I would like to encourage you in something that will become increasingly vital in the days to come. As we progress further and further into these last days, it is imperative that we stay intimately connected with the Word of faith.
Let’s look at Jesus’ teaching about this in Matthew 24 and notice how He starts off in verse 4, “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.”
Do not be deceived! As I travel various places and talk to people from all parts of the globe, I have noticed a trend of people who were once very diligent in the Word of faith (or the Word and faith) who are now going off course in one direction or another. They are looking for “the next great revelation” or some other “word.” We should not be shocked by this because Paul warned us it was coming.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” – 2 Timothy 4:3-4 KJV
The Master Himself said to pay attention however, so that we don’t fall into this group of deceived believers – so let’s pay attention!
Look with me at Romans 10:6-8 KJV, “But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;”
Notice the phrase “the word of faith which we preach.” Who are the “we?” Pau and the other Apostles. Where did they learn this word of faith? Well, we know that Peter, James, John and the other Apostles of the Lamb learned it directly from Jesus Himself but did you know that Paul learned it from Jesus as well? Look over at Galatians chapter 1.
“But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”- Galatians 1:11-12 KJV
Look at the Amplified Classic Translation, “For I want you to know, brethren, that the Gospel which was proclaimed and made known by me is not man’s gospel [a human invention, according to or patterned after any human standard]. For indeed I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but [it came to me] through a [direct] revelation [given] by Jesus Christ (the Messiah).”
What did you think he was doing during all that time in Arabia and Damascus?!
So, now that we have firmly and scripturally established that these heroes in the faith learned the Word of faith from Jesus, we know that the Word of faith is the gospel that Jesus preached, taught and lived while He was on the earth! NOW let’s go back to Matthew chapter 24!
After Jesus admonishes them to see to it that they are neither troubled nor afraid of all of these end time situations He tells them about, we come to verses 13 and 14! There is so much packed into these 2 verses!
“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” – Matthew 24:13-14 KJV
First of all, that word “endure” is greatly misunderstood! When you research that Greek word (“hupomeno” from the root word “meno”), you see that it means “to abide, to remain, to dwell, to stay under, to have fortitude!” Do those descriptions sound familiar? Allow me to remind you how Psalms 91 begins, “He that DWELLETH in the secret place of the Most High Shall ABIDE UNDER the shadow of the Almighty.” – Psalm 91:1 KJV
HEY! Psalm 91 was put in the Book for such a time as this! Live in it!
Next, let me show you another connection that reveals just EXACTLY where we are suppose to live!
Pay very close attention here!
Look at John 8:31-32 KJV.
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Did you notice the phrase “continue in my word?” That word translated “continue” is that very same Greek root word! As you live and stay in His Word (and we now know it is the Word of faith), then you will gain a working knowledge of the truth and that truth that you know will MAKE you free! Another absolutely wonderful piece of understanding is that the word “free” can also be translated “exempt!” Exempt from what? He tells us more a few chapters later in chapter 17.
“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” – John 17:15-17 KJV
We are suppose to be exempt from the evil in this world through our working knowledge of the truth – the Word – the Word of faith!
This is what Jesus was talking about in Matthew 24! He that shall live and stay in the Word throughout these things that are happening until the end will experience “sozo!” Sozo is the word that is translated “salvation” in the KJV and it means “deliverance, protection, healing and prosperity!”
Exemption from all that evil!
Now look at verse 14 with the knowledge of what we have learned so far.
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” – Matthew 24:14 KJV
You’ll notice that Jesus did not say “the” gospel. He said “this” gospel! What gospel? THE WORD OF FAITH! And just to drive the point home, He said “for a witness.” Another way of saying that when you look into it is “with evidence.” That is literally the very definition of faith!
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence. . .” – Hebrews 11:1 KJV
Look, we already know that the Word preached without faith does not produce any results. (Hebrews 4:2 KJV) Oh, the Word can be preached without faith. I’ve heard it preached in fear, in hope, in wishing, etc., but it MUST be the Word taught in FAITH to produce exemption from evil in these last days!
Let’s not only renew our commitment to stay diligent in abiding in the Word of faith but also encourage others to dig into it as well! Love has provided a way for them to be exempt from all of these terrible things we see around us – let’s make sure people know how to do it!
THIS gospel will be preached to all nations and THEN the end shall come. Let’s get this job done!