Thank you so much for tuning in and Welcome everyone – Hope you’re well!  I’m your host, Ben Lively, and you’re listening to “Shaken Awake” – Episode #41!  

 

I just want to thank you for tuning in, wherever you are and whatever you’re doing right this very moment.  

 

If you’re a friend on FB or a member of Shaken Awake FB group or Men Who Follow Christ FB group, you’ll remember me putting a challenge out last Monday for $100 – either to you, your church, or any organization or charity of your choosing, if your email was randomly selected for giving me what my life’s motto was, as stated on last weeks episode.  So, if you had no idea – get connected with me and the group on FB and be in the know.

 

I randomly selected a winner and I’ll read you their response first, then call them out.  If it’s you, please connect with me and let me know how I can get that money out to you:

 

Their response was correct, and it was:  “Ben, Your Motto is It's not what you know, it's what you do with what you do with what you know that matters.”

 

If I am picked, I will use the card to help youth in Fort Wayne that are in need during this Christmas Season.

 

God Bless You, Brother.

 

James C.”

 

– I’ll omit the last name for privacy reasons, but CONGRATULATIONS JAMES and I’m so happy and humbled that you chose to use your winning to benefit those that are in need, especially at this time of the year and especially the youth!  Way to go and God Bless you.

 

And, as always, I promise you another great show – But, more than anything, my HOPE for you today, and always, is that you have an actual encounter with the Lord - He’s is always right there beside you.    If you find ANY value in these episodes, the greatest thank you of all is to pass the work to at least one person you know to help spread the show to other’s that you feel could benefit.

 

So, without further delay, let’s get ready to invite God in with us, right here, right now and allow Him to speak directly to your heart and minds.   

 

 

So, today’s topic is: “Persecution Is at Our Doorstep – Are You Prepared?”

***Quick Disclaimer – if you have kids with you at this time, you may want to wait to listen to this show when they are not around.  Some of my thoughts put into words will be a bit too graphic for their ears.  Just want to give that gentle warning and disclaimer now….

In episode #38 of Shaken Awake, and if you haven’t listened to it yet, give it a listen right after this one – but if you did and can recall, I made mention of denying Christ.  Here’s a snippet of what I had said during that episode that I’d like to use to set the frame work for today’s show.  I had said, “… often times there’s meaning in what isn’t said in the Bible, just as much as what IS said in the Bible.  Here’s one out of an infinite number of examples – you can and will never know everything in the Bible, so here’s my best example:  let’s take 2 Timothy 2:12 – “If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us”  It does NOT say if we never talk about him, or express who He is or what He’s done in our lives, or how He saves or what’s needed in order to come to Him and receive the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.  It clearly says, if we deny Him.   But, isn’t omitting the truth the same as lying?  So to put that into context, say I stole something, and the police lined me up with three of my friends that were with me, and askd which one of us stole the item and I say nothing…. am I not denying that I stole the bike?   Of course, I am and I believe we’d all agree on that.  

 

We’ll come back to this in a few to bring it to light for today’s message, so remember this example.

 

 

 

 

John 15:18-19   

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

2 Timothy 3:12   

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

Matthew 10:22 

And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Luke 6:22 

“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!

1 John 3:13 

Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.

James 1:12 

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

 

 

2 Timothy 3:1-5 

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. 

Matthew 24:11 

And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

Matthew 24:21-22 

For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

Luke 21:36 

But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

2 Peter 3:3-4   

Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”

Now, let’s see what the Bible says about what you and I and the world will face at the end, which as we see by the growing evidence all around us, which is right at our doorstep now in these last days.

 

 

Revelation 13:17 

So that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.

Revelation 14:9-11 

And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”

Revelation 14:11   

And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”

SO now that we’ve established what the Word says about persecution, the signs of the end, and the choices we will all face (soon), let’s break these down so that we are prepared for what’s next.  Yes, there is more to come.  Matthew 24:21-22 states:

“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.”

Which proves, just as I did in an early episode about the false doctrine a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, you and I, if we are alive, will be facing this before the Rapture takes place – God’s very Word states this.

