A Remnant Rising

Revelation 19:7-9 "For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given to her to wear. Then the angel said to me "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb." and he added, "These are the true words of God." 

Revelation 22: 12-14 "Look, I am coming soon. My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city."

What does it mean to have our robes washed? Throughout the old and New Testament, there are many examples of having garments, both dirty and clean. Zechariah 3 gives us a perfect example.

Zechariah 3:3-4

"Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, "Take off his filthy clothes." Then he said to Joshua, "See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you."

If you read the remainder of this chapter, you will see we're not just talking about the sins of the flesh that lead to death (Gal 5:19-21) but goes deeper in revelation in verse 6-7. It is more than just "not sinning" but willing to be fully submitted to Christ in all that we are, in all that we do in this life. Obedience, fellowship with Christ, allowing Christ to go into the very depths of our soul and allow Him to transform us into His image. The increase of Christ and the decrease of "self." To be purged of the fallen man that we were born into this world and be transformed to the image of Christ to the measure He has given each and every one of us according to His will for our lives. It's not about being perfect or having it altogether. We will never reach full completion of this work in this lifetime, but it is the intention with continual pursuit of being made whole as much as we allow Jesus to work in us until we go home to be with Him that defines where we stand with Him.

I believe being made ready is the process of allowing Christ to do the inward work in us. it is a continual process, like the example of washing our robes. It is coming out of sin, coming out of the ways of the world, and continuously crucifying our flesh and allowing Christ to purge us, heal our wounds and replace these things with Christ Himself.

The spirit of religion would tell us to clean ourselves from the outside first while the inside is suppressed with iniquities and old wounds. We won't allow God to touch these areas because we are too afraid of exposure and facing hard truths that reveal wickedness and the nature of the fallen man within ourselves.

One thing I have learned is Jesus isn't afraid of anything. In fact, He loves to address the issues that hold us back. Consider it a relationship. He is one who communicates. He is one who is not afraid to confront an issue head on if it means it will break us off from bondage. He will push us in uncomfortable positions in order for us to overcome and grow in Him. The question is, will we allow Him to do the full work in us or will we continue to suppress and try to pray the uncomfortable away? 

For far too long I tried to pray the uncomfortable away. I tried to pray the demonic away. I tried to make peace in areas God did not call me to make peace in. I didn't understand the process of becoming a warrior for Christ. I didn't understand the process of going through the fires and even into certain depths of hell and it was Jesus leading me into these areas and walking beside me.

In all truthfulness, this process has taken years and the Lord still isn't finished. We know the Lord will always be working in us until we are called home to Him. The question we need to ask ourselves now is, are we in a place internally that we have truly sold ourselves out to Christ? It's easy to say yes when we aren't tested and we aren't struggling or placed in positions of having to make difficult decisions. But the Lord will test us all. Be prepared to have your life stripped from you and come to a place of complete reliance on Christ alone. Let go of the things holding you back that cause delay or grievance to the Holy Spirit.  

Ask the Lord in your time alone with Him where you stand with Him and if you are ready. If you are not, ask Him to bring you to that place where He wants you to go with Him. Will you struggle? Absolutely. Will there be crushing and pain? Yes. These are the pleasing aromas of incense that goes up before the Lord. The crushing and breaking of "self" and coming into deeper relationship with Christ and sharing in His sufferings is the consecration process. I encourage you to read the scriptures on this. 

Somewhere or sometime in your life you have had an encounter with Christ. It doesn't matter what background you are from. It doesn't matter what life you've lived in the world. Deep down, you know in your spirit the words of Jesus Christ are true and He is returning. Rev 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give them the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on His throne. Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches." 

What does this mean? It is up to you to answer the call. Somewhere in your life you have been made known that God has called to you to something greater than yourself. He has reached you in some way or another to let you know all of His words are true. Will you answer? Will you allow Him to takeover? He will knock, He will pursue you, but He will not force you to make the decision to follow Him.  Matthew 22:14 "Many are called, few are chosen." - Matthew 22:14

It is made clear in the scripture that in the last days there would only be a remnant remaining that is the true church of Jesus Christ. These are the ones who are willing to lose their lives in this lifetime in order to pursue the eternal purposes of Christ. Those who have given up their desires, their dreams, their goals, and have replaced them with seeking out the very heart of God for what He has designed and created them for specifically. Jesus said in Luke 14:26-27 what it costs to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Some interpret this scripture too literally of needing to hate your family and children, when in reality He is talking about the willingness to lose everything in this life, including your family, your career, whatever is placed before God, to let go of it all and put Christ first. We must be prepared and ready in our hearts at any given time, to let go of the things in this world and follow Christ to the ends of the earth wherever He is instructing you to go. This is not just physically speaking. More times than not, there is an inward work within our hearts that must take place and be transformed. 

What is coming in this season requires full submission and trust to Jesus Christ to lead us in the darkness. He is looking for vessels that can be fully possessed by His Spirit. The more we delay His work in us, the less the full measure of God will be fulfilled in our lives. I don't know about you, but I don't want to stand before the Father in shame and grievance because I chose not to go all the way that He intended for my life. I strive to hear "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." This doesn't mean perfection, but a willing heart to go where the King is calling us to go with Him and fulfill His desire and His will for His kingdom. It looks different for everyone. 

Jesus said in His own words men's hearts will fail them for fear (Luke 21:26). Those who are not anchored in Christ will not be able to stand without Him. But those who put their hope and trust in the Lord will not be put to shame. Noah went through the storm. Daniel went in the den of lions. God is not going to spare us trouble. We will go through the storm, but we are called to overcome. Revelation 12:11 "They overcame by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they loved not their lives even unto death." 

Make the choice today to place your faith in Jesus Christ and let go of trying to do it all in your own hands. Let God lead you in this season in how to prepare, both physically and spiritually. You can prepare physically all day long, but it can be plundered in a day. You can be spiritually sound but haven't prepared physically and still aren't ready for the season. They both go hand in hand. Prioritize being spiritually ready first, then He will lead you how to prepare physically. Some are called to bear arms. Some are called to store food. Some are called to be hidden. Some are called forth to the frontlines. We are a body. That means some of us are the hands, some are the feet, and some are the heart etc. It is up to you to seek out God's will for your life and seek out His voice for instructions specifically for you. Where is He pulling your heart to? Where has he brought you from in this life? God will use your circumstances, personality, experiences in different seasons of your life to bring you to His will and assignments for this specific season. Are you being drawn to learn something new? Test everything with the Spirit and scripture. He will reveal all truth.

Matt 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given unto you."

The season we are in calls for patient endurance. Remember, you were born for such a time as this. God has already mapped out His plan for your life. Follow Him. Seek Him for wisdom and discernment in this season. Listen to the voice of God in your life. He will not fail you. Declare His word over your life each and every day. And if you do not understand, ask the Lord to bring forth revelation into your life. 

Romans 8:18

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Romans 16:20:

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

James 1:12

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 

 Rev 14 11-12 

There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or anyone who receives the mark of its name. This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep His commands AND remain faithful to Jesus. 

Matthew 10:22

“And You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but it is the one who has patiently persevered andendured to the end who will be saved.

Rev 13:9-10 

“If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword they will be killed.” This calls for patient endurance AND faithfulness on the part of God’s people.