We live in a troubled and chaotic world. There are shootings, bombings, terrorist attacks, countries fighting countries, and religions fighting religions. There are more famines now than ever. Natural disasters are happening all over the world. Depending on where you live, it can be unsafe to say you are a Christian. You may live in a country where having peace in one’s life seems impossible. What is going on?
Take heart! God is still in control!
“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. (Psalms 24:1-2)
In Matthew, chapter 24, the disciples asked Jesus, “What will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?”
“Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time, many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24: 4-13)
We can see all these things happening at an unprecedented rate. Earthquakes and natural disasters have greatly increased in number and severity. Famines are more common now than they have ever been in the history of this planet. Wars and attacks are an everyday occurrence. Many religions claim they are the way to heaven, while the attacks on Christianity have dramatically increased.
Jesus tells us all these things will come to pass as we near the end of time. God gives us prophecy, not to scare us, but so that we can have hope. We can know that these things are temporary.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)
This passage of Scripture assures us that God knows what He’s doing; His thinking is different from ours, and it is so much higher than ours. We may not understand the mind of God when it comes to what is best for us and His ways and everything He allows. However, despite what we see around us, we can take heart in knowing that it is nothing that God can’t handle. Nothing surprises God. Let the “big things” become little in the hands of God.
The evil in this world will continue to increase as we near the end. However, if we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we need not fear. God assures us that we will not be here to endure the wrath. (1 Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9) (Revelations 3:10) All the Christians will be raptured away before then. The Rapture is the next prophetic event to take place. Personally, I can’t wait.
As a child of God, our peace is based on who God is, not on what is happening in the world.
“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! (Psalms 46:1-3 NLT)
Books by Jerry, many of which you may read for free on Prime: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jerry-Blount/author/B06XK4GJT1
- Things You Probably Didn’t Learn in Church
- Basic Christianity: Living a Joy-Filled Life and Making a Difference
- The End Times: Signs and Prophecy
- Noah and the Great Flood: Proof and Effects
- Following Jesus and Fishing Along the Way: Stories of God’s Great Outdoors
- The Rapture: Coming Soon
- Delighting in the Lord: Enjoying a Close Walk with Jesus
Sharing Jesus 