James said it straight... Consider It All Joy!

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." — James 1:2-3 

The Feast of Trumpets 2025 has come and almost gone. October might arrive without the sound of the last trumpet. The mockers are already having their field day, pointing fingers at those who are watching and waiting with child-like faith for the Harpazo.

Social media is already exploding with ridicule, mockery, and scoffing - mostly from Christians.

Church leaders are already shaking their heads in sanctimonious disappointment. Political commentators will soon feast on the "failed prophecy" like vultures on roadkill.

Consider it all joy. Peter did. So did all the followers and disciples of Jesus.

The Pattern of Divine Testing

Every expectant believer who looked to the heavens during Rosh Hashanah 2025 joins a sacred lineage of the disappointed, the mocked, and the crushed — a lineage that leads directly back to the disciples who watched their Messiah die on a Roman cross. Jesus was first to be mocked, why not us?

Picture them on that terrible Friday. Everything they believed, everything they had sacrificed for, hanging lifeless on Golgotha. The religious leaders mocked: "He saved others; He cannot save Himself" (Matthew 27:42). The political powers sneered. The crowds they thought understood now jeered with cruel laughter.

The disciples' dreams of an earthly kingdom lay shattered. They had expected a conquering king, not a crucified criminal. In their devastation, what did they do? They returned to their old lives. "I am going fishing," Peter declared (John 21:3). Seven disciples joined him, going back to what they knew before Jesus called them.

They had to die to their expectations to be resurrected in truth. GOD IS SOOOO GOOOD!

The promise from Revelation to those who keep Jesus' patience is found in Revelation 3:10:

"Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth." Revelation 3:10

This promise is given to the church in Philadelphia, one of the seven churches addressed in Revelation. The Greek word for "perseverance" here is hupomone, which can also be translated as "patience" or "endurance."

The promise has two key components:

Recognition of faithfulness - Jesus acknowledges those who have kept "the word of My perseverance" - meaning they have remained faithful and patient through trials, just as Jesus demonstrated patience and endurance.

Protection from the hour of testing - The promise is that Jesus will "keep you from the hour of testing" that will come upon the whole world. The phrase "keep you from" (Greek: tereo ek) suggests preservation or protection from something, though there's theological debate about whether this means removal before the testing or protection during it.

The Crushing That Purifies

"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers" Luke 22:31-32

Jesus told Peter exactly what was coming — crushing failure, devastating denial, public mockery. But notice what Christ prayed for: not that Peter would avoid the sifting, but that his faith would survive it. The crushing was necessary. The humiliation was required. The death to self was the pathway to resurrection power.

Three times Peter denied his Lord. "Then he began to curse and swear, 'I do not know this man of whom you speak!' Immediately a rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had made the remark to him, 'Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.' And he began to weep" (Mark 14:71-72).

"But he went out and wept bitterly" (Matthew 26:75).

That bitter weeping wasn't condemnation — it was the sound of flesh dying so that spirit could live.

The Young Man Who Fled Naked

In Mark's Gospel, there's a curious detail most skip over: "A young man was following Him, wearing nothing but a linen sheet over his naked body; and they seized him. But he pulled free of the linen sheet and ran away naked" (Mark 14:51-52). WHY IS THAT SCRIPTURE THERE?

This young man — likely Mark himself — represents every follower who runs when the pressure comes. Stripped of dignity, fleeing in shame, leaving behind even the thin covering of respectability. Yet this same young man who fled naked would later write the Gospel that preserves this embarrassing detail for eternity.

God uses our nakedness, our shame, our failures. HE NEVER CHANGES, PRAISE GOD!

The Mystery of Divine Timing

"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone" Matthew 24:36

The early disciples struggled constantly with timing. Even after the resurrection, they asked, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6). Their expectations were repeatedly shattered, their understanding continuously refined.

Yet Jesus told them: "But I have told you all things in advance" (Mark 13:23). He warned them about false expectations, about delays that would test faith, about mockery that would come from both religious and political leaders.

"But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" Luke 21:28

"Be on the alert, for you do not know when the appointed time will come" Mark 13:33

"What I say to you I say to all, 'Be on the alert!'" Mark 13:37

The Current Hour of Testing - September 2025

As I write this on September 24th, 2025, the world stage mirrors the disciples' experience perfectly. Charlie Kirk lies dead in Utah, assassinated for speaking truth. Russian nuclear missiles have crossed NATO airspace for the first time since the Cold War ended. Israel faces unprecedented pressure at the UN's 80th General Assembly, with virtually every nation demanding the two-state solution that would divide God's land.

Trump's warnings to the United Nations about "seven unendable wars" echo like prophetic thunder while the religious and political establishments merge in ways that perfectly mirror the Pharisee-Herodian alliance that crucified Christ.

