"You will indeed drink my cup." / Great Tribulation

This is an lengthy post, both to read and to write.
I will list here below, the sections of this series. 
When totally completed, I will remove the top list of sections.
When each section is done, I will put a X after it, and post notice above.
Please read the scriptures as you come to them to derive the greatest benefit. Take your time, and please divide the study of each section up into portions that you can manage personally, to include the cited scriptures, as you read.

All the links are at the bottom of this post

Introduction [ X ]       
Section One [ X ] TRIALS
Section Two [ X ] WHY TRIED
Section Three [ X ] HOW TRYING IS THE Great Tribulation.
Section Four [ X ] FINDING VICTORY
Section Five [ X ] SOURCE OF TRIALS TODAY

INTRODUCTION

"Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
“What is it you want?” he asked.
She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”
“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”
“We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”  (Matt.20:20-23)



Those of us who are aware that God's spirit has elected us to belong to the Body of Christ,
thereafter manifest how our heart will choose to view and respond to, our calling.
In the case of James and John, they became focused upon their own position. Although it was their mother who made this request of Jesus, the apostles seemed aware that she was prompted by her sons (Matt.20:24). This awareness prompted Mark to record this occurrence, according to that perspective (Mark 10:35).

James, John, and Peter had just witnessed the prophetic vision of the Lord's Day (Matt.16:28; 17:1,2,3,5;  2Pet. 1:18,19).

James and John must have desired to fulfill these prophetic positions, presented as Moses and Elijah (Matt.17:3).

Jesus attempted to adjust the ambition of James and John, by calling their attention to the price of such a position. Jesus was letting them know, that the price for these "two" positions 
(Matt.17:3; Rev.11:3,4; Zech.4:11,14; John 8:17; Rev.1:1; John 15:26,27; Rev.3:22; 22:16,6; 11:3)           
("Two Witnesses / Elijah and Moses")
was much higher than they imagined....
Jesus said; “You don’t know what you are asking for,”.
Then, in order to show them what comes with such a position,
Jesus asked, “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”
   [Jesus had just described part of that cup, in the three previous verses (Matt.20:17,18,19) (Luke 22:44)].

Like Peter,
James and John replied with overconfidence (Matt.26:35). Jesus was correct in his evaluation....
They were not aware of the full price of their aspiration, either when they requested it's fulfillment, or accepted it's cost.

Once these confident words passed their lips....
they agreed to the price while still ignorant of its' full demand.
  But their ignorance did not matter before Satan who witnessed their vow. Satan searches out any means to accuse and disqualify those devoted to God (Job 1:8,9,12; Zech.3:1,2; Jude 1:9), especially the elected of Christ (1Pet. 5:8; Rev.12:17).



Satan knows, that what the faithful vow, they must pay (Ec.5:4), even if it turns out to be more grueling than they ever expected 
(Ps.15:4; Judges 11:35). Satan is determined to make it so. 
Satan battles for the disqualification of the faithful, as a means to delay the end of his world dominion, 
(Prov.27:12,11; Rev.12:7,8,9,10,11; 6:11), brought about by the accomplishing of divine assignments, by the faithful 
(Luke 10:17,18; Rev.12:11,10;  2Pet. 3:12; Isa.62:10,11,12;  2Cor. 10:5).


This is why Jesus then followed their confident statement, with a reference to the consequence...
“You will indeed drink from my cup.".
Jesus knew that Satan has demanded to fully test any candidate who aspires and strives to prove faithful to God's calling 
(Rev.2:10;  2Tim. 3:12; Luke 22:31;  1Pet. 5:8;  1John 2:13,14; Eph.6:12; Mark 13:20; Rev.12:17; 17:14; 20:9). 
That "cup" includes a death for truth (Mark 8:35; Rev.6:9,11; 2:10; Rom.6:5)....
not just for James and John, but for all members of the "144,000" and great crowd
(Rev.13:15; 11:7; 6:11; 20:4; Ps.110:2; Rev.14:1; Ps.2:9; Rev.2:26,27; Dan.7:18). 
That sacrifice is also fulfilled symbolically, by the final "two" (Rev.11:3,7).

The very day that James and John made this request, Jesus was preparing for his own impending trials and tests (Matt.20:17,18,19). 

He knew far clearer than James and John, what Satan was preparing for "his cup" (Matt.26:39,42; Heb.4:15; 5:8; Isa.53:5; Rom.4:25).
Yet despite what Christ suffered for his loyalty to the God of Truth,
he left any recompense for such righteousness, in God's hands (Luke 23:46; Heb.5:7). 
Although Jesus knew the righteousness of God (Ps.18:25; 62:12; Rom.2:6; Heb.12:2; 6:10;  2Tim. 4:8), 
his faithfulness was not a matter of selfish ambition (John 15:13; 10:11;  1John 3:16; Eph.5:2). We must imitate him (1Pet. 2:21;  1John 2:6).

Jesus tried to correct the egotistical ambition of James and John again...
"...to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father."
If it is not for Jesus to grant, then it is certainly not for anyone to covet. In godly fear, we are slaves to the will of God, whatever He determines regarding the work He assigns each of His slaves 
(1Cor. 12:18; 11:29,31; Gal.6:4;  2Cor. 5:10; Isa.64:8) 
as well as it's reward (Mark 10:40; Matt.25:34; Ps.75:7; Dan.7:22;  1Pet. 1:4; Matt.20:13,15,16).
We accept whatever God has reserved for these "two" (Rev.11:3,4,5; Zech.4:11,12,13,14,2,3).

