We are rapidly approaching the final events at the end of our world’s history. The prophecies concerning this time are being fulfilled before our eyes. The world is steadily hurtling toward its destruction. But what am I experiencing amid this entire whirlwind of events? How does my heart respond to what is happening?
When precautionary measures concerning the coronavirus began to be introduced in March 2020, I had a premonition that something bad was coming. And in order to counter these events in some way, the decision was made to open the School of Agape Love. I had personal experience and personal observations in this sphere of life with God, but the time had come to systematize this knowledge and present it to you in the form of lessons. Only the Lord knows what will come of this, but even now it is possible to see that something very good has emerged—something that is influencing and changing the lives of many people.
And the time of the end is drawing near. Sin is multiplying, and events are developing very rapidly. If someone thinks that everything will end now, that everything will return to its former course, and that we will once again begin to live as before, then I feel sorry for you. The enemy of souls planned his evil designs for a very long time, and now, when he is succeeding in carrying them out, he will only move forward, accomplishing through his subjects what God permits him to do. And humanly speaking, it is impossible to resist this influence of evil. The world will not become better even if all wars are stopped.
And what awaits me? What should I prepare for? Scripture teaches that there will be a time of trouble such as never was. If the Lord Himself warns us about it, then it will come; but how I meet it and how I enter these events depends only on me. Fire itself is neutral. But the reaction of the material that enters the fire is not always the same. Some things burn, some melt, some become deformed and useless, while others are tempered and become purer and stronger; and someone enters it with Christ and suffers no harm. What do you wish to be in this fire, and Whom do you plan to meet there? No one will escape this trial.
I will present several kinds of the body’s defenses against difficult challenges, and you can decide what suits you from this arsenal.
Depression, bitterness, insanity, physical and spiritual illnesses—or love, happiness, and friendship? I think the contrast is obvious, and every sensible person will choose the latter items on this list. But here a little problem arises. The first defense mechanisms activate on their own, and nothing needs to be done for this to happen. You will not find a school of depression or bitterness anywhere in the world. But in order to enter into love and happiness, it is necessary to take the narrow path of struggle and effort. These words themselves sound beautiful and gentle, but attaining this condition requires effort on your part. You will have to keep rowing against the current constantly and never stop. You especially should not relax at the very edge of the waterfall.
Jesus taught that the time of trouble would come, but He did not say that we would all perish. In His mercy, He will shorten that time, but He will not abolish it. Everything will be sifted and passed through the fire.
Friends, we will not escape these trials, but we can prepare for them.
I am accustomed to facing various problems in my life. Sometimes I foresee them, and they do not always gladden my heart, but I understand that they should not be avoided; they must be solved, and solved correctly.
The first thing characteristic of the soul, and something very important to understand, is that I should not look for someone to blame and place everything upon him. At times, my own laziness or carelessness may be to blame. Acknowledging that there is a problem leads to the next step: how can it be solved? There may be losses and unforeseen expenditures of strength and resources.
If a small stone gets into my boot and causes me discomfort or pain, then simply ignoring it or looking for someone to blame is the worst method of solving the problem. I decide to settle the matter and begin looking for ways to solve it. I can buy a drill, make a hole in the boot, and wait for the stone to fall out; I can buy new shoes without a stone in them; I can invent a special vacuum cleaner for sucking stones out of boots; I can hire specialists in removing stones; or I can take off the boot myself and shake out its contents. The final result will be the same, but the effort will differ.
In the message to Laodicea, God offers us the means to enter the time of trouble, and He also gives us Himself as an Instructor. But the trouble has not yet come, and the saying about preparing a sleigh in summer and a cart in winter does not appear entirely wise. Yet now is precisely the time to do this. If I do not now receive the oil of knowledge and experience and fill my vessel with it, I may find that I am too late when the time of trouble comes. It is very frightening to stand before an open door without wishing to enter it, and then to watch it close right in front of you when you no longer have the strength to enter or to stop it in any way.
In Noah’s day, the strange Ark was probably the most amusing spectacle, and many people could simply have entered it, but for some reason they did not. There were no guards or passes; everything was open to everyone. But when the doors were shut and the rain began, all those who remained outside saw the advantage of Noah’s faith and realized that they had missed something. Noah could no longer change anything, and for some reason God no longer saved anyone.
And our days are somewhat like that time. Grace, peace, and safety. Everything is open, though no longer as it was before.
Many people are now sitting at home in fear of illness. But if you are so afraid, then sit actively. Use this time to know Christ, receive His love, and study His will.
We are now forbidden to shake hands, to go without masks, and to gather together. Everything is moving toward a time when people will be forbidden to travel, to think differently, and to have their own opinions. The image of the beast is ready, and the servants of the devil are deliberately leading the world toward receiving this mark. And God will not hinder them in carrying out these plans. But He is now offering something better. He has an alternative. Love is the most reliable protection for the time of trouble. Knowledge of the Truth is the best protection in a time of trial.
Does it matter which church I am in and which movement I belong to? Love can be possessed everywhere, but Truth is found only in the Bible; yet, for some reason, everyone understands it differently. What does God have for us in this regard? Does He have a prophecy concerning His people? Will everyone be saved individually, or will God have a special people who will be marked in a special way? The Bible tells us about this, and it is worth studying and understanding correctly.
The time of trouble is at the door. It is coming toward me. The meeting is inevitable. And I decide what I will bring with me into that time. I know one thing: I need knowledge in understanding the Truth, faith in Jesus, love in my heart, and happiness in my spirit.
Once I looked at my possessions and wondered what I would be able to take from them to Heaven. And I realized that I could take nothing. Then I looked at my heart and wondered whether I would take this knowledge, these discoveries, achievements, revelations, and decisions with me to Heaven. Will my character be left with me for life among holy beings? And I saw that this is precisely the baggage I will be able to take, but first I must pass through customs control and leave behind everything unnecessary that is not permitted to be brought into holy territory.
Homework 222
In the light of our lesson, please read Matthew 24:21–22; Daniel 12:1; Matthew 25:13; Jeremiah 51:45; Isaiah 60:2; Revelation 7:14; 16:15; 3:21–22; and 21:7. Did you learn anything useful for yourself from this lesson? Does the coming crisis frighten you? Do you believe that God’s people will have God’s special protection during this time of trouble? Which method of protection will you choose for yourself? Who can stand during this time? Is it worth preparing for the time of trouble now? And how should this be done? What from my baggage must and will have to be left in this world? Are you ready for these events? What must be done to receive the seal of God?