PREPARE FOR THE NIGHT

1. When NIGHT falls the body clock naturally switch to SLEEP, though SLEEP is good, it is a weakness of the flesh. Jesus Christ once came to His disciples “… and findeth them ASLEEP, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? WATCH and PRAY, that ye enter not into TEMPTATION: the spirit indeed is willing, but the FLESH IS WEAK” [Matthew 26”40-41] NIGHT is synonymous with seasons of EVIL, as in the days of Noah, “And GOD saw that the WICKEDNESS of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only EVIL continually.” [Genesis 6:5] NIGHT precedes the DAY in the order of creation, “And God called the light DAY, and the DARKNESS he called NIGHT. And the evening and the morning were the first DAY” [Genesis 1:5] This generation labour under shadows of the antediluvian world and gross DARKNESS looms as the DAY of the Lord closes in on us, “For yourselves know perfectly that the DAY OF THE LORD so cometh as a thief in the NIGHT” [1 Thessalonians 5:2] Beloved, now more than ever is time to be wide AWAKE in the Spirit; putting aside all distractions, WALKING in the light of TRUTH, WORKING the WORK of God, as it is written: “I must WORK the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the NIGHT COMETH, WHEN NO MAN CAN WORK” [John 9:4]

2. NIGHT came upon Sodom on wings of dubious prosperity, “Behold, this was the INIQUITY of thy sister SODOM, PRIDE, FULNESS OF BREAD, and abundance of IDLENESS was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the POOR and NEEDY” [Ezekiel 16:49] At the height Sodom’s affluence came angels of the Lord to announce divine retribution to the Unjust and the dawn of SALVATION to the Just [Genesis 19:1-25] In the maddening environment of the city gate, Lot was PREPARED and AWAKE enough to SEE and recognize the Messengers of TRUTH, and the rest as they say is history, “And there came two ANGELS to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot SEEING THEM rose up to meet them; and he BOWED HIMSELF with his face toward the ground” [Genesis 19:1] After years of rapid breakthroughs in technology, we have more than enough to go round yet our world is divided sharply into rich and poor with PRIDE and hardness of heart of the rich piling untold misery on the poor. Angels of the Lord are here, possibly including the two who went to Sodom, stirring men to accept Jesus Christ, PREPARE FOR THE NIGHT and escape looming damnation, “And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? SON IN LAW, and thy SONS, and thy DAUGHTERS, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, BRING THEM OUT OF THIS PLACE” [Genesis 19:12] The same I do; Friend, Brother and Sister, PREPARE FOR THE NIGHT, the DAY of the Lord is at hand

3. All TEN VIRGINS in Matthew 25;1-13 PREPARED themselves with LAMPS to SEE through the NIGHT, “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto TEN VIRGINS, which took their LAMPS, and went forth to meet the bridegroom” [Matthew 25:1] Five were WISE and five FOOLISH which initially made no difference until it was too late, as they all SLEPT, “While the BRIDEGROOM TARRIED, they ALL SLUMBERED and SLEPT” [Matthew 25:5] As we sail into the NIGHT, both WISE and FOOLISH VIRGINS shall SLUMBER and SLEEP; by reason of AGE, through DEATH and not a few by SINCERE ERRORS. We shall be roused by TRUMPET as by scent of water to a dried tree at the appearance of the Lord but only the WISE shall AWAKE to GLORY, as it is written: “Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Yet through the SCENT OF WATER it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant” [Job 14:8-9] The WISE were PREPARED for GLORY by revelation of Jesus Christ, the one TRUE GOD and ETERNAL LIFE, “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in HIS SON JESUS CHRIST. This is the TRUE GOD, and ETERNAL LIFE” [1 John 5:20] FOOLISH VIRGINS also believed albeit in theological speculation but having no foundations in Christ revealed, were shut out “Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I KNOW YOU NOT” [Matthew 25:11-12]

4. PREPARE FOR THE NIGHT while there is yet LIGHT, the Prince of DARKNESS is at the door, “… the SON OF PERDITION; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, SHEWING HIMSELF THAT HE IS GOD” [2 Thessalonians 2:3-4] SON OF PERDITION is Satan hidden in a man, who by strength of arms and subtility shall establish control over the earth and demand all men accept and worship him as God. His entry shall be with SIGNS and LYING WONDERS, and with much wickedness forbid preaching of SALVATION in the name of Jesus Christ. There shall be cruel persecution such as the world never witnessed to suppress the FAITH, “… yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service” [John 6:2] Dearly beloved, PREPARE FOR THE NIGHT now, prayerfully examine the foundation of your FAITH and settle it on God manifest in Jesus Christ. WATCH and PRAY that your conviction of FAITH is not eroded by lies and new age doctrines from hell. Put away all distractions, always READY to be received of the Lord, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, WATCH and PRAY: for ye know not when the time is” [Mark 13:32-33]