And so, after we have been called to become an heir with Christ (Rom.8:17; Gal.3:29), we properly grow to have the mind of Christ 

(Eph.4:13,14,15;  1Cor. 2:16;  1Cor. 15:58;  1Pet. 5:10; Col.1:28).
Rather than aspire that our valiant suffering will reward us with worldly glory...
we must in all sobriety, focus our exertion upon loyalty to God and our need to remain standing before God's inspection (Phil.2:12), as we endure the greatest of tests (Dan.8:19;  1Thess. 3:3;  2Thess. 1:5; Mark 13:20; Rev.12:12; 20:3; Luke 18:7; Rev.13:10; 14:12; Hab.2:3; Heb.10:37; Zeph.3:8; Rev.17:14; 16:13,14,15,16; 20:7,8,9; Rev.11:5). 
If, like Christ, we are motivated by a love for the God of Truth, and by the needs of the sheep for whom we toil and suffer 
(2Tim. 2:10,24,25;  2Cor. 12:15; Rom.12:1;  2Cor. 4:5; 5:15; 6:4-13 <(click); Rom.14:7; Mark 9:35; Gal.4:19) 
then God will empower such a heart to also have the strength to endure (Phil.4:13; Rev.2:2,3; 3:8; Isa.40:29,31; Rev.12:14).

We must be more concerned with pleasing God, than with an exalted position esteemed by men (Rom.2:29; John 5:44,41; 12:42,43;  1Thess. 2:6;  2Cor. 5:9,10; Gal.1:10).

It is vital also, that we do not become overconfident as James and John may have been; but rather, search out in the Word of God,
His provisions for our vital, rare, and precious endurance 
(Luke 13:23,24; Matt.7:14,21,22,23; 25:12,13; 24:22; Jer.42:2; Isa.1:8,9; 10:20; 65:8; Mal.3:6).

I hope to cover within the remainder of this series, by the links below. The links are underlined:
what trials the genuine brothers of Christ should expect to contend with...
why these trials have come upon them today...
how difficult are the trials of the Great Tribulation...
how the Great Tribulation can be endured successfully...
and where their trials today, originate.


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"It is marvelous in our eyes" / "Clouds" of "Heaven"

QUESTIONS from a comment that was left  (under "Glory"):
Hello Pearl,
We are motivated to keep striving and to keep throwing of every sin that could entangles us, so we might be worthy to be used in any way Jah and Christ see fit. If we look at the GB... how could that glory of the world possibly even come close to Christ Arriving through an Anointed who prove faithful?!
How will 2Thess1:10 happen?
What kind of Glory will we see so that it will be "marveled at"?
---------------------------------------------------------------------

MY REPLY:

Yes, there is so much in that one verse of Heb.12:1.

2Thess.1:7,12 goes well with verse 10 (2Thess.1:10). I will put segments of them together, to see the connection more clearly...

"This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed."

And I would supplement these (and Heb.12:1), with 1Thess.4:17;

"After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air."

This truth about who the "angels"/"clouds" are upon which Jesus arrives in glory, must be clarified; 
because the WT (and other so-called prophets), teach the lie that the angels with which Christ returns in glory, are not human. 
Once we understand that the "new heavens" are sealed Chosen ones (2Pet.3:13; Eph.2:6; Heb.12:22,23),

then many truths are healed within our mislead minds, and our faith can be restored to one based upon Truth.

Regarding "being marveled at" (2Thess.1:10), and how it will happen;

If our eyes are spiritual,

we can perceive that this is already happening, and has been happening since Jesus arrived to the earth.

See Jesus' words at Mark 12:10,11...

"Have you not even read this Scripture: 'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone; THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES '?" 

(Ps.118:23)

Now look at verse 10 again...

"on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you."
Yes, this "marveling" included those of faith in the first century.
These believers marvel at the power of the return of Christ (John 16:16; Phil.3:10; Rom.6:5),
not the return of the Gentile Beast of persecution (Rev.13:3; 17:8)

It is not to the world that Jesus will be seen as the glorified cornerstone (John 14:21,22; Acts 10:41; Rev.2:28; 22:16).
(See three provisions for life, under #2 of this LINK to see how Jesus is revealed to the faithful.)

It will not be to the world that his glorious arrival will be seen through his faithful messenger "angels".

It will only be "marveled at" among those of faith.

Those foolish virgins lacking faith in the power of God's spirit, will not know at all the time of his arrival 

(Heb.11:6; Rev.3:3; Isa.47:11;  1Thess.5:3; Luke 17:26,27; 12:39; 21:34;  1Pet.5:8) 

(Luke 21:36; Mark 13:37; Luke 12:37; Matt.25:10; 24:44; Rev.3:20)
(Matt.24:48; Hab.2:3).
Those foolish virgins will be off buying man-made provisions, when the Bridegroom arrives (Matt.25:9,10; Rev.13:17; Luke 13:24), and consequently be shut out of the Lamb's marriage feast 

(Rev.1:1; John 15:15; Rev.19:9; Matt.22:8,9,10; Rev.22:17).

