Bible Verses for Reference:
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour (1Pe 5:8).
Enter you in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads to life, and few there be that find it (Mat 7:13-14).
Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God (Jhn 12:42-43).
Relevant Words of God:
Perhaps you all remember these words: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” In the past, you have all heard this saying, yet none understood the true meaning of the words. Today, you know well the real significance they hold. These words are what God will accomplish in the last days. And they will be accomplished upon those cruelly afflicted by the great red dragon in the land where it lies. The great red dragon persecutes God and is the enemy of God, so in this land, those who believe in God are subjected to humiliation and persecution. That is why these words will become reality in you group of people. As the work is carried out in a land that opposes God, all of His work is met with inordinate hindrance, and many of His words cannot be accomplished in good time; hence, people are refined because of the words of God. This too is an element of suffering. …
… do not regard as too simple the work of God or God’s commission to you. You are all heirs of the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory of God, and this was specially ordained by God. Of the two parts of His glory, one is revealed in you; the entirety of one part of God’s glory is bestowed upon you so that it may be your inheritance. This is the exaltation from God and His plan predetermined long ago. … Among you, there is not one man who receives the protection of the law; rather, you are penalized by the law, and the greater difficulty is that no man understands you, be it your relatives, your parents, your friends, or your colleagues. None understand you. When God rejects you, there is no way for you to continue living on earth. However, even so, people cannot bear to leave God; this is the significance of God’s conquest of people, and this is God’s glory.
from “Is the Work of God So Simple As Man Imagines?” in The Word Appears in the Flesh
You must endure all, you must relinquish everything you have and do everything you can to follow Me, pay all the costs for Me. This is the time that I shall test you, will you offer your loyalty to Me? Will you follow Me to the end of the road with loyalty? Be not afraid; with My support, who could ever block the road? Remember this! Remember! Everything that occurs is by My good intention and all is under My observation. Can your every word and action follow My word? When the trials of fire come upon you, will you kneel and call out? Or will you cower, unable to move forward?
You must have My courage within you and you must have principles when facing relatives who do not believe. But for the sake of Me, you must also not yield to any of the dark forces. Rely on My wisdom to walk the perfect way; do not allow the conspiracies of Satan to take hold. Put all your efforts into placing your heart before Me and I shall comfort you and give you peace and happiness in your heart. You shall not seek the approval of men; isn’t it more valuable and weighty to satisfy Me? In satisfying Me, won’t you even more have eternal and lifelong peace and happiness? The suffering before you signifies how great your future blessings shall be; it is indescribable. You know not how many blessings you shall have, you couldn’t even dream of it. Today they become real, so very real! This is not so far away, can you see it? Every last bit of this is within Me and how bright it is ahead! Wipe away your tears, feel no pain or sorrow, all is held within My hands and My goal is to make you the overcomers soon and to bring you into glory with Me. You shall be grateful and praise for all that befalls you, and that shall satisfy My heart.
from “The Tenth Utterance” in The Word Appears in the Flesh
God seeks those who long for Him to appear. He seeks those who are able to hear His words, those who have not forgotten His commission and offer up their heart and body to Him. He seeks those who are as obedient as babes before Him, and do not resist Him. If you are unhindered by any force in your devotion to God, then God shall look upon you with favor, and shall bestow His blessings upon you. If you are of high station, of honorable reputation, possessed of abundant knowledge, the owner of plentiful assets, and supported by many people, yet these things do not prevent you from coming before God to accept His calling and His commission, to do what God asks of you, then all that you do shall be the most significant on earth and the most righteous of mankind. If you reject the call of God for the sake of status and your own goals, all that you do shall be cursed and even despised by God.
from “God Presides Over the Fate of All Mankind” in The Word Appears in the Flesh
Even after hearing the voice of God, man continues on his path away from God, evading the grace and care of God, and shunning the truth of God, and he would rather sell himself to Satan, the enemy of God. And who has given any thought as to how God will act toward an unrepentant man who has dismissed Him? None know that the repeated reminders and exhortations of God are because He holds in His hands an unprecedented disaster that He has prepared, one that will be unbearable for the flesh and soul of man. This disaster is not merely a punishment of the flesh but of the soul as well. You must know this: When the plan of God is made void and when His reminders and exhortations beget no response, what anger will He unleash? This will be like nothing that has heretofore been experienced or heard by any creation. And so I say, this disaster is unprecedented and will never be repeated. This is because only one creation and one salvation are within the plan of God. This is the first time and also the last. Therefore, none can comprehend the kind intention and fervent anticipation of God for mankind’s salvation.
from “God Is the Source of Man’s Life” in The Word Appears in the Flesh
The Man’s Fellowship:
You now spread the gospel. How do you feel when you encounter vilification and judgment at the hands of religious people? Do you feel dispirited and disheartened? Some people see so many people in the world of religion rising to oppose and judge God’s work and they become dispirited, saying ‘How can so many people not believe? Only us few believe. Is our way correct?’ People who think like this are even more ignorant. Because, after all, the truth is in the hands of the minority, as is written in the Bible: ‘For wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads to life, and few there be that find it.’ So when you see the world of religion resisting God, bring these words to mind and say them aloud and you will be fine. As soon as you think these words, you shall be comforted, and you won’t be disheartened or lose hope. We are not alone; we have God as our backup, and we have God with us.
from “The Significance and Effects of Practicing the Truth and Several Problems that Must be Resolved”
in Sermons and Fellowship on Entry Into Life (VI)
By seeking the truth, one’s heart becomes more and more filled with enjoyment, it yearns for God and yearns to be with God more and more, and it loves more and more to be in contact with those who possess the truth. By looking to fellowship with those who possess the truth and by living together with them, in the end you will come to understand the truth more, you will be blessed by God more and trusted by God more; God seeks for you, He wants to arrange your whole life, He wants to arrange a suitable place for you and so He will put His trust in you. Therefore, those who seek the truth are never alone. When you have genuinely gained the truth, God loves you, God blesses you, God likes you, and in the end God will use you. See how great a blessing this is! Seeking the truth is so very meaningful! By seeking the truth, we unknowingly come to have a deeper knowledge of our own corruption; by seeking the truth, we unknowingly come to understand much truth; by seeking the truth, we unknowingly come to have a deeper and deeper knowledge of God; by seeking the truth, we unknowingly come to see a change in our life dispositions; by seeking the truth, we unknowingly come to see God’s blessings, see that they are filled within with light and see the genuine human life, so that in the end we are able to see God’s face. Therefore, seeking the truth is the way that gets brighter and broader the further you follow it. No matter how others reject you, no matter how they oppose you, by seeking the truth you are able to gain God’s blessings, you are able to gain His praise, you have God’s protection, and this is enough. This is what can bring the greatest satisfaction to your heart. You must care about whether or not God likes you, whether or not God praises you and whether or not He blesses you. If you gain God’s praise and blessings, then in the deepest recesses of your heart you will feel satisfied, you will feel enriched and steadfast, and you shall feel a boundless peace and joy—that is the greatest happiness of human life.
from “The Requirements Those Who Serve God Must Meet and How to Serve in Accordance With God’s Will” in Sermons and Fellowship on Entry Into Life (II)
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