For Such a Time as This!

28 February 2021 / 16 Adar 5781 / Shushan Purim

Shushan Purim is celebrated in Jerusalem, Israel beginning on the Sabbath, 27 February 2021, and ends at nightfall on Sunday, 28 February 2021.

Today is the 28th anniversary of a major event that took place in my own home on 28 February 1993. And when the ATF converged on David Koresh’s compound near Waco, Texas, God made sure the world would also remember that unforgettable day. I pray that the LORD God may reveal to you the spiritual significance of that epoch day in this age of apostasy. And may you have “ears to hear” what the Spirit sayeth unto the Churches! Here’s the Purim Message that I posted last year, and iit s just as relevant Today!

 

Original Post: 9-10 March 2020 / 14-15 Adar 5780

Updated 2 March 2021 / 18 Adar 5781

God asks His people to remember certain times, seasons, and special events in history, and Purim is one of them. The story of Esther became very meaningful for me while I was writing my testimony of “Walking With the Enemy,” and I would like to share my reflections of how God used this brave young woman to help save His people.

Satan and his evil workers are still trying to destroy God’s people; and even though this took place in another day and age, the spiritual implications are very relevant for today.

At that time, the Jewish people were under the rule of King Ahasuerus, and his dominion was from India even unto Ethiopia, where he ruled over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces.

According to God’s word, Mordecai “brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.” Esther 2:7

There are conflicting opinions about the book of Esther, and without going into all the details as to why the King removed Queen Vashti from her royal position, I categorically reject the premise that he wanted to parade her before his subjects wearing only her crown!

I first heard that “interpretation” years ago by Chuck Swindoll (former president of the Dallas Theological Seminary), and because of his influence I am sure his views are circulated by many well-meaning preachers. But I must warn, it is very dangerous for men to add to, or take away from, the Holy Scriptures!

Due to the likelihood that all parties concerned were intoxicated, I believe Queen Vashti refused to go before the King and his men for fear of being humiliated by them in their drunken state. Her disobedience to the King’s orders cost Vashti the royal crown, but it paved the way for Esther to stand in her place.

I have heard pastors claim that Esther was just selfish, and willing to be deceptive, all because she wanted to be the Queen; but regardless of what men may say, Esther was an honorable, strikingly beautiful, and submissive young woman that was raised by a devout Jewish man who dearly loved God.

God is the One who did not want Esther to reveal her kindred until the “appointed time.” God is the One who gave Esther favor in the sight of all who met her, including the King. And God is the One who providentially allowed Esther to obtain that royal position for the express purpose of saving God’s people from the enemy who sought their total destruction.

When Esther heard about the decree to destroy all the Jewish people, she was initially concerned about herself and what would happen if she was to “come unto the King into the inner court” without being summoned by him; but God gave her the courage to face the King, even under the threat of death. Mordecai was certain God would accomplish His will, and his wise counsel encouraged Esther to overcome her fear and apprehension.

Esther 4:13-14 “Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Esther wanted to tell the King about Haman’s evil plan at the first banquet she had prepared, but God led her to wait until the following evening. And because of her obedience everything was set in motion for God to have the victory over the enemy.

There is much more to this story, but God’s people won the battle over those that hated them on 13 Adar, the very day that Haman and his men had planned to kill all the Jews.

The following explains why this season should be celebrated by all who have been “graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree,” through the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Romans 11:24); and one day will be united with the “natural branches” who have yet to come to Christ.

Esther 9:20-22 “And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far, To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.”

Esther 9:27-28 “The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year;

And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.”

I am reminded of what my dear Pastor Arnie wrote to me about Esther’s remarkable story: He said there are “So many things pertaining to faith, loyalty, love, obedience, integrity, courage, God’s sovereignty, justice, provision, preservation, etc. that we can learn from the book of Esther, both through her life and those around her.”

When faced with adversity we can believe the testimonies written in the book that bears her name; and we must always remember that God can use all things, even trials and tribulations, “for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

Esther could have become angry and blame God that she had no natural parents to love, and to be loved by; but she obviously kept trusting Him to provide for her! It was her love and obedience to God, along with her submission to the man God put in her life, that was vital to bringing about the salvation of the Jews. And even though she was “walking with the enemy,” God was with her, and gave her the boldness to expose the man who hated her people!

I wonder who is willing to stand up for the Truth in our day and age? So many Christians have become ineffective for the cause of Christ, not only because they believe the lies of the enemy, but because they love “the things that are in the world,” rather than having a fervent love and devotion to Almighty God and His Holy Word.

So many pastors today just do not preach sermons that have the power to convict of “the sin which doth so easily beset us.” They are led by their “flesh nature,” and proclaim watered down messages devoid of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, they use corrupt Bible versions which are responsible for many of the lies spoken in the name of the LORD!

Men can read the same words from the Bible–even from the beloved King James Version, and yet come away with very different views of what they think God has said. Yes, there are the obvious meanings–don’t lie, don’t steal, don’t commit adultery, etc., but only those who are truly led by the Holy Spirit and listening to God, can understand the prophecies He has given.

