Is there really any hope for the future?
WHAT HOPE IS THERE FOR THE FUTURE?
Is it unreasonable to ask such a question? No. Why should it be?
As we look around us, the world we are living in does not look a very happy place!
Increased levels of fear due to terrorism. Based on what we have been seeing in the last few months, acts of terror are increasing globally, not forgetting constant daily terror attacks in Israel. Warfare has changed and it is so difficult to “nail” the terrorists, police and armed forces facing very dangerous situations.
Strange and dangerous treaties being signed. Laws being changed to accommodate non-Biblical values and anti-Christian stances. The global economy is not stable. Despite that. there are so many instances of various
projects where money is being wasted while needy folk within ALL countries, including our own, are struggling. Incredible amounts of money being spent on issues over which humankind has genuinely got no control despite them thinking they have, global warming and climate change being one such instance. Oh yes, one does have to take due care and avoid unnecessary damage to the planet that God created. But in reality, if folk would take time to read the Bible, they would discover that this world as we know it is destined to be burned up.
Am I being cynical? No, I am being a realist.
What hope is there then?
The sad, sad situation in our world today is that people are writing God out of the equation. God has provided incredible guidelines in His Word which would solve a myriad of the problems we are facing today IF His Word, His Guidelines would be followed and adhered to. So many issues would be resolved if we would be obedient to His Word. Sadly people have ignored the Book of Books, know little about it or prefer to treat it as a great literary work rather than Life’s Handbook.
I believe (as do many true Christians) that the Lord’s return is very, very close.
No, we cannot say the day or the hour, BUT the Lord Jesus Himself warned that we could tell the general period of His return. Never before have things been so ready for all the end-time scenarios to fall into place. In fact, the Bible in 2 Timothy 3 tells us that things will go from bad to worse! Someone recently compared events in the last days to a pack of dominoes. They are all closely stacked up together and once the first domino goes, the others will fall in rapid succession.
World events will be like that in the last days: the Church (true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, those who have put their trust in Him as Saviour) will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air (commonly known as The Rapture). Once this has happened, the Antichrist will emerge (Global Leader), the Tribulation Period of 7 years will begin. Then the Battle of Armageddon followed by the Return or Second Coming of Jesus Christ (this time as Judge and not Saviour). This is followed by the Millennium (the 1000 year reign of Christ), etc.
These events will have the domino effect. Once the first one starts, the others will follow in sequence and rapid succession. I have no doubt that we have never been closer to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ than we are right now.
Just look how descriptive God’s Word is: ” … in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly… ” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 – New Living Translation)
Describes things exactly as they are! It goes on to describe that “… a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” (2 Tim 4:3&4 NLT). People find it far easier to follow New Age teachings, Liberal Theology, Esoterical Thinking, Humanistic thinking, etc.
The Bible describes the times and attitudes of people in the world we are living in now so accurately.
I could say SO much more, but to get back to the question I asked at the start of this article: “Is there really hope for the future?”
Yes. There certainly is!
There is one way and only one way.
If we as individuals have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, we have the hope of eternal life where we will be forever with the Lord. Whilst we are still here upon this earth, God’s Word does not teach us that nothing will go wrong in the life of a Christian – it does – BUT, we do not have to go through things alone. He gives the strength we need. He provides for us in various ways when we go through hard times, He really does – He has done it for me countless times!
For those Christians who have become “lukewarm” towards the things of the Lord, it is time to WAKE UP as time is running out. Churches that are failing to stick to the Truth of God’s Word; compromising His Word and making it say or not say what it clearly states; failing to preach the True Gospel of Repentance and point people to Jesus as the only way to the Father and to be saved; no longer regard the Bible as the infallible Word of God – are in a very dangerous position. Revelation teaches that God will spit them out of His mouth as they make Him sick! The invitation to those churches is this: “Behold, I stand at the door [of the church] and continually knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me. He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant to him [the privilege] to sit beside Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down beside My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Rev 3:20 – Amplified)
I end with two verses from a very old hymn written by Edward Mote (1797-1874) based on the 1 Timothy 1:1
My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.
When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found, Clothed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne! On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact me without delay.
Day Ashton
YOU ALSO BE READY FOR IN AN HOUR WHEN YOU DON’T EXPECT, JESUS WILL COME!