In Like Manner

 

“Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This [same] Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."     Acts 1:9-11  NKJV

How old were you when you first understood the importance of making a promise?  When I was young it was “cross your heart” but when my daughters were young it was “pinky swear”, which involved making a promise while locking little fingers with each other.  I never did get where that came from but it was cute and as a good father I did a lot of pinky swearing! 

I think it’s hard for us comprehend exactly what went through the minds of the disciples as they experienced the ups and downs of their relationship with Jesus.  Making the decision to leave all they knew and to follow Him was certainly a life-changing event.  As they followed Him during His ministry they slowly began to believe that He was indeed the Son of God, the promised Messiah.  Try to imagine what they thought when finally coming to that conclusion they had to watch Him be crucified on the cross; confusion, disappointment, disbelief? Then they experienced the greatest joy imaginable to see Him reappear as the resurrected Christ standing in their midst and explaining all that He had previously told them.

So I think it’s probably safe to say they had no idea that He was about to leave them again when He leads them on a walk to Bethany on the Mount of Olives and begins to teach them just as He had been doing for the past forty days.  I came to that conclusion based on their question to Him that day.

“Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"   Acts 1:6  NKJV

My thought is that although by this time they probably had a pretty good idea of the plan, the one thing they were not aware of was the timing!  So Jesus goes on to explain that there was one more thing that needed to be accomplished before the kingdom could come.

“And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."  Acts 1:7-8  NKJV

Then as they were probably trying to digest what He had just said, we are told He was lifted up out of their sight into Heaven!  When I read this account, the part that touches me is in verse ten where it says that they “looked steadfastly toward heaven”. I just bet they did.  Do you really think they were expecting this?  I think it’s safe to say their thoughts were somewhere between “are you kidding me?” and “now what?”, not to mention a few of them thinking “come back!”.

Yet fortunately for them and for us there were two men there, most certainly angels, who gave us the promise that we are all waiting so patiently to see fulfilled.

“This [same] Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."    (v.11)

So the promise is that Jesus will return in the same way that these disciples saw Him leave, and that is with clouds. The Greek word for cloud used in this passage is nephele, and is also used of the cloud that led the Israelites in the wilderness.  This certainly leads us to consider that these were not ordinary clouds, but quote possibly the Shekinah glory or the radiant presence of God the Father which dwelt among His people both in leading them out of bondage, and also resting in the Holy of Holies in the temple.  The picture here then is of the Father reaching down and welcoming His Son back to His seat at the right hand of God.

The same word for cloud is used to refer to both future returns of Jesus, both at the rapture of the Church,

“Then we who are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”  1 Thessalonians 4:17  NKJV

and His Second Coming when He returns to the Mount of Olives at the conclusion of the tribulation.

“Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.”   Revelation 1:7  NKJV

It is this promise which we so look forward to, waiting and watching for Jesus to return in the clouds to take us to be with Him forever, which motivates us to live “expectantly” knowing that this world is not our home.  I also think it important to notice what this promise motivated the disciples to do after they watched Jesus disappear.

“Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James [the son] of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas [the son] of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”  Acts 1:12-14  NKJV

I find myself using the word for “supplication” a lot lately, as it is defined as “entreating” towards God.  I wonder how many of us are entreating Jesus to return for His Church?  Is our hope in the glory of spending eternity with our God, or are we so caught up in this world and the temporary pleasures it provides that our thoughts are not on Jesus return?  My hope is that we all can take a lesson from the disciples and look to the heavens for the return of our Savior, and pray without ceasing that His coming for us will be soon. 

“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”  2 Timothy 4:8  NIV

The apostle Paul tells us here that there is a crown waiting for those who “long” for Jesus’ return.  I have fielded numerous questions lately concerning just how long the Church is going to have to wait and endure what is going on in the world today.  While I don’t have the answer to that question, it certainly has occurred to me that what better way to focus our eyes heavenward and long for His appearing than to allow the body to suffer such as we have these past couple of years.  With no end in sight, and the forecast for the future looking even more bleak, it’s only a matter of time before the Church will hear our call to go home.

