My wife Ruth posted this article on Facebook on March 9, 2022.
UNDERSTANDING “END TIMES” PROPHECY — What it means to me personally:
IT GIVES ME ABIDING PEACE in what appears to be a world out of control. To know Bible prophecy and to see it converging and aligning as never before in human history assures me that the Lord will fulfill all things written in His Word for the days to come. As a believer, my future is glorious and secure regardless of man’s opinions and interpretations of what is happening. (1 and 2 Thessalonians, Revelation)
IT COMFORTS ME to know that the Almighty is sovereignly directing all the leading actors on the world’s stage — from tyrants to deceivers to fools — with all their arrogant weaponry and technology and planning — and that they are all (although unwittingly) playing into God’s hand to ultimately bring forth HIS plan, not theirs. This includes their own judgment, condemnation and destruction. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-5; 2 Peter 2:9; Book of Revelation)
IT HAS ENLARGED MY HOPE. As the world gets darker and darker, the hope within me shines brighter. As a believer I am promised ultimate triumph through Jesus, including deliverance from “the wrath to come.” My redemption is drawing nigh! My King will soon come for me and for all those who are His … just as He promised. (John 14:3: 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:16-17)
IT’S PROTECTING MY HEART AGAINST TEMPTATIONS THAT NORMALLY ACCOMPANY TROUBLED TIMES. Temptations to fear, despair, panic, anxiety; also the temptation towards (falsely) putting any hope in this world, in human government or in leaders. (John 14:1-3)
IT’S PROMOTING EARNESTNESS AND SOBER-MINDEDNESS in my prayer life, walk and witness. It shakes my heart free from complacency to know that my time here is very short and that Christ’s coming for us is imminent. (1 Peter 4:7; 2 Peter 3:10-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8; 1 John 3:2-3)
IT ENFLAMES MY HEART TO MAGNIFY GOD. To worship the One “Who is and Who was and WHO IS TO COME”; to worship the One Who is absolutely sovereign over all mankind, all nations and all world events; to worship the One preparing all things for Christ’s kingdom, a kingdom in which He will reign forever and ever. Amen. Hallelujah! (Revelation 11:15)