Connecting With Jesus

This Morning we’ll have to be partake of God’s Manna prepared by ND Willie

The Gift of Prophecy

Comfort in Crisis

“The dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17).

showdown is soon coming. Just about every corner of the Bible directs the reader’s attention to it, beginning in Genesis 3:15, where we read God’s declaration to the serpent: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”

That verse points toward the Great Controversy between Christ and
Satan. It’s a theme that recurs throughout Scripture, culminating in the final conflict outlined in the book of Revelation.

But did you notice something essential in Revelation 12:17? The dragon-another designation for Satan-attacks those who have “the testimony of Jesus.” They have faith in Jesus, yet those living at the time of this battle have never met the physical Jesus who was crucified. buried, and resurrected some two thousand years earlier. So how do they have this faith?

In Revelation 19:10 we read, “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” There is a body of writing-called the “Spirit of Prophecy”-that offers a testimony of Jesus so strong, so compelling, that it carries believers forward with hope and peace even into the most difficult of times.

In an age where believers worldwide are being asked to tolerate, and even endorse, behaviors that run contrary to God’s revelations in Scripture and in Creation, firm resolve will be needed to withstand the attacks of the dragon before and during that final conflict.

In Daniel 12:1, we read a stunning forecast of those last days: “There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation.” Praise God that we have a faithful testimony to guide us through that storm!

Apply It:

Read a chapter from the inspiring book The Great Controversy. Notice how it points people to the Scriptures and prepares them for the coming of Jesus.

■ Dig Deeper:

Acts 20:27; Revelation 14:9-12; Revelation 20:4

Acts 20:27 KJV
For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Revelation 14:9-12 KJV
And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, [10] The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: [11] And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. [12] Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Revelation 20:4 KJV
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.