The Endurance
The Gospel That Must Be Preached
When Jesus sent out His disciples the first time (that event also a type of His endtime ministry), He said, '"[I]t is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you…and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved"' (Matt 10:20, 22). What the empowered disciples spoke on that day of Pentecost was the Spirit of the Father speaking through them. The gospel that must to delivered to the world before the end can come (Matt 24:14) is the identical gospel as is delivered here (10:22) after Christ promises that the Spirit of the Father will speak through disciples. That gospel is, '"But the one who endures to the end will be saved'" (24:13). So the juxtaposition has first being empowered by the Spirit of the Father, then being persecuted and hated for the sake of Christ's name, and delivering the good news that the person who endures to the end will be saved, will be part of the first resurrection.
The gospel initially delivered by disciples is of Christ's mighty deeds (1 Pet 2:9), but at the end of the age, the message changes. The subject of Jesus' Olivet discourse is the sign of the end of the age and of His return. His audience is His disciples, not those who do not know Him. His disciples do not need to be told about His mighty deeds. Rather, they need warned not to mislead anyone (Matt 24:4 -- this verse is poorly translated in all English translations), and they need warned about what will happen to them at the end of the age (vv. 9-12). They also need to hear the good news that if they, as disciples, endure to the end, they will be saved. An absolute promise. And then because this good-news promise must be preached to the world, there will be disciples everywhere. [Note: the gospel message changes, going from one directed to those who do not know Christ to one that is specifically directed to those who know God.]
The church of Philadelphia is commended for doing one thing and one thing only, [Rev 3:10 "Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth"]. This web site and its affiliated links are about teaching the acquisition of knowledge of how to endure by laying in tools [hand, not power which requires money/transactions to support] and books and foodstuffs, not only to feed your neighbor and brother, but how to teach him to "fish" to feed himself and his neighbors and brothers. Because there are disciples everywhere around the world, we encourage you to join us--send us your recommendations for books in your native language that support the theme of enduring--books on native plants, medicines, methods of heating, cooling, acquiring water, cooking, housing. This information is not for us now--it is for those who do not know they are on their way to spiritual Jerusalem, whose mindsets change in an instant when the spirit is poured out on all flesh, Joel 2:28. Even beasts of the field will not fear, "for the pastures of the wilderness are green; the tree bears its fruit; the fig tree and vine give their full yield." (Joel 2:22) If beasts are not to fear us (Gen 9:1-3), it appears we may be returning to eating only vegetative matter, nuts and fruits during the endurance, as mankind was instructed pre-flood (Gen 1:29-30). If manna will not be provided [enduring implies hardship--manna was easy--it appeared outside the tent door every morning], it behooves us to know in advance what vegetation is edible and what may be poisonous, as well as how to prepare it, flavor it and combine it to provide complete nutrition in the absence of eating animal flesh. The Big Mac's™ "two sear-sizzled 100% pure beef patties" will be out, but the bun and sauce and cheese can still be eaten, IF we know how to turn grain into bread and milk into cheese and herbs and spices into sauce and relish.
Even a rock and a hard place will grind grain for bread, but do you know how to "season" that matate so you won't end up with grit in your food or a broken tooth? Why not acquire a hand grist mill for grinding grain for bread and cereal? If the grids are still up but you cannot buy electricity without taking the mark of the beast (Rev 13:17), cooking over a fire requires a different set of pots and pans than what worked in your microwave. Instead of standing in line at the local church's soup kitchen, where one has to sell his/her soul for a bowl of soup (Heb 12:16), you can have your neighbors in for soup, minus the stone and a pep talk where you tell them they can do this! You can endure! Why look at the store outside your door that requires no money! And then you show them orach and lamb's quarters and dandelions and purslane--some of the most nutrition-packed plants on the planet--and variations of them grow almost everywhere.
If you know a mountain man or a desert woman or an old man of the sea, visit them now and observe them and their lifestyle; ask questions; take notes; handle their tools. And then take the best of their best back with you to share with your neighbors and brothers and those soon to come on this website[s].
Joseph was sent into Egypt to prepare the way. We do not know whether we are about to begin the 7 lean years or if we still have 7 fat years to get ready--let's be about _so doing_ (Matt 24:46).
email: HKMinistries@homerkizer.org
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