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MONTH IN REVIEW: OCTOBER 2022
Updated: Nov 2, 2022
For4byfaith Ministry
November 1, 2022.
KJV Psalm 94:18-19,
18 When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord, held me up.
19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
As the month of October comes to an end, I am encouraging our readers, to take some time to reflect upon the past few weeks.
I'd like to take some time to share with you some current events from last month that has highlighted the fact that we are living in the closing scenes of this earth's history. Prophecy is fast fulfilling. Never in my life have I seen where in one month, in different situations, hundreds of people dying in one day. I share these news articles not to cause us to fear death, to become disheartened, dismayed, nor hopeless but to behold something better.
We have no time-not a moment-to lose. Let us not be found sleeping on guard. Let no man say in his heart or by works: "My Lord delayeth his coming." Let the message of Christ's soon return sound forth in earnest words of warning. Let us persuade men and women everywhere to repent and flee from the wrath to come... {Maranatha 311.3}.
October 1st, 2022 (Saturday)
Indonesia: At least 125 dead in football stadium crush - BBC News
"On Saturday night, thousands of fans rushed onto the pitch after their home team lost a game at Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang, East Java. Police responded by firing tear gas.
In the panic to escape, people were trampled and crushed at the exits. At least 125 - including dozens of children, one as young as three - were killed, the authorities say."
October 12, 2022 (Wednesday)
"At least 127 people in Florida have died due to Hurricane Ian, according to local officials, as the death toll continues to climb two weeks after the powerful storm slammed into the state's southwestern coast."
October 29, 2022 (Saturday)
South Korea: How the Halloween tragedy unfolded - BBC News
"After more than 150 people died in a deadly crush in Seoul on Saturday night, the BBC looks at how the tragedy unfolded.
By early evening on Saturday, thousands of mainly young people had converged in Itaewon in the centre of the South Korean capital, a lively party spot whose warren-like streets and alleys are filled with bars and restaurants.
Some accounts say 100,000 people had descended on the area to celebrate Halloween, excited about the prospect of partying again after two years of strict Covid restrictions in the country....Mr Ahammed said that even hours after the crush occurred people in the area were still partying, with music still being heard coming from some of the bars and clubs in the area. It's not clear if these venues and their patrons were aware of the seriousness of what was happening around them."
October 30, 2022 (Sunday)
India bridge tragedy claims 120 lives | Daily Mail Online
"One witness told local media: 'People fell on top of each other after the bridge collapsed. People had flocked to the bridge for rituals and because of the Diwali festival. Many children and women were among the victims.'
Hundreds were plunged into the water below near the town of Morbi while dozens more were left clinging onto the bridge's twisted wreck to await rescue.
Video footage shows people holding onto the bridge as emergency services struggled to rescue them."
The coming of Christ is near and hasteneth greatly. The time in which to labor is short, and men and women are perishing.... (Maranatha 312.5)
I don't know about you the reader, but I cried after reading these news articles. The burden to see souls saved rests heavily upon my heart! All of these tragic events happened in the month of October, just in one month. These are precious souls for whom our Saviour has died for. Human language fails me at this time to express how saddened I am by these chains of disasters. I feel much joy to be able to reach out today, to a friend living in South Korea and receive a response that she is okay along with her friends, however the solemn thought is that many loved ones have reached out to those that have sadly passed away and never got a response back.
My condolences go out to all the families who are now grieving the loss of their loved ones and friends. I am praying that these families will find comfort in Jesus who alone can completely heal their broken hearts, and heal the wounds caused by sin. What saddens me even more is to know that many of us, especially professed Christians, after knowing of the turmoil caused by sin that is taking place around us, many of us will not be aroused spiritually to the seriousness of the time that we are living in. Many of us will receive this message and yet carry on with life as normal, without seeing the importance of having our lives and others hid with Christ in God. But thank God, hope is not lost.
Though tragic these news reports are, more news articles could be shared, along with personal accounts from many persons, sharing what turmoil the enemy has been causing in their lives. But instead of dwelling on such subjects continually, it is my desire for us to think about what we can learn from all that is taking place around us and to behold something better.
