“Turn your eyes upon Jesus; Look full in His wonderful face; and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” (Hymn by Helen Howarth Lemmel, 1918 – any emphasis mine)
John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have trouble and suffering; but take courage, I have overcome the world.”
Matthew 10:28, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.”
For anyone to say everything in this world is running like “business as usual,” they would have to be deaf, blind and never venturing out into the public. This world is going through major changes that are spoken of in the Bible as signs of being “near the end of the age.” It is not centralized into one area, but there is more and more turmoil worldwide.
First, Israel is in the negative sights of just about every country in the world. No matter what they do, even in efforts to protect themselves, they are “condemned” as being the “aggressor” or “occupier.” The United Nations regularly passes resolutions against Israel to placate the “Palestinians,” who, by the way, have never been a nation to begin with. Anyone surprised by this needs to go to Zechariah 12:3:
“On that day, I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for ALL the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves, and ALL nations of the earth will gather against it.”
Also, we must remember the coming war prophesied in Ezekiel 38 and 39.
Just over the past couple years, Europe has almost been overrun by “immigrants” seeking refuge from the war-torn area around and in Syria. Rather than be grateful to be out of a very dangerous area, they do not “adapt” to the country that accepts them. Rather, they bring with them a whole new wave of crime, especially against females, and do their best to convert the host country to Sharia law. When the “crowds” of fleeing “refugees” were filmed, there was a noticeable shortage of women and children. The average age appeared to be between 20 and 30, and were predominantly male. Women are 2nd class in their culture, and they even feel the same about women in the countries they have entered.
Canada has just about turned full socialist with emphasis that goes against almost anything Christian. Parents are told how to raise their children, and face jail if they don’t do it just the way the government tells them.
People from all over South America and Mexico are flooding the southern border of the United States, trying to make illegal entry. Once here, our liberal government gives them free housing, medical, education and just about everything else that our citizens have to work and pay for. Mixed in with these “immigrants” are criminals from notorious gangs, and even terrorists from the Middle East areas.
The extreme right radicals are setting the stage for social collapse that will usher in the “need” for a world leader that will have the “perfect plan.” We have areas in America today where Sharia Law has all but taken over, and eventually will try to shut down our Constitution. The younger generation is embracing socialism as being the way we should go. Common sense is about gone. They don’t acknowledge that the people of Venezuela, a socialist country, have eaten pets just to survive.
One cannot help but see the influence the prince of this world is using against us. Alternative lifestyles, satanic “churches,” right is wrong and wrong is right (Isaiah 5:20), and anything “Christian” is bad. True believers in Jesus are in the minority.
Let’s have a show of hands; all who believe Jesus is our Savior, and that He came to earth as fully man/fully God, and “gave” His life on a cross (John 10:18) to cover our sins as a sacrifice we could never fulfill; rose from the dead to conquer sin and death for us; and finally He ascended into Heaven (was Raptured) to prepare a place for us (John 14:1-3), raise your hands. Further, keep your hands up if you have called out to Him to save you, have confessed you are a sinner (Romans 3:23), and you trust Him for strength and courage to make it through these evil and trying times, and know that before the antichrist can appear, He will take all believers out of here to be with Him forever.
Wow! There’s a whole bunch of people that are checking the shine on their shoes or looking at their fingernails right now. They’ve heard of the “straight and narrow” (Matthew 7:13-14), but believe that doesn’t apply anymore. For Jesus to say He’s the only Way, Truth and Life (John 14:6) just isn’t so. After all, their “preacher” told them there are many ways to Heaven, and God would never send anyone to a place of punishment called Hell. The Bible is just an old history book, and any “abominations” spoken of are no longer held against us. It was for “ancient” people, not us “good” people of today.
And herein lies the problem. The master of lies, Satan, wants you to believe this, and he does everything him and his demons can do to convince you of it. One of his greatest lies is, “There’s plenty of time; enjoy yourself now, and get religion later.”
We don’t know just how much time we have left. As with the parable of the rich landowner (Luke 12:16-20), we may be called to leave this earth, either through death or by Rapture, this very day. Only those who have accepted Jesus as a true believer will be with Him. Those who have not cannot change their minds once they have died. Only true believers will meet Jesus in the Rapture. All who reject Christ will be in line at the Great White Throne at the end of the Millennium (Revelation 20:11-15).
We need to keep our eyes on the Savior, especially during these trying times. The short time we are on this earth can in no way compare to our eternal lives. To be with Jesus forever should be our absolute goal. Eternity would be a long time to suffer in the Lake of Fire.
Jesus knew we would not have a perfect time here. That’s why we have verses like John 16:33 that are meant to encourage us and charge our batteries for Him. Matthew 10:28 tells us, if we belong to Jesus, our soul is secure. This body we have is meant for a short term. The one we will have with Him will be imperishable and last forever.
I know I repeat a lot of verses, but if there’s just one person who has never seen them, it’s totally worthwhile. “All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13). “And there is salvation in no other name under heaven, given among people by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). “For there is no partiality with God” (Romans 2:11).
Let no one try and give you a day or time that Jesus will return. It’s been tried in the past, but obviously all “guesses” were wrong. Just know that “God does not lie” (Titus 1:2), and Jesus promised He would come for us one day (again, John 14:1-3). In the meantime, He has provided for the Holy Spirit to live within us, marking us as one of His own (John 14:15-17).
To listen to Satan and his lies, and accept what this world has to offer, will never be right. But to accept Jesus, confess your sins, believe he died for our sins and arose to go back to the Father until the time for us to be with Him, will never be wrong. (Romans 10:9-13)
It’s completely your choice; He is available for your call 24/7, rain or shine, day or night. No matter where you are, and whether you call out loud, or just in your mind – He will hear you. Call Him, and you too will be saying:
Maranatha! – Come Lord Jesus!