The Daily Word of Righteousness

Overcoming the Saints, #13

Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. (Job 1:10)

How do war, various pressures and torments, imprisonment, and the confiscation of our property cause us to "fall?"

Job is an example of someone who "fell" because of pressures and torments.

God had set a hedge around Job, just as God has done around every saint.

Satan persuaded God to remove the hedge so Satan could afflict Job.

God agreed.

And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. (Job 1:12)

Job had been a victorious saint of spotless reputation.

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. (Job 1:1)

The pressure and torment caused Job to fall from his position of victory.

Why died I not from the womb? Why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly? (Job 3:11)

Jeremiah also began in victory.

See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant. (Jeremiah 1:10)

Later in his life, Jeremiah was brought low. His testimony was affected.

Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? Wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail? (Jeremiah 15:18)

Both Job and Jeremiah were vindicated and emerged from their afflictions in victory.

Daniel goes on to say:

And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed. (Daniel 11:35)

The trials of the saints will continue until the Lord's return. The Bride of the Lamb must be purified until she is without spot or wrinkle.

The end of the Church Age will not come until the Christian testimony has been driven from the cities of the earth.

. . . it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. (Daniel 12:7)

The "time, times, and an half" represents the three and one-half years of the second half of the week. The end will come when the power of the saints has been broken.

Resurrection follows crucifixion.

And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. (Revelation 11:11)

The pressures of the second half of the week will be followed by glory in the Presence of the Lord. Out of the seeming defeat of saints will arise the glorified Church, just as out of the seeming defeat of Calvary there arose the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

The way up to the throne is down the path of crucifixion.

God redeems us by blessing and glory and also by the fire of judgment.

To be continued.