PORTERVILLE POST | The "RIGHT" Word © ~ with Brother Scott

| “THE CROSS BEFORE THE CROWN” {#3}

The Right Word^© - Jul 26, 2026
with Brother Scott : scott@portervillepost.com

My very last words in part 2 were “Ka-boom!” and that is about my sharing with you in these next discussions what I understand about the days we are swiftly moving into.
Listen :

Those days of hardship and suffering will without any doubt include you and me and all followers of Jesus that live into those final years. Now most that would hear me say that will not believe it but of those that take heed will wonder “What am I to do?”

For the disbelieving of what I share, isn’t it better to be prepared to face trouble than to be lazy toward God and suffer greatly or possibly even fail in your faith because you were totally unprepared spiritually and weak in faith?
Whether you think the way I have understood the Holy Scriptures as I represent them to you today are accurate or they are not, becoming spiritually stalwart ahead of great trouble has no down-side; there are only benefits to growing in one’s trust in God’s Word and by faith in Him.
Whether it is fire insurance, stored food and water, a firearm and plenty of ammunition, or a bold faith in God, as the old saying goes:

“It’s better to have it and not need it, rather than need it but not have it”

In the case of these discussions, it’s about developing strong faith and trust in God and His written Word now before big trouble begins.

[Spiritually] Stalwart: Loyal to God and resolute; strong and imposing in faith; brave and bold in the Name of Jesus; strong and spiritually daring; vehement (that is showing great spiritual authority and miraculous power) by the grace of God.

So, ka-boom! What is the alarming truth of what I have to say today to you and anyone with hearing ears? It is something that I have touched-on for many years and even as recently as a few weeks ago under the title A Double-Edged Sword {#1 #2}, and that is this:
Except for those the Lord takes home between now and His return, and those that because they did not hear or obey the voice of God warning them to leave the cities before their destruction and will themselves be taken Home by their death among the among the unbelieving masses that will die, the rest of us will witness the literal horrors of the seals and the trumpet judgments, and maybe even the vials of God’s wrath poured out at the end upon the earth—although we will be kept by His power through them.

What did you think ( † Psalm 91:1-16 ) was about but ...
the protection & deliverance of those that know their God?

( † † † )
† Psalm 91:1-16 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. 14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
† Daniel 11: [And keep this in mind:] 32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries (smooth talking [promises, convincing assurances]): but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. 34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.

This is what the many of the church today are ignorant of:

The Lord wants a people that are clean in body and soul and strong spiritually—a thoroughly holy people.

Will everyone allow that work of God upon their lives to bring that forth?
In my estimation and by what the Word indicates about the last days before Jesus returns, the answer is “No” not everyone except a small minority. Moving forward, all in the church will have the opportunities to submit completely to God for purification and perfection but only small numbers of born again ones will participate with God for their sanctification.

Among the more common ways in which the good and needed things needed to be brought forth in a man or woman happens is by his or her conscious pursuit of what the suffering of temptations (1) and tribulations (2) is to initiate in us to further refine us (1) peirasmos/pi-ras-mos’: adversity, for the putting to the proof, by the experience of evil), (2) thlibo/thlee’-bo: to crowd, afflict, trouble).

But there is another Greek word brought into English as “tribulation” that also gives us understanding:

( † † † )
† Matthew 24:21 [At the end of the time of “sorrows” at v. 8] For then shall be great tribulation (megas: big or exceeding + thlipsis: pressure, anguish, persecution, trouble), such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
† Revelation 7:13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation (Gr. megas+thlipsis), and have washed their robes, and made them white [see † Daniel 11:35] in the blood of the Lamb.

A brief aside; in school, whether it be high school or university, to reach a certain level of knowledge and competent understanding of one’s studies there are often given unexpected “pop quizzes” by the educator.
And then there are the important mid-term and final exams to confirm that the student has grasped the course’s content sufficiently enough to be given a passing grade on that subject; usually a needed stepping stone toward graduation.
For the student, this requires faithful attendance to all classes, careful listening and note-taking, home review and study of the details of instruction, and the commitment to memory of what the course is to teach him. These things done with earnest will result in a passing grade.