Here’s the small rock I want to place in your spiritual shoe today on each one of these areas and provide what I was given as conviction by God and The Holy Spirit on all three.

Let’s start with my example I provided at the beginning.  What are we doing today, while we’re still “free” to openly worship, praise, and preach and discuss the gospel?  What are YOU doing?  Granted, we’re in a time and space that God’s provided the United states that unfortunately, is not identical to what China, Australia, the newly disrupted Afghanistan people and many other countries are facing.  Guys, THEY are facing TRUE persecution right now.  Death, imprisonment, torture, mandatory lockdowns and segregation – IF they’re lucky to have that as their punishment.  They’re in hiding.  They’re doing everything underground.  They’re risking the lives of themselves and all their family members to share and spread the gospel.  This isn’t some future thought – this is happening as you’re listening to this show!!!  These aren’t some third world countries – these are in direct competition with the United States!  Let’s talk about the United States for a moment, shall we?  Right now, as I’m speaking – people are losing/quitting their only forms of income and ways to live and eat by rejecting the vaccine.  But on the flipside of that, many are giving up and giving in and succumbing to taking the vaccine so that they don’t lose their rights.  Guys I’m talking about jobs, vaccine passports to enter restaurants, to fly with an airline, and this is the land of the FREE?????  This is ONLY, and I repeat and repeat loudly – ONLY the beginning!!!!  We’re not even talking about the Mark of the beast yet.  Many say this is the prelude to it – I couldn’t agree more.  If they’re willing, able, and actually DO THIS NOW, and it’s over a simple vaccine – what do you think the worlds superpowers and authorities are going to do over the direct command of the Antichrist and his mark of the beast???   We’re not just talking about losing our complete freedoms and sovereignty and rights and privileges – we’re talking about losing our lives, voluntarily!!!!!!!

So let’s take a look for a moment at my beginning statement.  What are we, you and I, doing RIGHT NOW, in the face of a seemingly open and free country, to worship, praise, spread the Good News and live a life for Christ and not our own?  Are we already denying Him by our inaction, indecisiveness, mixed up priorities, life lived for self, but not all for Him?  What happens then, when you and I are forced to either give up our right to be a Christian and call out to God in public and worse yet, when we’re forced to take a simple mark that “everyone’s getting”, and if we do, we’re safe on Earth but our fate is sealed to hell for eternity?  Or, are you ready today, to say, I will not give up and worship and denounce my faith – take me away?  And one by one, your family is given the same option – some will be led away and some will take the mark – it’s inevitable!!!!  It’s already been prophesied!!! God cannot lie!  This WILL happen!!!  Just as the other signs are happening daily right now, so will this ultimate sign!!!  If you’re not prepared today to live and give everything you have up for Christ and Christ alone, are you sure, you’re ready to give up your life for Him?  If they take you, which I’m almost positive they will, this is the devil’s schemes – and provide you a last chance to renounce your faith and take the mark and life can go back to normal, OR, perhaps your alternative is to walk into a building that you see thousands being led into but not coming out?  Or, perhaps you are witnessing gruesome beheadings right in front of your face.  Or perhaps, you’re seeing people by the thousands being pushed off cliffs to the rocks below.  Perhaps you’re seeing groups of people set on fire inside of large compounds and get to hear their screams as they burn alive?   Or perhaps, there is an oversized grinder that people are hogtied and conveyor belt is dropping them into alive, pulverizing them to bits.  ARE YOU PREPARED TO SEE AND HEAR AND SMELL THAT take place, while you’re standing there being asked to make a decision?  Most Christians say they’re ready and willing…but it’s easier to say when you’re on your couch in complete freedom and not actually staring your certain death in the face.  An easy litmus test to first start at where you’re at with your faith and walk with the Lord today, while you’re “free”.  Are you proud at how you’re living for God?  Are you proud and excited to proclaim His Mighty Name?  Are your works, if any, as a result of your faith – or are they just works to earn, or just as bad – no works to show your true faith at all?  I’m not implying – I’m asking.  If the shoe fits – KICK IT OFF!!!!!!!!!

