Words of Encouragement

Words of encouragement

There is no doubt that 2020 has been a year like no other, it is a year that we have seen bushfires, locusts, earthquakes, volcanoes, threats of WWIII, and of course famine and plague around the world.  This year is not even half way over yet but I think it is safe to say that it has affected every single person in ways that have never been seen before.  Not surprisingly there has been an outcry of when things will return to normal.  However, as Christians we should not be clamoring for things to return to the way that it was, because we have a hope in the future and the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  With how this year has gone, I am reminded of Matthew 24:4-8. Here you see Jesus talking about a period of time that is becoming oddly similar to what we have seen in 2020. I am not saying the tribulation has started, but the warning signs are clearly present. For the believer this is the worst of times but the best of times. We see the world growing darker, but our soon exit is coming closer. Let us read Matthew and see what Jesus was talking about.

“4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. 6 You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. 8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”

If you have ever been in labor, or been around someone who was, you can understand the sentiment here.  That the “pains” become more and more noticeable until finally that moment of birth is here.  Reflecting on this verse, you can easily see how 2020 can be described as birth pangs.  It started off with fires and locust leading to natural disasters, rumors of wars, and various attacks.  For the non-Christian it would be easy to be dismayed at this world, and to be honest, this isn’t the world that I want for my child.  But here is the amazing thing about this situation, it all leads to the return of our risen Savior. While the rest of the world is going crazy and waiting for the next disaster to hit, the Christian should be looking at these events with the knowledge that it means one day our Lord will return and to which there is no greater hope for the Christian.   

I hope when you look at Matthew 24:4-8 you see that God has a plan for all of this, which is to bring all those who will accept Him into His family.  The times we are currently living in were predicted by Jesus Christ, He knew what was coming, and knew what was needed to bring that last person to lean on Him.  I am not saying  He will return tomorrow, next week, or even in this year for “36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Matthew 24:36.  All this means is that His return is coming soon! If we see the signs of the tribulation appearing, our liberation is closer.

If you are reading this and disagree that our Lord will return, I ask that you look at 2 Peter 3:3-7. “3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” 5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. 7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.” God knew there would always be scoffers, there were scoffers not long after Jesus’s resurrection. But when you look back at the last few months, you must see that things are not continuing as they once were.

For the Christian reading this who may be wondering why all of this is needed, just look to 2 Peter 8-9. “8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” The Lord delays not to cause pain and misery, but because He does not want anyone to perish.  He is waiting for that last person of this age to accept Him so that He can bring us home.  And this is a promise that we should be grateful about.  And what I mean by that is this, if He had chosen to return before January 2012, I would not have come to the realization that I needed Him, that my works would not be enough to get me into heaven.  And that holds true for you, God waited to give you time to accept Him, just like He is waiting for that last person to accept Him.  We should hold firm in the fact that God does not break His promises and there are two other promises that I am grateful for, “6 Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 and “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 In both of these verses we can see that we are asked not to fear, for God will not leave us but, for the saved, He goes with us and strengthens us.  In these days we need that sure promise to which all may have if they call upon the name of Jesus Christ and ask for His forgiveness of sins and follow Him.  Finally, I want the reader to know that we here at Mill House Ministries are praying for you, we hope that you find these posts encouraging, and hope that you will reach out to us for any prayer requests or questions.  We are here to serve you in the body of Christ.

Seek the Truth and encourage one another,

Alex