He left this earth forty days after His resurrection, and it has become known and celebrated as Ascension Day.  It will occur this weekend and as I considered that, I couldn’t help but think how wonderful it would be if His return “in like manner” also meant on the same day He left?  While that is not a prediction, it is certainly true we have never been closer to the rapture than we are right now.

If you have never made the decision to accept the sacrifice Jesus has made for you I encourage you to do it right now.  Simply pray this simple prayer or put it in your own words, but do it now and begin to enjoy the benefits of not only being a child of God, but knowing you have the promise that He will return to take us all home just as He said.

Jesus I know I am a sinner and have broken your commandments and sinned against you. I believe you died and rose again for me as a sacrifice for my sins. I ask you to forgive me of my sins and come into my heart so that I can begin to live for you. Amen.

Keep watching.

Our Time to Shine

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."  Matthew 5:11-12  NKJV

After talking last week about the anger being directed the Church's way in general, and to we as believers specifically, I was inspired this week to address the subject of just how God would expect us to respond.  That led me in turn to one of the best teachings I have read on the Beatitudes, written by Jack Kelley, as a guide to our response to those who would seek to persecute us.

The Beatitudes, Blessed Are We

A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

Once in a while I’m asked to do a study on a specific portion of Scripture.  I’d like to respond to a request I received recently concerning a portion of the Sermon on the Mount commonly called “The Beatitudes”. It’s found in Matt. 5:3-12 with an abbreviated and slightly different version in Luke 6:20-23.  While everyone in the world seems to be talking about other things, it might be refreshing to think about peace for a moment. Not peace in the world necessarily, or even in the Middle East, but peace in our hearts and in our lives.  If events are leading us in the direction we think, we’ll want to remember these exhortations from our Lord.

By the way.  If you’re one of those folks who believe certain portions of the Gospels were not written to the Church, you probably include the Sermon on the Mount among them.  It is true that the Lord was speaking primarily to Israel, but if you don’t see anything there for the Church, then you need to give them another look.  This study will help you.

The Sermon on the Mount was given near the beginning of the Lord’s ministry, but already He had achieved widespread fame because of His healing power. In Matt. 4: 23-25 we learn that huge crowds were gathering around Him. They came not only from the Galilee, but from what we now know as Jordan, southern Syria, and Lebanon in the east and north, and from Judea and Jerusalem in the south. Remember, this was in a time when there were no phones or other means of long range communications and nearly all travel was on foot. These crowds gathered by word of mouth and although many were in pain, they had walked for several days to reach Him. The lame, the paralyzed, the sick, those who were demon possessed, afflicted with seizures and such had made long and arduous journeys to find Him and He healed them all.

On this occasion they found themselves in a natural amphitheater on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. It was and is a peaceful, tranquil place where even today there’s no sign of encroaching civilization except for a beautiful octagonal chapel over looking the sea. It was completed in 1938 with funds donated by Benito Mussolini.

Each of the groups I’ve taken to Israel has picked the area as among their favorites and has tried to linger there as long as possible. I could always sense the regret they felt at having to leave, and even though I reminded them that we had to maintain some semblance of a schedule, I admit that I always felt it too. It’s as if the Spirit of the Prince of Peace dwells there today, comforting our restless hearts with His timeless message.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 5:3)

According to Strong’s Concordance the phrase poor in spirit describes those who are “destitute of wealth of learning and intellectual culture which the schools afford.” Several times in the Scriptures, the Lord mentions the fact that an  excessive reliance upon worldly education can actually be a hindrance to entering into the Kingdom.

In Isaiah 29:13-14 He said, “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.”

Paul, who was by most accounts the towering intellect of New Testament writers, built upon this in 1 Cor 1:18-25 when he wrote;

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

As I’ve grown older and become more reflective I’m more aware of the fact that much of man’s knowledge is flawed, just as man is flawed. And some of it is intentionally so, since some who are considered intellectuals have a bias against God and use their positions of influence to further their views. Their success in making the theory of evolution the standard for public education is one case in point, among many.

We must become as little children, The Lord admonished us (Mark 10:15), and for me that meant discarding much of what I was taught in favor of taking God at His word.

