Rejoice in the Lord and Be Glad!
God has covenanted to keep and preserve those who fully trust him, even in the midst of corruption and wickedness.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the prophetic warnings from the book of Jude about the moral decay of society and the rise of ungodliness. Despite the pervasive wickedness and the challenges faced by believers, he reassures that God will preserve a sanctified people, keeping them safe from the corruption around them. Wilkerson encourages the faithful to rejoice in the Lord, as God has promised to sanctify and protect His children, ensuring their strength and devotion amidst adversity. He highlights the importance of trusting in God's faithfulness to deliver and preserve His saints until the coming of Christ.
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In the book of Jude, we read of a future day so wicked and vile, God will come with ten thousands of his saints to execute judgment for all ungodly deeds. Jude prophesied men would be given over to their filthy lusts, becoming mockers, sensual, "foaming out their own shame" (Jude 13). These would comprise a society of corrupt fornicators going after "strange flesh," referring to pandemic homosexuality.
Today, America is not the only nation casting aside all moral restraint. The moral landslide is worldwide, and it is becoming very evident that Satan is retching the abominations of hell upon humankind. It is a time, we are warned in Scripture, when the devil will try to seduce God's elect.
Jude looked ahead into those awful, wicked times and saw something else, something most inspiring and miraculous. In the midst of all the immorality and mounting degradation, he witnessed a people "sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called" (Jude 1).
No matter how corrupt this world becomes in the days ahead - no matter how devilish the media, TV and movies become, no matter how much devil worship increases, no matter how far homosexuals force their agenda on society, no matter if the devil himself walks our streets - God is going to preserve his children. He is going to preserve for himself a sanctified, holy people. He will keep them from the wicked one, and they will become strong in faith and devotion, while the ungodly race toward destruction.
Hear the word of the Lord: "The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
David said, "The Lord forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever" (Psalm 37:28). "When the wicked walk on every side...thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever" (Psalm 12:7-8).
Let this prayer of the apostle Paul be yours and mine in the evil, troubled times ahead: "The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom" (2 Timothy 4:18).
Rejoice! God has covenanted to keep and preserve those who fully trust him.
Sermon Outline
- I. Introduction to the Wicked Times Ahead
- A. Jude's prophecy of a future day of judgment
- B. The moral landslide worldwide
- C. Satan's attempt to seduce God's elect
- II. God's Preservation of His Children
- A. Sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ
- B. Kept from the wicked one and strong in faith and devotion
- C. Preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
Key Quotes
“No matter how corrupt this world becomes in the days ahead - no matter how devilish the media, TV and movies become, no matter how much devil worship increases, no matter how far homosexuals force their agenda on society, no matter if the devil himself walks our streets - God is going to preserve his children.” — David Wilkerson
“The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” — David Wilkerson
“The Lord forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We can trust in God's preservation and protection, even in the midst of corruption and wickedness.
- We must fully trust in God and pray for his protection in order to experience his preservation.
- God's promise of preservation is for those who are sanctified by him and kept from the wicked one.