I receive a weekly e-newsletter from Hal Lindsey. He explains end time prophecies that are taking place right now. Here is an excerpt from this week’s letter:
One of the hallmarks of the last days will be the rise of irrationality. Romans 1:28 says, “And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind to do those things which are not proper.” The Greek context here means God gave them over to a mind that cannot even think in its own best interest.
Satan must be pleased. Hatred is on the rise in America. Everywhere we look, from politics to family life to racial groups to religious traditions to economic classes to sports, our impatience, disgust, and sheer hatred of one another is exploding.
Everything we once held to be true and normal now seems to be turned on its head. No one trusts anyone anymore. But it’s no wonder. Truth has become a rare commodity in America today. Conscience even rarer.
I’m reminded of a remark found in Isaiah 5 that could perfectly describe the world today. Isaiah wrote, “They say that what is right is wrong and what is wrong is right; that black is white and white is black; bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.” (Isaiah 5:20 TLB)
As Christians, we need to keep looking up. It would be so easy to be overwhelmed by the turmoil that surrounds us, but we must remember that God is in control. Yes, there are more and more signs that we are in the last days. And we may be tempted to look at the evil surrounding us and think, “Where have you gone, Lord?”
He hasn’t gone anywhere. He is still here. He is still in control. And He will still help us, no matter what we face, if we will trust Him.
In the Old Testament, the prophet Habakkuk lived during perilous times. He cried out to God.
How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. Must I forever see these evil deeds?
Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted.
Habakkuk 1:2-4 NLT
But God assured Habakkuk that He hadn’t gone anywhere. Here was His reply:
The Lord replied, “Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.”
Habakkuk 1:5 NLT
You may want to read the prophet’s continued comments and questions and God’s replies in the short book of Habakkuk. At the conclusion of the book, he said this:
Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 NLT
We are in spiritual warfare, folks. And it is going to get worse. Are we willing to declare, as Habakkuk did, that no matter what happens we will rejoice in the God of our salvation? Are we willing to depend on our Sovereign Lord as our strength? Are we willing to trust him no matter what?
Hal Lindsey concluded his letter by reminding us of our ultimate hope . . . Jesus Christ.
I say it again. This is spiritual warfare. It doesn’t have anything to do with rationality or intellectual debate. When the establishment comes after you because of your Christian beliefs, recognize that the source of that hostility is Hell itself.
Satan is behind the hatred of God’s people, whether it’s the Jews or true Christians. And he is going all-out to destroy the true church and everything the followers of Christ have built. That includes America.
But I have some good news.
Jesus said, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NASB)
In II Corinthians 5:20, the Apostle Paul calls us “ambassadors for Christ.”
Consider this. Before hostilities break out between nations, they withdraw their respective ambassadors.
At some point in the near future, God will unleash His wrath against Satan and sin. But before He declares war on this sin-infested planet, God will remove His ambassadors. He will evacuate us from this hostile situation. He will get us out before the real shooting-war begins.
We call this evacuation operation “The Rapture.”
The Bible calls it our “blessed hope.” (Titus 2:13 NASB)
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How often do we spend today focused on tomorrow? The next job. The next relationship. The next opportunity. And by doing so we miss today. Today’s blessings. Today’s opportunities to make a difference. I think this image says it well.
Are you experiencing a struggle in your life? Facing a decision? Feeling anxious? We all reach those points in life . . . sometimes daily.
God is more powerful than anything in the world. He is so much greater than any adversity we may face. Any waves that threaten to crush us. But so often, even though we know in our minds that is true, we choose to doubt. We worry. We fear. We get anxious. We insist on taking control instead of trusting Him. Believing that His way and His time are always the best.
