"It's the end of the world as we know it." Words made famous by an American rock song that first hit the charts in 1987. Ever since the Coronavirus pandemic first struck America with deep socio-economic impact, they are words that keep reappearing. They are everywhere, from the media, to the tabloids, to your Facebook walls and social media posts. People are in a frenzy about this being or ushering in the end of the world as we know it. Maybe it is.
I wanted to take a brief moment and focus us biblically on the end of the world. I pray that this encourages your heart as a Christian. If you are not a Christian, if you have not been saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, please contact us today to talk about salvation, because the following words will trouble you. There are two very important things we must remember about the return of the Lord and the end of time: through faith in Christ by the grace of God we are saved from the coming wrath of God (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10) and because of faith in Christ we will suffer before the end (Philippians 1:29). Let me say it again so you catch this extremely important truth: through faith in Christ we escape the wrath of God, because of faith in Christ we will suffer.
The Bible says to Christians, in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2, "Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed..."
Fellow Christians, grab on tightly to the promises of God and do not "be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed." The Bible calls us to encourage one another and comfort one another with God's Word regarding the end. For those of us who have been saved by the grace of God through faith in Christ, we are not to be quickly shaken or alarmed! When people claim "peace and safety," when you "hear of wars and rumors of wars," when there are "famines and earthquakes in various places," when they "deliver you up to death," and "many false prophets arise and lead many astray", it will be in that moment that our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord will give us the peace and assurance to say, "It's the end of the world as we now it, and I feel fine."
If you have questions about salvation or if want to talk about the end times and find comfort in God's Word regarding this topic, please contact me! Don't be quickly shaken or alarmed!
Grace & Peace,
John
(You can reach Pastor John at jwhite@thevillagemi.com)