This process is no different between you and me
as Christians and our Teacher, the Holy Spirit.

We must attend classes (sit under God’s human Spirit-filled teacher), study our text Book (the Word), review and think-on what we learned, and apply good student practices in order to pass the many tests that He (our God) appoints us to take.
In our text Book, the New Testament, the words used indicating such tests to be administered are by the words “trials, temptations, and tribulations” and they are critical events for the follower of Jesus throughout the days of our lives and until He comes with our final grade-point average and class standing (in a fashion).
But here is the rub: Many will not attend formal classes under God’s Spirit-inspired teacher, most do not bother to read the Book, and when the testing comes (trials, temptations, and tribulations), they fail miserably, and some even drop out completely.
Our near-tomorrow years will have many pop quizzes and formal tests of our spiritual knowledge and the application of those principles of our faith and trust in God.

( † † † )
† 2 Timothy 2:15 Study (be prompt, earnest) to shew (exhibit) thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (understanding correctly) the word of truth.
† Romans 14:10 . . .for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. . . 12 So then [and there!] every one of us shall give account of himself to God. [And Paul gives us more understanding on this event here:]
† 1 Corinthians 3:9 … ye are God's building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day [† Romans 14:10] shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
† Hebrews 13:17 Obey (be persuaded by) them that have the rule (lead) over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

No other time of the church’s existence have so many people been given so much in the spiritual and also the natural—but the things we have in the natural realm have resulted in sloppy or compromised spiritual lives that must be cleaned up and made white, if we will allow it.
It is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation († 1 Timothy 1:15, 4:9), the Lord Jesus Christ is coming back for a godly people that have been perfected in holiness.

Stated again, “The Lord wants a people that are clean in body and soul and strong spiritually—a thoroughly holy people.”

( † † † )
† 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
† 2 Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15 And account [take it to the bank!] that the longsuffering of our Lord is [for our] salvation. . .

And how do these holy expectations come to be made real in the people of God in these last days: people that are mired by sin and in love with the world, content in comfortable compromise, and believing a different gospel of their own making, a gospel of syncretism (the blending of different and irreconcilable belief systems)?
The plans laid forth in God’s Word indicate a time of cleansing and purifying for those that will have wise respect unto our holy God and His Savior.
That work upon God’s people comes by way of the temptations and tribulations prophesied-of for the last short years before the return of Israel’s Messiah and our Savior King.
I have no doubt that you and I will be here for the most of or all of those days and will either be purged, sanctified, and made white in our walk and ways before God or not cooperate and risk failing in our faith at various times or even turning away.

Here are some of the proofs of what I have said:

( † † † )
† Daniel 3:25 And he [antichrist] shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out (afflict) the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time [3½ years, 42 month, 1260 days].
† Daniel 11:33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. 34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try (refine) them, and to purge (select, polish), and to make them [“become”] white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.
† Hebrews 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? . . . 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he [God] for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
† 1 Peter 1: [To we] 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations (proving your faith through adversity): 7 That the trial (testing of the trustworthiness) of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. . . 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
† Revelation 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. . . 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. . . [To Philadelphia:] ...10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try (test, scrutinize, discipline) them that dwell upon the earth [see Isaiah 26:20-21]. . . [To Laodicea:] 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue [reject] thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee [in order to be accepted by Me] to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
† 1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptations (peirasmos: adversity, for the putting to the proof, by the experience of evil)*; taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted (tested) above that ye are able; but will with the temptation* also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (undergo the hardship, bear from underneath it, endure).

You and I must understand the “why” and get used to the idea that we are going to suffer times of tribulation and anguish ahead and that such things are for our purification in righteousness unto holiness.
You and I and the general true church membership today are not-yet-there—being sure-footed in righteousness and holiness! Many can easily stubble and fall.
In part four of five parts, I will share with you how we are to cope with those things and come out at the other side of them qualified to receive a glorious crown.