That you be not slothful, but followers of those through faith and patience inherited the promises.— If we must Inherit the promise, we must all tread in the footsteps, in the good old paths that saints of old, the Old Testament worthies, who fought the battle, gained the victory, and now wear the crown.
Habakkuk 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Beloved, saints of old that enjoyed the providence of God to the fullest had two unique characters. 1. They had unwavering faith in God’s immutable and infallible promises.
Deuteronomy 7:9. Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
Hebrews 6:17-18. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
2. They exercised uncommon patience or waiting patiently.
Isaiah 28:16. Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
These two unique attributes were so important and should characterise the lives of anyone and everyone, who desires to see God’s promises fulfilled in their lives. Beloved are you trusting God for anything? These are the secrets of God, you need to know. No marvel, the Lord inspired Habakkuk to inform the Jews in his days and saints of all ages, on what it takes to access fulfilment of God’s unfailing ageless promises. See it.
Habakkuk 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
See how the scriptures affirmed the importance of waiting on the Lord severally.
Genesis 49:18. I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord.
Psalms 27:14: Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psalms 30:5. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Psalms 37:7: Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Psalms 130:5 -6. I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
Isaiah 30:18: ¶And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
Lamentations 3:25 -26. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
Micah 7:7: Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.
Beloved, see how the following saints accessed and enjoyed God promises, just because they patiently waited for Him.
1. Sarah had the promised Isaac at the appointed time of the Lord.
Genesis 21:1-7. And the Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him. And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him. And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me. And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.
2. Joseph thirteen years of waiting for the fulfilment of his dreams :
Genesis 42:3-9. And Joseph’s ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt. But Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him. And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan. And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph’s brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth. And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food. And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him. And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.
3. Joshua and Israel possessed the entire promised land.
Joshua 21:43-45. And the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. And the Lord gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.
Joshua 23:14. And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.
4. David, ultimately became king, despite all the efforts of king Saul to slay him.
Psalms 40:1-4. I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5. Solomon reigned after his father David as the Lord promised.
1 Kings 8:56: Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.
Beloved, has God given you a promise? Now that you know the secret, do it and the promise shall come to pass in Jesus name.
Luke 1:45. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
Dearly beloved, one major lesson Jesus taught believers of all ages and that includes you too, is the certainty and assurance of God’s words coming to pass in its season.
Luke 1:19-20. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
Matthew 5:18: For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Matthew 24:35: Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Mark 13:31: Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Luke 21:33: Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away
However and most importantly, is the fact that, they needed to patiently wait for its fulfilment.
Acts 1:4-5. And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Luke 24:49: ¶And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Romans 8:25: But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
The Scriptures revealed some believers in Bible days, who believed wholeheartedly God’s infallible and immutable promises and equally waited for its fulfilment patiently. See some of them and be enlisted too.
1. Simeon:
Luke 2:25-32. And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart. in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
2. Abraham:
Romans 4:17-21 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Hebrews 6:12-15. That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
Dearly beloved, see the counsel from the blessed Holy Spirit, if you too shall access and experience fulfilment of unchanging God’s unfailing promises. You shall in Jesus name, just do likewise.
Hebrews 10:35-39. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
JESUS TAUGHT BELIEVERS OF ALL AGES AND YOU IN PARTICULAR, TO BE WAITING PATIENTLY FOR THE FULFILMENT OF GOD’S PROMISES, THAT CAN NOT FAIL. DO LIKEWISE.
Friend, I am persuaded that by now, you have no iota of doubt that, the end time is here and the rapture is dawning. See the signs being fulfilled daily before us globally.
Luke 21:25-28. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
So continue to watch and pray and be prepared as the five wise virgins.
Matthew 25:13. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Luke 21:36. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Unfortunately, the Worldling and nominal churchgoers have a nonchalant attitude to warnings from the Lord. See what their undoing shall be, that will account for the rapture eluding them. It shall not elude you in Jesus name.
1. Repetition of the undoing attitude of the days of Noah, before the then whole world were destroyed by flood. He preached about the flood for one hundred and twenty years, no one was moved or bothered. They persisted in their wicked ways and all perished. You shall not perish, so believe the word of God and attach importance to the warnings on the dawning rapture. . Please be prepared.
1 Peter 3:20. Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.to
2. Same attitude as the days of Lot, before the destruction of Soddom. He went to tell them as directed by the Angels of the impending doom, but they despised it and perished. That is how multitude globally are doing today, nonchalant about the message on the dawning rapture.
Genesis 19:12-14. And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it. And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.
3. Scorning and scoffing God’s eternal words.
Jeremiah 17:15. Behold, they say unto me, Where is the word of the Lord? let it come now.
2 Peter 3:3-4. Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
4. Manifesting same attitude of foolish virgins who knew the Lord was coming but did not adequately prepare.
Matthew 25:11-12. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
But on the contrary, you and faithful believers globally will continue to patiently wait and conscientiously prepare for the event as the five wise virgins did. The good Lord shall help you and enable you to be part of the event anytime it takes place in Jesus name.
Matthew 25:5-10. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Thessalonians 1:10: And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
2 Thessalonians 3:5: And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
James 5:7 – 8. Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
1 Peter 4:7. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
Revelation 22:20: He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
SECTION #1: Kingdom Character for Ministers
SECTION #2: Ministry Concentration, church Administration, History, homiletics and Identifying your call.
Section #3: Ministerial communication, Sociology and Music etc.
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Bishop Peter OLusegun Babalola.
Jesus is Lord forever .