To tempt means to "persuade, or try to persuade (especially into doing something wrong or unwise)." A temptation, moreover, is "an attractive inviting offer to do something wrong or unwise." In fact if the offer is not attractive, it is not a temptation. Temptation has been with mankind since time began. It is not a new thing. That is why the Savior taught to pray:

This article is about a special time of temptation, quite apart from the standard temptations that men and women face throughout life. It is called the Hour of Temptation! It is a particular temptation which will face the whole world - all mankind - at the same time - the Hour of Temptation. What is this temptation that will come upon all mankind at the same time? Will you stand up to it? Will I stand up to it? Who will withstand it? What is this special temptation anyway? Before any believer can hope to stand up to this particular temptation surely we ought to know what it is. Yes we should know. When we consider these examples, let us remember that not one of them had the faintest idea that he would fall when the temptation struck.

Temptations come to all men, women and children: and they come in many forms.

Ignorance can be an avenue through which Satan can make you fall: so study YaHuWaH 's word.

Ill health can cause you to wonder if Elohim exists: or if He does, is He interested in us humans.

Riches can lead a person into great temptation. Poverty, Persecution and many other pressures bring their own brand of temptation. Here are some texts that spell out these temptations.

Temptations are common to mankind. Everyone experiences one or more of them. But the Almighty will never allow a person to be tempted over and above his/her ability to bear it. In other words, no matter how sore the temptation or trial, spiritual help is available to overcome temptation.

These temptations, however, which we humans encounter throughout our lives are not the subject of this sermon. The subject of this sermon is the Hour of Temptation that is coming upon the whole world. It is a special time unlike anything in human history. It is an Hour of Temptation that will overtake all the inhabitants of the Earth at the same time.

The Hour of Temptation will be preceded by the shaking of heaven and earth. When the Almighty reveals His power things begin to shake. Mountains quake and smoke, angels shield their faces and even holy men shake in terror. Very few things can withstand YaHuWaH 's holy presence without trembling. Were it not for His Spirit we would all collapse in terror at His presence: so holy and awesome is YaHuWaH the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Hour of Temptation will begin soon after the shaking of the heavens and the earth: probably with the opening of the 6th Seal of Revelation.

This shaking of Heaven and Earth will bring the whole of civilization to a standstill. Every nation and all peoples will know that something terrible is taking place. This unimaginable shake-up will introduce the Hour of Temptation: when the whole human race will be compelled to choose between obeying the commandments of the Almighty YaHuWaH or rejecting them.

The commandments that will become the point of issue are the Sabbath and Festival commandments of YaHuWaH the Elohim of the Hebrews. After the shaking of heaven and Earth all the world will be compelled to accept or reject them. In Bible prophecy this is called the Sealing Time.

• Watch your speed.
• Watch your budget.
• Watch your diet. Watch your weight.
• Watch your Entertainment ...What are you watching on TV? ...What are you reading?
• Watch the company you keep.
• Watch for the Antichrist. (False Messiah) His coming will introduce the Hour of Temptation! Bear in mind that no one will be able to buy and sell unless they accept his rulership and mark. For those who reject his authority there will be no work, no electricity, no visits to the supermarket, no fuel and no help from society. At that time the whole human race will have a choice of two alternatives.
  1. Worship the Beast and receive the benefits of his system.
  2. Worship YaHuWaH and keep His commandments.
• Watch world events that show that the Savior's return is near.

Pray fervently and constantly, because the flesh is weak. Any believer can fall; just as surely as anyone, young or old, can slip and fall on an icy path. Some of the best believers (Gehazi, David, Peter) fell when tempted. Beware! To withstand the Hour of Temptation a believer will require special preparation, special prayer - now! We must prepare for that hour now! Failure to do so is a sure way to defeat. We must watch and pray!

In other words, pray that you will be able to stand in the Hour of Temptation. The vast majority of the Christian church, which have already rejected the commandments of YaHuWaH, will not stand. Most will not believe that the Almighty is well able to protect and feed us during the terrible Hour of Temptation. The time to spiritually prepare (prayer, Bible-study, meditation etc) is now! Because when that hour comes, the time for preparation will have passed.

No one can imagine the wonder and glory of the reward to the overcomers. Words may give us some idea; but I am certain the reality will be infinitely better than our wildest dreams. The Bible says:

It is absolutely impossible to appreciate the value of promises of this magnitude. They are heaven's finest gifts and they are reserved for the overcomer: to those who have obeyed YaHuWaH 's Torah in the face of the most fearsome odds. The Hour of Temptation is almost upon us. How will it find you; prepared or unprepared? Remember that your present performance will determine whether or not you are divinely kept from falling during that dreadful hour.

"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 them that dwell upon the Earth ...".