***Why do they not recognize the glorious presence of Christ, through the Holy Spirit and truth, embodied within the members of the Holy City? (John 15:15; 5:20; 14:12; 3:35)
(Matt.25:14;  1Thess.2:4;  1Cor.4:1;  2Thess.2:14;  1Thess.1:5; Rom.8:30)

(A glory of "grace and truth" -John 1:14) 
[This is the same kind of glory ("grace and truth") which is seen in the faithful (John 17:22; Rom.8:18), not the glory of the world (John 5:44,41;  1John 2:15-17; Matt.4:8-10).

Because they are already extolling the worldly glory of the presence of the Wild Beast (Rev.17:8; 13:3,8) through the demonic spirit of lies, embodied within its false prophet and Gentile Beast members (Rev.16:13,14), the light of genuine spiritual glory, cannot shine through to them (2Thess.2:9-10,11-12;  2Cor.4:3-4; 3:16; John 8:12; 12:35). 

God's people as a whole do not recognize the Beast's real identity as Satan's tool of paralyzing persecution, returned (Rev.17:8). They rather, accept it's depiction as a divine image, at the word of the "false prophet" (Rev.19:20; 13:15,12,14; 2:20;  2Thess.2:4,9,10; Rev.8:10,11; 9:1,2,3) 

    ("Who is the 'earth' / 'world'?") ("All Slain on 'EARTH' "). 
They put their faith in Satan's misleading lies (Rev.16:13; 12:16) 

    ("'Earth' swallows Satan's 'River'")

by buying spiritual provisions from the Wild Beast (Rev.6:6; 13:17; Matt.25:9,10)

    ("What do 'Buying' and 'Selling' Mean?")

    ("Mark of the Beast")
Their "house" of faith has been built upon the shifting sands of the sea 
(Matt.7:26,27; Rev.13:1,4,8; Eph.4:14; 6:11;  2Cor.11:3;  1Pet.5:8; Rev.13:7) 
(Matt.24:24,25; 7:15; Acts 20:30; Rev.13:11; Ps.140:3; Deut.32:32,33; Rev.14:19; Joel 3:13) 
(2Pet.2:1,2;  2Thess.2:1,2;  1Tim.4:1; Rev.16:13,14,15,16).

How clearly we observe the fulfillment of these prophecies!

How clearly we observe the inability of those who worship the creations of men, to see the glory of truth!

I myself, "marvel" at the glory of the Cornerstone of Truth,

who has let his light shine on those who were prisoners of darkness (Rev.13:10; Isa.42:7; 49:8,9,24,25; Matt.12:29; Rev.20:2; John 12:31) and has been doing so from the time he arrived (John 8:12; 1:4; 9:5; 12:35,36,46), by granting such power over darkness (Luke 10:19,20;  1Thess.5:4,5,6;  1Pet.2:9; Matt.5:14,16; Luke 12:35; Rev.19:14; 12:17;  2Cor.10:4,5,6; Eph.6:11,12).

He has lifted them up, and brought them to a wide-opened place in heaven, to sing God's praises for the benefit of those granted to have ears to hear it (Ps.18:19; 31:8; 66:12; 118:5; 89:5; 149:1; 138:1; Rev.14:3; 15:3,4).

Most do not recognize the hour of their being visited / inspected, nor the ruin upon the people of God (Luke 19:42,43,44; Jer.13:17; Rev.13:10,7; Prov.4:19; Hosea 4:5,6; Rev.11:18; Matt.13:15; Rev.8:13). They are too intoxicated to be roused to their senses (Ps.60:3; Jer.51:7; Nahum 3:4; Rev.18:23; 17:2; Isa.47:9,12;  1Thess.5:6,7,8,9,3).

So do not expect that the Great Tribulation and Armageddon will be recognized by those without spiritual perception (1Cor.2:10,12,13,14,15).
  ("Armageddon - What is it?")
     (Search Results)
        (greatest-tribulation-why)

When this battle, sifting, and harvest are completed and the end of God's Judgment has finally been accomplished (1Cor.15:24; Dan.7:22,18), then we will rejoice!

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"Glory"

To look at Jesus, we would miss his hidden greatness if we looked with physical eyes. This picture agrees with scripture, which says that there was nothing about him that made him desirable to look at (Isa.53:2). Yet what of his spiritual appearance?
I think of John 1:4,10,14,16,18
"In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself divine, and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known."

Who with spiritual perception, would not fall at the feet of such beauty, divine authority, and loving power?
That picture is a great lesson, to view things and people, as God does (1Sam.16:7; Luke 16:15)
If only so many we leave behind could do that, perhaps they would not be so blinded by Deception's showy display 

(2Thess. 2:9-10,11-12;  1John 2:15,16,17).

Yes...when we think about the true glory of Christ as being totally spiritual (John 12:23; 13:31-32; Matt.26:64-68)....contained within his Father's blessings of "grace and truth"...
we need to take that personally (Mark 9:35; Matt.23:11-12; 18:4; 20:25-26,27-28; Luke 22:25-26,27). 

