Lesson 195. Our World

Our world, like heavy waters, presses upon our submarine from every side and seeks every opportunity to penetrate inside. Even the smallest opening in the vessel’s hull is enough for it to sink us. And everyone feels this pressure. No matter how well we may live here, as long as satan exists and his army has influence in this world, I cannot be in absolute safety. In the Lord I find protection and rest; in Him is the fortress of my soul. Yet He leads me through the fire and allows satan to test my strength. And this is God’s plan for preparing us for Eternal life. The enemy of souls pushes us out of this world into Eternity. Through his attacks, he makes us more experienced and stronger and teaches us to rely completely upon Jesus. And the more terrifying the storm, the closer I become to God. The enemy hates us, and he understands his powerlessness in this war, yet he continues to persecute us, desiring that we at least die in Christ, if only to put an end to our influence. But our works follow us even after death.

Satan knows that he has no chance of victory in an open confrontation, and now he disguises his plans very skillfully. He comes as an angel of light and as a smiling, happy person. And through such deceptions he gains many worshipers. The great empire of satan, which has swallowed up the entire world, has appeared in our time in all its splendor. Its name is Babylon. And we live in it. We build our way of life under the influence of this city.

We read in Revelation 18:23: ‘... for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.’

In the original, the word ‘sorceries’ is written as follows: φαρμακείᾳ. This term is now used in medicine, as in pharmacology—the medicinal effect upon the human body. And the enemy of souls, together with his subjects, is now engaged in enchanting the world in order to control it and carry out his plans. And this spirit reigns in the air. Until the Second Coming itself, we will be subject to such pressure from without.

But God has a plan. He did not give satan absolute power. He established His Kingdom of Love called Agape. And it successfully withstands the enemy’s onslaught, confidently defeating the forces of darkness. God Himself is the Head of this Kingdom. It is a part of Heaven in our world. The Lord knows the strength of evil’s influence and the pressure it exerts upon a person; therefore, He does not expect human victories from me, but Himself wages war within me and overcomes.

The Love that Jesus counsels us to acquire is strong enough to overcome every obstacle. It is not subject to the power of enchantment and rejects everything unclean. Love is pure, like sunlight, like drops of dew. It created man for itself and knows what a person needs for happiness and for a full life.

Laodicea is presented to us as the final period of history. There is nothing after it. And it is worth concentrating all our thoughts in order to understand what God offers me at this time.

Friends, it is vitally important to understand what the Lord is saying as He addresses Laodicea. If I do not accept it, I will not be able to possess it, nor will I thirst for it and ask for it. But God offers Himself. He came personally for this purpose and stands waiting. The Holy Spirit reveals this truth very clearly. And if I do not hear His voice and reject His help and victory, then to whom shall I go? Satan already has a solution prepared. To him? Never! But if I reject God, or if I remain indifferent, then I cannot live on my own. Another power will take possession of me, and I will sup with it, and it with me, and we will be merry and happy, while ahead of us awaits a wonderful death without any hope. Is that what I should live for? Is that what the Lord desires to give me?

The history of Christianity teaches us how good the Lord is and how tenderly and carefully He led His people, sending them truth and prophets in His appointed time. But the light of a hundred years ago is not sufficient today. I may miss important details. The pioneers of Christianity gave us many discoveries and laid a solid foundation, but our growth did not end there. Now we have reached the finish line, and what do we have? Disputes, hostility, disagreements, indifference, heresies, and so forth. Is this what God plans to take into Eternity? Is this what He will place His seal upon? Is this what the Holy Spirit is laboring for—to cover lawlessness with God’s righteousness?

We have studied the law, come to know it, learned it by heart, and speak about it to people; but have we dissolved it in God’s Love within our relationships so that it may become edible?

We are not guilty of having been born and living at this time. And God does not judge us because we live in Babylon, but He offers a solution and asks: ‘Come out of her, My people!’ But where am I to go? To Sodom? To Gomorrah? Where is this place? Where should I direct my steps?

Jesus gives the answer. He is that Door, and what He offers in the message to Laodicea will become my protection and weapon in the last days. And what does He counsel me to acquire? The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God has no better Treasures than These for the soul. This is the Most Precious Gift He has reserved for the end. All Heaven has been emptied in order to become ours. And if the Lord Himself is already standing at the door and knocking, then who could be better after Him? And what am I doing? I justify myself by saying that I cannot crawl to the door and open it. Or perhaps I do not want to? Perhaps I am deceiving myself? Well, I have no strength!!! I do have strength, but not for what is needed.

I think a person looks very foolish when, having so much light, he chooses darkness; having so much delicious food, he prefers dry crackers; having Christ, he goes to satan.

And what can the Holy Spirit do for those who reject all His appeals, convictions, counsels, and requests? What can God give to people who turn their backs on Him? How else can He convince me of His Love if I reject it?

What bad thing will happen if I begin to ask for and receive Love? Changes will begin. My old views and stereotypes will collapse. I will have to forgive everyone, reconsider everything, and remove many things. All my sins will be mercilessly exposed and will appear in their most repulsive form. My carnal thoughts and feelings will begin to leave me, and I will never again be able to make use of them. I will see how wonderful and wise God is and how greatly He respects my freedom. I will have new friends who will respond to my Love in the same way. Happiness will tug at my heart and deprive me of sadness and anxiety. My whole life will turn into a battlefield where I will be an absolute victor through God’s strength. The peace of God will become my barometer. And this is only the beginning of those heavenly adventures that will fill my life with light and peace. And consider for yourselves whether all this is worth acquiring in exchange for the vanity and vainglory that feed pride and carnal pleasures.

How else can God convince me that Salvation in Christ is better than this entire sinking world? If He Himself has come and offers Himself, then perhaps it is still better to accept this Gift?

The end of all things is rapidly approaching. God is acting. His army of angels is in full combat readiness. Love is open and accessible to everyone. Whoever thirsts, come and drink. The doors of grace are still open. Jesus is asking to be your Friend, and together with Himself He will bring the Father and His Spirit. There has never been a time like this. All Heaven waits in suspense to see what I will choose. And I turn on social media and watch my friends’ stories?

1. What interesting things were revealed to you in this lesson?

2. What is God’s plan for preparing us for Eternity?

3. What strategy and power does satan have in these last days?

4. Will God send a New prophet with an explanation of a new way of Salvation or with a new message to the church?

5. What is the power and special quality of the Love that God counsels Laodicea to acquire in these last days?

6. What happens to me when I receive Love?

7. Is it worthwhile for me to study the symbols of the message to Laodicea?

8. Please read Revelation 3:18–22; Daniel 7:13–14; Hebrews 9:14; Romans 5:2–5; Revelation 18:4–5; James 2:3–6; 1 John 2:15; Revelation 12:17; 14:8; Isaiah 44:3; 45:8; 47:10–11; John 16:11; Revelation 21:6 in the light of our lesson.