The One Who Delivers Us From Tribulation

Prayer-Soldier

The One Who Delivers Us From Tribulation

Scripture:

But at that time shall Michael rise up, the great prince, who stands for the children of your people: and a time shall come, such as never was from the time that nations began, even until that time. And at that time shall your people be saved, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of those that sleep in the dust of the earth, shall awake: some unto life everlasting, and others unto reproach, to see it always. But they that are learned, shall shine as the brightness of the firmament: and they that instruct many to justice, as stars for all eternity. (Daniel 12:1-3)

And every priest indeed stands daily ministering and often offering the same sacrifices which can never take away sins. But this man, offering one sacrifice for sins, for ever sits on the right hand of God, from henceforth expecting until his enemies be made his footstool. For by one oblation he has perfected for ever them that are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also testifies this to us. For after that he said: And this is the testament which I will make unto them after those days, said the Lord. I will give my laws in their hearts and on their minds will I write them: And their sins and iniquities I will remember no more. Now, where there is a remission of these, there is no more an oblation for sin. ( Hebrews 10:11-18 )

But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light. And the stars of heaven shall be falling down and the powers that are in heaven shall be moved. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds, with great power and glory. And then shall he send his angels and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. Now of the fig tree learn ye a parable. When the branch thereof is now tender and the leaves are come forth, you know that summer is very near. So you also when you shall see these things come to pass, know that it is very nigh, even at the doors. Amen, I say to you that this generation shall not pass until all these things be done. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my word shall not pass away. But of that day or hour no man knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father. (Mark 13:24-32)

Reflection:

A significant challenge of our life is the ability to learn. What we see around us is not always what we understand. We are faced with illusions and that which is invisible. There is that which is close to us and that which is far away. We perceive what we see, but what is most difficult for us to learn is that which is not seen, yet is with us none the less.

If we were able to see all, we would see the evil which surrounds us and all the ways through which it works. If we were able to see all, we would see all the blessings of the Lord; but for many it is hard to understand that to which they are blind. There is no hope for us while we are in the darkness; but blessed are we, for the light was sent to the world so that all might see, so that every heart may be opened, so that we may be filled with the wisdom of His love.

The struggles of this time and the days to come will finally yield the moment where the decision will be demanded as to the path which will become ours for eternity. In what we place our faith will determine that path. Those who learn the way of the Word will find one path, but those who remain blind to the Word shall be left to another.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit we may receive the truth and understanding of the Word. In prayer, if we ask for understanding, the true blessing of the Word will be revealed to us. The priest is called to be our guide, to help the flock understand, but even the priest is vulnerable to sin and will be a target of evil. We must pray for the priest, and all who lead the people, that they will be protected from the temptations of the evil one and they will seek to guide the people to the truth. The One through which the truth will be found is the One who is the Word, the One who is the light of the world so that all might see. Through Him the souls of the faithful shall be healed of all their iniquities.

Because evil walks the world, days will become darker. We each face different tests in our journey, but if we seek Him, our burdens shall be light. It is when we seek ways without Him that the paths become dark for we give evil a free hand. In this time, deception will lure the people to jealousy and enmity of one another, and in so doing, to turn their backs on their Creator as well. This is the way of evil, to turn the people away from what is true.

Those who are lured away from the commandments of love will yield the violence and sorrow which harms even the innocent. For a time, He will allow it to happen, for this is the only way for people to see the consequences of what deceives them. Chests shall be thumped and nation shall rise against nation as the powers of darkness lure people and leaders of people to selfish pursuits and ways which only yield division and hate.

The people will cry out in tears and sorrow as the pain in their hearts grow. Though evil will seek to misguide them at every turn, the day will come where the deceived will see that the paths they followed to what they believed would be their happiness only leads them to the sorrow of the abyss. They will fail to understand, because of the blindness which evil brings, that their pain comes not from what they experience, but from the absence of the One who may heal them of all suffering. It is not that He does not seek to be with us, but it is because we are lured away from Him by the illusions with which evil surrounds us.

That which causes us blindness may only be removed by love. That is the test which allows us to see through the illusions, for if the result is rooted in charity and yields love, it is true; but if the consequence feeds selfishness, divisions and hate; then, it is the fruit of evil. Even good intentions may be the path to darkness, for it may veil the consequence; therefore, we must not listen only to what is said, but we must examine the consequence of action, for if the yield is to feed selfish desires, evil is surely present.

Division is the way of evil and those who preach division are blinded by evil, though they may present words of good intention. The test of the one who is true is that what they preach and what they do, seeks all to be united in the love which may only be found through Him. We cannot preach that he or she is deserving and he or she is not, for there is only one true judge of what is to come. The faithful will pray as much for those who persecute them as they pray for those in need, for that is the way of love.

As violence spreads in the lives of people, the faithful soldier will be called to stand for the innocent. They too, will be tempted by the ways of evil. They will not be able to prevail by themselves for the strength of evil is strong. Only through prayers of love and faith in the One and only deliverer will the faithful soldier prevail. What has been set in motion will be; the only choices which remain is who will stand in love and who will stand in selfishness.

As the people turn to darkness, thus shall all be turned around them; but as the people turn to the love which may only be found through Him, thus shall all be turned around them. In prayer we must ask for the strength of love; that through it, we may prevail over evil; that through it, the divisions of the people may be healed. In the darkest of days, it will be His love and mercy which will become our deliverance, but only if we believe in Him and that He is the only light which will guide us from the darkness.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier