THE GREAT ARMY THAT ATTACKS… BE PREPARED…
SIGNS OF THE SECOND COMING IN THE CHURCH
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Matthew 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
JESUS KNEW THE ENEMY WOULD BE WORKING OVERTIME TO DESTROY THE CHURCH AND EVERY BELIEVER. God’s plan was to bring relief for if these days of trouble were left to run their course, nobody would make it. Jesus loves us enough that for our account that God would take the time and trouble and cut the time short.
SO WE MUST BE READY FOR THE ENEMY’S ATTACK. HE IS OUT TO STEAL KILL AND DESTROY…
JOHN 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
There is an all out attack to bring spiritual ruin, destruction and devastation to every believer.
GOD HAS A PLAN TO POUR OUT HIS SPIRIT AND GUARD THE CHURCH.
History has not recorded a lot about the Prophet Joel. He probably lived in the same time as Habakkuk, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Joel warns of the JUDGMENTS OF GOD, a Jeremiad. As in any Jeremiad there is given judgement but also an element of HOPE and CORRECTION. While Joel speaks of going through troubles and seasons of loss, Joel also includes THE FUTURE OF RESTORATION.
Joel 2:21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things. 22 Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength. 23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. 24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.
25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. 26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed. 28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
**CANKER WORM: Hebrew YALAK means to lick or lap up. Inch worm, looper worm, spanworm. The canker worm speaks of licking away all hope. It speaks of depression and discouragement. Most often the canker worm will appear in small numbers, but they can appear in large outbreaks. Does this speak to you?
**PALMER WORM: The Hebrew word GAZEM: MEANS SORROW AND GRIEF. The enemy’s way of cutting off all joy, no joy in life. The larva of tineid moth and beetles. They normally eat on apples and fruit trees. This speaks of the destruction by worry, fear, grief and sorrow.
**CATERPILLAR: Hebrew CHASEL. LARVA OF BUTTERFLIES speaks of devouring everything and CAUSING GREAT FEAR.
**LOCUST: Hebrew word: RAVAH. To multiple greatly and fast. Locust speaks of multiplying trials, trouble, difficulties. The locust also speaks of a loud volume trying to drown out the still small voice of God. Can you hear me?
**God promises SHALOM. THE GOD OF TOTAL RESTORATION. SHALOM means peace, restoration, completeness, repayment, retribution, HEALING
THE MESSAGE OF LOCUST IS A LIE. GOD GIVES US A PERSONAL MESSAGE: THOUGH THE LOCUST TRIES TO DROWN OUT THE MESSAGE OF GOD… IF WE WILL LISTEN CLOSELY GOD STILL SPEAKS.
THE MESSAGE OF THE CANKERWORM OF DISCOURAGEMENT AND THE LOSS OF HOPE, GOD IS STILL THE ANCHOR OF HOPE.
THE MESSAGE OF THE CATERPILLAR IS THE ENEMY WILL DESTROY US BY DISCOURAGEMENT AND DEVOUR US WITH FEAR. GOD’S MESSAGE IS TRUST ME BY FAITH IN THE WORD.
GOD WARNS US NOT TO LISTEN TO THE ARMY OF OUR ENEMY THE SMALL INSECT ATTACK. THEY MAY BE A GREAT ARMY BUT GOD’S PROMISES ARE SURE. GOD’S ARMY IS GREATER… THE ENEMY IS TRYING WITH EVERY DART TO STEAL OUR READINESS AND MISS THE RAPTURE. VICTORY BELONGS TO GOD…
1 John 4:4 We are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
LET US RECALL THE MESSAGE OF RESTORATION… THE PRODIGAL SON WAS NOT WORTHY OF TOTAL RESTORATION. WHEN THE PRODIGAL COMES HOME THE FATHER ACCEPTS HIM AS SON NOT SERVANT.
Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
LET US RUN HOME. THE FATHER IS WAITING WITHOUT STRETCHED ARMS. Let us go back to the Father. Let us be prepared for the attacks. Let us repent and say Father, I've sinned against You. I search for mercy and grace. I don't deserve to be called your son. Take me back as a hired hand.
Luke 15:23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
Conclusion: Let us receive the outpouring of God’s spirit and accept the restoration of the damage that the palmerworm, the cankerworm, the caterpillar and the locust have done. God show me how to guard against the destructive forces of the enemy.
Psalm 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
May we be forever ready! No matter the attack of the enemy: LIFT UP YOUR HEAD. The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.
Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Be prepare for the last day attacks.