They Fell Asleep While Waiting

If we were to look at what Satan is currently doing, we would see that he is actively preparing the mark and image of the beast to offer us. He is preparing the entire world for the upcoming event and, through possible means, instilling godlessness, love of sin, and carelessness in all people.

The Creator of our Earth desires to save everyone who wishes and accepts the conditions of salvation. God calls all people to repentance and draws attention to the futility of earthly plans compared to Eternal values. And who will hear this voice?

The intensity of spiritual confrontation is increasing, and soon we await the culmination of the last events.

What awaits the world ahead? What will happen to us? What should we prepare for? What is happening? All these and other questions sound clear, and it is worth knowing the correct answer. People want to hear the truth, but will they accept it and grasp the offered salvation? But if we do not tell the world what the Lord reveals to us, people will go seeking answers elsewhere, and the enemy of the soul will certainly explain what is happening in his own way and convince them of peace and safety.

It is sad to understand that the spirit of numbness is also acting among God's people. This was predicted to us as a fact we will have to deal with.

Our society is built so that money is needed everywhere, and everything must be paid for. Many live in abundance. Some earn money through hard labor, some toil from morning to night to survive, while others are tired of it all and are drowning in debt. And the enemy of the soul draws for me beautiful landscapes of a well-fed and secure life, wanting to convince me that my safety lies in my large estate. Thus, he pushes me to spend my time acquiring wealth. From the example of successful people, I see that with ingenuity, knowledge, and abilities, one can quickly become rich, but it is worth remembering that my earthly wealth will not open the doors of the Heavenly Kingdom for me, but will add many unnecessary cares and problems, although it may solve current issues and satisfy immediate needs.

The enemy of the soul has built a very interesting system of spirituality, materialism, and information, in which he has mixed truth with lies, good with evil, and now offers me to settle in this Babylon and not think about anything Heavenly.

Regarding the last time, it is said that people will not think about their salvation, just as it was in the days of Noah. And such an influence numbs me, as everything seems so natural, vital, and ordinary.

We have been given prophecies about the last time through the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, where it is very clearly indicated what will happen and how these events will unfold. But we have not been given detailed information about the details of this time. In the prophecies, there is not a single word about the internet and means of communication, about various types of weapons and technological progress, about scientific achievements and amazing discoveries. But we see all this, understanding that this is not the limit. And people's lives have not become more righteous.

Satan is a very talented commander. He has better studied all the prophecies and understood that he will be given some power to complete his destructive work over those who will be deceived by him. And he does not plan to miss this opportunity. He is a skilled strategist who carefully studies God's plans and invents forgeries and traps along the way. And who can withstand satanic seductions?

I think that many of God's children, studying prophecies about the last time, have drawn a picture of how it should be and are waiting for exactly such a development of events corresponding to their understanding. But the problem is that Satan is a wise opponent who has carefully studied all our plans and listened to all our lessons and sermons, and he is not so stupid as to go with his army to where he is expected and prepared for an attack. He will invent a forgery and send some warriors of his army to create the appearance of conformity to prophecies, while directing all his main forces and seductions to where he is least expected. And Satan will strike with certainty.

Unlike us, the enemy does not sleep but prepares for an attack.

Does God know Satan's plans? Yes, He does. Does the Most High have His own war strategy? Yes, He does. Is this plan outlined in the Bible or other works? Yes, but not revealed in all details.

In the message to Laodicea, we see that the Lord advises buying without giving detailed explanations. But for those willing to know this plan, the Holy Spirit begins to reveal the meaning of symbols and prophecies.

God's revelations for the last preparation for battle are unique in that they are accepted at the level of my thoughts and feelings and are written into my heart, becoming personally understandable to me. And in the light of these revelations from above, I understand what awaits me and what I should prepare for. God warns me about the enemy's traps, and sometimes even allows me to fall to learn something. And I learn, learn from Christ Himself.

The enemy of the soul cannot read my thoughts or know what God has revealed to me, and he goes crazy from such a war strategy. Satan and his demons know that God is great in His Power, and no one can oppose Him, so the forces of evil tremble before the impending defeat. And the enemy of the soul understands that the victors will be those who accept the fullness of God's Agape Love and through this merge with God, overcoming everything. He cannot prevent the implementation of God's plan but will try to seduce, if possible, even the elect.

Sleep is one of the enemy's reliable means to convince God's children not to hurry toward their salvation, not to show zeal in knowing special truths, and not to spend their time on relationships with God. One only needs to feel tired or burnt out and go for a well-deserved rest. There is no need to constantly row against the current; one should find a quiet harbor and rest pleasantly with thoughts: "I have much good for many years. Eat, soul, drink, be merry!"

One should not underestimate Satan's power. His seductions are very skillful and intoxicate consciousness. You live thinking everything is good, not understanding that you are under the influence of charms. But this power of the enemy successfully operates in his territory, where many of us sometimes enter. Despite Satan's strength, one should not exalt him and devote all one's time to him. He exists, is cunning and strong, but God is stronger and wiser. Therefore, it is better to think of the heavenly, sitting at God's feet.

It is better to play in a sandbox and build sand cakes while in God's hands than to be an engineer or general in Satan's army.

God is preparing His people for a special war. His weapons are my faith, God's Agape love, Jesus' character, and wisdom to discern good and evil. And the Faithful Witness offers to buy all this for me. Then He asks me to be diligent in constantly acquiring these soul properties and repent of previous sins. And to establish me in love and faith, to seal His character in my thoughts and feelings, the Lord Himself comes to the door of my heart to convey all His plans through personal revelations.

I am given prophecies that will certainly be fulfilled, but not as I imagine them. The details of this time and what I should do, the Lord reveals at a personal level to all His people. And this time is called: now! Have you heard?

Questions for Reflection on this Chapter

1. Please read Matthew 24:37-39; 25:5; Proverbs 10:5,28; Ephesians 5:14-18; Proverbs 23:31-35; Revelation 14:8; 18:2,23; 1 Peter 5:8; Psalm 16:8-9; Matthew 12:28; Hebrews 10:26-29; Luke 8:18; Hebrews 3:15; Revelation 3:18-20 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Do you have a firm understanding of the final events?

4. Do you think Satan will act as we expect?

5. Do you understand the necessity of special preparation for the last time?

6. Is it clear to you exactly how to prepare for the time of tribulation?

7. Will Satan act in accordance with my expectations, or does he have his own plans?

8. What should I do to stand firm until the Second Coming?

9. What do you understand by the expression "enemy's territory" where one should not enter?

10. Why is a sleeping person less dangerous to the opponent than a watchful one?

11. Are there breaks for lunch or a well-deserved vacation in the wicked one's plans?

12. Studying in our School, did you learn something new and useful that will help you better prepare for the final events?

13. Will my friendship and personal relationships with Christ help me stand during trials?

14. Do you have plans for continuous purchase of what the Faithful Witness advises in the message to Laodicea?

15. Do I need love in the final battles with the forces of darkness and evil? If yes, then for what?