We’ve been through a knothole together–but we’ve come out stronger.”
–David Fitz-Gerald (First Drive)
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
–Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
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“All these are the beginning birth pains” (Matthew 24:8, NIV) What was Jesus talking about? It was not a particular date, but it was a season, a process. Almost since the beginning of time there have been wars and rumors of wars, there have been earthquakes and famines. But, and I’ll let you answer, are they on the increase with more frequency? There will be persecution, and remember this, there are all kinds of ways to persecute. It does not have to be physical torture, though in several places that is the case. Notice that the persecutions we see happening in the world tend to affect their cultures. Passing laws prohibiting speaking out against sin in some countries (Finland, Canada). The attempt to hinder the freedom of the pulpit. The murders in Nigeria, the murders of Christians in many other Muslim nations. Yes, troublesome times, the beginning…
Read Matthew 24 and ponder the words of Jesus. The time is coming, the world is ripe for the man of lawlessness to appear. But now, now is the day of salvation! The words speak to us several great things. That’s why we need to ponder these words of Jesus. Don’t just say, “happy day” or “woe is me and the rest of the world.” This is a time to get excited, be energetic about what the Lord is doing, be looking up for His redemption–the catching away of the saints–is near.
When we see these things happening that Jesus spoke of we can be assured then that God has not abandoned His people, nor the world. “For all its wickedness, the world is still the scene in which God’s purpose is being worked out. It is not abandonment that God contemplates; it is intervention.” (William Barclay) When we see these things happening, this tremendous onslaught of evil throughout the world, it should not discourage or depress us. Barclay reminds us that before the Judgment, before that dreadful Day of the Lord, there will be chaos, confusion, and anarchy. “A complete breakdown of all moral standards and an apparent complete disintegration of the world” must happen before the Day of the Lord. If we think the world is in bad shape now, just wait until the meltdown begins and the man of lawlessness rules.
One more thing we see in these verses is the fact that both judgment and a new creation are certain. I do not pretend to understand the working of the Lord, especially in regard to the end of time. I’m not going to speculate, predict, or fret over what is on the horizon. My job is to keep myself ready, and to help others be prepared for the Lord’s return, in any way that I am given. Prepping? Preppers? Not in the way that we see; however, we should be prepped and ready for the Judgment Day. The day in which we live “tell us that God contemplates the world both in justice and in mercy; and that God’s plan is not the obliteration of the world, but the creation of a world which is nearer to his heart’s desire.” (Barclay)
Our attitude is important as we see what is happening in the world. We are not to live another unhappy day, but look up. Think for a moment of life’s blessings–life itself for one. Edwin R. Chess, USAF Chaplain, stated, “In Him do I find my strength to believe despite the doubts that assail me, to hope despite my gloom, to live in the face of all the evidence of human hate that surrounds me.” What a time we live in! Let me assure you that as a believer neither you nor I have to fear this present day of evil. The Lord is our protector, shield, and fortress. “Keep your Christian ideals alive in the human setting in which you find yourself. Make your religion real, worship meaningful, involvement total. The issues and problems of the day are your responsibility, too.” (Chess)
Take heart! Keep going onward and upward for great is your reward in heaven and do not forget He is your strength. You can do all things in Him who strengthens you. (cf., Philippians 4:13).