What Spurgeon is talking about here in this message tells much about his thoughts for the Church’s future. We are not of this world. But, God’s will according to Jesus prayer in John 17 is that we not be taken out of the world, because to be in keeping with God’s overall desire for us and for the world it would mean that we would be needed as His witness, and that all around us would have the chance to belief.
Of course, God who knows the end from the beginning, also knew and told us that the world and its knowledge; It’s evil would overwhelm most of the human race with its temptations. He also knew that many who have professed Christ will not be able to stand against the Satanically inspired persecutions, which here in his message, Spurgeon calls Fire. The fiery darts of the Devil require Gods whole Armor. Ephesians chapter 6 tells us that. And He is sufficient for even this fire should we be face to face with it.
Some believers think that the death that will be suffered by “left behind believers” is going to be more severe than the death suffered by first century believers. Do you not know that the fire of persecution is just that: God is always with the believer through the persecution fire. Should we flee Him in order to save our life, know that then He will not be there for any who descend into the fires of hell. He can only attend to His own who stray into those fires unwillingly. We are told to pray that we may escape what is coming upon this earth. It will test every man. Believers will escape much the same way as did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when they were tested and escaped. Many will escape by way of death itself. We are already seeing this occur in Africa and the Middle East.
Pray for the persecuted Church. For those who find themselves face to face with hell on this earth, pray that they will know God’s strength in those days, and that their faith will allow them to know even as Paul and Peter knew that death is God’s chariot into glory land. Can you see Him? There is a fifth man in these fires.
Read Spurgeon’s message here:
And Then Messiah Shall Come 