The Paradigm Shift
In this dramatic stage of world history, we are in the prophesied time of “wars and rumors of wars”, approaching the final days when “peace will be taken from the earth” (Matthew 24:6, Revelation 6:4). So many believers are preoccupied with the world, motivated by selfish ambition and desires, causing them to be unfit and unprepared for the coming holy King and His kingdom.
There is a major paradigm shift, a dramatic change coming on the earth and in the Spirit. Our Savior sacrificially poured out His holy blood, to redeem a “people for God’s own possession.” Listen to Apostle Paul’s words, “I implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called”. In order to be pleasing in our Savior’s sight, we must make a paradigm shift, out of our self will and it’s preoccupations and desires for the things of this passing world (1 Peter 2:9, Ephesians 4:1).
Yahshua (Jesus) clearly stated that Satan is “the god and ruler of this world” and he “comes to deceive” the inhabitants of the earth. “The serpent of old, the devil” has “great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time” (2 Corinthians 4:4, John 12:31, Revelation 12:9,12, 20:2). There is a rampant move of deception, which has ushered in the prophesied “great apostasy”, a radical departure from biblical truth within much of Christianity (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Satan’s cunning undetected strategies have led multitudes of professing believers away from the “narrow path”, the “Highway of Holiness” that leads to life, onto the “broad path that leads to destruction” (Isaiah 35:8, Matthew 7:13). It is essential that we eagerly seek uncompromised truth and prayerfully acquire clarity of “spiritual vision” and “ears to hear what the Spirit is saying” (Ephesians 1:18, Revelation 2:7,29).
We must have discernment to distinguish truth from deception. Without this, we will veer off the Almighty’s narrow holy path, falling prey to Satan’s schemes and deceptions, rather than keeping in step with our righteous Savior. It is important to recognize that we are in an unseen spiritual battle. The battle lines are distinctly drawn:
1. The Almighty God and Savior versus Satan
2. The Holy Spirit versus the Unholy Self Flesh Nature
3. God’s Will versus Man’s Will
4. Truth versus Deception
5. Heaven versus Hell
The war begins and rages within our own souls and we must “fight the good fight of faith” in order to have victory by the Spirit over our sinful self nature (1Timothy 6:12). Apostle Paul cautions us, “make no provision for the flesh” because the “flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another” (Romans 13:14, Galatians 5:17). We must be vigilantly on guard, lest we end up on the wrong side of the battle line, unknowingly deceived and following the wrong leader. Yahshua (Jesus) said, “Take heed that no one deceives you”! (Matthew 24:4)
Tick tock, tick tock, time is quickly fleeting away! Our righteous Savior is urging His redeemed remnant saying, “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” in an accelerated unwavering manner. It is written, “How will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” (Philippians 2:12, Hebrews 2:3) We are all so easily distracted with the daily preoccupations and cares of the here and now of this passing world with its unceasing temptations and enticing pulls. We must wisely choose to have foresight and not hindsight regarding our lives here on earth. These choices will effect our eternity. It is time to quickly shift the focus of our lives from the here and now of this fallen world to the here after, above in the kingdom of heaven. It is written for our eternal well-being, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” Therefore, dear ones “… set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (1John 2:15, Colossians 3:2).
As prophesied throughout the entire Scripture, the here and now in this world is going to be “shaken” and disrupted, and “the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up” (Hebrews 12:27, 2Peter 3:10). Our holy God and Savior’s righteous indignation and desolating judgments will fall on sinful humanity. Those who call themselves “Christians” yet continue to seek their own will, desiring to please themselves and others, make themselves an enemy to the very One they profess to know and love. Yahshua (Jesus) said, “If you love Me, obey Me” and He clearly stated, “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter” (John 14:15, Matthew 7:21). Yahveh God is holy, and “without holiness no one will see the Lord.” It is written for our warning, “it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God” (Hebrews 12:14, 1Peter 4:7).
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Messiah, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good [originating from the Holy Spirit] or bad [originating from the self flesh nature]” (2 Corinthians 5:10). The foolish will inevitably find themselves at the judgment seat of God overcome with hindsight. They were negligent and unprepared to meet the holy “Lawgiver and Judge” (Isaiah 33:22, James 4:12). The temporary distractions and the desires for the passing joys of the here and now, in their brief stay on earth, will bring the horrifying verdict which will lead to unceasing sorrows and anguish in the eternal here after!
“The fear of the Lord Yahveh is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). The wise are redeeming the time with foresight focused on the heavenly hereafter. They are diligently “trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord” as they wholeheartedly cultivate an intimate, obedient, and prayerful relationship with their beloved Savior (Ephesians 5:10). At this late midnight hour, “if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts”; the fulfillment of prophesy and the Messiah’s return and righteous kingdom are near (Hebrews 3:15). We must prayerfully stay alert and vigilant, having eyes to see with spiritual foresight and ears to hear the urgent wake up call.
The mighty angels in heaven are crying out, “Fear God, and give Him glory”! “Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy” (Revelation 14:7, 22:11).
Our beloved Savior is crying out, “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done” (Revelation 22:11-12). The holy remnant, prepared as a “bride” in waiting, is crying out with longing and eager expectation, “Even so, come, Master Yahshua [Lord Jesus]” COME! (Revelation 19:7, 22:20)
HalleluYAH!
May this motivational song encourage you to forget what is behind and to Run with the Wind of the Spirit, never looking back, looking straight ahead and upward to the One who is calling us to be ready and waiting to spend eternity with Him in the kingdom of heaven.
The Almighty is asking us to turn away from this world and all its temptations, to run to him, and to never look back. In Genesis, the LORD told Lot and his family, “ “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back” (Genesis 19:17). If we commit to such a laser like focus, He will give us the strength to run like never before. Indeed, we will be able to outrun chariots as Elijah did when the spirit of the Almighty came over him and he outran the King of Israel’s most elite horses (1 Kings 18:46). To accomplish this, you must train your spiritual man to be in tip-top shape. Otherwise, when trouble or trials come you’ll be easily tempted to stop running and/or to look back to the things of this world. As the prophet Jeremiah said, “If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses” (Jeremiah 12:5)? Accordingly my friend, you must put your hope in the LORD for he will renew your strength each and every day. Through our God you will run and not grow weary - you will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31).
Indeed, start training your spiritual ears, heart, and muscles by becoming holy to the Almighty. Only then will you hear his voice call your name; only then will you be given the strength to run with the horses. Indeed, the Almighty will blow on you with the breath of his nostrils so that you can truly run with the wind. Dear friend, don’t look back but look ahead and grow stronger each day. Yes, there’s nothing to stop you for your unwavering strength comes from the Elohim of heaven and earth. Let your heart be ablaze with a fire as it comes from you answering His voice calling you. Yes, run with the wind, never look back, look straight ahead, and run to our Savior and King for in Him is your great strength and reward!