I think of Rom.8:17; John 15:16; 17:22;  2Cor. 3:18;  1Pet. 1:4; 4:13.
There we learn that our own glorious reward is not what we may have anticipated. 
When we suffer the humiliation, vilification, and death of Christ, "we share in his glory" (1Cor.15:43; Rom.8:17).
We may have thought that this glorious reward for suffering a martyr's death, would be like the world's glory.  Not so.

When we die for truth as Jesus did (Mark 8:35), we have the same spiritual glory....  having God's blessings of "grace and truth", as Jesus was blessed.

John 14:21; 17:24; 14:3-4,5-6; 17:24;  1John 3:2; John 17:22; 1:14
By means of God's grace and truth, we are enabled to suffer for our Lord, who suffered for us (2Cor. 5:15).
Where would we each be, without God's grace, which rescued us from the dark abyss?
How could we truly imitate our Lord, if it were not for being called from darkness, into the light of Truth? (1Pet. 2:9; Col.1:13)
And for these two gifts, we gladly suffer tribulation and shame for the sake of his name, and what that name really stood for 

(Heb.13:13; Acts 14:22) (2Thess. 1:5; Acts 5:41). 

Through such persecution, we establish our love for Truth...proving the glory of our integrity.

As a consequence of the grace and truth we receive from God,... what we teach, is "fruit that will last"
....teachings that will prove true, and so, endure forever, (Rom.3:4; John 15:16;  1Cor. 3:14) as do the teachings of Christ (John 1:9; Matt.24:35).
This is our unfading glory...and if we remain steadfast to the end, we are like stars in the night sky, 
whose light endures forever (Dan.12:3; Phil.2:15).
We share in the glory of the morning star (Rev.22:16; 2:28); , who gives light and life to all the earth (John 1:4; 14:21; 6:57,63). 
The planet earth's closest star, is the sun, upon which all life depends.
All life awaits in hope each day, for that star to rise, every morning....as it faithfully does 

(Mal.4:2; Luke 1:78;  2Pet. 1:19; Rev.22:16).
Our morning star will come to us from heaven, if we continue on the path he first walked before us 

(1Pet. 2:21; Matt.16:24;  1John 2:6) 
(Luke 1:78-79; Heb.1:6; Acts 3:20-21; Isa.60:1; Eph.5:14; Rev.2:28; 22:16;  2Cor. 4:6; Matt.17:2).

1Pet. 4:13 tells us;
"But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."

Yes, when the true glory of Christ is finally understood, we have reason to rejoice. Why? 
Because it makes so clear to us the path of life, and the way out of our captivity from those whose glory, is that of the World 
(Matt.4:8-9; 16:26;  1John 2:15-16; Rom.12:2; Matt.6:19-20,21). 
It also tells us about the authentic nature of the return of Christ "in power and great glory", remembering that this glory is not visible, but is a greatness of "grace and truth"
manifested within the "clouds of heaven" upon which Christ returns....
(Luke 21:27; Mark 13:26; Rev.1:7; Jude 1:14;  2Thess. 1:7,10)
(Searchbox result for- "clouds of heaven")

Our treasures must be spiritual..."stored in heaven", if we hope for them to endure. 
Spiritual treasures...."grace and truth". These can never fade.
Those who held us in captivity, take pride in their earthly treasures of wealth and power. 
These treasures are consigned to moth, rust, and thieves, and are soon to "pass away" (1John 2:17)..
We are "overjoyed" to realize, 
that we have chosen the better portion, despite our "momentary and light" tribulations (2Cor. 4:17,18).

THIS SUBJECT CONTINUES, AT:
"It is Marvelous in our Eyes"

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The Way of Life

A letter I received

Good morning Pearl, 
I hope you are in good spirit & your aches & pains are not giving you too much trouble.
I wanted to share with you something that happened last night whilst I was in bed asleep. I woke up a few times last night with the same 2 scriptures clearly in my head, I tried to ignore it but as I said I woke up a few times with them. I hadn't read them during the day or anything so they weren't already in my mind plus I couldn't remember what these scriptures said. Anyway when I got up this morning they were still apparent which I thought was strange so I looked them up first thing, they were John 14:4 & John 4:14. I am trying to understand why they were so prominent & seemed to have stuck with me all through the night & until rising this morning. Is there a reason? I guess time will tell.

Warm & loving regards

MY REPLY:

Good morning,

All truths are a part of the whole picture of truth, and every detail of it is in harmony with all other details. This is of course, true of your two scriptures. I assume you sent them to me for my thoughts.

I see these two combined, as providing reassurance. Why?

John 4:14 

"but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

John 14:4

"You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Where was Jesus going?
John 16:2-6

"They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. 3 They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. 4 I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you, 5 but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things."

  From the last scripture, we learn that Jesus was going to the Father, through death.

  He is also telling his disciples, that they are destined to suffer the same path (Matt.20:22,23; Jer.49:12; Mark 8:35), 

  that of persecution by the religious leaders (John 15:18; 16:2; Matt.24:9; 10:17,22; 23:34) and a sacrificial   

  death for truth (Matt.26:39; Mal.3:3; Rom.12:1; 6:5; Phil.3:10; Rev.6:9,11; 12:11).

  Yet Jesus was not only going to death,

  he was going to the Father in heaven. Once there, he promises he will send the Holy Spirit to his faithful. 

