Looking at the news reports and looking into what the Bible says, we can all agree that we are living in uncertain times. There are a lot of questions that fill my mind:
- Is the end near? Will Jesus come back within the next 10 years.
- What will happen to the United States in these end-times?
- Will there be one last spiritual revival in this country before the Tribulation period?
- Is the Anti-Christ alive right now waiting in the shadows?
- Will there be for certain a pre-tribulation Rapture of the Saints?
- Will I have to suffer and be martyred for Jesus, even if it’s before the Tribulation?
I can go on-and-on with the questions I have. Even though I have questions, I also have my views and sometimes I think I have it all figured out. But, we must all realize that even if we think we have it all figured out 100 percent, things will happen according to God’s will and not what we interpret. One example is the Rapture. Some believe in pre-tribulation, some mid-tribulation, and others in post-tribulation rapture. And each will argue vehemently with their set of supporting Scriptures.
When the Bible was completed, the only thing that needed to be fulfilled was the Second Coming of Jesus. Every generation has waited since then in anticipation. Many thought for sure the end was just around the corner. But, 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Also, Matthew 24:36, 42 & 44 says, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” It amazes me that just since I became a Christian 34 years ago, people falsely predicted the Lord’s return over-and-over again. Countless times before that men have been wrong.
When going to God’s Word, the Bible, there are things we do know for certain. For one, the Jewish people must be a physical nation once again, which they are. Two, when we get closer and closer to the end, turmoil and disasters will increase and get closer and closer together like the contractions of birth. We see this happening before our eyes. Third, the Gospel will be spread throughout the earth, which it is. Another thing we know for certain is that the Lord does not want us to fear. We are actually told to look up. The Church has always grown its greatest during times of turmoil and persecution.
Even though we do not know the hour of our Lord’s coming, we do know the season. Matthew 24:32 says, “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh.” We can pretty safely say that summer is nigh. Whether Jesus comes tonight, or He waits another 20 years, we are to be ready. He is to find us prepared and working hard in His fields.
How then should we look at things in these troubled times? I think the three Hebrew young men got it right when they stood before King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel 3:14-18 says, “Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.“” Simply put, no matter when Jesus comes back, I will serve Him to my utmost!
Annointing 