Everything the devil does to thwart the work of God, or that men do to supplant His work, ultimately advances the work of God. God’s work on His city and dwelling place among men has continued to benefit through the worst of times. The work is tested by these attacks, but it grows stronger through them. So, don’t waste your trials, but resolve to use them.

       Those who endure persecution and trials—who do not quit—will come out of them better, stronger, and more like our Lord who suffered so much for our sake. The greatest heroes of the faith are those who stand against the greatest challenges. The Greek word often translated “witness” in the New Testament is the same word we translate martyr. There are also martyrs who live but who “die daily” to stand for Him and His truth. This can be more difficult than dying, as well as the most powerful witness of all.

       Those who suffer for Him are the “little flock,” the “hidden seed” that rarely makes the news or human history books but is the most honored in heaven. These are the ones who make up the city of God and will rule with Him in the ages to come. Some of the greatest of these will arise at the end of this age to confront the greatest darkness of all, and they will do some of the greatest exploits of all in His name to prepare the way for His coming. Yet, even the greatest of these will suffer, as we see with the “two witnesses” in Revelation 11.

       Daniel speaks to this in Daniel 11:33: “Those who have insight among the people will give understanding to many; yet they will fall by sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder for many days.” Those are not the Scriptures we like to put on our refrigerators and claim every day, but if we understood the power of suffering for the purposes of the Lord, I think we would claim them more.

       We may wonder why the Lord does not protect His witnesses from such attacks, and this is answered in Daniel 11:35: “Some of those who have insight will fall, to refine, purge and make them pure until the end time; because it is still to come at the appointed time.” Their purification for their ultimate purpose in the age to come is far more valuable than their temporary safety in this life. So, it is with us for what the apostle Paul called the “momentary, light afflictions” we endure for our training for reigning.

       Some of the great champions of the faith in this age are now among us and are maturing in Christ and gaining clarity about their purpose. These can often be recognized by the extraordinary trials in their lives. This is not for punishment but for training.

       There is an account written about Solomon as a child complaining to his father, King David, for not being able to get away with all that his brothers and sisters could. King David simply replied to him that they were not called to be the king. The higher position that we’re called to will result in more intense discipline.

       The Lord has saved His best wine for last, and the last shall be first. All the deception in this world is only going to make the truth—and the true ones—shine brighter. When the true gospel is again preached, it is going to make the false obvious. This will all fuel the greatest harvest the world has ever seen.

       Though the truth will certainly prevail, the deceivers will not just quit. The battle is going to be long and hard, by God’s design. It needs to be for our training. However, if we try to find and counter every deception, we will wear out quickly. Instead, we must focus on knowing the Truth Himself, staying close to Him and fighting the battles He leads us to and will be in with us. The Lord once told me that if I kept taking on battles and projects He did not call me to take, they would eventually kill me, and He was not going to consider it a martyrdom, but a suicide.

       He is called “the Lord of hosts,” or “Lord of armies,” for a reason. He is a military leader, and we are in a war more desperate than any that have ever been fought on the earth. The key to our victory is to constantly grow in knowing our King and His voice better. If we fight the battles He has called us to fight and abide in Him, the victory is sure. He always leads us in His triumph, but we must follow Him, not our opinions or anyone else’s.

© 2025 Rick Joyner. All Rights Reserved.