THE COMING STORM PREP DOCTRINES: PRT 2: 'SACRIFICE AND PROVISION'

In one sense, all the doctrines I’ll be covering in the future - God willing - are relevant to life full stop. In another, they will particularly be so in light of what's coming. The first doctrine I want to cover has to do with sacrifice and provision. In the coming time of great straits, this doctrine is crucial, for it will come as a great test. We see this in the life of Abraham when he was asked to give up his only son for the Lord's purposes.

UNDERSTANDING NOT REQUIRED

Abraham did not understand why the Lord was calling him to sacrifice his son, nevertheless, he trusted God, and in one sense, he had already sacrificed his son in his heart (in that he was already willing to go ahead with the sacrifice). Notice that UNDERSTANDING has no bearing at all on the type of life sacrifice that the Lord will call us to in the future (whether you believe in the coming storm or not). What we will be called to give up in the future may make absolutely no sense in the natural, and yet that is beside the point. God will require us to trust in Him nonetheless, and no matter what it will cost us - even if it means giving up that which is MOST PRECIOUS to us. We must sacrifice understanding the 'whys' of it all, and just go ahead and GIVE UP what He asks us to give up. All we will know for sure is that we will be tested in order for our faith to be proved genuine and to His glory. This will be a test of LOVE, to ensure that He is truly our God, and none other - including ourselves. 

FIRST THE SACRIFICE, THEN PROVISION

If we will give up what we're asked to give up, THEN it will be provided for us. In other words, God will give us the grace to do it, and also will provide a SUBSTITUTE to make up for our loss. He will give us something from His own hand, and something unexpected in place of what we He asks us to surrender to Him. In one sense, this is what God did with Abraham when He provided a ram for the offering in place of his son. Put another way, they that will GIVE UP their life in the future, will also FIND IT. This is the golden lining in the dark clouds on the horizon, for though we’ll have to give up much of what we may hold dear, we will gain much of what THE HOLY SPIRIT HOLDS DEAR – which will also become dear to us. The way to truly know more of Christ, His power and life, is through sacrifice and death to self, and this is what is appointed for us in the future.

ONE MOUNTAIN, TWO COMPATIBLE FUTURES

In light of the lesson gained from Abraham's test, those in the Bible created a  saying which went, ‘On the Mount of the Lord it will be provided’. Many only think of a mountain top experience as being all lights and fluffy feelings, but this wasn’t Abraham’s experience. The mountain of the future will be testing/trial AND the provision of knowing Christ, His voice and purpose. First, like with Abraham, will come the agony of perplexity and the heartbreak of loss and sacrifice (Abraham having to give up his son in his heart before he ever held the knife aloft). Then, the Lord’s presence and voice will be with us in a way that we have never experienced before (just like the Father's voice came to Abraham, even while Abraham held the knife aloft). Abraham also received a confirmation of God's promises and presence (after God stopped him from sacrificing his son Isaac), and this will also be the lot of those who choose to face what's coming with courage and conviction. What we need will be provided for us to face what is coming, but we must embrace the 'HOW' of the way in which God chooses to do it (the same way He did it in the New Testament, with His disciples).

A nearly identical example was seen in the New Testament, when Jesus took three disciples to another mountain top. There, the Father's voice was heard and Jesus transfigured in shining white before Peter, James and John. Those three came away, not only with revelation of the Father and His will (the Father told them who Jesus was, and that they should listen to Him), but also a vivid understanding of the person of Jesus Christ (the Lord being transfigured before them in His glory). However, the duality of the experience was seen in what came next , for glory and revelation was quickly coupled with the experience of the death and sacrifice of the cross (and the inherent test it produced), which the disciples were also required to face. Though all except John and Mary stumbled at this test, ultimately all were restored and were able to be equipped with Holy Spirit fire for what came next (many salvations, the beginning of the new work and establishment of the Church etc.). 

These two mountain top experiences (and what surrounded them) show us one crucial thing: sacrifice and provision, particularly in a time of great trouble and distress, come hand in hand. We cannot have one without the other, for both are intimately connected with each other, and work together in God's purposes for us. Because great trouble is on its way, its likely that you who read this have been given what the Bible calls GREAT and PRECIOUS promises. These are definitely from God, but know that they are for HIS purposes. The coming storm will be a time when both mountain top experiences will be needed in order that the power of Christ be able to rest upon us (being humbled and reliant upon Him), and so that we will be able to shine Christ as He really is - and in a way which the world will definitely NEED (knowing the true character of Jesus and HOW and WHY He works as He does), and be searching for - being desperate for brilliant luminous lights in a darkened, corrupted and ravaged globe.  

WHATEVER HE LEADS US TO

God led Abraham up a mountain – with a knife in one hand, and his son in the other. We, however, are to have the SWORD of the Spirit in one, and a willingness to SACRIFICE in the other, in what will most likely be the greatest climb of our lives. Perhaps it has ALREADY BEGUN, for whom God calls, He also prepares. Do you wonder at the great trial you have already faced? Maybe it has been the greatest agony of your life so far, or perhaps something so grueling that not even you can put into words just how harrowing it has been. Do not wonder at it now, for God is making you into a soldier who can not only FIGHT but also ENDURE to the end. Have you also wanted His power? Have you wanted to SEE and HEAR Him, and be a part of a great move of His Spirit? Then wonder no more at your pain. For all these things have been the design of His Spirit, and all your sufferings to prepare you for what now approaches. To those of you whom this applies, the coming storm will not only be a night, but a NEW DAY. The mount of tribulation to you will also be a mount of glory, seeing a GLORIOUS and VICTORIOUS Christ, being with Jesus in the midst of great darkness, and doing valiantly for the Kingdom of God!