Cedric Fisher: "earnestly contending for the faith."

Suffering? Not alone! 

Elijah’s Complaint:

“And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” — 1 Kings 19:10

God’s response:

“Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” — 1 Kings 19:18

Under the Juniper bush, Elijah discovered during his struggle with the feelings of isolation and rejection that he was not alone. God had 7,000 among the millions of apostate Israelites that had not compromised. It was a small percentage, but if they were nearby it would have been a comfort to Elijah. He was trained to face loneliness by the Brook Cherith. He was practically alone at the widow’s house. He was alone when he fought the battle with demonic prophets on Mount Carmel. So why did he feel depressingly alone afterward?

There are at least two reasons that the desperate loneliness gripped his mind. First, as anyone knows that has confronted demons or ministered to numerous spiritually needy people after preaching, one’s spirit can be drained of energy. The virtue (GK. dynamis, power) that goes out of them (Luke 6:19) must be restored by praying and seeking intimacy with God (Acts 1:8; GK. dynamis, power). An enormous drain on Elijah’s spirit occurred in his epic battle. He needed to be replenished—renewed. I have repeatedly experienced that condition and personally know and have ministered to friends that have experienced it.

Second, there did not appear to be a reward at the end of the battle. It seemed as if he had fought in vain. God sent fire upon the water-drenched altar and instead of being accepted as God’s prophet, Elijah was rejected and his life was in jeopardy. On a lesser scale, many Believer has poured out their lives and been harshly treated and betrayed by the very ones they helped the most. In a time of apostasy the absence of gratitude for sacrificial efforts will be scarce. In Psalm 73, Asaph lamented the disparity between the ungodly who appear to enjoy life while the faithful ones often suffer.

Sometimes we are drained by so many trials and suffering in our attempting to serve God faithfully, that we don’t realize other Believers are experiencing worse or equally harsh struggles. Many Believers feel alone and are struggling to make some sense out of the great apostasy that is occurring all around them. Numerous ones are also fight great battles with their health, lack of income, children that have rejected God, and are in despair.  If we don’t recognize that probability, we may develop “Juniperitis” and believe that we are the only ones truly serving God. That is not true. We are not individually THAT unique. Although they are few, God has a remnant of people “whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

Likewise, not everyone today has their heads in the sand of apathy. They may not have built a large Friend’s List (largely with people they barely or don’t even know) on Facebook, but they are standing firm. We should take joy from witnessing even one bold and faithful Believer that refuses to compromise. Besides, I’d rather have one true and faithful friend than a plethora of “friends” who change their minds about me daily. A bit of gossip hits their ears and their friendship withers away like heated shrink wrap.

When it comes time to stand in the fire, the three Hebrews did not ask God for a company of Jewish prophets. They likely did not expect anyone to help them, but one man joined them. Hallelujah! It is a testimony of God’s compassion for the martyrs. The fourth man in their fire might be the only one in the fire with us—but He will be there. Praise God!

On the other hand, the ones that ignore the warnings, refuse to be faithful, feast on the drivel of heretics and hirelings, cannot even identify those charlatans, that know more about sports, hobbies, politics, or the latest fashions—are fading rapidly into the black hole of apostasy. People can shrug off that claim, saying, “You don’t have any evidence of that.” I could write a book full of evidence, but it would be a waste of time and energy. They buy books by the millions from Satan’s underlings, but they will not read a free book telling them the truth. They do not even read the Bible—why would they read my book?

I wonder if they would consider an analogy based on a single point. Rick Warren’s heretical “Purpose Driven” book has sold over 35 million copies. Sarah Young’s heretical book, “Jesus Calling,” likely channeled by a demon, has sold nearly 30 million copies. Other heretical books have sold well into the millions, Heretics are famous, their public appearances are sold out, and their TV programs are viewed by millions. When they start a church, it relatively quickly becomes a megachurch. They are invited to gather around and pray for a sitting President. They may even point out those accomplishments when they stand in judgment before God. His reply:

“And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” — Matthew 7:23

Here’s the point.

