I realize the video-message included in this posting (below) is taken from the 12th chapter of Daniel. I further realize that I am making an assumption about this message that may not have been intended. I also realize, as they say, that I may be “putting words in the mouth of this pastor”. BUT THIS MESSAGE SOUNDS VERY, VERY PROPHETIC for today.
And, yes, of course IT IS PROPHETIC. It is a prophecy given to Daniel by the angel Michael, in or around 532 BC.
With the greatest respect to Pastor Casto and with the greatest sincerity, what I am saying, is that pastor Trent Casto (Covenant Naples Church) is either ‘wittingly or unwittingly’ (and, I believe he is deliberately) giving us a prophetic word from the Book of Daniel, for today and our near future about
1. How we are to “Endure to the End” and be saved (Matthew 24:13), and
2. The clearest call to salvation by God’s Grace by faith in Jesus Christ.
EXCERPTS from Pastor Casto’s message:
“The faithful in this world will suffer until the time of the end, but by God’s Grace, those who remain faithful will rise to everlasting glory and rest.
“We have hit on this theme a number of times, but I don’t think it is an accident, but I think that God in His Providence aims to prepare a people who are not shallow Christians, who are not weak Christians, who are not Christians who are thrown off by things like prison or government mandates or any other thing, but who are committed to their faithfulness to Jesus Christ even if it means suffering to the point of death.
“So this passage gives us at least three things we can take hold of and hold onto as we aim to be faithful to Jesus even to the end.
“The first is this: THE SUFFERING OF THE FAITHFUL WILL GET WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER – BUT IT WILL GET BETTER.”
(Nearing the Conclusion, in part),
“So I ask you this, ‘If your suffering will bring praise and honor and glory to God when Jesus returns, will you bear it faithfully? Because that is what is going to happen.”
(The Conclusion, in part).
“The ‘True Rest’ is when you have endured to the end, no matter how difficult it is and you have crossed the finish line.
“And that is the word for us. GO YOUR WAY UNTIL THE END. Do not stop until you rest. Right now the Christian life is a warfare, it is a battle. Do not stop. Don’t surrender to any sin. Don’t compromise with the world, but to the end because the rest is coming! One day, the Church Militant will be the Church at rest.
“Take up your faith in Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for you, and take up the Cross of Jesus Christ upon which He died for you, and no matter what it costs, go your way and be faithful even until the end.”
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
Let’s Pray that the eyes of our heart may be enlightened, so that we will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.
These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.