The Way of Life

What is coming in the earth will be fearsome indeed. Many quite naturally have a mind to avert trouble by any means. I am convinced that a retreat mentality, or participation in political activism, or seeking some form of geopolitical refuge, or effecting some form of bunker hunker-down solution misses the point. For us, for you and I, the two verses that follow cut right to the heart of the matter.

For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Matthew 16:25

There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

Proverbs 14:12

When the truth of these two simple verses can be accepted as coming from a loving Heavenly Father, a freedom from fear results that’s very refreshing. There’s no need to retreat from what has been appointed to come upon the earth. Trouble, including even the mark of the Beast, will come right on schedule, and provision is even now being made for those who will avoid it, even for overcomers. Overcomers are not go-around-ers. During WW2, there was safety to be found as many were able to escape to places of refuge. What is coming will be different, the Lord’s own conclusion with an all-encompassing net. He’s going to discover who loves Him. All will stand before Him and be evaluated on that basis, without exception. Inquiry will be made: “Did you lose your life for His sake?” One way or another, that question is ultimately THE important one. It’s a love test. It may look like a multiple choice kind of test now, but soon enough it will be reduced to a simple yes or no.

My view is from the perspective of one who want’s more than anything to be found worthy of the Bridegroom as he comes for His Bride, to be found serving my Lord and Master in humble obedience. I only ever strive to advocate simple obedience, which is worthy of great reward.

Some who are actually seeking to assuage their fears and justify carnal activity sometimes cling to the following.

A prudent man sees evil and hides himself, the naive proceed and pay the penalty.

Proverbs 27:12

Some will flee in days to come as truly led by the Lord.

Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that there she would be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

Revelation 12:6

12 For this reason, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time. 13 And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. 14 But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.

Revelation 12:12-14

Verse 11 provides insight into the Lord's provision for most at that time.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Revelation 12:11

Don't gamble on the wilderness provision for the woman being your's. It's not a winning bet. The Bride will already be in a resurrection body by then. If you're a saint who is disqualified by reason of a soiled robe, it will be required to wash it in the blood of the Lamb.

I'm going to repeat the two verses that are so essential.

For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Matthew 16:25

There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

Proverbs 14:12

Choose the way where the end is the way of life. Take up your cross, accepting the Lord's provision for you.

Jim Elliot (October 28, 1949): "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."
Philip Henry (1631–1696): "He is no fool who parts with that which he cannot keep, when he is sure to be recompensed with that which he cannot lose."

FOXE'S BOOK of MARTYRS

Choose wisely as you make your plan.