Post by Daniel on Jul 22, 2015 8:43:05 GMT -5
Living With Disappointment, Need Hope?
By Nathan Jones
Assoc. Evangelist & Web Minister
I don't believe I've ever encountered Christians living under so much disappointment.
News outlets are full of stories of Christian persecution, from the horrific stories of Christians persecuted by the cruel hands of ISIS in the Middle East to the new legal persecutions here at home. Videos show abortionists bragging about the money they make selling aborted baby parts, and yet the world barely takes notice. Emails, tweets and posts commented on our Lamb & Lion Ministries' social media channels lament the speedy demise of our country as our nation seems hell-bent on casting out every vestige of God and morality. Society is unraveling all around us.
The dramatic strides evil has made in every quarter as of late have even caused some Christians to fall into outright depression. And who can blame them? We are truly living in dark and troubling times.
Christians feel like we've received a punch in the gut, and it just doesn't let up. There have been no victories to cheer us on. The sadness is comparative to attending a funeral, for it truly feels as if something wonderful has died.
It appears that so many Christians are losing hope.
When I feel myself slipping into a dark stupor over the horrid state that the world is in, I am always perked up by one of the most hope-filled men of God I have ever met — Pastor Vic Batista of Calvary Chapel Aventura in Miami. He always looks at the world from a biblical, prophetic perspective, and that energizes him with tremendous hope. With such hope, there's just no getting this guy down!
Vic blesses me each and every Wednesday at 11 am EST on his radio program "The Truth Will Set You Free" aired live over various radio stations and his website at TWave Radio. For over a year now on his weekly broadcast, he and I have tackled all sorts of topics related to Bible prophecy and current events. I might be there to answer questions about what the Bible has to say about our day and time, but Vic always brings us back to that blessed hope the study of Bible prophecy is meant to bring every believer in Christ.
Vic's a reminder of what the Christian should be — ever hopeful of the Lord's imminent return and always seeking through the Scriptures God's redemptive plan for humanity. He reminds us that we may live in dark and terrible times, but they are also wonderful times, for we're about to witness first-hand the culmination of prophetic events foretold thousands of years ago.
It is my hope and prayer that the following excerpt from one of our "The Truth Will Set You Free" radio recordings will help you see the world from God's perspective, and that knowledge will bring you great hope and joy. (Archives on iTunes and RSS.)
Nathan Jones: One of the best things about studying Bible prophecy, on top of getting to know God and His plan better of course, is how such study alleviates fear and grants us hope. When the believer in Christ studies Bible prophecy and so knows what's coming down the road — those wondrous events coming that God has promised — and we see them actually being fulfilled, we learn that God always keeps His promises. Knowing God keeps His promises radically helps us trust Him better, and that too gives us hope for the future.
Without hope people worry all the time. They say, "Oh, man, the future looks terrible! There is going to be so much disaster and destruction." Certainly, some of that is in play, but we can gain the big picture view when studying Bible prophecy. The big picture is that Jesus wins! Therefore, those who believe in Jesus Christ win as well.
Bible prophecy excites us over the fact that one day Christians will live in peace, righteousness and justice during Christ's Kingdom for a thousand years, and then on into the eternal state.
Bible prophecy promises that evil will be defeated and destroyed. Satan's out of here! No more evil plotting our downfall.
These amazing events are right around the corner, and that should get you excited.
Vic Batista: I just want to jump and cheer! People often wonder how I can teach Bible prophecy with a smile. They believe prophecy must be all gloom and doom. No, it is not all gloom and doom. I smile because I know what the Bible promises, and so am not fearful of the future. We can look forward to the wonderful promises that God has in store for us.
Nathan Jones: Amen, that is so true! Yes, there is an element of gloom and doom in prophetic events. Great persecution and destruction may be involved, but that is all part of the process that has to happen in order for God to defeat Satan and destroy evil.
The end result of God's plan will be a saved remnant of people gleaned from all throughout human history who have put their faith and trust in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. God wants the faithful to live forever in His home with Him — the New Jerusalem. That's the very reason why mankind was created, so that we can have fellowship with God forever.
