YO HE ROGADO POR TI, QUE TU FE NO FALTE (Lucas 22:31-34)(Santiago 1:12 )

Luke 22:31-34 The Lord said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Simon replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” Note: Notice that the apostles were sifted by Satan before Jesus obtained victory for us through his death. Certainly, before exaltation, we must pass through humiliation (the test). He who humbles himself will be exalted. John 12:32-33: “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” Note: The Lord was speaking here of His death on the cross, which would provide us with the forgiveness of sins and, ultimately, eternal life—a great victory. We can see that God found it necessary to allow Satan to shake His servants, the apostles, before the victory was accomplished. Notice that the Lord did not say to Peter, "I have prayed that you will not fall," but rather, "I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." We all know that Peter fell, denying the Lord, and that Christ's intercession ("that your faith may not fail") later led Peter to repentance, and he was restored. What caused Peter to fall? It was his self-confidence, his trust in the flesh, with which he thought he could be faithful to Jesus. We see here that the Lord had to give Peter and all His apostles one last lesson before He died. I teach them not to trust in their own strength, in their own emotional, soulful faithfulness, but in the intercession of Jesus. I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail. Today I come to tell you, brothers and sisters, that we are about to receive the victory (the crown). We are in the final vigil. We are about to be lifted up so that Jesus' promise to draw us to Himself may be fulfilled. To draw us to Himself, not only in our hearts, but also in our bodies, but not before being sifted like wheat by the devil. Now is when it will be revealed who we truly are, whether we will deny Him or persevere to the end in faith. I am not referring to tribulation, for that is not what we are talking about, but rather that we will be sifted through many trials, primarily with the carnal desires that battle against our souls. Unbelief, discouragement, lukewarmness, lack of love and fear of God, fornication, adultery. And all kinds of evil. Brothers and sisters, be strong and do not be afraid, for a soldier who has been warned does not die in battle. James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. Note: Brothers and sisters, we have already been warned by the Lord himself about this end time, that before his coming there would be apostasy, wickedness, deception, and spiritual heaviness. We must be alert, now more than ever. Matthew 24:10-13 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end will be saved. Note: My brothers and sisters, we must understand that the enemy will shake us harder than ever before, in order to thwart our departure with the Lord, that is, so that we cannot go in the Rapture. Bible Study by Pastor and Evangelist Federico Escoto (author of the book; This is the story of a young man who was saved by Jesus.) http://amazon.com/author/federicoescoto