Most of us have read the book of Job and pondered the sufferings of this righteous man. Why did God choose this servant to undergo such severe attacks from Satan ? The Lord said to Satan: “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” (Job 1: 8) Satan answered: “Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.” (Job 1:10) The Lord then proceeds to give Satan permission to destroy all that Job has, his herds, possessions, even killing his servants and his sons and daughters. In all this, Job did not sin, but kept his trust in God. In a second occurrence, in chapter two, God gives Satan further permission to attack Job physically with painful boils from head to foot. Even his friends reject him. We know the end of the story; during all that time of testing, Job remained faithful to his Creator. In the end, God restores more to Job then he ever had before.
So, what might this testing of Job have to do with end-times? Remember that all scripture is given to us as examples for us to live by and benefit from.
Let’s consider for a moment a typical church-going adult Christian residing in the United States. Also assume that it’s time for the great tribulation to start, that last three and one half years of this age when Satan, newly kicked out of heaven, has free reign to exercise his demonic wrath on the earth. The following scenario might take place. God may say to Satan; “Have you considered My church? They are blameless and upright, faithfully following my Son.” Satan may say to God: “You’ve been protecting Your church; those so-called Christians. You’ve tasked Michael that nasty archangel to watch over them and keep me from destroying them. Take him out of the way and let me at them. They’ll reject your Son soon enough !
Are you beginning to see the end-time parallels the church has with Job? Oh yes, the church will be tested-big time. The restrainer will be removed (2Thess. 2:6), and Satan will be given his time. Unfortunately, many Christians will not fare well. Daniel says this about the coming antichrist: “He (antichrist) shall persecute the saints of the Most High….Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.” (Daniel 7:25) Jesus said “The love of most will grow cold” (Mt 24:12).
This current generation of Christians here in the US has known only prosperity and favor from God all their lives. We need to prepare our hearts and minds for a time of testing unlike the world has ever seen. Will we persevere and hold fast to Christ as Job did with his God no matter how severe our existence? Scripture couldn’t be more clear. Those who persevere to the end will be saved. I’m certain we are fast approaching great tribulation. We need to put on the full armor of God so that we can take our stand in that evil day. (Ephesians 6:13-18) Job is our faithful example.
Very good and thought provoking