In 1920, Warren G. Harding ran for president with the campaign slogan of “The return to normalcy.” Despite harsh criticism for his use of such an obscure word at the time, the idea of returning to “normalcy” swept him into the Oval Office.
His motto had great appeal to Americans in 1920, as they longed for normal lives after the turmoil of World War I and the deadly Spanish Flu pandemic.
Most people live in a “bubble of normalcy” where they feel secure because of exaggerated and unrealistic hopes of either a return to normalcy or of their current lifestyle continuing indefinitely into the future unhindered by the perils around them. They sleep with no fear that their bubble might burst in the near future.
The Normalcy Bias
Because of America’s long history of peace and security, most of its citizens live with what’s called a “normalcy bias.” As a result, even many Christians label those of us who warn of the dangers inherent in a world speeding toward the Tribulation period as “conspiracy theorists.” “No one can really be that wicked or deceitful so as to cause such widespread suffering and death,” they tell us. Such is the errant worldview inside the bubble. They remain blind to the threats that abound in our current world.
Unfortunately, many Bible-believing saints see the storm clouds forming on the horizon, but also fail to recognize that they signal the end of human history as we know it. In order to cope with the threats to their wellbeing, they often lapse back into a familiar rhythm of life, believing that life as they know it will continue indefinitely. It’s so easy to do!
Why Does It Matter?
I realize that the majority of my readers recognize the signs of the times and live well outside the normalcy bubble that negatively impacts those both inside and outside the church.
Even so, it’s vital that we don’t lose our focus on future things and resist the lure of the normalcy bias that continually competes for our allegiance.
First, a substantial number of our fellow believers suffer because of cancer, the loss of loved ones, financial woes, and a host of other afflictions. They, like us, need frequent reminders that this world is not their home, along with our confident assurance that a much better day is coming. We don’t know when Jesus will come for us, but the signs tell us that this glorious day for all the saints is imminent.
Secondly, a firm grasp of biblical prophecy enables us to look realistically at the chaotic and lawless world around us and share the “blessed hope” of Titus 2:11-14 with those outside of Christ. This biblical two-world perspective provides us with a solid foundation from which to give others a “reason for the hope” that we possess (1 Peter 3:15). We not only recognize what’s happening around us, but we also know the why behind what we see. This is the essence of a sound biblical worldview.
Third, the practice of eagerly watching for Jesus’ appearing has a purifying effect on us. Consider the words of 1 John 3:2-3:
“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”
Such an upward focus motivates us to live in a way that’s pleasing to Him.
Fourth, remaining grounded in biblical prophecy shields believers from the false teachings that abound in churches that claim to be Bible-believing.
Paul, claiming to write based on a word from the Lord, fixated the hope of the Thessalonian believers on meeting Jesus in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17). Those who say there’s no such thing as the Rapture attack the integrity of God’s Word.
We who long for Jesus’ imminent appearing confidently do so based on the description of an event that the Apostle Paul said came directly from the Lord, even though others believe we are crazy for anticipating an event that’s far, far out of the ordinary.
The End Times’ Stage is Set
Of course, there’s a certain comfort in our daily routines. The concept of the Rapture is an exceedingly supernatural event with no parallels in our experience or even in the history of humanity. Yes, Enoch was a prototype of it, but the Lord’s imminent appearing will result in the sudden disappearance of tens of millions and the empty graves of many more. And all these things will happen in an instant on a day just like this.
Eight years ago, I retired so I could write full-time about Bible prophecy, a topic of lifelong learning for me. Even so, it’s difficult at times to wrap my head around what’s coming in the near future as the signs scream with this message to all who are paying attention, “Jesus is coming very soon!”
The actors are in place, the stage is all set, and the curtain is about to rise on the Day of the Lord. The globalists are doing all they can to fully implement their deadly agenda, but they cannot do so until God allows it.
Everything is in place for the Rapture to happen, for the Day of the Lord to begin, and for the man of lawlessness to later make his covenant of death with Israel. The only unknown is when the Lord will call us home and then remove His restraining hand that’s now keeping the man of lawlessness from assuming control (2 Thessalonians 2:1-8).
We do not know the day or the hour. However, the Bible tells us it will happen suddenly and without warning. In addition, the signs tell us that it must happen soon and warn us not to get too comfortable in the normality of our daily lives.
Note: In Hereafter, It’s Far Better Than You Can Imagine, Terry James and I describe the future glory that awaits us as believers beginning with Jesus’ appearing to take us home. From beginning to end, we emphasize the jubilant joy that awaits us in Heaven. The last chapter contains twenty-seven frequently asked questions and answers pertaining to Heaven and our experience there.
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