Yes, true, we need to get through these birth pains, as Jesus called them, before we get to the actual birth. But, once the "baby" has arrived — the return of King Jesus — then there is great joy.
Vic Batista: Absolutely! People should definitely read Revelation 21-22 which describes the New Jerusalem so that they can learn about the incredible life that awaits them.
Nathan Jones: Exactly, there's a lot of hope to be gained from the study of Bible prophecy. For now, yes, there are fearful events described in the Bible about the terrible days ahead, but God has a purpose for all those trials. God has given us that information, that foreknowledge, because He wants us to know what troubles lay ahead so that we put our faith and trust in Him.
We need to accept Jesus as Savior and so know for sure that we will participate in the rapture of the Church. We will be out of here and protected by God before God releases His wrath upon the world, because our Heavenly Father always protects those He loves.
Vic Batista: People also need to understand that the judgments that are coming are against those who are against God. Judgment is meant for those who disobey God. Revelation 9:20-21 reveals just who they are: "But the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols... They did not repent of their murders and their sorceries or their sexual immorality, or their thefts."
My fellow Christians, feel relieved that God's wrath and judgment are not against those who trust in Christ. God's wrath is only meant on those who continue in rejecting God in the hope that they'll repent and turn to Him (1 Thes. 1:10; 5:9; Rom. 5:9; Eph. 5:6; Col. 3:4; Rev. 3:10).
Nathan Jones: Exactly. God's wrath is for those who are disobedient. In other words, those who continue to rebel against God. They are those who call evil "good" and good "evil." They are the ones who'll face the wrath of God. Take comfort that God's wrath is never for those who have accepted Jesus as Savior.
Believers in Christ are promised in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15 the Rapture of the Church — the taking up of the believers in Christ off this planet before God's wrath comes down upon it. That is what wrath truly is. It is what Hell is — final judgment. These judgments are for those who want God to leave them alone. Those in rebellion do not want anything to do with their Creator and want to live their life on their own to do whatever they want. God acquiesces. He steps back. But, they still live under His wrath, as John 3:36 says. God's wrath is a sentence to Hell for their rebellion. Hell is the eternal punishment for rebellion against God.
Vic Batista: Hell is only right because God is a just God, and so He will have to punish sin.
Nathan Jones: You wouldn't want the child molester, the rapist, the crook that robbed your house, to not see justice, would you? But we too are like them, for all of us have sinned. As Romans 3:23 reveals, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." We are sinners, too, but we are sinners redeemed and forgiven when we accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior.
People tend to have so much trouble dealing with the reality that we are all enemies of God. We have all sinned against Him. We all hated Him at one time. We have all rebelled against Him in heart and action. We have broken His law continually. But, God doesn't want to lose all of humanity, so He sent His own Son — His perfect Son Jesus Christ — to die in our place and take God's wrath upon Himself. When we put our faith and trust in Jesus, the wrath of God moves off of us and onto His Son as He shed His blood on the cross. Once that happens, when God looks at us now, He sees us as sinless and holy thanks to Jesus' amazing sacrifice. We are forgiven, and we don't have the punishment of Hell hanging over us anymore. We can also grab hold of that promise of the Rapture of the Church and the glorious future that awaits us.
Vic Batista: What a wonderful way of encouraging people! There is hope. God loves you. Our Heavenly Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for your sins. Whoever believes in Jesus Christ will have eternal life.
Today is the day of salvation! We never know just how much time we have left. So, therefore, this is the day that God has given us to repent and turn away from our sins and turn instead to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. That's why the Bible says in John 3:16 that "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Place your trust in Jesus Christ. He is coming very, very soon. Grab a hold of that hope. It will energize your life and make you look expectantly forward to the future.
Nathan Jones: You see in the news every day the hatred burning against God and His people. It's scary, and we can get fearful and feel hopeless. Instead, get the big picture view knowing that Bible prophecy is being fulfilled right before our eyes. That means Jesus is coming soon to fulfill His promises!
Are you ready?
