The Lord's timing is perfect.
Nothing is left by chance! Luke 19 is about Jesus getting into position to be pressed and wrung out. The amazing thing is this is happening right now. Not with Jesus, but with us, the bride of Christ, also known as church. I can’t help but feel his Second Coming is near, because in 2019 I heard God say, “I am wringing out my remnant for one drop of my blood covers a multitude of sin.” And now we see his body being wrung out from a watered-down gospel, and getting into position to welcome the Coming of the King. In Luke 19, we see Jesus siting on a colt, peacefully descending the Olivet Mount. We see people laying down garments, and worshipping Him with beautiful songs of praises. And don’t we see the same thing today. Many Followers of the Way, coming into the streets to worship and to pray. We hear “Blessed Be Thy Name” proclaimed from microphones, and we hear thunderous sounds coming from guitars and from drums. The scene is a serene, and joyous one, and then out of nowhere - I see Jesus's eyes turn to blood. I see the whites of his eyes turn into red, and I see droplets of blood drop from him like sweat. I see Jesus sitting alone, anxious and afraid, as he falls to his knees and begins to pray - “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42) This is what happened the night before he died, right before he was betrayed. Everything inside me, totally believes, that the Body of Christ is being prepared to endure a pressing. And not only pressed but totally wrung out, because the workers are few but the harvest is ripe. “Remove this cup” - this is what Jesus said; the cup symbolizes the vessel that holds Jesus's blood. As for his body, don't you know that is us, the church is the vessel that carries the seed of Jesus Christ. And as the virgin bride, we become impregnated by His Word. We are the faithful ones, who render not our garments but our hearts. Our hearts are to stay rooted in the love of God. The olive grove where Jesus wept, offers an abundance of oil to light up the virgins' lamps. And although many say they are faithful to Christ, only half will prepare the oil to light up their lamps. The Lord says, “The songs of praise that people sing, and the dancing that happens, in the streets, is more for them than for me. Only some are like my servant David who had the joy of the Lord despite his circumstances. I can see him playing the tambourine, and the strumming through the harp; and I can see him dancing in front of My Ark. David was a man after my own heart, He ushered My presence into Jerusalem.” The cup of Christ contains suffering and sacrifice; and it is only his blood that contains the seed of the Tree of Life. Every garden where God walked has great significance. The Garden of Eden is where we were placed to tend to, and to multiply and bring forth new life. And now the Garden of Eden, is in heaven with Him, and this is where the tree of eternal life is. But the Garden of Gethsemane is the earthly place where God came as a man to suffer in anguish, as he prepared his heart to endure the final sacrifice that would redeem us to Him. It's at the base of the Olivet Mount that we see the Son of God, filled with anguish, on his knees and crying to Father God, to ask that this cup be taken from him. As the suffering servant, Jesus knew that his body was about to be opened up so there could be an outpouring of his blood onto the earth's crust. And while he didn't want to endure a physical death, He knew that he had to complete the will of his father, to be the blessing that reversed eternal death. I ask you this, Where did the shepherds go, after visiting baby Jesus and witnessing the angels sing? Where did the three wise men go, after traveling a long distance to bring the baby king gifts of gold, myrrh, and frankincense? And where did the followers go, when Jesus was convicted of blasphemy? How is it possible to experience Him, and then turn and walk away? How can you get so close, and then be so far away? But today, the Spirit of God has helped me to see what is happening. And I can’t seem to stop myself from feeling unrelenting grief. The church is being squeezed, and put into position for harvesting, and this can only be done through trials, what Jesus calls "great opportunities." (Luke 21:13) We must tie ourselves to Jesus, and take his yoke upon us. We are to read his Word and learn from it. We are to believe that he is gentle, and lowly in heart; and that he will protect us and give us rest for our souls. (Matthew 11:29) Luke 19:29-34 says, “It was when Jesus drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’ So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” I love the answer to the question, nothing more, nothing less, only, "The Lord has need of it." This should be the answer that we all should give, when someone asks us why we are working for him. So to the remnant who is being persecuted, I encourage you with this. The Lord needs you because the workers are few but the harvest is ripe. You have an eternity to live, but if someone does not know Jesus personally, then they are still the walking dead. Go and make disciples of men. This is the great commission we have all been given. Go to the people, and speak the truth in love. Share the gospel of the Good News. Tell everyone who Jesus is, testify your life back to him. Do not manipulate men by only showing human love, for this can be done through pretty much anyone. Instead, "share MY WORD," and show them why Jesus wants them to follow Him. Do not let lukewarm become a taste that you can live with, and do not tolerate the Jezebel spirit. Walk upright and stand firm in your faith, do not be swayed by the shifting of sands, or strong, stormy winds. Do not let culture cancel Jesus out, and do not lose sight of 'In God We Trust.' Remember it's only the blood of Christ that saves us; 'And I give this at the perfect time, for the Trumpet of Feasts has begun.' The two trumpets have been blown, The Lord is giving warning to the assembly to prepare to move. He says, 'My Spirit is among you, now watch for the clouds, and make yourself ready because I am coming home.'
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