God said, “I have no greater joy than to hear that My children walk in Truth.” (3 John 1:4) And I am sure God has no greater sorrow than to hear that His children walk in error! Sadly, in this age of Apostasy, so many Christians are walking in Darkness, yet call it the Light!

Isaiah 5:20-23 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put Darkness for Light, and Light for Darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!”

Some SBC pastors even teach you can live an aberrant lifestyle—even the most blasphemous of sins (so called SSA), and still be a “Christian!” They say as long as you have made a profession of faith in Christ at some point in your life, you are “once saved, always saved.” There are those who try to claim that all sins are the same—another lie from the pits of Hell!

There is a proliferation of religious, political, and community leaders who claim to be Christian, but actively compromise the gospel of Jesus Christ by their actions. They actually join hands and support adherents of false religions, and say they are following Christ!

Time will tell who is of God and who is not! And depending on what people do with the Son of the Most High God—the Messiah of Israel, will affect where they will spend eternity! One day God’s wrath is going to come down on “all who hold the truth in unrighteousness!”

1 John 2:18-22 “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.”

Sin is the door way into Darkness—just where Satan wants to lead you! And if you remain there long enough, and don’t repent of your sins, the Devil will fill your mind with lies—and lead you to believe that you are walking with God in truth, when in reality you are not!

Contrary to popular belief, particularly among SBC preachers, God still speaks to His people; but pride and arrogance blinds people to the truth, and drowns out the voice of the Holy Spirit. Discernment is vital, but those who are issuing the warnings are being ignored!

Hebrews 5:11-14 “Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

There are “ministers” who falsely claim that God speaks to them, which is why it is so important to test the “spirit” by which they speak. Please carefully consider this passage.

1 John 4:1-3 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”

Notice that it says, “Every spirit that confesseth…” This IS a “spiritual” battle between God and the Devil, and men are vessels to be used by God or the enemy. And you must keep in mind that only the LORD God Almighty can give us “understanding in all things.”

Men say that “prophecy” and speaking in “other tounges” has ceased, but God has said in 1 Corinthians 13:10, “when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” And “perfection” has yet to come!

I hope you will prayerfully consider what the Holy Spirit spoke through me on the evening of 28 February 1993.

“…Everything you have learned here has been tainted with evil, and you cannot hold on to any of it. The only thing that you can hold on to is the fact that Jesus Christ died for you, and by His mighty power, God raised Him from the dead.

If you believe that in your heart, and claim Him as LORD, He will put the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead inside of you, to lead you and guide you into the Truth!

Light will overshadow Darkness, and Darkness will not be able to stand in the presence of God!” 

No man knows “the day nor the hour,” but I see that we are living in the “season” right before the return of the LORD Jesus Christ. The Adversary is still seeking to destroy God’s people, and he may appear to be winning, but I pray the “sleeping giant” will soon wake up!

Mark 13:35-37 “Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the Master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock crowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”

It is my prayer that God will raise up some brave, obedient women like Esther; and devout men like Mordecai, to stand up and defend the Truth, and “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” And just as Mordecai said to Esther when she was faced with an extremely grave decision:

Who knoweth whether THOU art come to the Kingdom for such a time as this?

Addendum

20 March 2020 / 25 Adar 5780

Much has changed since I first wrote this article, and life in this world has become even more uncertain; but it’s just like what I wrote in the IV Edition (2002) of “Walking With the Enemy:” (Now in the V-ictory Edition-June 2015.)

“I believe we are embarking on a Time in History that will be like no other. The world is changing so fast that at times it is hard to keep up, but praise God the eternal Truth of His Holy word is timeless.

We really need God on our side in these difficult and trying times in which we are living, because the Devil is out to lead astray whosoever he is able to deceive or manipulate into believing his lies.

Satan’s primary goal is to steal, kill, and destroy God’s creation, but if God’s favor is upon you, He can intervene on your behalf, which is why God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness are so important…

The deception I was involved in could happen to anyone, anywhere in the world…and it has been ‘going on at an alarming rate!’ The only consolation is it has been foretold in the Holy Scriptures.”

People are taught that the Church will never face the “anti-Christ,” and that God’s people will just be “raptured” before the “time of trouble,” but it’s all a part of the “grand delusion” of Satan! I encourage you to read the last chapter of Daniel and Revelation 3:7-13, preferably from the King James Version, to get more of an understanding of “the time of the end.”

I ask you, when you stand before the Great White Throne of Almighty God, are you certain you will live? Or will you perish? If you have any doubts whatsoever, please bow before God and call out to Him! I sincerely hope you will get on the side of the LORD, before it is too late!

Romans 13:11-14 “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”

One day Death will be “swallowed up in victory, and death and hell will be cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” And whosoever’s name is “not found written in the book of life” will be “cast into the lake of fire.” See Revelation 20:14-15

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the LORD so cometh as a thief in the night.

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our LORD Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”

“Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.”

 

Page Updated: 2 March 2021 / 18 Adar 5781