God Holds The Future

Do you ever despair when you think of what is going on around you?  If you live in the United States you can easily despair over the changes that are taking place in our country, it hardly looks the same any more.  We are under siege by the influence of the evil one.  People are losing jobs or their hours are being cut back and they are also losing their health insurance.  Conniving, lying and deception are not the exception anymore but are the norm.  We live in a day where terrorists can pop up anywhere to cause havoc and destruction at any given moment.  Even nature itself seems to be out of control, hurricanes, typhoons, twisters, tornadoes and Earthquakes, some causing mud slides and enormous amounts of water causing flooding and destruction and devastation to take place.  We live in a very unstable environment with very little trust and for good reason.  

Every time I write on this subject it seems like things get progressively worse and it seems we live in a time where people’s hearts are failing them for fear.  Today many people reject God and any acknowledgement of Him and persecution is on the rise.  The constitution is being replaced and looked at as if outdated and not valid in today’s society and legislators seem to legislate from the bench instead of the constitution.  Many people don’t know this or just reject it but these days and some of the things that would take place were written about many, many years ago and are recorded in various books in the Word of God and are coming to fulfillment in our day.  

One of the books in the Word of God that talks about the things that will take place in the end times is Luke 21:5-38, but I am going to ask you to read 21:5-33, “Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, ‘These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.’

So they asked Him, saying, ‘Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?’

And He said: ‘Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them. But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.’

Then He said to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But not a hair of your head shall be lost. By your patience possess your souls.

But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.’

Then He spoke to them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.’”

These are times when even believers can be very discouraged and if they’re not standing spiritually strong may fall into the temptation to fear and to be overwhelmed with worry and start trusting in other things beside the Lord to get them through these trying times.  The Lord wants us to remain watchful, waiting and trusting Him to get us through, Jesus spoke these words in verses 34-36 in that same chapter, “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Just like Jesus told His disciples, we need to keep a close watch for His coming so that we will be ready.  

Let me talk to those that are not ready for the Lord’s return.  Now is the time to get ready, don’t wait until it is too late.  Most people know what happened in Noah’s day before the flood, while Noah was building the ark.  It took him 120 years and I am sure he warned multitudes that there was a flood coming so that they could prepare themselves but no one listened, they may have laughed and mocked and jeered, so no one except Noah and his family were ready.  When the Ark was completed and everyone was in the Ark, the windows and doors were shut and the rains came and the waters began to rise and it was too late for the other people, they were left behind.  In my mind I can picture people climbing onto the Ark trying to get in but it was too late they were left behind.  

The good news is if you are not ready and you are still breathing there is still hope.  Repent, which means to turn away from your sins, and tell the Lord you are a sinner and you are sorry for your sins and ask Him to forgive you and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness and also to come into your life and be your Lord and Savior.  Don’t be in a hurry, let the good Lord fill you with His peace, love and joy, then you can walk away set free, rejoicing and thanking and praising Him for what He has done for you.  Then share what has happened to you with others and start growing in your new found faith.  

This song came to my mind as I was typing this ‘tidbit’ which has a video with it called, “Will You Be Left Behind.”  Something to think about!  May God bless you and yours and have a super day!!  PS all believers can be encouraged because we know that God holds the future and He will never leave us or forsake us.