Yet many who once looked for Christ's return now mock those still watching. Like the crowds who chose Barabbas over Jesus, they've chosen political promises of a golden age over the blessed hope of the Harpazo. They want an earthly kingdom without a heavenly king.

"Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming?'" (2 Peter 3:3-4).

The mockers have arrived right on schedule.

The Joy Hidden in Apparent Failure

When the disciples returned to fishing after the crucifixion, they caught nothing all night. Their old life no longer worked. But then Jesus appeared on the shore and performed a miracle — 153 fish, so many the net should have broken but didn't (John 21:11).

"Jesus said to them, 'Come and have breakfast.' None of the disciples ventured to question Him, 'Who are You?' knowing that it was the Lord" John 21:12

"This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead" John 21:14

He provided everything they needed. The charcoal fire. The bread. The fish. The same Jesus who was mocked and crucified was now serving them breakfast, preparing them for the work ahead.

Notice: He didn't scold them for going back to fishing. He didn't lecture them about their lack of faith. He made them breakfast and restored their calling.

The Road to Emmaus Reality

"And He said to them, 'O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?' Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures" Luke 24:25-27

Even after the resurrection, the disciples were confused, disappointed, and walking away from Jerusalem in defeat. Their expectations were still wrong. Their timing was still off. Their understanding was still clouded.

But Jesus walked with them in their confusion and opened the Scriptures to them.

"Then He said to them, 'These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.' Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures" Luke 24:44-45

"And He said to them, 'Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem'" Luke 24:46-47

Gethsemane's Crushing Lesson

"And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, 'So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak'" Matthew 26:40-41

Even in the garden, with Jesus facing His darkest hour, the disciples couldn't stay awake. They failed at the most basic level of companionship. Yet this same failure prepared them to understand human weakness and to minister with compassion to others who would fail.

"Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?" Matthew 26:52-54

Peter's violent reaction had to be corrected. His earthly expectations had to die. The Kingdom of God doesn't come through human warfare but through divine surrender.

"At that time Jesus said to the crowds, 'Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a robber? Every day I used to sit in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets.' Then all the disciples left Him and fled" Matthew 26:55-56

All the disciples fled. Jesus still used them to establish His church. Funny how He uses defeat to kill self. SO LET HIM, and PRAISE HIM WHILE HE DOES IT.

Every single one abandoned their Lord when the pressure came. Yet these same failures became the foundation of the early church.

The Crown of Thorns Mockery

"Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him. They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head" Matthew 27:27-30

The King of Kings, mocked by soldiers. The Son of God, beaten with a reed. The Creator of the universe, spat upon by His creation.

If they mocked Jesus, why do we expect different treatment?

The religious leaders mocked: "He trusts in God; let God rescue Him now, if He delights in Him; for He said, 'I am the Son of God'" (Matthew 27:43).

The political leaders mocked. The crowds mocked. Even the criminals being crucified beside Him mocked Him initially.

Yet through that mockery, salvation came to the world.

Dying to Self, Rising in Truth

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it'" Matthew 16:24-25

Every true follower must walk this same path:

Die to timing expectations — His ways are not our ways, His timing is not ours

Die to popular approval — the world will mock what it doesn't understand

Die to religious respectability — the religious establishment crucified Christ

Die to political solutions — no flesh will inherit the Kingdom of God

Die to self-protection — we must become like children to enter His Kingdom

Die to being right — even when we are, we must decrease so He can increase

"Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3).

The Eternal Perspective

Whether the Harpazo comes tomorrow or the next Feast of Trumpets cycle in 2026, or we face the full seven years of tribulation that Pastor Barnett warns about, or we die as martyrs before either — we win. So, why MOCK? For the mockers, what side does that put you on?

"Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life" Revelation 2:10

The disciples who wept at the crucifixion lived to see Pentecost. The apostles who were mocked and beaten rejoiced that they were "considered worthy to suffer shame for His name" (Acts 5:41). The martyrs who died in Roman arenas received crowns of righteousness that outshine any earthly glory.

Every trial, every mockery, every crushing disappointment is working to conform us to the image of Christ. The very people ridiculing our "failed" expectations are unknowingly fulfilling prophecy — because mockery of the faithful is promised to increase as the end approaches.

"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy" 2 Timothy 3:1-2

The Breakfast on the Shore

Jesus is still preparing breakfast for His discouraged disciples. Still providing what we need. Still calling us from our old lives into His purposes. The same Jesus who told confused disciples "What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter" (John 13:7) is the same Jesus walking toward us on the waters of our storms.