But those who refuse to allow the wisdom of this world to displace their native knowledge of God and instead pursue His word for His wisdom will receive the Kingdom as their reward. Speaking of God’s wisdom, King Solomon wrote, “For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord.” (Proverbs 8:35)

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matt. 5:4)

Mourning is evidence of love and compassion. It’s a strengthened version of the Greek word for suffer from which it’s derived. To mourn is to feel sorrow or grief. When we mourn the loss of a loved one we’re expressing our grief over the reality of death. Our Lord feels the same way. He’s called a man of sorrows, familiar with grief. (Isaiah 53:3) Only one who knows sorrow and has experienced grief can effectively comfort those who mourn. As someone once wrote, “In every pain that rends the heart, the Man of Sorrows has a part.” Unlike others who claim to do so, He really does feel our pain. He’s the only one who truly understands and can offer unconditional comfort during our times of mourning.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matt. 5:5)

The word translated “meek” means mild of disposition or gentle of spirit. It’s not the same as being a doormat. Moses was called the meekest man on Earth, (Numbers 12:3) but he faced down Pharaoh, talked with God, and supervised over a million people on a 40 year camping trip in the wilderness. You can’t accomplish that by being a doormat.

My favorite paraphrase of this verse is, “Blessed are those who’ve been given everything, for they don’t have to worry about anything.” This applies to no other group as much as to the Church. We’re the ones who can approach every circumstance of our lives with a mild disposition and a gentle heart for we know that we’ll inherit the earth. We can afford to turn the other cheek, to go the extra mile, to give generously to everyone who asks, because all that and more has been done for us. We don’t have to be concerned with the little things of this life because we’ve been given everything in the next one.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matt. 5:6)

Do you wish you could avoid sinning? Does your behavior sometimes surprise or even embarrass you? Do you feel bad about having to ask God to forgive you again and again? If so, then you hunger for righteousness. You want so badly to please Him by living in accordance with His standards. That yearning can never be satisfied as long as we’re here, but one day we’ll be changed and the most delightful thing about it will be our ability to finally live in a manner pleasing to God.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Matt. 5:7)

Micah 6:6-8 is an incredible passage because it demonstrated what’s really important to the Lord almost 8 centuries before the New Covenant. Let’s read it.

With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Acting justly is hard to do, but the idea is easy to understand. Loving mercy is another matter. Micah’s answer to his own question runs exactly counter to human nature. Mercy is sometimes defined as not getting what you deserve. Mercy is something we all want for ourselves, but for everyone else we demand justice. Micah tells us that if we want to please God, we should be very careful to ensure that our own behavior comes as close as possible to His standards for justice, and we should rejoice whenever He shows someone else mercy.

That takes some doing, but the Lord said that with the measure we use it will be measured to us. Are we merciful? When some one wrongs us, do we ask the Lord to forgive them, or do we spend the next little while conjuring up clever ways to get even? Remember, if we think it, it’s as bad as having done it. To love mercy means to show it in our own actions toward others and to rejoice whenever someone else doesn’t get what he deserves.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (Matt. 5:8)

Like Micah 6, Psalm 24 also contains a rhetorical question or two. Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His Holy Place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. For he will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior. (Psalm 24:3-5) Clean hands, no bad works, and a pure heart, no bad motives. Who can do this? As Jesus told Peter, with man this is impossible, but not with God. All things are possible with God. (Mark 10:27) When we’re washed in the blood of the Lamb, we’re given clean hands and a pure heart and we will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. (Matt. 5:9)

In the middle of a long list of exhortations on behavior, Paul said, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18) We can’t control the circumstances that confront us but we can control our response to them. We can be like oil on troubled waters.

For environmental reasons it’s no longer done, but in days gone by sailors deliberately poured small quantities of oil onto the water in order to forestall rough seas. The oil had a calming effect on the waves as it spread over the surface. Small quantities of oil can cover a surprisingly large area, becoming a layer just a few molecules thick. The surface tension of the oil layer has an effect similar to that of a thin skin, containing and calming the waters beneath it.

By our words and actions, we can have a similar effect on those around us, and as we do we identify ourselves as children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 5:10)

There’s a lot of persecution in the world today, but not all of it is covered by this verse. Only that which we endure in the pursuit of righteousness is mentioned. And only those who’ve truly given their hearts to the Lord will endure this kind of persecution. Those who are just going through the motions will soon fall away.

