. . . the power of the holy people has been completely shattered . . . (Dan. 12:7) 

We see another confirmation and a sure prophetic sign of our times, the poor quality of our spiritual condition and the devastating defect of God’s people, which is recorded in Daniel: “And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, ‘How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be? . . . that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished” (Dan. 12:6, 7c).  The Apostle Paul describes this devastation in the following way:

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Tim. 3:1–7) Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first . . . (2 Thess. 2:3a)

Thus, we see through several Scripture passages that people who are considered to be God’s will be in a state of contradiction to God’s expected standards, prior to the second coming of Christ. Jesus’ words reinforce this point: “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Lk. 18:8b) Demonstration of faith is determined by a change of heart and observation of His commandments. Transformational faith must be practiced. For example, I am a strong believer in the benefits of regular exercise. I can even tell others all about those benefits. This belief does me no good, because I don’t practice my belief; I don’t exercise. So, if our faith in Christ fails to transform, our faith is in vain. Upon His return, the Lord will be looking for faith demonstrated by works, not mere words: “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?” (Jas. 2:26, 14). Jesus gives us even more details in Matthew 24:4b–14.

The power of the holy people is their faith, which transforms them and makes them holy, righteous, faithful to Christ, obedient to His Word, and separate from the works of this world. Although Scripture tells us about the falling away or a change in the quality of His people and the presence of deception, His Bride must be different. If the Rapture happened at this moment, a staggering number of Christians would be left behind. It saddens me to see and know, that most believers think they are ready for the Rapture. Unfortunately, their belief is not grounded in Scripture but in puffed-up promises based on lies and a twisting of God’s Word. The Bible warns us about deception, false teachers, and prophets, a great falling away, and being left behind. Are we traveling on the safe boat and in the right direction? One degree to the right or left, and we can miss our desired destination. There is no room for mistakes, because the cost is eternal.

Copyright © 2018 Natalya Vazemiller

This text is excerpt from book She Divides the Spoil by Natalya Vazemiller and is copyrighted.

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