As Russian missiles streak toward NATO territory and the world rushes toward the nuclear exchange Pastor Barnett has warned about, as Israel faces the UN vote that could trigger the prophetic timeline, as America's religious and political leaders merge into the beast system that will persecute true believers — remember that Jesus told us all this in advance.

"In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world" John 16:33

The Harpazo Is Still Coming

Every single day that passes is a day to share the Gospel. Every Feast of Trumpets that passes without the rapture is another year of grace for the lost to be saved. Another season for the church to be purified. Another opportunity for flesh to die so that spirit can live.

The generation that saw Israel reborn in 1948 is still alive, though barely. God's prophetic clock still ticks toward midnight. The convergence of signs Pastor Barnett describes — from Charlie Kirk's assassination to the NATO-Russia nuclear tensions to the UN's pressure on Israel — continues to intensify exactly as prophesied.

"Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near" Luke 21:28

"So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near" Luke 21:31

"Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place" Luke 21:32

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away" Luke 21:33

"But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly" Luke 21:34

"Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" Luke 21:36

Consider it all joy.

The mockery means we're on the right path. The crushing means we're being prepared for glory. The apparent delays mean God's timing is perfect, even when ours isn't.

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord" 1 Corinthians 15:58

The Harpazo is still coming. The Kingdom is still real. The promises are still true. And every day we wait is another day to die to self and live for Him.

Every crushing disappointment is another step toward the crown of righteousness that awaits all who love His appearing.

Consider it all joy.

"But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." — 2 Timothy 4:5-8

The Heart of Jesus for His Waiting Children

Picture the Savior right now, watching His children who waited expectantly during the Feast of Trumpets 2025. These beloved ones who believed with their whole heart, who warned family members, who watched the sky with tears of anticipation. These precious souls who love His appearing more than life itself.

Is Jesus scowling? Is He wagging His finger in condemnation? Is He shaking His head in disappointment at their "presumption"? If you think so, YOU DO NOT KNOW HIM.

"But Jesus said, 'Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'" — Matthew 19:14

The same Jesus who rebuked the disciples for turning away eager children is not rebuking His children for being eager for Him. The Savior who said "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Matthew 5:6) is not condemning those who hunger and thirst for His return.

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28

He sees their pure hearts. He knows their sincere faith. He watches them endure mockery for loving His appearing, and His heart swells with joy at their child-like trust. These are His bride, waiting at the window, watching for His return. This is not presumption — this is devotion.

The Hypocrisy of Professional Christianity

How dare those who profit from the Gospel mock those who practice it with pure hearts! How absurd that authors who write books about the "blessed hope" then ridicule believers who actually hope for it! What twisted logic condemns the very faith these teachers claim to promote!

"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in." — Matthew 23:13

Jesus never mocked sincere seekers. He never ridiculed those whose timing was wrong but whose hearts were right. He saved His harshest words for religious leaders who burdened people with guilt while refusing to help them carry their loads.

"They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger." — Matthew 23:4

The book-selling prophets who now mock disappointed believers are the same ones who will be silent when the real tribulation comes. They profit from prophecy but persecute those who believe it. They teach about watching but condemn the watchers. They are whitewashed tombs, full of dead men's bones.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness." — Matthew 23:27

Jesus sees their hypocrisy, and His judgment is coming.

The Smile of the Savior

Right now, Jesus looks upon His waiting children with eyes full of love and a heart bursting with pride. "Well done, faithful servants. You loved My appearing. You believed My promises. You watched with child-like faith. You were mocked for My name's sake, and great is your reward in heaven."

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." — Matthew 5:11-12

THANK THE MOCKERS. LET’S BE UPSET WHEN THEY STOP MOCKING. SO, IN THE DISAPPOINTMENT AND THE MOCKERY I WILL PRAISE THE LORD WITH ALL MY SOUL!

The mockery proves our faith is IN CHRIST, and not in man’s approval. The persecution confirms our devotion TO JESUS is genuine. The ridicule from religious leaders places them in the company of every false prophet who ever lived. That same ridicule places us in the heart of Christ. Let mockers mock.

Jesus is not disappointed in His watching children. He is proud of them.

"I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth." — 3 John 1:4

His heart is full of joy, not condemnation. His face beams with pride, not disappointment. His arms are open wide, not crossed in anger. The same Jesus who wept over Jerusalem because they didn't recognize the time of their visitation now rejoices over His children who are desperately watching for His return.

"How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings." — Matthew 23:37

That's exactly what He sees when He looks at His expectant children — beloved chicks running toward their protector, trusting completely, loving unconditionally, hoping with pure hearts.

This is the faith that moves the heart of God.

Let us imagine a world where every man, woman, and child is eagerly awaiting our King with child-like excitement.

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