Dearest Ones,
I have a special topic for you today to gladden your hearts and uplift any drooping spirits or feelings of discouragement you may have. It is, "Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world!" [John 16:33. Meaning of cheer: to have courage, comfort, confidence, boldness.] The world you live in is full of desperate people who go through every day with heavy burdens caused by living in a world of sin and suffering and eventual death. It is especially so now, because I am withdrawing my Spirit, preparatory to the close of probation. This withdrawal is sensibly felt by people whether they realize it or not. This is also coupled with the upheaval in nations and in the earth itself with daily tragedies which people either experience themselves or hear in the news. All this produces an uneasiness and foreboding of worse things to come. I am allowing these things to happen to cause people to look to me for help and solace, and in fact many are doing just that.
But the majority of people are under the influence of the evil one whether they realize it or not. His presence is more pronounced as I withdraw my light and protection. Therefore, people look to other things to cope with their feelings and fears. Entertainment has always been a way of distraction from fears and darkness, and is much more so now that the media provides constant access to people of all ages. Money is a comfort for those who have it. Relationships help to stave off loneliness and despair. But none of these meet the needs of the heart and soul. You might be surprised at the number of people who take drugs of one kind or another just to get through the day. But these things are only temporary measures to keep from drowning in the feelings of despair, fear, discouragement, and depression.
But I want it to be different for my beloved ones. Life has always been hard on this planet since sin entered. Can you imagine the feelings of guilt and remorse that weighed upon the hearts of Adam and Eve after they sinned? There was recrimination against each other, bitter tears of suffering and sorrow, self-blame and blaming each other, loss of love and respect, etc. Eventually they learned to cast their cares upon me and accept my assurances of forgiveness, but the memory of the loss of their beautiful home and the peace and tranquility they had before they sinned was a part of the emotional burden they carried throughout life. I am looking forward to restoring their Eden home to them, even more beautiful then they remember it. I have assigned angels to dress and keep it until the original caretakers are welcomed back home.
And that is the point of my message today - "Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world!" The first Adam failed and passed on to his progeny the broken relationship with me that his sin caused. Instead of entering into a higher realm, the devil then had access to them as a result of their choice to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil which I commanded them not to do. As a result, the evil one gained access to every child that has ever been born or ever will be. He brings his spirit of darkness and evil thoughts and feelings with him when he comes to tempt you. Not now are you being tempted to eat of the forbidden tree. Your temptation is to imbibe and agree with the thoughts and feelings of the devil that he brings with him to tempt you away from the fruits of the Spirit that I offer you from the Tree of Life. We have talked about this before, but just as a reminder, they are: love, joy, peace, long-suffering (or patience), gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. As Paul says, "against these there is no law." Gal. 5:22.
Do you realize what this means? Satan tempts man to think that my law is a yoke of bondage from which you want to escape. But in actuality, it is his ways that bring you into bondage, for sin brings you under the law of sin and death from which you cannot escape. I came to unlock Satan's prison house and set you free from the fear of death which holds people in Satan's captivity all their lives [Hebrews 2:14, 15]. Isn't it amazing that the very bondage that Satan accuses me of causing by the requirements of my law is actually the key that unlocks Satan's prison house of bondage and death and sets you free! [Jam. 1:25; 2:12; 2 Pet. 2:19, 20; Deut. 30:19, 20.]
My way is the way of life; Satan's so-called freedom from the law of God is the way of death and self-destruction. I came to set you completely free to serve me without guile or fear. When you love me and serve me, you will love the law of liberty also, for that is the law that governs everything I do, for the law is in the center of my being [Ps. 40:8]. Therefore if you love my law, you will love me; and if you love me, you will love my law, for they are one and the same in motive and purpose. By that I mean, when you see me you see the law lived out in flesh, and when you see the law, you see the principles of my heart written out in words. You cannot separate these, for they are one. So when men "think to change" my law [Dan. 7:25], they are destroying a relationship with me, for you cannot know me apart from my law, for the law is at the center of my being and is a verbal expression of my character. The law is as permanent and unchangeable as I am, and those who think to change it are not my friends but my enemies, and will reap death.
Therefore, my beloved ones, choose the pathway of life and liberty and happiness! You can see what the enemy has done to himself and his followers. Hasn't the world had enough of this experiment into death? I have eternal life in heaven waiting for all who choose to accept life and liberty from me and reject the lies of the evil one. So what I often said to my disciples, I will now say to you: Be of good cheer! In this world you shall have tribulation, but I say to you, Rejoice! For I have conquered the world! Lovingly, Jesus.