Posted with permission
www.lamblion.com/enewsletter1/new_enewsletter_template_150722.html
By Nathan Jones
Assoc. Evangelist & Web Minister
I don't believe I've ever encountered Christians living under so much disappointment.
News outlets are full of stories of Christian persecution, from the horrific stories of Christians persecuted by the cruel hands of ISIS in the Middle East to the new legal persecutions here at home. Videos show abortionists bragging about the money they make selling aborted baby parts, and yet the world barely takes notice. Emails, tweets and posts commented on our Lamb & Lion Ministries' social media channels lament the speedy demise of our country as our nation seems hell-bent on casting out every vestige of God and morality. Society is unraveling all around us.
The dramatic strides evil has made in every quarter as of late have even caused some Christians to fall into outright depression. And who can blame them? We are truly living in dark and troubling times.
Christians feel like we've received a punch in the gut, and it just doesn't let up. There have been no victories to cheer us on. The sadness is comparative to attending a funeral, for it truly feels as if something wonderful has died.
It appears that so many Christians are losing hope.
When I feel myself slipping into a dark stupor over the horrid state that the world is in, I am always perked up by one of the most hope-filled men of God I have ever met — Pastor Vic Batista of Calvary Chapel Aventura in Miami. He always looks at the world from a biblical, prophetic perspective, and that energizes him with tremendous hope. With such hope, there's just no getting this guy down!
Vic blesses me each and every Wednesday at 11 am EST on his radio program "The Truth Will Set You Free" aired live over various radio stations and his website at TWave Radio. For over a year now on his weekly broadcast, he and I have tackled all sorts of topics related to Bible prophecy and current events. I might be there to answer questions about what the Bible has to say about our day and time, but Vic always brings us back to that blessed hope the study of Bible prophecy is meant to bring every believer in Christ.
Vic's a reminder of what the Christian should be — ever hopeful of the Lord's imminent return and always seeking through the Scriptures God's redemptive plan for humanity. He reminds us that we may live in dark and terrible times, but they are also wonderful times, for we're about to witness first-hand the culmination of prophetic events foretold thousands of years ago.
It is my hope and prayer that the following excerpt from one of our "The Truth Will Set You Free" radio recordings will help you see the world from God's perspective, and that knowledge will bring you great hope and joy. (Archives on iTunes and RSS.)
Nathan Jones: One of the best things about studying Bible prophecy, on top of getting to know God and His plan better of course, is how such study alleviates fear and grants us hope. When the believer in Christ studies Bible prophecy and so knows what's coming down the road — those wondrous events coming that God has promised — and we see them actually being fulfilled, we learn that God always keeps His promises. Knowing God keeps His promises radically helps us trust Him better, and that too gives us hope for the future.
Without hope people worry all the time. They say, "Oh, man, the future looks terrible! There is going to be so much disaster and destruction." Certainly, some of that is in play, but we can gain the big picture view when studying Bible prophecy. The big picture is that Jesus wins! Therefore, those who believe in Jesus Christ win as well.
Bible prophecy excites us over the fact that one day Christians will live in peace, righteousness and justice during Christ's Kingdom for a thousand years, and then on into the eternal state.
Bible prophecy promises that evil will be defeated and destroyed. Satan's out of here! No more evil plotting our downfall.
These amazing events are right around the corner, and that should get you excited.
Vic Batista: I just want to jump and cheer! People often wonder how I can teach Bible prophecy with a smile. They believe prophecy must be all gloom and doom. No, it is not all gloom and doom. I smile because I know what the Bible promises, and so am not fearful of the future. We can look forward to the wonderful promises that God has in store for us.
Nathan Jones: Amen, that is so true! Yes, there is an element of gloom and doom in prophetic events. Great persecution and destruction may be involved, but that is all part of the process that has to happen in order for God to defeat Satan and destroy evil.
The end result of God's plan will be a saved remnant of people gleaned from all throughout human history who have put their faith and trust in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. God wants the faithful to live forever in His home with Him — the New Jerusalem. That's the very reason why mankind was created, so that we can have fellowship with God forever.