Either the false prophets, false apostles, false bishops, false teachers, false pastors, false evangelists, with the adoring hirelings in tow, are powerful enough to have forcefully taken over Christianity, or millions of professing Christians rejecting love for truth have given control to them. The truth is, if people are committed to and are intimate with God, the former is impossible. In that case one should not need a book to realize what has occurred.

The majority of professing Christians are currently in love with curators of dry rituals and traditions, or with the peddlers of heresies. No wonder the charlatan’s particular twist and sordid merchandise sell so well. The question is if apostasy is not a problem, why is there overwhelming support for numerous spiritual vermin sucking life and truth out of Christianity?

God’s Remnant does not attend religious meetings led by heretics or hirelings. Neither will His Remnant attend church meetings where modern Pharisees rule by contention. They feel alone and struggle to make sense of a spiritual atmosphere that makes no sense. As the prophet wrote when he spoke for the Lord God:

“Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate,” saith the Lord. “For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” — Jeremiah 2:11-13

Consider all the individuals that sat in congregations for generations and hindered every good work and step of progress? They were the instigators of church splits, fomenters of chaos and confusion, et cetera. They chased innumerable new converts out of the church and pastors out of office. Every pastor was a target that tried to bring them into a proper relationship with God. They never allowed God’s word to come forth unhindered. They never allowed people to fellowship in peace. No, they could not tolerate spirituality that convicted them and were wolfish toward God’s true sheep that practiced godliness. They destroyed many churches and their offspring are among us still.

Of course, most of the older ones have passed on, but the ones that arose in their place are worse. Presently, and because of the Internet and Social Media, their offspring are as much involved in division and hindering God’s work as when they sit on the pews.

Satan cannot allow the Internet to become a place of connecting and ministering to people passionate for God. He compels some of his subjects to lurk until truth goads them so deeply they must strike back. Other ones are compelled to go from page to page scoring points for the enemy until they are de-friended and blocked. They know that they will only get one shot. So they wait for that moment when sowing their “strife-seed” will create the most trouble. Consider how many individuals clamored to defend blasphemous Kanye West and William P. Young’s movie, “The Shack.” The deception and worship fest by professing Christians, heretics, and hirelings, was staggering. They have forsaken God and drink from contaminated broken cisterns.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we are getting ready to go through a very difficult period. It is essential to be faithful to God during our struggle with loneliness and isolation. God is strengthening and testing us for a time when we will be in a much smaller minority. We are closing in on that time right now. We should not believe that we need a multitude standing with us. However, some people are lowering their standards, refusing to speak or publicly support truth—or a truth speaker, just to have some fellowship with compromised professing Christians. Evangelists and Pastors are at risk because they are constantly harried by the enemy to reduce their standards or suffer the loss of position, income, and opportunities to preach.

What I insert here will not be popular, but it must be said. The golden era of having a significant income from pastoring or evangelizing is about over. Please realize that it is an American phenomenon that developed over the last century largely due to the great awakenings. Early on the pioneers of modern some modern denominations barely survived economically. Those minister’s labors were based purely on love for God and truth.

We should realize that when the great apostasy reaches its fullness, ministers will either compromise to make an income or find other means to make a living. Furthermore, pride may also be a factor. An unspoken principle is that either a pastor or evangelist is fully supported financially, or he is not anointed and enabled by God. That is not true. Attempting to hang on to a passing paradigm for the sake of pride or fear of change is not spiritually healthy. I have often wondered that if pastoring and other ministry was financially unprofitable, how many individuals would continue to be involved in those ministries. How many will pragmatically believe that their economic needs justify their compromise? I opine that we would see an exodus from ministry like rats leaving a sinking ship.

A pastor rebuked me for warning that we must no longer remain in apostatized denominations. He declared that I was placing an undue hardship on ministers that have families, the need to provide for their children’s college expenses, et cetera. When such arguments are made, they should be offered to God first. If He accepts those arguments, then what can I say against God’s sovereign will? However, His will is not a secret revealed to a few people. Anyone filled with the Holy Spirit recognizes truth and God’s will. The hardships of total surrender to God’s will are not criteria for determining it. (Romans 8:18; Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 4:12-18)

We need to remind ourselves often about how God views success. It is not based on how many people accept us, but how closely we identify with God’s truth. It is not about people’s compliments, how large our remuneration was, but about unwavering faithfulness to God. We should ask ourselves if we have the courage to accept that standard and maintain it to the end. That is the only qualification for having confidence that God will meet our needs in His way and according to His timing no matter what the circumstances.