So when Jesus tells us, "You know the way to the place where I am going."; He tells his brothers, that their goal is to reach the Father in heaven, by means of the path he taught them...

"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

By means of the truth Christ taught, we are washed clean, purified, sanctified, and made holy, without spot (John 17:3). What for?
So that we can be brought into the presence of God (Eph.2:6; Col.3:1), who does not look upon any corruption (Hab.1:13; Ps.34:15,16). This occurs while they are still on earth (John 6:63;  1John 3:6,9; 5:4,18; 2:29;  1Pet.1:23; John 1:13; Rom.8:9). Both Christ and the Father make a home inside that one's heart (John 14:21,23,2; Rom.8:9; Eph.3:17;  1John 2:5,24; Rev.21:3), by having Holy Spirit dwell within each of them (1Cor.6:19; 3:16;  2Cor.6:16). These are then living forever, in spirit (John 8:51; 11:26; 5:24).

This brings us to your other scripture.

John 4:14

"but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Yes, while the spirit of God lives within a heart, and Jesus shows himself (the way, truth, and life) to them,

that person never thirsts again. They do not live in fear of Satanic deceptions, death, persecution, or pain. They are assured (1John 3:19) of God's care. Never again do they hunger or thirst (Rev.7:16; 21:6).

Instead, the living waters within them will ever impart life to them, as well as to their hearers.

(John 7:38,39; 6:63;  2Cor.3:6,3; Eph.3:7; 4:11,12; Col.1:25,26,27,28,29;  1Tim.1:11,12; Heb.8:6,10,11).

(John 13:20; Luke 9:48; Matt.10:40,41,42; Prov.25:25;  3John 1:4)

So I would say that the bottom line in all this, when taking only those two scriptures, is this...

We need not fear death, when we possess the power of the way to life, both for ourselves, and for others 

(Heb.2:14,15,16;  2Cor.1:10;  1Tim.4:10).
Although these are some thoughts that come to mind, I am sure they are by no means complete, and will grow throughout time through the blessing of God.

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Devotion Requires Endurance / "Baptism"

God promises to draw near to all who desire to draw close to Him.
James 4:8 reads;
"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
James includes within that verse, what is required along with our desire.
To "wash our hands" and "purify our hearts". This refers to bringing our deeds into conformity to the teachings of Christ, and doing so from the heart, which is a condition we can ask God for (Ps.51:10; 24:4; Eze.36:26; Deut.30:6; Luke 10:27).
God is the refiner of hearts (Prov.17:3; Mal.3:3; Zech.13:9), and can make it pure with His spirit (Rom.2:29; Col.2:11; Phil.3:3).
But note what we must contribute in this regard.
James refers to it when he says, "you double-minded".
This refers to the first command, which tells us that we must love God with our whole soul, strength, and mind (Mark 12:29,30).
We all start out from a place where we have other loves, which compete with our love of God (1John 2:15; Matt.6:24)...keeping our devotion to God, ambivalent (Luke 9:62; Phil.3:13). Our devotion to God is then divided.... "double-minded".
As Jesus told us, if something within our heart is holding us back, it is better to cut it out, then to lose out on life (Matt.18:9).

This is the meaning of baptism (1Pet.3:21). It is for repentance of your former course...a symbol of being washed clean of it, and leaving your former life and desires, behind (1Pet.1:14,15; Eph.4:22,23; Acts 22:16;  1John 3:9; 5:18).
Coming up from the water is a symbol of starting a new life (Acts 5:20; Rom.6:4)...
a life lived for Christ and the Will of God 

(1Pet.4:2;  2Cor.5:15; Matt.28:19,20;  1John 2:17).
This life never ends (John 11:26; 6:47; 8:51), but is generated from Holy Spirit (Rom.8:11; John 5:21; Gal.6:8), which gives life within our mortal bodies, and eternity to our souls (John 6:63; Rom.8:2,11;  1Pet.1:23; Luke 8:11).
The actual baptismal "water" which washes us, and the "seed" which gives us life, is the Word of God (Eph.5:26; John 15:3; 17:17; James 1:18).
We accept God's Truths into our heart as the good ground accepts fine seed (James 1:21; Luke 8:15), and we cultivate it within us, daily striving to care for and water it. We feel it grow stronger, until we reach the full stature of Christ 

(Matt.13:8; John 12:24;  1Cor.15:36; Col.3:3,5; Rom.8:13; Gal.4:19; Eph.4:13; Phil.1:6).

This means eternal life to all... both chosen and not.
This is the essence of baptism, which is only a physical symbol.
John the Baptist performed it in symbol of repentance among the Jews (Mark 1:4).
Jesus commanded it as a symbol of salvation from the crooked and twisted generation, attained by means of his commands, centrally being, to love (Matt.28:19,20; John 13:34).
Remember that John the Baptist told those he baptized...
"I baptize you with water, but he who follows me will baptize with spirit and fire." (Luke 3:16)
This baptism by the anointing "oil" of God's spirit (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38)
and of a purifying crucible of torment, persecution and affliction 

(1Pet.4:1; Isa.48:10; Mal.3:2,3);
(as well as the purification by God's Word -Jer.23:29; John 15:3)
is for those elected to be heirs, but Luke 3:16 points to whose baptism has more force.
If we are on a path that imitates Christ in these two "baptisms", this is our new life... and it is not about physical water.