The story is often told of the little house church in the former Soviet Union where religious observance was illegal. One Sunday morning soldiers burst in and lined the small group of worshipers up against the wall. “Worshiping God is illegal,” they said, “Punishable by death. If you’ve come here by accident and didn’t intend to break the law, leave now and don’t ever come back.” About half the group quickly left. The soldiers took aim at the rest and said, “Are you willing to die for your faith? When no one moved, the soldiers put down their weapons and said, “Good. Now we know it’s safe to worship here.”

It’s an extreme example that may or may not be a true story, but you get the point. More likely you and I would just be laughed at, the brunt of some bad joke, or have our lifestyle disparaged on TV or in a movie. But some of us know people who’ve had complaints filed against them for having a manger scene on their lawn, or whose kids have been told they can’t pray on school grounds, or whose car has been vandalized because of the fish symbol on the back. And in parts of the world where it’s still illegal to be a Christian, like China and some Moslem and Hindu countries, people are dying for their faith every day. Blessed are they, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matt. 5:11-12)

Technically, verses 11 and 12 above aren’t part of the 8 beatitudes that are the inspiration for Mussolini’s octagonal chapel, but they make a good summary statement. The next time someone offends you because of your faith, just smile and say thanks. It’s guaranteed to take all the fun out of it for them and it will remind you that this has been going on since the beginning. It also helps to remember that the Lord’s keeping track of all this and has promised to take vengeance on your behalf. Selah 09-17-11

https://gracethrufaith.com/topical-studies/spiritual-life/the-beatitudes-blessed-are-we/

My personal feelings on persecution run something like this; while God never asks us to do the impossible, He often asks us to do the difficult.  In these days, and the days to come (however short or long they might be), our response to persecution should always be the same.  May Our Father give us all the strength to speak and act as children of God.

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They Will Get What They Want

 

“For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.”  Romans 11:25  NKJV

It probably comes as no surprise that the topic of  numerous conversations I have had in the past couple of weeks surrounds the level of anger being manifested by those who believe that anyone who disagrees with their personal position on any subject deserve whatever they get.  While this might come as a shock to many, as believers I would have to ask us all, myself included, should this really come as a surprise knowing where this world is going to go?  Understanding what the Word of God tells us about the end of this age, is it any wonder to observe the lines being drawn so vividly between good and evil?

Most are familiar with the story of Noah and the flood, and many understand that Jesus referred to the days we appear to be living in now as being like the days of Noah.  While the obvious correlation might be that this world is surely ripe for judgment, I can't help but think of many other ways that our times and Noah's time might share some similarities.  Right now, considering the anger we see, I can't help but wonder what level of anger might have been directed at Noah as he built the ark and witnessed to an unbelieving world?  While easy to believe Noah was subjected to laughter and scorn, I'm willing to wager he and his family were certainly the target of much anger and hateful speech from those who felt threatened by his message.

I wrote the following a couple of years ago but witnessing the events of the past few weeks I felt led to share it once again.  As we watch and read of what many are calling a very uncertain future with skyrocketing inflation, shortages leading to possible famine, predictions of another pandemic, war in the Ukraine, and a weak and ineffectual leadership running our country, I think believers could use some good news.  I truly believe God has given us that good news by virtue of His promise to remove us from this earth before His judgment takes place, by way of the rapture of the Church.

When the subject of the events which have transpired since the start of 2020 is raised, an adjective which is being used more and more lately to describe the state of our nation is the word “divisive”.  Unfortunately for us as a society, it seems to have escaped notice that one of the world’s oldest strategies for achieving victory in any conflict is “divide and conquer”.  While many might argue the point, it seems perfectly obvious to me that the author of the divisiveness running rampant in our country today is none other than Satan, and his agenda is succeeding spectacularly.

There will be those who would call this an oversimplification, but if we choose to accept that this fight is spiritual in nature it follows that there exists only two sides; believers and non-believers, us and them.  That said, how often have you heard an argument lately where someone uses the pronoun “they”?  Most often, it seems, I hear it used such as “they” want us to do this, or “they” want us to believe such and such.  Of course, let’s not forget the most common usage; “they want to control us”!  While I will leave the identification of who “they” are to you, for the purpose of this discussion we will simply consider there exist only the two sides mentioned above, and I think the Bible makes it clear that eventually, “they” get what “they” want. 

