One of the most wonderful things we have, as followers of Christ, is the knowledge that the Lord will never leave us or forsake us. No matter our circumstances, He is faithful to His flock. This is one thing we can stand on in a world where so much is being shaken. Friends may disappoint us, politicians may deceive us, family may abandon us but Jesus Christ will never leave us or forsake us! Never.

Because of this fact, we need not fear the future. As God is shaking things up preparing for Christ’s return, we are going to see many of the comforts in life we have always taken for granted removed. The plan for a one world government is already underway. With that plan will come changes to our freedoms and liberties. We have already seen our ability to attend churches diminish in many cases due to the so called pandemic. This is just the beginning of the changes that are planned for this world. That being said, do we need to run in fear? NO.

In a free society we should be able to call out and challenge our government for diminishing our freedoms and I think it is important to do so by our votes and with our voices. However, ultimately this old world as we know it is eventually going to get darker. God’s Word says so.

2 Timothy 3:1-9 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.  For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.  They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.  They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.  They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

 They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires.  (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.)  These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith.  But they won’t get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.

It is not a surprise to God, nor to those who study their Bibles. God knew and continues to know exactly what will take place and He also planned for us to be born in such a time as this!

So though the future looks grim in some ways, it is also exciting to be alive knowing at any time the trumpet could sound and Jesus Christ could take us up to be with Him!

While we wait there is still work to be done. We must spend time studying God’s Word for direction. We must pray for the unsaved. We must pray for our government officials. We must be the hands and feet of Christ in whatever way He leads us to help and serve others. We must encourage one another with our blessed hope! We must trust that God will continue to guide us through whatever the future holds! Let’s listen to the rest of Paul’s words to Timothy.

2 Timothy 3:10-17 But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance.  You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it.  Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.  But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.

 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.  You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

So as we learn to navigate through the coming days, rest assured Christ will be with us every step of the way. He will not leave us as orphans. Our good Shepherd loves His sheep!

Romans 8:35-39 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?  (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”)  No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.  No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Blessings!