“He Who Endures to the End Will Be Saved”
- Matthew 24:13 -
The targets of Satan’s fury are the sold out followers and servants of Yahshua (Jesus) who have enduring saving faith because they love their God, Savior, and His Word, more than life itself. For them “to live is Messiah and to die is gain.”
- Philippians 1:21 -
In these last days, we are witnessing the biblical reality that “Satan is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short” (Revelation 12:12). The targets of His fury are the sold out followers and servants of Yahshua (Jesus) who have enduring saving faith because they love their God, Savior, and His Word, more than life itself. For them “to live is Messiah and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). They continually rid themselves of every encumbrance [of the flesh nature] and “the sin which so easily entangles them and they run with endurance the race that is set before them looking only at Yahshua [Jesus], the originator and perfecter of their faith” (see Hebrews 12:1-2).
It is written, “when you do what is right and suffer for it and you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, because Messiah [Christ] also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in His steps”
- 1 Peter 2:20-21 -
Our Savior told His disciples then and now, “if they hated me they will hate you, and the time will come when, "you will be hated by everyone because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved” (See John 15:18-25, Mark 13:13). It is written, “when you do what is right and suffer for it and you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, because Messiah [Christ] also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:20-21). “If you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be in dread” (1 Peter 3:14). Several times in the book of Revelation Messiah alerted His redeemed children, “Here is the perseverance [endurance] of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Yahshua [Jesus]” (Revelation 14:12, 3:10, 13:10).
Those who have “died to the flesh are alive in the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18). They have continually “fought the good fight of faith” against their sinful flesh, the world, and Satan (2 Timothy 4:7-8). The righteous remnant have overcome this battle and are living more in the Spirit and less and less in the flesh proclaiming, "He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). As Apostle Paul said, “But whatever things were gain to me [of the flesh and in this world], these things I have counted as loss because of Messiah. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Messiah Yahshua [Christ Jesus] my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Messiah, … that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:7-8,10-11).
Through this victorious conquering of the flesh and its sinful worldly desires, we will “live and move and have our being in the Spirit” (see Acts 17:28). Our identity will be in Yahshua (Jesus) and the “sting of death” that is associated with the flesh, will no longer cause us fear because we have already “died daily” to our flesh and are alive in the Spirit, with our “lives hidden in Messiah” (1 Corinthians 15:31, 55-57, Colossians 3:3). We will be alive in the Spirit forever and will pass from this life to the other in a “blinking of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15:52). Our fleshy bodies will go from dust to dust but our spirit will be united with Yahshua (Jesus) forever as a bride with her Bridegroom, spirit to spirit, one forever with Him in His eternal kingdom! (Ecclesiastes 3:20)
Our identity will be in Yahshua (Jesus) and the “sting of death” that is associated with the flesh, will no longer cause us fear because we have already “died daily” to our flesh and are alive in the Spirit, with our “lives hidden in Messiah”
- 1 Corinthians 15:31, 55-57, Colossians 3:3 -
As previously stated, the Savior’s words are a reality for the overcoming saints, “I have been crucified with Messiah [Christ]; and it is no longer I who live, but Messiah lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20). That faith gives courage and fortitude to endure hardships and trials as our Savior left us an example to suffer with Him and to count it all joy. “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Yahshua Messiah [Jesus Christ]. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written: “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:13-16).
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Yahshua Messiah [Jesus Christ], who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Yahshua [Jesus] Messiah from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Yahshua Messiah [Jesus Christ]; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:3-9)
