Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

22 December 2025

Reading From Revelation 13

“Whoever has ears, let them hear.

 “If anyone is to go into captivity,
    into captivity they will go.
If anyone is to be killed with the sword,
    with the sword they will be killed.”

This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.”

–Revelation 13:9-10

Patient endurance and faithfulness are not virtues that come naturally to sinful mankind. Those who have passed from spiritual death to new life through the new birth experience are new creations in Christ Jesus; the old has gone, the new has come. But before the resurrection at His Second Coming, followers of Jesus still live in the tent of the human body. We have a default mode that does not necessarily honor God. There is a constant battle between flesh and Spirit and we must take up our cross and die to ourselves daily.

We need patient endurance and faithfulness if we are to make it to the finish line. Even if those alive today upon the Earth do not live to see the worst seasons of the end times, patient endurance and faithfulness are essential to see our salvation made complete at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

At the new birth my spirit was made alive and fused with the Holy Spirit. From that moment forward, my relationship with the Father is meant to be a partnership wherein I yield my will and He works in me and through me to accomplish His purposes. God is more than able to help us endure and be faithful, but we must actively surrender to Him.

“Heavenly Father, have Your way in my life and the lives of my family and friends. Soften our hearts. Make us flexible in Your hands. Guide us to do that which is good, holy and loving. Give us Your strength and power to resist temptation and stand strong in the face of all adversity. In the Name of Jesus I pray, Amen.”

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

—I Corinthians 10:13