2015

- Rev. BENITA FRANCIS

Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion

(Ps.2:6)

Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.

He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life

(Jn.12:24-25)

2015 will be a vivid picture of Psalm 2:1-3. Many believers will ask themselves these questions:

1 Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,

3 "Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us."

In 2015, rulers and lawmakers will proceed to more and more ungodliness and throw the nations into increasing chaos. Natural disasters, plagues and chemical accidents will rock once stable nations. Nightmare scenarios seen only on TV screens will suddenly become reality.

In 2015, mental illness and substance abuse will skyrocket as people try to cope with the discrepancy of what was promised them and the reality of everyday life. Tranquilizers, mood enhancers and sleeping pills will have an all-time sales high. Many will complain of terrorizing nightmares that even throw some into suicide because of despair and the fear of another tormenting night. Medical science will not be able to help such people. Only the Church of Jesus will be able to provide relief.

In 2015, churches that see the need of the hour and advertise their ability to help will experience great growth amidst persecution and attempts to shut them down. Pastors and believers will be trained by God's Holy Spirit Himself to deliver those who were taken captive by satan and his demons in spirit, soul, mind and body. Deliverance ministry will join hands with strong teaching of God's Word and quickly turn tormented seekers into stable, joyful and peaceful believers. Their testimony and lifestyle will attract many from their circle of influence and create a mighty pull towards Jesus (Jn.8:31-32).

In 2015, churches that are not ashamed to demonstrate God's healing and delivering power will attract both increased growth and increased persecution, but they will go through every attack victoriously as they rely on God's Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance (Mt.5:14; 2.Cor.2:14).

In 2015, hatred for humanity will arise in many people's hearts and minds. Especially middle- and high class, well educated youth and young adults are in great danger of falling into the glamorous trap of organizations that glorify death, murder and suicide. This will bring many desperate parents and teachers to their knees and usher in a mighty Holy Ghost revival exactly in this endangered group. Sauls will become Pauls and go back into the enemy's camp to plunder his goods.

In 2015, the media war for public opinion will be fought more ruthlessly than ever before. We will hear of sudden suspicious deaths of news reporters, news anchors and even owners of news agencies. The root and reason for this will not be a desire for truth but pure greed and boundless love of money.

In 2015, national leaders who desire to uphold righteousness and justice will be marginized, and much political and monetary pressure will be used to make them succumb to the general decay of morals.

In 2015, however, national leaders who withstand the pressure will experience God's blessings on their nations, shown in lower rates of natural disasters, diseases, crimes, suicides, addictions, divorces, teen pregnancies and the like. Such statistics will be sabotaged and tried to keep secret, but through the wise use of mass media, simple citizens will spread them worldwide and bring forth an outcry for justice among a righteous remnant. New political parties demanding righteous governments will be founded and have surprisingly great impact.

In 2015, many national leaders will feel a need to create conglomerates of nations for increased stability, protection and economic opportunities. Unions of states and nations will be planned and some even created, especially in Africa and other Third World areas. This will be mostly done without the involvement, even without the knowledge of the public. Riots and public protests will arise but the confederation will be already a done deal.

In 2015, at the same time, nations and states who were united for many years will crumble and disassemble, creating chaos, poverty and much human suffering.

In 2015, religious wars will outnumber wars for land, oil or any other monetary purpose. Sides will become increasingly polarized, and ideological positions will become increasingly fortified. Great confusion will arise, and many will feel entitled to answer people's questions. Great debates will further confuse the public and create an outcry for truth and trustworthiness.

In 2015, many will feel increasingly disillusioned and see the futility of their economic, intellectual, moral and religious pursuits. People will be brought to their limit of bearing capacity by repeated episodes of betrayal, disloyalty, falseness and treachery, even among closest friends and business partners. Some will succumb to substance abuse and suicide, others will embark on a search for truth and trustworthiness and find their way to Jesus Christ.

