Born in Babel, they that walk after the flesh tarry to and fro, knowing neither whence they came nor why they must go.
A great company of Adam’s seed, even this generation of the fig tree, are born into that confusion. Idols are set before them from the cradle, and Christ is least in their heart, if He be received at all. These are born of the famine Amos saw: not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. They run to and fro, from sea to sea, to seek the word, and shall not find it.
But they which have ears to hear, and eyes to see, are sealed in their foreheads with the truth, and are making ready in the wilderness God hath prepared. This is the hour of preparing. The hour of temptation, the time of Jacob’s trouble, is at the door.
Sealed beforehand, we shall stand as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego stood in the furnace, and as Daniel stood in the den of lions. When they deliver you up before synagogues and councils for His name’s sake, take no thought what ye shall speak. It is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. They shall not shut you up above ten days, neither shall one hair of your head perish. The place prepared in the wilderness shall nourish them that keep the testimony.
We will not murmur as they murmured. We will not turn again after the flesh pots. We will not stand faithless before the LORD. We shall sing the song of Moses, our hearts established against the last trump.
And when the two witnesses have finished their testimony, and lie slain in the street of that great city where also our Lord was crucified, the world shall behold. They that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice, until great fear falleth upon them. Then the seventh angel soundeth, and the vials of the wrath of God are poured out. The same flesh that gnashed upon the elect shall gnash their teeth, and say to the rocks and to the mountains, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth upon the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.
He that hath an ear, let him hear.