Temptation of the Latter Time 244 2/'99 PM

We are fortunate to live in such fantastic times. Those of us that are familiar with the Bible see God's prophecy being fulfilled at an increasing rapid rate. Father's Word warns us that there will be temptation; however, He also tells those that are knowledgeable in His Word how to escape the hour of temptation. Jesus Christ was tempted for our sakes. I will document that He did this specifically for those that are living in the latter time before this lecture is over. You see, just as Christ faced Satan, many of you will face antichrist. He was showing you how to handle the situation. He was showing you how not to be deceived and tempted. Let's begin our study in Matthew. Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Matthew 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. Christ was physically starving and in a physically weakened state. He was showing you how to cut it, when things get tough. Matthew 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. Why would Satan mention bread? He knew Jesus was physically hungry. Satan was attacking a potentially weak spot. I don't know what your weak spots are, but you had better believe Satan does. Be careful! Satan knows exactly where to strike. Be certain that your spiritual body is in control of your flesh body. Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Man cannot live eternally by physical food alone. Jesus said, " It is written." Where is it written? Let's turn to Deuteronomy and find out. Deuteronomy 8:3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every [word] that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. God humbled His disobedient children by leading them in the wilderness for forty years. Check out the word "live" in this verse in your Strong's Concordance. It means to revive. The manna is symbolic of God's Word. His Word will revive and strengthen you, if you go to His table. When you partake of His table, you aren't tempted by Satan. You know how to handle Satan through the power of Jesus Christ. When he attacks your weak spots; revive yourself with His Word. Deuteronomy 8:4 Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years. Deuteronomy 8:5 Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, [so] the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.

The best thing for you to do when God chastens you is say, "Thank You, Father", and get "crackin". Deuteronomy 8:6 Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. Deuteronomy 8:7 For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; God has brought you into a good land. How are you doing on the walking in His ways part? Your blessings are a good indicator. Deuteronomy 8:8 A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; Deuteronomy 8:9 A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any [thing] in it; a land whose stones [are] iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass. Thai sounds a lot like the Americas doesn't it? Note that the riches of this land are here for those that will dig. That means work. The brass is not going to pop out of the hills into your pockets. Deuteronomy 8:10 When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. Deuteronomy 8:11 Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: This only makes common sense. The Father is pleased with those that follow His rules. Deuteronomy 8:12 Lest [when] thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt [therein]; Deuteronomy 8:13 And [when] thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Deuteronomy 8:14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; Successful people often have an ego problem. Especially, when they forget where their blessings came from. Deuteronomy 8:15 Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, [wherein were] fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where [there was] no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; God did it. He took care of His children then, and the Lord will take care of His children that love Him today. Deuteronomy 8:16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers

knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; What does He mean by "at thy latter end". Let's turn to Numbers. Maybe we will find the answer there. Numbers 24:14 And now, behold, I go unto my people: come [therefore, and] I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days. What days? The latter days. That means at the end of this dispensation and the beginning of the millennium. Numbers 24:15 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: Numbers 24:16 He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, [which] saw the vision of the Almighty, falling [into a trance], but having his eyes open: Are your eyes open? Do you have eyes that see? Sometimes you must close your flesh eyes in order for your spiritual eyes to see the truth. Numbers 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. Sheth should have been translated "trouble". Messiah shall come and subdue the children of trouble at the beginning of the millennium. Numbers 24:18 And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly. Edom is the Russian government. The dwelling place of many of the descendants of the ten tribes of Israel, the United States, is the superpower of the world. Look around you. Prophecy is being fulfilled. Numbers 24:19 Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city. The city is Babylon. Confusion will be destroyed by the True Messiah's two-edged sword. Numbers 24:20 And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek [was] the first of the nations; but his latter end [shall be] that he perish for ever. Amalek is the son of Esau. Again, we are talking about the Russian government. Why will this nation perish? There will be only one kingdom, and it will be led by the King of kings and Lord of lords. Numbers 24:21 And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwelling place, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.

The Kenites believe their stronghold on the media and financial institutions of the world is well-hidden in the rocks. It isn't well-hidden to those with eyes to see. Numbers 24:22 Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive. Asshur, as you will find in Ezekiel 31, is that plain old box cedar, Satan, pretending to be God. The Kenites will be very pleased to be taken captive by him. Let's return to Deuteronomy 8 where God told us His Word will revive you. Remember, we left off with God's warning concerning those that take credit for their success in the world. Deuteronomy 8:17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of [mine] hand hath gotten me this wealth. There is nothing wrong with wealth that is obtained honestly when you give God the credit and thanks. The problem arises when you take the credit for your good fortune and forget God. Deuteronomy 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for [it is] he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as [it is] this day. Satan is tightening the screws on God's children. Remember, he knows your weaknesses. It is impossible for you to cut it without God's help. Revive yourself in His Word daily. Deuteronomy 8:19 And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. That, my friends, is a promise from God Almighty. "Oh, but you don't understand, Pastor Murray. Our church would never worship other gods. We are all going to fly away". That is the problem! Those that whore after antichrist will be worshipping other gods. That is the temptation of the latter time. Let's return to Matthew 4 with Jesus Christ showing this generation how to handle the tempter. Matthew 4:5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, Matthew 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in [their] hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. In the following verses Satan would offer Jesus the kingdoms of the world, if He would only worship him. Satan will promise you anything. He will even twist Scripture to make it sound holy. Don't be taken by the temptation of the latter time. Revive yourself in God's Word. Walk after God's ways. Serve the Living God. Worship only Him and you won't find the temptation of the latter time at all tempting. In HIs Service, Arnold Murray