By Frank M. Keele

In a previous blog, “The Great Reset”, we quoted what John tells us about the first beast and the 42 months, in today’s post we shall start with the same verses, from Rev 13 we read:

4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.

10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

Again we return to the subject of the 42 months and the tribulation or difficulties God’s people are expected to endure. The above seven verses give us the summery… John tells us above, “it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them”. The “him” here is the “whore of all the earth” that Nephi identifies for us as being among the gentiles. John tells us that this particular beast “must be killed with the sword” but in the mean time “the saints” will have to patiently endure in faith.

Now, as I’ve stated before, I actually believe that we are in the 42 months and what a strange place the world as a whole and America has become. Now a days if you hold Christian beliefs, believe in the constitution, the first amendment, the second amendment, national sovereignty, control of borders, law and order, a baby’s right to be born or express conservative or traditional views, you might just be considered an enemy of the state.

And so we ask the question, what are we to do? How do we handle this very difficult and trying situation? Well, John understood the difficulty we would face during the 42 months and advises us… “Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.” And John also says above “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them”… given… as when the Lord allowed the Devil to test and prove Job.

This is not a time when political solutions are going to work, however, there are those among us to whom God has given authority to lead us in these perilous times, we need look no further than the last general conference of the church to find words that reflect John’s direction to exercise faith and patience in our present circumstances. For example, consider President Henry B. Eyring’s talk from April conference, he said in part:

“My dear brothers and sisters, we have been blessed today to hear inspired servants of God give counsel and encouragement. Each of us, wherever we are, knows that we live in increasingly perilous times. My prayer is that I might help you stand steady in the storms we face, with a peaceful heart.

The place to begin is to remember that we are each a beloved child of God and that He has inspired servants. Those servants of God have foreseen the times in which we live. The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”

Anyone with eyes to see the signs of the times and ears to hear the words of prophets knows that is true. The perils of greatest danger come to us from the forces of wickedness. Those forces are increasing. And so it will become more difficult, not easier, to honor the covenants we must make and keep to live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

For those of us who are concerned for ourselves and for those we love, there is hope in the promise God has made of a place of safety in the storms ahead…

When the storms in life come, you can be steady because you are standing on the rock of your faith in Jesus Christ. That faith will lead you to daily repentance and consistent covenant keeping. Then you will always remember Him. And through the storms of hatred and wickedness, you will feel steady and hopeful.

More than that, you will find yourself reaching out to lift others to safety on the rock with you. Faith in Jesus Christ always leads to greater hope and to feelings of charity toward others, which is the true love of Christ.

I bear you my solemn witness that the Lord Jesus Christ has given you the invitation “Come unto me.” He invites you, out of love for you and for those you love, to come to Him for peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come. He knows perfectly the storms you will face in your test as part of the plan of happiness.

I plead with you to accept the Savior’s invitation. Like a meek and loving child, accept His help. Make and keep the covenants He offers in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They will strengthen you. The Savior knows the storms and the places of safety on way home to Him and to our Heavenly Father. He knows the way. He is the Way. I so testify in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

We need to follow the Prophet and other leaders because It doesn’t appear the we are going to be able to rely on a return to sanity this time, rather, we need to turn to the Lord, for it will be he who will deliver us! In section 133 we get a snapshot of what the saints will be praying for and how the Lord will respond leading up to his first appearance, we read:

38 And the servants of God shall go forth, saying with a loud voice: Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come;

39 And worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters—

40 Calling upon the name of the Lord day and night, saying: O that thou wouldst rend the heavens, that thou wouldst come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence.

41 And it shall be answered upon their heads; for the presence of the Lord shall be as the melting fire that burneth, and as the fire which causeth the waters to boil.

42 O Lord, thou shalt come down to make thy name known to thine adversaries, and all nations shall tremble at thy presence—

43 When thou doest terrible things, things they look not for;

44 Yea, when thou comest down, and the mountains flow down at thy presence, thou shalt meet him who rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, who remembereth thee in thy ways.

45 For since the beginning of the world have not men heard nor perceived by the ear, neither hath any eye seen, O God, besides thee, how great things thou hast prepared for him that waiteth for thee.

Apparently the world will be surprised when the Lord does “terrible things, things they look not for… and the mountains flow down at” his “presence”, when he comes to those “that waiteth for” him. And the saints will be witnesses to previously un-preceived or seen “great things… prepared” for the elect.

I bare witness that the scriptures are true and that the word of prophecy is being fulfilled all around us… we just need to have eyes to see and a believing heart! My God bless us all, until next time…

If you have not yet read Millennial Dawn, you will find a link on the “Book” page… thanks for reading and my God bless!

You are invited to leave a comment or ask a question…