And I (Jesus) say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Mat. 16:18)
A Tall Mountain
A dream took place months ago that keeps surfacing. When that happens, it is recognized that it is meant to be shared for the benefit of all.
I am standing somewhere looking to my right side towards a tall rocky mountain. Around the entire mountain is a narrow road that spirals all the way to the top. The narrow road is vertically divided in two: half is made of some kind of silver-colored metal and the other half is composed of the same material as the mountain. Suddenly and surprisingly, I find myself standing at the top of this tall mountain. How did I get here so fast I thought? In front of me is a broken wired mesh gate; it was barely hanging on to one hinge. Someone had forcefully broken through this gate. At this point in the dream came the realization that there were others here and it was them that broke through the gate. End of dream.
The New Kingdom
The mountain is biblically symbolic of a kingdom – in this case, it is the New Kingdom. And although Jesus paved the way for us to freely enter in, it does not always come easy. In fact, it can be a veritable battle and an outright throw down!
After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith (Jesus’ Disciples are called to continuously keep the Faith!) and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts. 14:21-22)
Paul wisely instructed that although Jesus secured our salvation, a Believer still has a participatory role to fulfill in order to enter the Kingdom. (Cf. Phil. 1:6) Jesus, furthermore, instructed that the road leading to life is narrow and few there be that find it and enter therein. (Mat. 7:14) Without doubt, keeping the faith in the Lord and His finished works is critical for Believers walking on the narrow pathway leading to the New Kingdom. Tragically, many have and many more will discouragingly backslide – some even merrily – all the way down the mountain on the spiral metal slide that runs parallel to the road. Apostle Paul and Jesus’ instructions, in combination with the dream, ascertain that Overcomers cannot escalate and enter the New Kingdom without enduring Faith in the Lord and His finished works.
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Phil. 2:12)
A Fight to the Death
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force. (Mat. 11:12)
Presently, Satan is intensifying his attack on Believers because he knows the Lord’s return and coming is imminent. A return that is coupled with the greatest time of judgment ever to befall the wicked. And it is a threat to his (I am hearing: agenda) which includes tripping and garnering as many lost souls as he can to inhabit his global kingdoms. The battle will get increasingly difficult in coming days as he seeks to spiritually and even physically snuff the life out of the faithful ones. So was the case when the great Prophet John the Baptist walked the earth. And so was the case with Jesus when He took dominion away from Satan in order to make the New Kingdom available to us. It is a spiritual kingdom for now, a heavenly kingdom when we physically expire and an earthly kingdom to come!
Victorious Faith
Be encouraged today in knowing that many more faithful like you who are making their way up have also endured many battles (I am hearing: hardships). Some might even have temporarily fallen but they never gave up! They persevered in the faith, walked tightly on the rough narrow pathway and violently pressed through the obstructive gate of personal breakthroughs. They have finally arrived at the top and are actively resting in Christ. (A dichotomous way of explaining that in the Kingdom inertia cannot coexist with life.) In brief, it wasn’t easy for them. And in consideration of the prophetic timetable when Satan is attempting to implement his global kingdoms, neither will it be easy for Believers in coming days.
Jesus declared that in the Kingdom of Heaven the least is greater than even the great Prophet John the Baptist. (Mat. 11:11) We can only presently imagine what that will be like! But for now and wherever on the spiritual mountain we are situated, it is time to pull up the bootstraps of Faith and climb with renewed vigor and determined strength. We will be so glad and blessed that we did.
Keep the Faith. It keeps all who are His.
Suzanne
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