The church, in America at least, seems to be a remnant

By Elizabeth Prata

The Shepherds’ Conference at Grace Community Church, hosted by John MacArthur and GCC member/volunteers, is one of the largest and best conferences of any of them in the world. It caters to weary pastors and elders who shepherd a flock. Every year there is a different theme chosen, upon which the sermons are based. The theme for the next Shepherds’ Conference at Grace Community Church is “Shepherding the Remnant”.

I found this to be exactly right. It’s a telling statement that solid pastors who pastor solid churches are filled with a remnant of Christians, not an abundance. It is obvious that the Christianity Jesus expects and the beliefs and actions His people are to hold, are exhibited by only a few. These days, when you see a steeple, it more often means that goats are swirling around within it, not sheep. Sheep are an endangered species these days.

I’ve been in battles. Each time, it seemed that the battle was overwhelmingly stacked in the favor of the other side, with tremendous pressure exerted against me and seeming to be immovable on their behalf.

“When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” (2 Kings 6:15)

Each time when it seemed that I was trying to push through a Hoover Dam with my pinkies, the whole thing broke suddenly and collapsed. If I had been pushing the Hoover Dam, I’d have fallen over with the suddenness of the vacuum created by the collapse of the dark principalities and their dispersal from sudden shining light. This is because you are not alone and there are ALWAYS unseen holy angels with you, fighting.

I have seen, over and over, that just when it seems that you’re about to be defeated, it means good. That’s why when something unexpected happens it is a sure signal that things are happening big time in the heavenlies. Always, it is darkest before the dawn.

That phrase, by the way, comes from The English theologian and historian Thomas Fuller in 1650, who visited the Holy Lands and wrote a descriptive geography in a book called, “A Pisgah-Sight Of Palestine And The Confines Thereof,” saying, “It is always darkest just before the Day dawneth.”

My only advice to you is, keep doing what you are doing. Put on your armor, pray, and stand. Jesus’ church will NEVER be overcome He will never forsake it! True believers in the global church are triumphant, loved, and nurtured through all circumstances, no matter how seemingly dark to us. Waves will come and try to wash us away, but Jesus will not let us be removed from His hand.

Wikipedia explains the famous photo below:

“One of those infamous storms on the Iroise Sea happened on 21 December 1989. A front of low pressure coming from Ireland brought gale force winds and huge waves of 20 to 30 metres high which crashed spectacularly against the lighthouse.”

“The waves smashed through the lower windows of the lighthouse, ripped the front door, flooded the tower and washed away the furniture. Lighthouse keeper Théodore Malgorn decided to take refuge up in the lantern room while waiting to be rescued.”

The waves smashed through the lower windows of the lighthouse, ripped the front door, flooded the tower and washed away the furniture. Lighthouse keeper Théodore Malgorn decided to take refuge up in the lantern room while waiting to be rescued.”

“About the same time, photographer Jean Guichard was in Lorient hiring a helicopter to take aerial pictures of the storm. Guichard wanted to fly over the Iroise Sea despite extremely dangerous flying conditions.”

“The helicopter made it to La Jument and hovered around for Guichard to take shots of the waves pounding the lighthouse. Inside the tower, Théodore Malgorn heard what he thought was his rescue helicopter and hurried downstairs to open the door.”

“At that very moment, a giant wave rose over the rear of the lighthouse and Guichard took his world-famous shot as the wave smashed against the tower. Théodore Malgorn, suddenly realising that a giant wave was about to engulf the structure, rushed back inside just in time to save his life.”

“You may be engulfed by angry waves, a few of them may make the furniture swirl around and buffet you, but you are standing in the secure structure of the Lighthouse, eternal glory light of Jesus. He has you. Note the tiny figure of the keeper standing in the door, a secure soul in the grip of a killer wave. All you need do is stand.

Photo credit: Jean Guichard

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The End Time Blog Podcast Season 2, Episode 274