https://odb.org/MY/2021/11/29/even-if-3
The story Sadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 3 is the famous story of how God protected the 3 children of Israel who refused to bow down and worship the golden image made by King Nebuchadnezzar while the Israelites were in exile in Babylon. As a result they were thrown into a burning furnace. What was amazing was that that were not harmed by the fire in the burning furnace and everyone there saw there were 4 people in the furnace; the three of them plus another. But what was more amazing was the reply given them to Nebuchadnezzar that the God they serve will rescue them and even if He does not, they will not serve Nebuchadnezzar’s gods or the golden image he made. Meaning to say that they were willing to die than to deny or betray Yahweh.
Yesterday we just heard a message from Elder Pastor Bernard Chong from Ipoh on the possibility that Christ may return in our generation based on certain signs of times. It is not a prophesy but an observation of prevailing facts as can be seen from world events. Thus, if we believe in the post tribulation theory, that means that the beast will emerge in our generation and we will all go through the great tribulation prior to the second coming of Christ and the day of the Lord.
The question is not whether Elder Pastor Bernard is right or wrong but what if he is right? Will we wake up and start preparing our hearts and lives so that we may go through the great tribulation like Sadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 3? Will we refuse to bow down to the golden image and take the mark of the beast even if it means severe suffering and hardship for us and our families? There are practical preparations we need to plan in advance if and when the time presents itself like the appearance of the beast in the world scene. But most importantly I think for us, at this stage in time, is to prepare our hearts and to strengthen our faith so that we will be strong when the time comes. I believe that as we hold tight to our faith, we will experience the supernatural power and presence of God like Sadrach, Meshach and Abednego or if we die in the process, we will get to see Jesus immediately. Trying times with intense persecution will come our way if and when the great tribulation comes as part of God’s sovereign will in our lifetime. Can we go through that intensely difficult period without compromising our faith or betraying Jesus? Read Matthew 24 and 25 for some pointers on what we should do as individuals and as a community of believers.
As I have shared before the destiny of every man is death (Ecclesiastes 7:2) and thus we should start now, at whatever stage of life or age we are, to seek first the Kingdom of God, store up treasures in heaven and fulfil our calling in God. If we have to go through the great tribulation in our lifetime, then there is much greater urgency that we start acting now in those 3 areas in the midst of and despite the daily challenges we face just living this life here in earth! The question is not whether it is true but what if it is true? Are we prepared? Will we thus not prepare ourselves from now on? Food for thought for today and this week.
Ronnie's Thoughts 