple: He will put those capable of protecting others around each other. Obviously the baby Jesus could not receive dreams of direction at the time of His birth, so it was Joseph who was warned by God. God will use the family of God to gather around each other in the coming time, even in quite small groups, and will direct them together to escape from trouble. God will also warn those that feel that they are 'least' in the Kingdom of heaven, to help those that others may feel are more important or more advanced in the Lord (we must become like little children to enter the Kingdom!). Those that feel like they are not much use at all at protecting those of His people and His Kingdom will be used mightily to direct His people to safety (through being warned and directed by the Lord).

Another way the Lord will deliver His people from the trouble to come is again quite simple: He will have them wait out the trouble and persecution, usually in secrecy. One of the advantages of not being part of a large Church group for Mary and Joseph was the fact that they could hide from forces that sought their lives. When Herod sought their lives, God directed them to go to, of all places, Egypt; the last place Herod would look for them! In Egypt, both Joseph and Mary could simply lose themselves in a sea of people, and simply continue their life and worship of God until Herod died (Matt 2v20). Rather than have to do anything monumental, Joseph and Mary made one big move, then simply went on with their lives in complete secrecy and anonymity. The Lord will ensure that many of His people in the time to come will be able to do the same thing, praise God!

One of the circumstances of the time to come will also be characterised by the fact that God won't allow His worship to be stopped by the enemy. When the magi sought the baby Jesus to worship him (Matt 2v2), God ensured that His protection was over them so that they could fulfil their desire: Matt 2v11- On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then verse 12 explains how they were warned to not go back to Herod, lest they be ensnared by his deceit and violence. The enemy is tricky, and so will men be in their persecution of Christians in the coming time, but our God is much mightier and much greater, and He will ensure His worship continues because it is so precious to Him. When we are weak, and will be weak, He is and He will be strong!

Hope this is encouraging a few out there. If there is anyone out there at all that believes what the Lord is showing me, help a brother out and lend some strength to these hands please :) (1 Thess 5v11) Be blessed :)