In 2015, we will hear of many people who had visions and visitations of Jesusas they were about to throw away their lives. Such home-made believers will challenge existing churches with incomparable zeal and love for Jesus. They will put to shame many established believers and leaders, operating powerfully in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, preaching, healing and delivering people with God's power.

In 2015, people you would never have expected will rise up against you just because you belong to Jesus. People you considered your closest friends will suddenly turn against you just because you have decided to live a Biblical lifestyle. Even believers will succumb to the call and pull of the world and forsake their Bible standards, not knowing - or not wanting to know - that they also forsake their salvation.

In 2015, the enemy of our souls will try his best to make us dilute the Jesus standard. Even good, Biblical teachings will be misused and perverted by men of corrupt minds, destitute of the truth and disapproved concerning the faith (1.Ti.6:5; 2.Ti.3:8). Waves of teachings will rock the Church of Jesus Christ in an attempt to sidetrack sincere believers from the purpose of their salvation which is knowing Christ and making Him known.

In 2015, self-seeking and complacency will be some of the main weapons unleashed against believers in the spiritual world. The antidote against this onslaught will be obedience to the command of Jesus to "watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation" (Mt.26:41; Mk.14:38). Seeking and saving the lost like the Good Shepherd, leaving the 99 and going after the one lost sheep, will be a major safeguard against well-devised heresies.

In 2015, factions and divisions among brothers in the churches will serve to show those who are approved and counted trustworthy by God Himself. Wise leaders will make sure only such people are entrusted with authority positions in the Body of Christ (1.Co.11:19).

What is God's reaction to all of this? The answer is Ps.2:4-6:

4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision.

5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure:

6 "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion."

In 2015, maintaining your joy will be a major key to maintaining your victory for which Jesus paid with His very own, precious Blood. From His victory position in the heavens, God laughs at all of satan's futile attempts to disturb God's plan. Since as a believer, you have been raised together with Christ and are seated in the heavenly places together with Him, you will also laugh at anything the world or satan bring against you (Eph.2:6; 1:21). Your God laughs. He expects you to also laugh.

In 2015, God trusts YOU, the Church of Jesus, to rule as holy kings. He has set His King, His very own and only Son Jesus, into you (1.Co.3:16). He expects YOU to rule and reign in holiness and show forth the victory of His eternal Kingdom. God is not shaken by world events. He expects you not to be shaken either. He expects you to execute His judgments, using the authority of His Name which He has given to you (Ps.149; Ac.3:12,16).

In 2015, great joy and victory will be yours as you constantly keep in mind that you are the walking holy temple of the victorious God of the entire universe who holds all things safely in His mighty hands.

In 2015, home-made believers will challenge existing churches with incomparable zeal and love for Jesus. They will put to shame many established believers and leaders, operating powerfully in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, preaching, healing and delivering people with God’s power.

In 2015, you will stand out as a holy hill, an unshakable, unmovable mountain, a safe haven and a shining light of hope in a dark world. You will display God's holiness in the most beautiful way, closing the mouths of the critics and convincing the world that living in holiness is the greatest pleasure man can experience in this world.

In 2015, being a Christian does not come cheap. It will demand a price, a decision, a sacrifice in form of humiliations, injustices, denial of positions and privileges, financial disadvantages and the like. Those who endure till the end shall be saved, and their reward will be great (Mt.10:22; 24:13).

In 2015, you will find your life as you are willing to lose it and lay it down for God's and the Gospel's sake. As you allow your self-life to fall into the ground and die, you will produce more spiritual fruit than you could ever have imagined. God's character, God's gifts and God's power will flow freely through you and astonish the multitudes. Souls will be saved by the thousands through such laid-down lives.

In 2015, your allegiance to Christ will bring you to the most unexpected places and will bestow honor on you. You will follow Him like Abraham, and God Himself will honor you in the eyes of all your opponents.

2015 can make you or break you. It all depends on your willingness to follow the advice of your Savior:

24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.

25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor

(Jn.12:24-26)