Peter wrote by The Holy Spirit in 2 Peter chapter 2:
2 In the past there arose false prophets among God’s people, just as there will continue to be false teachers who will secretly infiltrate in your midst to divide you, bringing with them their destructive heresies. They will even deny the Master, who paid the price for them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow immoral lifestyles. Because of these corrupt false teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. 3 They are only out for themselves, ready to exploit you for their own gain through their cunning arguments. Their condemnation has been a long time coming. But their destruction does not slumber or sit idly by, for it is sure to come.
False prophets and false teachers promote division by their words and/or teachings. They try to separate us into factions or groups by promoting the “have” versus the “have not” mentality. Who is to say what person or persons have been selected to be a part of the elect? Only Our Heavenly Father WHO formed us in the womb knows the end from the beginning. Since each of us has been given a free will to decide what path we pursue, there is no certainty among us of who will come into the full revelation of HIS Love prior to the end of the age.
Instead of pondering who will make it and who won’t, shouldn’t each of us focus on our own growth and maturity? Aren’t we to Love all no matter what their current state? If a man embraces The Way just one day before his death, isn’t he rewarded just like you and me?
Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 20:
20 “This will help you understand the way heaven’s kingdom operates: “There once was a wealthy landowner who went out at daybreak to hire all the laborers he could find to work in his vineyard. 2 After agreeing to pay them the standard day’s wage, he put them to work. 3 Then at nine o’clock, as he was passing through the town square, he found others standing around without work. 4 He told them, ‘Come and work for me in my vineyard and I’ll pay you a fair wage.’ 5 So off they went to join the others. He did the same thing at noon and again at three o’clock, making the same arrangement as he did with the others.
6 “Hoping to finish his harvest that day, he went to the town square again at five o’clock and found more who were idle. So he said to them, ‘Why have you been here all day without work?’
7 “‘Because no one hired us,’ they answered.
“So he said to them, ‘Then go and join my crew and work in my vineyard.’
8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard went to his foreman and said, ‘Call in all the laborers, line them up, and pay them the same wages, starting with the most recent ones I hired and finishing with the ones who worked all day.’
9 “When those hired late in the day came to be paid, they were given a full day’s wage. 10 And when those who had been hired first came to be paid, they were convinced that they would receive more. But everyone was paid the standard wage. 11 When they realized what had happened, they were offended and complained to the landowner, saying, 12 ‘You’re treating us unfairly! They’ve only worked for one hour while we’ve slaved and sweated all day under the scorching sun. You’ve made them equal to us!’
13 “The landowner replied, ‘Friends, I’m not being unfair—I’m doing exactly what I said. Didn’t you agree to work for the standard wage? 14 If I want to give those who only worked for an hour equal pay, what does that matter to you? 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with what is mine? Why should my generosity make you jealous of them?’
16 “Now you can understand what I meant when I said that the first will end up last and the last will end up being first. Everyone is invited, but few are the chosen.”
FATHER is not interested in our soulish opinions. In the above parable, the laborers who started early viewed their work as “performance based” rather than “Love based”. Who is the greatest in the Kingdom? One who serves all. I need not compare myself to anyone else for my book written in Heaven is specific to me and I should concentrate on being excellent in my own calling, no matter whether it seems large or small in other peoples’ eyes. Each of us is valuable to Our Heavenly Father and we must not allow ourselves to be compared to others.
Each day Jesus spent time with FATHER receiving instructions for His ministry and He is our Example to be followed. In Matthew chapter 14:
22 As soon as the people were fed, Jesus told his disciples to get into their boat and to go to the other side of the lake while he stayed behind to dismiss the people. 23 After the crowds dispersed, Jesus went up into the hills to pray. And as night fell he was there praying alone with God.
24 But the disciples, who were now in the middle of the lake, ran into trouble, for their boat was tossed about by the high winds and heavy seas.
25 At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came to them, walking on the waves!
If Jesus found it necessary to be separated and spend time in prayer with FATHER, then so should we. Each day I purpose to awaken when The Holy Spirit nudges me, no matter what time. I am immediately alert and know it’s time to get up and go before FATHER. I look forward to this quiet time with HIM. I have no agenda but to hear what The Holy Spirit wants to say. I am content with whatever topic is to be addressed for that day and know that I am being prepared for what lies ahead.
As our relationship with FATHER becomes intimate, then we will not be moved by what false prophets or false teachers say. We will not be moved by the world’s opinions for we will have the Truth in our hearts to compare everything spoken to us on a daily basis. We will be at peace while others are in turmoil. We will also embrace each situation and be led by The Holy Spirit to speak or hold our tongue. As Jesus taught in the above parable, it is never too late to become a laborer for FATHER for HIS generosity isn’t defined by time spent.