A message summary of May 1, 2016 from Pastor Gus Brown:
A lot of people go to church unaware of what or whom they are worshiping.
The saints of God are not appointed to God’s wrath, but it does not mean that there will not be suffering. The saints will be in opposition to those who are worshiping something other than God; specifically, the Antichrist. The world will eventually come more and more against those who are the true followers of Jesus Christ.
God is looking for a commitment from the people who are unsure about what to do. Paul said that he was not ashamed of God, and it is God’s power through salvation that protects the believer.
Wishy-washy Christians are unable to take a stand for Christ.
Believers will be under attack by Satan.
Revelation 6:9
When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the people slaughtered because of God’s word and the testimony they had.
Revelation 11:7
When they finish their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, conquer them, and kill them.
Revelation 13:7
And he was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them. He was also given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation.
The saints will have to endure and persevere. Those, however, who worship the beast and especially those who received the mark (a firm commitment to Satan) will receive their due.
Revelation 14:11-13
“…and the smoke of their torment will go up forever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or anyone who receives the mark of his name. This demands the perseverance of the saints, who keep God’s commands and their faith in Jesus.” Then I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write: The dead who die in the Lord from now on are blessed.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “let them rest from their labors, for their works follow them!”
Are you able to make your testimony stick before others?
In order to remain faithful to Jesus, you will need to endure a lot of hardship. The ones who remain faithful to the end will be blessed.
The content of the bowls have an effect only on those who have received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image.
Revelation 16:2
The first went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and severely painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.
Exodus 10:21-23
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, and there will be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness that can be felt.” So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness throughout the land of Egypt for three days. One person could not see another, and for three days they did not move from where they were. Yet all the Israelites had light where they lived.
Exodus 9:25-26
Throughout the land of Egypt, the hail struck down everything in the field, both man and beast. The hail beat down every plant of the field and shattered every tree in the field. The only place it didn’t hail was in the land of Goshen where the Israelites were.
Exodus 8:22-23
But on that day I will give special treatment to the land of Goshen, where my people are living; no files will be there. This way you will know that I, Yahweh, am in the land. I will make a distinction between My people and your people. This sign will take place tomorrow.
Even through the time of the Great Tribulation, God is protecting His people, and even in death. You are assured of eternal life and happiness with Him.
Those who do not take the mark of the beast were treated differently that those who did, but it hardly got them off the hook from God’s judgment.
God does not hold the unbeliever in esteem. He makes the distinction between those who are His and those who deny Him. Believers have the seal of Christ upon them.
There will be those who will still try to decide whose side they will be on.
Joshua 24:14-15
“Therefore, fear the Lord and worship Him in sincerity and truth. Get rid of the gods your fathers worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and worship Yahweh. But if it doesn’t please you to worship Yahweh, choose for yourselves today the one you will worship: the gods your fathers worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my family, we will worship Yahweh.
This is belief in Christ in action.
Exodus 32:25-26
Moses saw that the people were out of control, for Aaron had let them get out of control, resulting in weakness before their enemies. And Moses stood at the camp’s entrance and said, “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me.” And all the Levites gathered around him.
Revelation 16:9
…and people were burned by the intense heat. So they blasphemed the name of God, who had the power over these plagues, and they did not repent and give Him glory.
Titus 1:10
For there are also many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from Judaism.
John 4:22
You Samaritans worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews.
Humanity has always been religious in some way, shape or form. No culture is without some sort of faith or some ritualistic practice of religion. Being religious is not a saving mark of God. You can be religious without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but you can’t be saved without Him.
Ephesians 1:13
When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:9
You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.
Revelation 7:3
“Don’t harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we seal the slaves of our God on their foreheads.”
2 Timothy 2:19
Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, having this inscription:
The Lord knows those who are His, and
Everyone who names the name of the Lord
must turn away from unrighteousness.
Akron Alliance Fellowship 