God does not reproach a sincere heart (James 1:5; Isa.42:3;  2Chron.16:9 A).
He has His eye upon those of complete heart, and has a purpose for them. We let Him guide us on the road of life. Be sensitive to His spirit, and let go of your own goals. Obey His direction, and become like a child who trusts his father. Let Him lead the way. He loves you more than we humans can imagine.
Shake off the dead dust of false prophets from off you, and go forward to greater light. Do not be anxious. Persevere toward the Kingdom, free of the past. God is coming with retribution for those who exploited and tormented those searching for the way. Be comforted.

Often... God's undeserved kindness is sufficient for us (2Cor.12:9,10;  1Cor.10:13). During this time of test, we may not receive all we wish from Him, because it is a time of testing by Satan.
Remember that Jesus asked, while on the torture stake, "My God, my God, Why have you abandoned me?" (Matt.27:46)
This teaches us, that it may seem as if God is not with us. This is not true, just as it was not true of Jesus. The reason we may feel this way, is because God knows that we must reach a point where we are faithful by our own choice, integrity, and resolve. Satan demands it, just as he did with Job (Job 1:8,9,10,11,12; Rev.12:10-11;  1John 2:13,14).
Can you see that if God carried us through our testing period, it would be cheating?
So do not feel that God is not answering your own prayers. He hears them. He is protecting us from more than we can deal with (1Cor.10:13).
The rest, is now up to each of us.
If we look at Rev.19:8, we learn that we must prove faithful on our own merit. At the same time, we give all glory to God for our endurance. It is due to His training, that we become firm and strong (1Pet.5:10; James 1:3). Only those called ones who finish the "race" with their tested integrity intact, will inherit the blessings God has promised 

(2Cor.4:17;  2Pet.1:3;  1Cor.1:7,8,9;  1Thess.2:12; Heb.6:11,12; Prov.12:24; Mark 13:13; Isa.65:22).

When this is all over, God will be free to lavish upon us, blessings beyond our imagination (1Cor.2:9).
For now, we are in a spiritual wilderness, with all it's perils (Matt.4:1; Luke 22:31). But we are not alone (Matt.28:20; 18:20). There is God's "pillar" of "fire" and "cloud" (Ps.68:7; 105:39; Neh.9:12; Jer.23:29; Rev.19:13,14; 1:7; Heb.12:1; Isa.4:5,6; Rev.14:1). God, through his Temple, will guide us (1Cor.3:16; Rom.8:4,14; Gal.5:16,25; Rev.22:2; Eze.36:8; 17:23), and we also have each other (1Thess.5:11). That is a lot... enough to be successful (Prov.3:6; Josh.1:8; Deut.6:6,8).
...successful enough to make it home 

(Heb.13:14; 11:10,16;  2Pet.3:13; Ps.37:29; Phil.3:14).
(Rev.14:12; Heb.6:12) (holy-city)

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Symbolic Earthquakes

( Luke 21:11; Rev.6:12 )

"Regarding the prophecy of Luke 23:30, see it's association to earthquakes, at Isa.2:19,21. This literally says, "shake the earth".
Regarding that, also see Heb.12:26; Isa.13:13; 24:19; Hosea 10:8; Haggai 2:6,7.
There is great change afoot. God is allowing a sifting and shaking, to separate and sift out, those who are fit for life. These tremors will unearth the truth about the present heavens and earth, and the evil work being done and hidden within them (2Pet.3:10,7). This quaking is being caused by the voice (decrees/judgments) of God (Heb.12:26; Dan.7:7,8,21,26,9,22,18,27; Joel 3:16; Jer.25:30; Eze.38:19; Hosea 11:10; Amos 1:2; 3:8,7; Eze.29:21; Ps.132:17; 75:10; 112:9; Rev.22:6,16; Zech.4:9; Nahum 1:7; Prov.18:10).
He will cause what is low, to be raised up, and what is high, to be brought down to the dust, just as a great literal earthquake does.
(See Isa.45:2; 40:4; Zech.4:7; Ps.113:7,8; Eze.21:26; Luke 14:11; 3:6,5; Isa.43:19,20,21; 
Jer.31:22 -literally: woman [daughter who was elusive/backsliding/shrunk back -see context] will [come forward to] defend/shield/protect/guard, her master. In doing so, this defies the usual scenario of a master defending his maidservant. In her doing so, streams of water are produced in the wilderness for God's people. -Isa.43:19; Jer.31:22; Isa.52:2,1,3; Rev.12:6,14).

