Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33). It’s not a question of “if” the trials will come, it is only a matter of when and whether we will be ready. Paul said that “the mystery,” or “the secret power of lawlessness,” was already at work. But we don’t have to worry and wring our hands because we’ve been training for this. Every battle that we’ve been through, every prayer that God has answered, every sermon we’ve heard, and every lesson we’ve learned have been preparing us for the battle that’s coming. Don’t worry about it; in the name of Jesus, you’ve got this.
It’s Later Than You Think
Have you thought about where we are in relation to the history of the world, or how close we are to the end of time as we know it? Hebrew prophets spoke often about something called, the “Day of the Lord,” which was a phrase indicating God’s final judgement upon the wicked, blessings on the righteous, and the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Joel, Amos, Zephaniah, Zechariah, and Malachi all prophesied of the coming “Day of the Lord.” And from Malachi (the last Old Testament prophet) until now, the clock has been ticking toward the Day of the Lord. So, where are we on the clock? I can only say it’s probably later than you think.