BEHOLD SOMETHING BETTER
We are encouraged to seek a new conversion. For through the grace of Christ, even when to human eyes our case appears hopeless, Christ sees in us capabilities for good. In desiring the help of our Saviour and praying sincerely, the Lord will pardon us as we go to Him for forgiveness and restoration.
The signs that foretell the second coming of Christ are fast fulfilling. Shall the people be left in ignorance of the great event before them and have to meet that awful day unprepared?
Heaven had made a complete offering for the salvation of the world. Shall those who profess to love God and keep His commandments be indifferent to the souls of men? No, no! they cannot be. - {Testimonies For the Church Volume 9, page 60.1}
With untiring zeal those who have received the light of present truth should go forth to give this light to those who sit in darkness. With consecrated efforts, by self-denial and self-sacrifice, they are to labor in the strength of the God of Israel. - {Testimonies For the Church Volume 9, page 60.1}
As we are blessed with life today, I believe we should really take a moment to examine ourselves, by meditating upon these questions below:
1) Suppose that Christ should appear in the clouds of heaven, who...would be ready to meet Him?
2) Suppose we should be translated into the Kingdom of heaven just as we are. Would we be prepared to unite with the saints of God, to live in harmony with the royal family, the children of the heavenly King?
3) What preparation have you made for the judgment?
4) Have you made your peace with God?
5) Are you seeking to help those around you, those in your home, those in your neighborhood, those with whom you come in contact that are not keeping the commandments of God?
6) Are we getting ready to meet the King?
7) How many of us have on the wedding garment?
8) How many of us are without spot or wrinkle or any such thing?
9) Why is it that religion occupies so little of our attention, while the world has the strength of brain, bone, and muscle?
10) Why do we find a religious life so hard and a worldly life so easy?
I entreat you readers, to labor earnestly to secure the crown of everlasting life. The reward will be worth the conflict, worth the effort.... In the race in which we are running, everyone may receive the reward offered-a crown of everlasting life. I want this crown; I mean by God's help to have it. I mean to hold fast to the truth, that I may see the King in His beauty. - {Maranatha 298.5}
The Lord is soon to come, and we must be prepared to meet Him in peace. Let us be determined to do all in our power to impart light to those around us. We are not to be sad, but cheerful, and we are to keep the Lord Jesus ever before us. He is coming, and we must be ready and waiting for His appearing. Oh, how glorious it will be to see Him and be welcomed as His redeemed ones! Long have we waited, but our hope is not to grow dim. If we can but see the king in His beauty we shall be forever blessed. I feel as if I must cry aloud: "Homeward bound!" We are nearing the time when Christ will come in power and great glory to take His ransomed ones to their eternal home.... {Maranatha 311.4]
We need the converting power of God to take hold of us, that we may understand the needs of a perishing world. The burden of my message to you is: Get ready, get ready to meet the Lord. Trim your lamps, and let the light of truth shine forth into the byways and the hedges. There is a world to be warned of the near approach of the end of all things.... (Maranatha 312.6)
We know not what tomorrow may bring, for tomorrow is not promised to us but let us, "seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:" May it be our aim to have a closer relationship with the Lord, moment by moment, hour by hour. A constant daily relationship with Him is sure to have us and others, being ready for His second coming.
MORE WORDS OF COMFORT AND CHEER
At all times and in all places, in all sorrows and in all difficulties, when the outlook seems dark and the future perplexing, and we feel hopeless and alone, the comforter will be sent in answer to the prayer of faith. Circumstances may separate us from every earthly friend; but no circumstance, no distance, can separate us from the heavenly comforter. Wherever we are, wherever we may go, He is always at our right hand to support, sustain, uphold, and cheer. - {The Desire of Ages 669.4}.
"Lift up the trumpet, and loud let it ring:
Jesus is coming again!
Cheer up, ye pilgrims, be joyful and sing;
Jesus is coming again."
KJV Psalm 34:8,
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
KJV 2 Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
For4byfaith Ministry
November 1, 2022.