You Will be Tested
Today, Mr. Mario Hernández gave us a timely and much-needed forum covering lessons we need to glean from Daniel chapter three.
Mr. Hernández started his forum by reading the courageous story of Daniel and his three friends. He emphasized the relevance of this account today because very similar things will happen again. We will be tested and persecuted like never before. We are in the end days!
The conviction of these young men is admirable, and we should strive daily to mimic the example they left for us. Mr. Hernandez reminded us there would be a time of persecution before the elect go to the place of safety. As Proverbs 17 says, all will be tested and refined by God. Mr. Hernández explained that God will not allow anyone to enter eternal life without being tested. Satan, the devil, was given everything without first being tried, and we can see the result of that today. God has a great reward for us, but we will first experience trials and soon-coming persecution.
The time is rapidly approaching when Satan will attempt to save himself. Mr. Hernández compared Satan’s desperate attempt to that of a king fearing his death who wipes out all of his competition, whether that be young men or little infants. Satan is, and is going to, do his very best to steal each of our crowns! Mr. Hernández said it is easy to see Satan’s hand directly guiding specific individuals throughout history. He explained that the Nazis used to use black magic till Satan had entered Hitler. Satan spoke through Hitler in one of his speeches and said: “I have fallen from heaven.” Revelation 12 shows that Satan was cast out of heaven with his demons. We should not be foolish and believe that Satan will not enter men in our future to cause further strife and persecution.
We can falsely believe that those who are counted worthy of being in the place of safety will simply receive divine intervention and be miraculously taken under God’s protection; however, Mr. Hernández explained that when Exodus 19 speaks of Israel being taken out of Egypt under the eagle’s wings, they physically walked to the promised land. The Israelites did not just fly there; and they did experience hard times on their journey. So in Revelation 12, when it says we will be given two great wings like an eagle, we may be like ancient Israel leaving Egypt.
Once he had made us aware of the coming difficulties, Mr. Hernández urged us to practice the principles from Daniel 3 daily! We must pray daily that we are counted worthy and remain diligent, not even flirting with the idea of sin. We have a tremendous future, but we must first accept the tests we will go through. The time is coming, and we will be there if we diligently follow His commandments. We will be there to hear the blowing of the 7th trumpet and rise to meet Christ in the sky! We were very appreciative of this heartfelt reminder and are joyfully taking the principles from Daniel and striving to put them into practice!
