“Here is the patience and the faith of the saints”

By Frank M. Keele

When I consider President Russell M. Nelson’s recent advice to “Fasten your seat belt, hang on through the bumps and do what’s right”, it causes me to ponder anew, the words of both John and Daniel, who each spoke of the “the saints” and the 42 months of difficulty they would pass through.

Having done considerable research and ponderous study where the 42 months are concerned, I should not be surprised if we had finally arrived. It’s looking more and more likely we here in 2020, are just seeing the start of it, from Rev. 13 we read:

5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

The global power shift we have seen via COVID-19, along with the attack on freedom at large, as well as religious freedom, fits verse seven above pretty well, don’t you think? And if we have entered the 42 months, that would mean that the challenges and persecutions we are facing now, will most likely be ramped up. However, there is a silver lining to the 42 months as well, which is that it’s a countdown to deliverance. Verse 10 adds to our insight and understanding as to what the fate of our oppressors will be:

10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. 

In the above verses, we learn that he who is able to “make war with the saints, and to overcome them” or “He that leadeth into captivity” and “killeth with the sword… must be killed with the sword”, so we shall see the demise of the great and abominable church come to pass as the 42 months comes to a close… But then what? To get the answer to this question we go to Daniel’s version of this same set of circumstances, from Daniel 7 we read:

25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.

27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

Here, in verse 25 we learn that “the saints of the most High… shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time” or 42 months, and then what? Verses 26-27 provide the answer:

26 But the judgment shall sit, (the great meeting to take place at Adam Ondi Ahman) and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.

27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, (or the millennial kingdom) shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

So, as stated earlier, it appears that the 42 months may have already commenced, and if so, it’s end shall come in the near future… And what is our part, or the part of “the saints” in this great drama? Well, we are to be proven or to show forth “the patience and the faith of the saints”, or in other words, we are to exercise our patience and faith in a manner that will purify and sanctify us, and thus prepare us for the coming of the Bridegroom…

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