The reason there was an earthquake upon Jesus death (Matt.27:50,51,54), was also a meaningful manifestation of God's release of anger, when He upturned His covenant with Israel (Matt.21:43,42; Matt.21:37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45). It caused the curtain which enclosed God's abode within the Most Holy, to be torn apart, (Mark 15:37,38; Luke 23:45), exposing that the ark of God's covenant was gone. The armies of Titus found the Holy of Holies quite empty in 70 A.D. Just as Jesus said, "Your house is left to you abandoned" 
(Eze.8:6; Matt.23:37,38; Jer.22:5; Matt.24:2).
So will the wayward Temple members today, be upturned, debased, and abandoned. 
(Rom.11:19,20,21,22; Matt.24:15,16;  2Thess.2:4; Rev.11:2; Matt.5:13; Isa.51:23; Rev.9:10; 20:7,8,9; 13:7; Jer.51:7; Zech.12:2; Luke 21:24; Rev.13:10,7; 11:3,5; 20:9) 
("Fire From Heaven").
The day of reckoning rushes upon them, when these Harlotrous representative agents of their mother Covenant of Death ("Babylon the Great" -Rev.17:5)
(Harlot and Beast) (Harlot and Beast -2)
will have to face the writing on the wall (Dan.5:5,6,25,26,27,30; Luke 12:20,21; Prov.13:22; Job 27:8; Prov.10:2) when they will lose all their worldly treasures on earth (Matt.6:19;  1John 2:15,16), given them by the god of this world (Matt.4:8;  1Pet.5:8;  2Cor.2:11; 11:3), and taken away by his Gentile sons of destruction (2Thess.2:3; Rev.13:4; 9:3,11; 17:16), with whom she also fornicates. 
(James 1:27; 4:4)
The "high" "mountain" of the WT will be abased, (Zech.4:7; Rev.8:8; 18:21) 
(http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2013/01/imagine-yourself-back-in-first-century.html)
and the despised and rejected capstone will be set in it's place...completing the Temple of God. 
(1Pet.2:5;  1Cor.3:16; Eph.2:21,22; Zech.4:7,9; 3:9; Rev.14:1; Isa.2:2,3,10,17,18,19,20,21,22) 
("Yhwh's Genuine Mountain")
Jesus told us that "earthquakes" will take place in various localities (Matt.24:7,8).
As the truths of God are brought out while the seven seals are opened and their content publicized (Rev.5:1,5,7,9; John 15:15; Rev.1:1; 10:2,3,8,7; 20:12; Dan.7:10; 12:4,10,3; Matt.24:14; Rev.14:6,7,8; Isa.48:20; Rev.18:4; Isa.44:23), all the strongly entrenched falsehoods "in various places", are overturned (2Cor.10:4,5; Eph.5:11) and judged (Matt.12:36,37; 15:18). There are many such manifestations of falsehood..."various places"; because up until then, "Babylon the Great" (lit. "Great Confusion") reigns (and death reigns, through the famine she causes -Isa.28:15; Amos 8:11,12). Is this not presently evident on all the forums, and even among those claiming to be anointed priests? 
(Dan.12:4; Amos 8:12,11; Rev.18:8; 6:6; Matt.24:7,8)
All the end time powerful lying signs, powerful demonic portents, and the false prophets who teach them (1Tim.4:1; Rev.12:9,15,17; 20:7,8; 16:13,14,15,16; 19:20; 13:4;  2Thess.2:8,9,10; Matt.24:4,5,24,25), will become mire in the streets (Hab.2:16; Jer.13:13; Rev.14:8; Micah 7:10; Isa.51:22,23) when compared to the beaming revelations of God (John 1:5; Acts 26:18; John 3:19;  2Thess.2:11,12; Rev.20:10; Isa.24:6; Hosea 6:5; Rev.11:5; Jer.5:14; Zech.1:6).

These events happen in the spiritual realm, and are perceived with spiritual eyes that are open and awake. These events will eventually change the surface of the "earth", removing rebellious kings, and installing faithful kings 
(Dan.2:21; 4:17; Rev.10:11; Ps.82:1; 75:7; Jer.1:10; 31:28). 
These are spiritual earthquakes, and concern the removal of the wicked powers that exist ("heavens"), and the installation of the powers that were not....a new heavens and earth in which righteousness dwells.
(Dan.2:21; Ps.75:7; Eze.21:26;  1Sam.2:8; Luke 14:11; 1:52; Prov.29:23;  1Pet.5:6) (2Pet.3:7,10,12,13; Isa.60:21; 65:17; 66:22; Rev.21:1,27; Dan.7:9,18,22)."

More info:
https://pearl-sign.blogspot.com/

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Who are the "reapers"? / "Angels" / "clothed with the 'sun'"

Matt.13:39 reads;
"The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels."
But Matt.13:41,43 also read;
"The Son of Man will send out his angels (Rev.12:7; 19:11,14; 17:14), and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil (Eph.5:11; Jude 1:12;  2Pet.2:17; Matt.15:13). Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father (Dan.12:3; Phil.2:15). Whoever has ears, let them hear."
Please compare this to Hosea 6:5 and Rev.12:1. ("Who Is The 'Woman'?")
The "righteous shine like the sun". They are clothed with righteousness and the sun (Col.3:12; Rev.12:1). It is the first impression which they give as to their identity. 
What does it mean to be "clothed with the sun"?
See Gal.3:27; Matt.17:2; Rev.1:16;  2Cor.4:6; and Rom.13:14

So Matt.13:41,43 helps us to "hear", that the harvesting messengers sent out by Christ, are the righteous, who shine like the sun. Their light is due to the brilliance of spiritual light, which is sourced in the face of Christ.
(2Cor.3:18; 4:4 B; Eph.1:18;  1Pet.2:9;  2Pet.1:19; Rev.22:16; 2:28; Dan.12:3; Phil.2:15; Prov.4:18;  1Thess.5:5)

"Angels" means "messenger" in Greek -Dan.4:17; Ps.104:4; Heb.1:6,7,14; 2:5,16; Mal.3:1. 
(http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2013/10/gods-messengers.html)
They are those chosen and assigned by God to harvest (John 4:35,36,37,38; Rev.14:14-19; Ps.126:5). 
They are also those who plant (Luke 8:11) and cultivate (1Cor.3:6,7,9;  2Cor.9:6).