 

1 Timothy 4:1 

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons

So, here we see that some of us will depart the faith (there you go again, for anyone that still holds onto the Once Saved Always Saved false doctrine) – and you notice that so called believers and followers (who by the way, truly believe they’re believers and true followers), are so NOT true believers and true followers that they depart the faith entirely and chose hell over heaven, the darkness over the light, satan over God = WHY?????? Because they were swayed by deceiving spirits and false teachings….do you NOT think that’s already happening now along with all the other evil in this world???  Do you not believe that these deceitful spirits and teachings of demons are not believable and convincing????  There are teachers today that are sheep on the outside and ravenous wolves on the inside, but I’d have never known that unless God and The Holy Spirit gave me wisdom and discernment through the dwelling of God’s Word and their ability to take the scales off my eyes and heart!  In fact, and I’m not naming specific names at all – I’m actually going to save that for a future episode, some of these false teachers God actually used to help bring me closer to Him and His Word, where His Word showed me that they were false teachers and wolves to begin with!!!!!   That’s another thing I learned in the Bible that God has created evil people to carry out His work!!  Can you believe that?!??!?!?! No?  OK, (laughs), here it is:  

 

Proverbs 16:4 - The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.  

 

Isaiah 45:6-7 - So that all may know, from where the sun rises to where it sets, that there is none but Me; I am the LORD, and there is no other.  I form the light and create the darkness; I bring prosperity and create calamity.  I, the LORD, do all these things.

 

 

Matthew 7:14, ESV: "For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." Here it is again, for those that are glued only to the King James Version – you’ll see it’s identical in meaning……Matthew 7:14, KJV: "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

 

This isn’t figurative – this is LITERAL.   As the end gets closer, this becomes more and more and more and more serious and real.  If you’re not prepared right now….TODAY; how are you going to be prepared for what tomorrow is going to bring, according to Christ Jesus????  

 

I’ve said this repeatedly and no doubt, it’s warranted to say again today – Don’t listen and learn from me on what the Bible speaks on – Go to God’s Word for that!!!!  If you’re not in the Word and of the Word, and embedded in the Word daily – DO THAT TODAY – that is the greatest first AND last step into getting into a deeper and more faithful relationship with the Father.  He’ll speak to you directly through it, and The Holy Spirit will help you understand it and be convicted where need be, as well as what direction you should take….not some podcast.  I’m here to through the rock in your shoe, and my hope with that is, you’ll hobble over to the bench where to perfect and infallible Word of God is, remove the rock, and begin reading and gaining wisdom from God above.  It’s the only way to stay the course, run the race that is set before you, and know how to become one of the few that inherit the Kingdom, not the majority who will be cast into hell and be shocked when they are.  Get prepared for Today FIRST, then for Tomorrow second.   Your eternal resting place and what needs to happen to invest in that place should become every day’s priority for the remainder of your lifetime – for what is more important?

 

Persecution Is at Our Doorstep – Are You Prepared?  Are you prepared the way God wants and asks You to be prepared?  Do you know how to be prepared and what it takes to become and remain prepared?  If not, the next thing you do today should be to seek God on this and get into His Word immediately.  Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

So, before we end today’s show, I just want to thank you all again for tuning in and I HOPE you were touched by today’s message and scripture.  I’d like to ask you a favor only IF you received any value out of today’s show – would you tell at least one person you know – call them, text them, email them, talk to them – tell them to give this show a listen.  

 

Check out the show at shaken-awake.com, email me at ben@shaken-awake.com or call or text me directly for any reason at (407)-493-3208 (repeat).  If you have ideas for the show – LET ME KNOW!  If you know of someone that has an incredible testimony of coming to the Lord, and you think they would be a great guest of this show, please connect with me – I’d love to hear more.

 

Next week!!!!  Tune in Next Sunday – or WHENEVER YOU’RE ABLE, as we dive into another important topic of today, which is, “Is This Life All God Has for Me?”

Next week’s episode is another powerful and DO-NOT-MISS episode – thanks for joining!  

Until next week, take great care of yourself and each other, and God Bless You all.