Yes, true, we need to get through these birth pains, as Jesus called them, before we get to the actual birth. But, once the "baby" has arrived — the return of King Jesus — then there is great joy.
Vic Batista: Absolutely! People should definitely read Revelation 21-22 which describes the New Jerusalem so that they can learn about the incredible life that awaits them.
Nathan Jones: Exactly, there's a lot of hope to be gained from the study of Bible prophecy. For now, yes, there are fearful events described in the Bible about the terrible days ahead, but God has a purpose for all those trials. God has given us that information, that foreknowledge, because He wants us to know what troubles lay ahead so that we put our faith and trust in Him.
We need to accept Jesus as Savior and so know for sure that we will participate in the rapture of the Church. We will be out of here and protected by God before God releases His wrath upon the world, because our Heavenly Father always protects those He loves.
Vic Batista: People also need to understand that the judgments that are coming are against those who are against God. Judgment is meant for those who disobey God. Revelation 9:20-21 reveals just who they are: "But the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols... They did not repent of their murders and their sorceries or their sexual immorality, or their thefts."
My fellow Christians, feel relieved that God's wrath and judgment are not against those who trust in Christ. God's wrath is only meant on those who continue in rejecting God in the hope that they'll repent and turn to Him (1 Thes. 1:10; 5:9; Rom. 5:9; Eph. 5:6; Col. 3:4; Rev. 3:10).
Nathan Jones: Exactly. God's wrath is for those who are disobedient. In other words, those who continue to rebel against God. They are those who call evil "good" and good "evil." They are the ones who'll face the wrath of God. Take comfort that God's wrath is never for those who have accepted Jesus as Savior.
Believers in Christ are promised in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15 the Rapture of the Church — the taking up of the believers in Christ off this planet before God's wrath comes down upon it. That is what wrath truly is. It is what Hell is — final judgment. These judgments are for those who want God to leave them alone. Those in rebellion do not want anything to do with their Creator and want to live their life on their own to do whatever they want. God acquiesces. He steps back. But, they still live under His wrath, as John 3:36 says. God's wrath is a sentence to Hell for their rebellion. Hell is the eternal punishment for rebellion against God.
Vic Batista: Hell is only right because God is a just God, and so He will have to punish sin.
Nathan Jones: You wouldn't want the child molester, the rapist, the crook that robbed your house, to not see justice, would you? But we too are like them, for all of us have sinned. As Romans 3:23 reveals, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." We are sinners, too, but we are sinners redeemed and forgiven when we accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior.
People tend to have so much trouble dealing with the reality that we are all enemies of God. We have all sinned against Him. We all hated Him at one time. We have all rebelled against Him in heart and action. We have broken His law continually. But, God doesn't want to lose all of humanity, so He sent His own Son — His perfect Son Jesus Christ — to die in our place and take God's wrath upon Himself. When we put our faith and trust in Jesus, the wrath of God moves off of us and onto His Son as He shed His blood on the cross. Once that happens, when God looks at us now, He sees us as sinless and holy thanks to Jesus' amazing sacrifice. We are forgiven, and we don't have the punishment of Hell hanging over us anymore. We can also grab hold of that promise of the Rapture of the Church and the glorious future that awaits us.
Vic Batista: What a wonderful way of encouraging people! There is hope. God loves you. Our Heavenly Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for your sins. Whoever believes in Jesus Christ will have eternal life.
Today is the day of salvation! We never know just how much time we have left. So, therefore, this is the day that God has given us to repent and turn away from our sins and turn instead to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. That's why the Bible says in John 3:16 that "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Place your trust in Jesus Christ. He is coming very, very soon. Grab a hold of that hope. It will energize your life and make you look expectantly forward to the future.
Nathan Jones: You see in the news every day the hatred burning against God and His people. It's scary, and we can get fearful and feel hopeless. Instead, get the big picture view knowing that Bible prophecy is being fulfilled right before our eyes. That means Jesus is coming soon to fulfill His promises!
Are you ready?
Posted with permission
www.lamblion.com/enewsletter1/new_enewsletter_template_150722.html