We are living in very unsettling times.
· Wars and rumors of wars are a constant.
· Financial collapse of the world monetary system looms ahead.
· We, the USA, are approaching a 17 Trillian dollar debt, not reducing the budget, and spending like mad.
· Gas prices are going up and who knows where they will end.
· We will not tap into our own plentiful petroleum reserves, but remain dependent on those who hate us.
· Hatred toward true Christianity is growing.
· Satan is taking over the pulpits.
· The nation of Israel could be squished like a bug by the big boots all around them, except for the God of Israel.
· Taxes are going up.
· Health costs are going up.
· Unemployment is going up.
· Will we lose our job?
· Will we lose our house?
· How can I afford to live just with the basics?
· The federal government is taking more and more control of our lives.
· Murder, theft, adultery, homosexuality, debauchery and all else that God hates is growing at an alarming rate.
Briefly stated, we are in deep doo-doo. How can we get up in the morning and get through the day without being afraid of what may come next? It is as though we are on a 747 at 40,000 feet and the engines are gone. There is only one direction we are going now, and that is down.
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)
I honestly do not understand how anyone without Jesus Christ in their life can face this world without a soul-shaking, bone-rattling fear.
In the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible the term “fear not” occurs in 144 verses and 63 times exactly as quoted. It would seem to me that God does not want His children to have fear in their hearts.
The verse above says that perfect love casts out fear. It is certainly true that when the love of God is within us, the fear of the world diminishes.
Those my age are more fearful of what their children and grandchildren may experience than themselves. It’s only natural. This world doesn’t offer much, but it never did. Our only real hope of happy living is found in Jesus Christ. Unless you have it, you won’t understand it, but it’s true.
“And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” (Revelation 1:17-18)
“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)
In these two verses we find first of all that the Apostle John “fell at his feet as dead” when he beheld Jesus in His glory. Then we hear Jesus telling us in Matthew’s gospel to “fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
The word “destroy” in this verse denotes, “to devote or give over to eternal misery in hell.”
Our pity should go toward those who don’t know Jesus as Savior and have to face Him in judgment.
“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” (Revelation 1:7)
“And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (Revelation 6:16-17)
I can’t begin to count the times I have heard someone use our Lord’s name as a curse word in a movie or TV episode. It seems to be the “in thing” today. If there is legitimacy in fear, it is with those who blaspheme His Holy name. We have nothing to fear who are under His saving grace, but woe to those who cast Him aside.
Jesus has given mankind many more opportunities than I ever would, and therefore that alone makes me glad He is in charge. But how much longer will His patience last until He decides it is time for judgment? How much more “in your face” behavior will He tolerate? Only He knows.
It is very obvious to those who are looking, that Satan’s time is running out. He is pulling out all the stops in preparation for his last stand, the Tribulation. This is a war he can’t lose, but he will. However in his bloated pride, I wonder if he actually thinks he may pull it off. He has much to lose and much to fear.
If you know Jesus as your Savior you have nothing to fear. If you do not, you can experience the peace that can only come from God by trusting in His Son to save you.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.” (John 14:27-29)
Let us rejoice that Jesus has gone unto the Father, that He has sent His Spirit to live within us, and that He is coming soon. In Him we can be at peace.
This world is on a collision course of destiny. Pay day is coming. Judgment is just around the corner. The days ahead are going to get much more terrifying than we can imagine. It seems bad now, but judgment is just clearing his throat.
There is much to fear from what is coming. However, in Jesus, there is nothing to fear.
Grant Phillips
Pre-Rapture Commentary http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