The time is rapidly approaching when all “wolves” and millions perhaps billions of their apostate followers will discard their “sheep’s clothing.” There will be no need for disguise when the overwhelming majority of professing Christians view evil as good and good as evil. When those wicked compromisers among us come into full view, it will be very discouraging. The sense of being alone will be overpowering except for comfort by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

It is past time to develop intimacy with God, but not too late to do so. The deceived followers of demon-possessed heretics and “Judas” hirelings still have work to do for their master. They have not fully rid Christianity (the religion) of truth and God’s Remnant. Individuals are working toward ecumenism with the RCC, complete acceptance of LGBTQ, and completion of other evil goals. The masses are blindly following. When the kingdoms of the entire world have become the kingdoms of Satan, they will happily join the multitude rejoicing in the New World Religion that is currying the favor of the New World Order.

They will gladly exchange their masks for a mark. We must be waiting and enduring patiently to exchange our cross for a crown. Our opportunity to do that will come when the King of kings and Lord of lords returns with God’s vengeance and wrath upon the wicked ones.

“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” — Revelation 11:15

6 Comments

  1. Linda

    The state of apostasy is growing worse by the day as they sink lower and lower into the sewer of apostasy. Churchgoers will tolerate hearing anything but the truth. As always, the broad road leads to destruction, it’s the narrow road that leads to eternal life in heaven.

    Now since writing earlier, I mentioned I have escaped the city, as so many are doing, and now live in a rural area with plenty of small churches. I have discovered many Christians in this town and it is a conservative area. I did find a small church that is tolerable. Many know something is amiss with all the covid stuff and are not ignorant of what is going on. But of all the professing Christians I know, I dare not say anything about the many events that point to the end times. And there are many! For one thing, the number of earthquakes and volcanoes just during this month has sky rocketed. Meteors are making close calls. Eventually one will hit earth, called wormwood in Revelation. The left is closing in like stalin and the masses are responding as if under a nazi spell. Globalization, tyranny, one world government, religion, and economy are all assembling with warp speed. And all the items that go along with them. The list goes on, it is truly like a woman in labor pains that are increasing in frequency and intensity. But dare I bring up any one of these, and what is the response? You probably can guess. “Oh, the rapture must be right around the corner! Maranatha!” Like parrots on cue. NO, that’s not what is right around the corner. But they have closed the ears of their hearts to hearing the truth and the eyes of their hearts to seeing it. The devil has done all in his power to keep them from being prepared for exactly what does lay ahead for us. From songs about how no matter how far you run you can’t escape God’s love (no matter how much you sin, no need to be loyal, no responsibility on your end, etc., no consequences for disobedience), to heretical prosperity gospels that teach that only blessings await and oh, how you so deserve them all, to apathy about anything except sports, to the pre trib rapture deception, the list goes on and on. As in so many other countries in the past, Christians may have lived relatively peaceful and blessed lives until that fateful day when a dictatorship swept in overnight and took over, dragging countless faithful Christians to various forms of prison and persecution. Now more than ever, the church is unprepared. It will truly be a remnant who will be able to confess Jesus and not deny Him, and carry their crosses all the way to the end and give our lives for His namesake. Most will turn away and be offended at this expectation, even though it is found all over the Bible, if only they had bothered to read it. Count the cost… count the cost. But they never did. Most will go along with lgbt to keep their jobs and lofty incomes. Most will sell out their faith and compromise to maintain their comfort levels. In word and in deed. Even worse, most will angrily justify their actions with some excuse. The excuse is for something they love more than Jesus. They will trade the mask for a vaccine and a mark. They will clap and dance to the one world religion. They will raise their salute to the one world government. They will allow themselves to become the devil’s merchandise for the one world economy. They will join in the utopia, thinking it is the arrival of God’s kingdom, mistaking the devil’s for his, and the devil’s son for God’s. They are so unprepared for the coming persecution, I dare not say a word lest I hear that parrot chime again. It is like a big, fat ostrich with his head in the sand, very visible to the wolves nearby.