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Fasting / Wilderness Testing / Dominion of the Beasts

I am posting this is response to some questions, so that the one who asked them may read my reply with the pop up scriptures.
------------------------------

Hello,
You seem to ask about fasting (and why Jesus did it)
(and the thought of him entering the wilderness after his anointing
and returning from there with the power of the spirit),
Should we fast when we are having spiritual difficulty?
Why do the elders seem to have absolute authority to teach in the "kingdom halls"?
Why the teaching that one needs to be a "JW" in order to be on the right path,
why are "JW's" afraid to express their thoughts,
what happens to those who do express "unofficial" thoughts,
why the GB leaders are the only ones considered as lead (anointed) by God's spirit.

To answer each of these thoughts in depth, would take a book,
so I will be brief with each one. For more depth about a particular one of these subjects, I can suggest going to my website, and using the search box.
--------------------
After Jesus was anointed by God, he was elected as the initial "seed" and heir of God's kingdom (Gal.3:16; Heb.1:5,13; Eph.1:10,22; Rom.4:13). As such, he initiated the pattern for each invited heir (1Pet.2:21; Rev.14:4;  1Cor.11:1; Gal.3:29), including following that election with Satan's testing (Matt.4:1). Each of those invited as heirs, must go through Satan's accusations and tests (Luke 22:31; Amos 9:9; Zech.3:1,8; Rev.12:10; Job.1:6,11; John 15:20; Acts 14:22). The "wilderness" is used to represent this time of test by Satan (Rev.12:6,14 (2Cor.2:11); John 17:15; Ps.1:6; Rev.17:3; Heb.3:7,8).
Those who come through such tribulations and tests successfully, are refined and sealed as faithful by them 
(Isa.48:10;  1Pet.4:12; Heb.12:6; Dan.11:35; Jer.9:7; Zech.13:9; Isa.48:10) 
(Rev.13:15; 9:15; 17:6; Zech.6:5; Eze.14:21,22; Rev.6:2,3,4,5,6,7,8; Zech.5:3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11; Rev.18:4; Matt.24:31,28) 
(Rev.12:4; Rev.11:2; 13:7; 9:5,4; 7:3; 6:9,11; 12:10,11).
(Acts 14:22; Luke 13:24; Matt.7:13,14,21,22,23; 25:11,12,13; Luke 21:36; Rev.6:17; Matt.24:9,21,22,24,25)
Those who don't come through as faithful, have the wickedness in their hearts made manifest (Rev.17:3; Mal.3:18;  2Tim.3:9).

Why did Jesus fast during this time?
This is symbolic, and represents a denial of spiritual food sourced with men (Matt.15:9; Col.2:8; Eph.4:14) and reliance instead, upon God's Word and spirit (Matt.4:4; Eph.6:17; Phil.2:16; Heb.4:12; Rom.3:4;  2Tim.3:15-16,17). This must be imitated by all those who wish to come through their time of testing, successfully (John 8:47;  1John 4:6).
We too then, must not be guided by the doctrines of men, and in this way, we "fast".
Deprivations of our literal flesh, are of no benefit (Col.2:23). Our benefit comes from Christ feeding us (Eph.5:29).

The authority of the elders in the congregation, is given to them by means of the governing leaders. This is symbolically depicted at Rev.9:1-2,3 and Rev.13:11-12,14-15,16-17; 19:20).
Those scriptures also depict and explain your other questions...
   about the assertion that the path of "JW's" is the only one of salvation,
   why "JW's" are afraid and forbidden to express thoughts which are not the official current doctrine,
   and what happens to those who defy this tyrannical demand.
For more information about these things, and the fulfillment of prophecies which fulfillment you now see displayed in these current circumstances;
I suggest a search at the site, for "mark of the beast", "666", "getting 'killed'".
(http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2013/05/mark-of-beast.html)
(pearl-666.blogspot.com)

Regarding why the leaders are the only ones considered as lead (anointed) by God's spirit...
This tout was also prophesied to occur.
This relates to the same "star" depicted at Rev.9:1 and Rev.8:10-11; 13:11; 19:20.
The false prophet depicted in these scriptures (who works in behalf of the Beast, whose power it uses), is also depicted as a Harlot, who "rides" that same "Beast".
Prophecy tells us, that the time comes for this last Harlot, to declare herself as the only one fit to rule. (Isa.1:21; 47:7-8,9; Rev.18:7-8)

God gives His spirit to those whom He chooses.
Those who receive it, must provide it's fruitage,
especially during this time of famine.
(John 15:4-5,8,16; Isa.43:10,21;  1Pet.2:9-10,5; Eph.2:20-21,22)

God bless you with His mercy and support,
Love in Christ,
Pearl

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