From my earliest childhood memories, my maternal grandmother would hum a tune, break in with “cheer up my brother,” and then continue humming again. As far as I could tell, she did this daily up to the time she left this earth to be with Jesus. It’s hard to imagine, but she’s been gone just over four decades now. (ESV – all emphasis mine.)
One day a few years ago, I was tuned into a Television Gospel Music program, and a group started singing a song that I recognized as the tune my grandmom used to hum. I looked it up and found that it was called “Farther Along” and is said to have been written in 1911 by William Buel Stevens. The message given through this hymn applies today as if it were just released. I have found that this hymn has been recorded by numerous artists over the years.
1.) Tempted and tried, we’re oft made to wonder why it should be thus all the day long. While there are others living about us, never molested, though in the wrong.
Ref.) Farther Along, we’ll know all about it; Farther Along, we’ll understand why. Cheer up my brother, live in the sunlight; we’ll understand it all by and by.
2.) Sometimes I wonder why I must suffer, go in the rain, the cold and the snow, when there are many living in comfort, giving no heed to all I can do.
3.) Tempted and tried, how often we question why we must suffer year after year, being accused by those of our loved ones, even though we’ve walked in God’s Holy fear.
4.) Often when death has taken our loved ones, leaving our home so lone and so drear, Then do we wonder why others prosper, living so wicked year after year.
5.) Faithful till death saith our loving Master; short is our time to labor and wait. Then until our toiling seems to be nothing, when we shall pass through the Heavenly Gate.
6.) Soon we will see our dear loving Savior; hear the last trumpet sound through the sky. Then we will meet those gone on before us; then we shall know and understand why.
Though our Heavenly Father created the heavens and the earth and everything within them, He did not intend for anything to be other than perfect. However, through actions by a fallen archangel, Lucifer, sin entered this world, and from that moment forward, death was introduced.
This world has seen just about every type of evil deed that could be possible. Satan and his demons – fallen angels – have provided chaos every step of the way. God is not surprised by any of this and has even given us signs to watch for that would indicate this age would just about be over.
In Luke 21:28, Jesus Himself told us that when the distress would seem to have us at the breaking point, He would be returning soon. In fact, He stated that when all these things begin to take place, our redemption would be very near.
If we take an honest look at current events, major changes started happening within the past 15 years. What has “come out of the closet” since then are things we would not have expected to be here; and quite frankly, we wish they would go back into their own darkness.
Satanic worship has been here all along; however, it was mostly confined to closed doors and done in secret. Today, it is not only out in the open but is actually trying to enter just about every phase of our living that there is. There is a satanic statue of a “satyr” holding hands with young children outside of a government building. Even “churches of Satan” are opening around the country.
Movies, TV shows, and other media are promoting activities that would have been prohibited a few years earlier. Believe it or not, even Disney is producing shows that are unfit for the family to watch.
Then, there are all the different alphabet groups saying that what God called “abominations” are suddenly perfectly “normal.” The problem with this is the Father has not changed His mind on any of this, and one day that will become very evident.
Jesus said His followers would be hated by all for His name’s sake (Luke 21:17), and we are witnessing this very action today. It’s okay to celebrate “gay pride” activities, but don’t get caught praying in the name of Jesus in public. As told by Jesus and others in the New Testament, there would be an increase in false prophets and antichrists. They have been among us from the first century on but have become bold in their teachings in today’s world. Their numbers have increased, and as Jesus said, more would accept the world’s view than accept His as being their Savior (Matthew 7:13-14).
The promise of the Father to keep all believers out of the wrath/tribulation is something we are absolutely grateful for and looking forward to. That’s found in 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, and Revelation 3:10. That 7-year tribulation period will be the most horrible time this earth has ever experienced, and we hope none of our loved ones will go through it.
The fact that evil is increasing more rapidly every day should tell us that the 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 event is right around the corner. The “taking up” or Rapture could happen at any second now. I would stress the word “second” as 1 Corinthians 15:52 tells us it’s in the “twinkling of an eye,” which is considerably less than one second.
We do not have an overbearing and tyrannical God. He is all about love and allows everyone to decide for themselves which eternity they will end up in. All who follow the simple steps of Romans 10:9-13 and call on the name of God’s Son to be their Savior will be saved. That’s a promise that has no other conditions. Confess, receive, accept, call.
On the other hand, all who refuse to accept Jesus as their Savior will have a place in the long line at the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:11-15. There will be no forgiveness there; no pardons; no limited sentences. Everyone in that line will be shown exactly why they are there and what their forever punishment will be.
The ultimate antichrist and false prophet will have already been the first occupants of hell for a thousand years, which is found in Revelation 19:20. Satan’s fate is in Revelation 20:10. There are people who attempt to add humor to the above events, but the punishment will be forever, and there will never be any laughter there. There will also be no light, as the “eternal light” is Jesus the Christ, and He will be with His followers in Heaven forever.
It’s hard to imagine the disbelief that exists over eternal punishment. However, that’s one of the lies Satan uses by saying it isn’t real. Another of his lies is that you’ve got plenty of time to make a decision to accept Jesus or not. Luke 12:16-21 is the parable of the rich man who was bragging that he would tear down his current barns and build bigger ones. Then he would live comfortably from then on. God required his soul that day, and all his wealth went to others.
We aren’t guaranteed any certain amount of time that we will be here, but we are guaranteed that if we have Jesus as our Savior when we take our last breath here, we will be with Him forever.
And the lie of “did God really say?” still pulls souls away from the Father. We’re told in 2 Peter 3:9 that God does not wish for anyone to end up in hell. However, if He forced everyone to accept Him, then He would not be about love. God really doesn’t have anything to prove to us, as He already gave us the ultimate free gift through the death of a very important part of Himself. Through the burial and glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus, He has conquered sin and death and eternal punishment for all who receive and accept that gift.
Right now, everything seems to be falling apart, with evil running rampant, strange weather patterns taking place, huge fires around the globe, and even a locust plague in Africa and Asia. Just remember, even though it seems “hopeless” right now, “Farther Along” we’ll understand why. We’ll see our loving Savior, and everything will totally make sense. That will be when we are Home with Him.
Call today; don’t delay. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!