    But it’s coming. Did you know that they have already begun to purge the military of conservativism? Calling us ‘extremists’? They are calling (and have been) conservatives ‘domestic terrorists’ and such? Jan. 6 at the Capitol was their ‘Reichstag moment’? Followed by the ‘Enabling Act,’ and so on? We have been going down the same path globally. All the broken glass of businesses was capitalism’s kristallnacht (night of broken glass) by self proclaimed marxists. Whites are the new Jews. So are conservatives, especially us Christians. It’s all happening as most slumber. And don’t think it will end any differently than in former cases. When they start reviling Christ and His people, will you (reader) stand up as David did before Goliath? Will you even allow yourself to be identified with Christ and His reproach? Most will scatter and abandon the Lord at that time. But oh, how they will have their survival excuses! Only none of them will hold water standing before the judgment throne of God!
    The hour is fast approaching. Will YOU stand with Christ crucified and share in the fellowship of His sufferings (Philippians), or will you cower and beg the devil to spare your life? The hour of decision is almost here.

    Blessings to you!

  2. Linda

    Hi Cedric,

    It’s so refreshing to find you still active!
    I have to share an experience from a week ago or so. The small church I attend here, not perfect but it has its merits (like the Berean Call is listed on the official church website). Now where, o where do you find that nowadays? But it never fails. I have yet to find a place not plagued by the pre trib rapture myth. Anyway he is going through Matthew 24 and afterwards we were talking about the correlation to events in the world now. Earthquakes and volcanoes, floods, storms, etc. and the rest of it. Well sure enough someone brings up the rapture and the ‘left behind’ series. It went on from there. I made a bolt for the door. I just can’t deal with it anymore. So many people get their end times theology and eschatological chronology and doctrine from that not only fictional, but heretical book by a wolf! It has something in there about Jesus commending a guy for taking the mark! I mean, how much worse can it get?! So many are so deceived and there’s nothing I can do, they don’t want to know. There are discernment sites I look at for information (but NOT doctrine), like ‘now the end begins,’ and many times the comment sections are just brutal. Supposed brethren devouring each other over things like KJV Only, pre trib, eternal security, and it’s the ones in the wrong who are blatantly unloving. It reminds me of the Calvin and Arminius debate, I totally side with Arminius (and predestination is about adoption at the return, not salvation and so on). But I read that Calvin was a ruthless torturer of those who disagreed with him, while Arminius was a peaceful, humble, and upright walking believer, kind and gentle and righteous and all that. I just can’t stomach it anymore with those who are in denial about what’s really coming. My stomach truly turns over it. Not what’s coming, but that they are so unprepared and in denial. A good item to know right now is the ‘ten stages of genocide.’ But they first must purge the military of the group they want the military to target, right now that’s us. It’s in one of the stages and it’s happening NOW. We know it’s coming. I thank God I know and am spiritually prepared. I used to picture it more like the Coliseum with all the drama and Christians ‘in it together’ and the spectacle the public witnessed and the impact made all around. I have favorite lyrics in my head so I will be able to go out with a song of worship on my lips. I envisioned it spreading through a whole prison or arena. It will be a glorious way to exit the earth either way, but lately I began to wonder if it will be another way. They may come for us each separately, take us to a detention camp where we are in our own cell. We may be there a while before we lay down our lives. It may all be very isolated and lonely with only the Lord there with us, only Him and the angels witnessing our deaths. Maybe this time of loneliness is preparing us for that. It’s just a thought that came to me, I don’t know the details beyond that they will come for us and we will lay down our lives and such. But it still feels lonely, like the fellowship of the Holy Spirit is just not in the group. He is in me, but I long for others and am not finding it. Sure, they are there, they are nice, they know some things that are vital right now, but still it is a far cry.
    And every day the news gets crazier.

    “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.”
    Matthew 24; 7-10

    God bless you, be encouraged,
    love,
    Linda

    • C.H. Fisher

      Thank you. Please keep praying for us.

      • Linda

        Thank you!
        You all are always in my prayers and my heart.