“When does that happen” you ask?  As believers, I think most would agree that it occurs after the rapture of the Church, when all true believers in Jesus Christ are instantaneously removed from this earth to meet with the Lord in the air and go to live with Him in our heavenly home for all of eternity.  As revealed by Paul in the passage above, that event occurs when the full number of believers is arrived at, and the Church in God’s eyes is complete.  At that point in time, the Church is taken, the “restrainer” or Holy Spirit is removed as well, and “they” are left behind to experience the world "they" have always wanted.

“When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.” Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.”  Revelation 6:3-4  NKJV

Utopia: an ideal place or state, or an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect.

Dystopia: a society characterized by human misery, as squalor, oppression, disease, and overcrowding.

It might sound odd, but at that instant in time, believers get what they want, and those left behind get what they want.  The problem though, is that while believers are rewarded with indescribable riches and eternal happiness with our Lord and Jesus Christ, instead of the utopia “they” expect, “they” are rewarded with a dystopian world of unimaginable sorrow.  While “they” ignore if not outright disbelieve what the Bible has to say about what happens on this earth after the rapture, the picture God paints of life when “they” get what “they” want is one which no one in their right mind would want to be a part of.

According to the passage above, the very first result of the rapture is that peace is removed and violence of almost unimaginable severity begins to occur.  Rather than rejoicing that believers have somehow disappeared, “they” begin to kill each other off.

“When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.”  Revelation 6:5-6  NKJV

Most scholars agree that what we are told in these verses is that inflation runs rampant.  The economic system we enjoy now somehow disappears and “they” will have to spend an entire day’s wages to purchase enough food for just one day.

“When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.”  Revelation 6:7-8  NKJV

Here we are told that the next result will be famine, obviously resulting in violence as people are willing to kill in order to survive, which certainly makes sense considering how expensive food will be.  Most commentaries also consider the death that follows in this passage is a result of global pestilence, which seems entirely logical taking into account what conditions are going to be like. Those same conditions, apparently, cause the beasts of the earth to turn on humans and see them as a source of food for survival. 

“And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! “For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”  Revelation 6:15-17  NKJV

Most of us are familiar with the expression “have, and have not’s”, but it would appear in this passage that rich or poor, powerful or weak, everyone is going to be affected in such a way as to try and hide as best they can in order to escape what takes place in the world at this moment in time.

“And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.”  Matthew 24:22  NKJV

Some have taken the position that Jesus is saying here that the period we know as the tribulation is shortened from the seven year length revealed to us elsewhere in the Bible.  My thought here is that, rather, because He is responding to the disciples questions concerning the end of the “age” what He is saying is that God cuts short this period of time at seven years.  I believe the reason is clear. If God did not stop the tribulation after seven years and allowed this age to proceed, eventually man would simply cease to exist as “they” would sooner or later kill themselves off.

In years past, when I have taught on the book of Revelation, a common reaction was disbelief that the world could degenerate to the point where these events could occur. Maybe in the past that position could be considered understandable, but my question to you today is have you watched the news lately?  This world is willingly being led down a path by Satan that has only one end.  Unfortunately, the sad result is that in the end, “they” get what “they” want.

Watching Satan do his evil work all around us can be upsetting and uncomfortable, yet we as believers understand that God has promised to give us the strength we need to endure until He comes. While the world yearns and hopes for a return to "normal", I would suggest that things are only going to get worse.  Paul refers to the rapture of the Church as "our blessed hope", (Titus 2:13), and as this world continues its descent into darkness we can rest in the assurance that we will be delivered. 

Of course, while the deliverance from the evil of this world is available to all, it’s guaranteed only to those who choose to accept it by believing on the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  If you are reading this today and have never made that decision, you can do it right now wherever you might be by simply praying a prayer like this; 

Jesus I know that I am a sinner, and have sinned against you.  I believe you loved me enough to send your Son Jesus to die for my sins, and that He rose from the dead so that I can live.  Forgive me of my sins and come into my life and help me to live for you.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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