Peter referred to our inner life (our mind and emotions) as “the hidden person of the heart.” When we chose to love people with meekness (gentle spirit) and with confidence in God, God sees beauty in our heart that is incorruptible (lasts forever) and is very precious to Him.

The beauty of our life is “hidden” in Christ even from us—it will be fully manifested at His return.

How Jesus prepared the early church for pressure on Tuesday (Mt. 24-25) and Thursday (Jn. 13-17) is the prototype for the end-time Church.

Jesus taught them how to overcome a troubled heart (Jn 14:1) and offense (stumbling or falling away; Jn 16:1).

There was a great difference between what happened as compared to what the apostles had expected. They believed that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of Man prophesied in Daniel 7:13-14.

Jesus spoke of the blessing of not being offended when sorrowful events unfold in a way that His disciples do not expect. The disciples of John the Baptist (the premier forerunner) were not full-prepared for the unexpected sorrowful events related to the coming of the Messiah.

Our greatest danger is not in being persecuted but in being offended and falling away (16:1). The most tragic reality in history is the end-time falling away from the faith. Paul prophesied a falling away in the end times

Many will be offended when facing the Tribulation pressures that Jesus spoke about (Mt. 24:21). Many are biblically illiterate of His end-time narrative. John spoke of one half of the earth’s population dying—initially one-fourth (Rev. 6:8), then another third (Rev. 9:13).

We must remember biblical teaching about persecution—it will come to all nations (Mt. 24:9)—and why God allows it, what benefits result to His people from it, etc.

They must not be offended: They did not expect to hear of His death when He said, “I go away.” (16:5). We are more vulnerable to being offended by sorrowful events if we do not expect them.

Unexpected sorrows: Jesus’ declaration that He was going away highlighted the fact that some circumstances would suddenly change in dramatic ways that would cause them sorrow.

Download the new Mike Bickle App! I am excited to announce The Mike Bickle App. This app will be filled with exclusive content you won't find in the Mike Bickle library and it is specifically to equip messengers. subsplash.com/friendsofthebr…

Even in the midst of difficult circumstances, we have joy in His excellent leadership. Discover the beauty of bearing fruit for the Father in the latest meditation on 'Friends of the Bridegroom Meditation’ section in The Mike Bickle App.

Jesus is zealous for Zion (Jerusalem). Jesus will return to Jerusalem to live there forever. I want to be zealous for whatever He is zealous for. His eternal and end-time purposes are “Jerusalem- centric.”

Jerusalem will love Jesus. Psalm 122:6-8 “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces.”

The Isaiah 62 Fast! Join us! Isaiah62Fast.com

youtu.be/l4mvL_Npw9M

I don’t want to be the biggest or the best, I want to be faithful.

Mike Bickle personal Message (Dec 12th 2023) Link to read the document: subsplash.com/friendsofthebr…