        There are so many days I want to get off the planet so bad that it hurts me to still be here. Some would look at my life and not understand why. I have suffered much, but God has also blessed me a lot. He sustains me and here I am, still carrying on. But it’s not so much the dark days we are living in. It’s not even so much the pain and suffering of troubles that are here at times and are not at other times. It’s the knowledge of what awaits us. Having that taste of the most beautiful love and peace and serenity. The absence of stress. The sweet presence of God, not just fellowship and presence like we can enjoy here, but that sense of never being away from that feeling. The light, glory, harps, worship, joy, I just can’t describe it all. And then… still being here. And having to wait. And wait. And wait. Just the humdrum of it all, having to suffer through people talking about every day down to earth things that bore me to tears, like the details of their house or sports or anything like that. Or the stress of everyday life. It’s just always something else it seems. And then that reminder of what awaits. This comparison won’t do it justice, but it’s like sitting in a dark, dank prison cell and looking out a small window and seeing a lush tropical paradise. But you must wait until you are let out. And you don’t know how long. So I know. But it’s on the way. It’s all coming.
        Ironically I hear many times about the Christians in various parts of the world or times in history who have suffered in cells or whatever persecution and they are the ones filled with joy and fellowship with Jesus. When the church suffers, the victory of the cross and resurrection triumph through all of this. There is a special intersection there. I have been in situations where I have suffered for my faith and I know this feeling. It almost transcends reality and takes you into another realm. I have also walked along sandy tropical beaches as a Christian and even while being blessed in fellowship with the Lord, yes, it’s all nice, enjoying creation in a beautiful place, but ironically it still can’t compare to what I described above.
        In confidence I can say that I have enjoyed all the best of what life has to offer. I have walked along sandy beaches. I have swum in crystal blue tropical oceans. I have explored dense rain forests in many places. I have climbed to the top of high mountains in different parts of the world. I have fallen in love, graduated on a hill of honors, worked in a career that was meaningful, enjoyed many hobbies, talents, and pursuits and all the best of the fruits of life. But nothing compares to the fellowship and love through the Holy Spirit and the glory that comes from suffering the reproach of Christ in this life.

        Love to you both,
        Linda

  3. Rista

    Another excellent, timely article. And response from Linda.

    Tnx Cedric!

  4. Linda

    As I was singing this song below, this sort of came to me and I felt lead to share it. I don’t know what could provide more encouragement in the universe other than being there now! I’m including the song, what came, and related Bible verses below. Enjoy!

    To the Bridegroom (The nails in your hands)
    The nails in your hands
    The nail in your feet
    They tell me how much you love me
    The thorns on your brow
    They tell me how
    You bore so much shame to love me
    And when the heavens pass away
    All your scars will still remain
    And forever they will say how much you love me
    Forever my love
    Forever my heart
    Forever my life is yours
    It’s yours
    (Repeat)
    And when the heavens pass away
    All your scars will still remain
    And forever they will say how much you love me
    Forever my love
    Forever my heart
    Forever my life is yours
    It’s yours

    To the Bride…

    The reproach that you bear
    Each scoff and each stare
    They tell me how much you love me

    The rejection and scorn
    The loneliness you’ve born
    Tell me how much you cherish me

    The scars on your heart
    From friends that depart
    They tell me how much you honor me

    The things that you’ve lost
    As you’ve counted the cost
    Tell me how much you treasure me

    The thorns in your flesh
    The torture and death
    They tell me how you worship me

    The veil on your head
    The garment of white
    The light in your eye
    Tell me how you are mine

    Every act of love
    Mercy and charity
    Tell me how much you adore me

    My Name on your lips
    Your loyalty to my words
    And righteous ways
    They tell me how you obey me

    Till the heavens pass away
    All your works will still remain
    To shine forever on display
    As they say
    How much you love me

    So I want to say
    Forever you’re mine
    Forever I’m yours
    As I take you to be my bride

    Forever you’re mine
    Forever I’m yours
    In a heavenly dance
    we join as one forever

    Our love for one another
    Will shine as the stars forever
    Welcome to my kingdom of heaven
    As you exchange your sorrows for a crown
    And your poverty for a royal gown
    And as I say…..Well done

    Zephaniah 3; 17
    Psalm 45
    Song of Songs 8; 6-7 (all)
    Revelation 14; 13, 19; 7-8
    Daniel 12; 3

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