February 6, 2023: 1 Peter 1:6 - May We Not be Overcome by the Burdens of this World
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials…” - 1 Peter 1:6
“Trials” and “tribulation” - two words we don’t want to hear. We don’t want to have to go through them. After all, if we are born again by putting our trust in Jesus to save us, won’t our lives be easy after that? Sadly, that is what many people believe and expect but the truth is, we will go through many trials and tribulations in our new lives as Christians. Why? Because now we have a target on our back, with Satan and his minions firing many arrows at us. Why? Because he does not have our soul and he wants it. He won’t hunt us down if he already has it. And, he will go after us even more if we have made it our mission in this lifetime to fulfill Jesus’ command to go and make disciples, letting people know that Jesus loves them and wants them to turn to Him and be saved, to be spared from spending their eternity in hell. Satan and all who are deceived by him will relentlessly go after you if you stand up for what God calls good and stand against what God calls evil. We are in a raging war for the souls of mankind, and Satan wants to bring as many people to hell with him as possible.
As I write this today, earlier I saw clips from a video of a music industry award show from the prior evening two so-called “artists” performed a disgusting act, with a Satan-themed set and “she-devil” dancers, that was hailed with thunderous applause and adoration. I pray for all of them, for they are deceived by Satan, as are so many, as once was I. There is absolutely nothing of value in this world that is worth handing one’s soul to the devil.
Can you see how the world, especially the USA, is collapsing in every which way possible, especially spiritually and morally? Every single thing that Jesus told His disciples would happen in the days prior to His return is happening. One of those signs He said would signal the end of the age is that earthquakes would occur in various places. Just last night, Turkey had two very large earthquakes of approximately 7.8 and 6.7 magnitude, followed by a 7.5 earthquake today and many others of lesser magnitude. As of 3:00 Eastern time in the USA today, reports are that at least 2,300 people have died, with some news outlets reporting that as many as 10,000 people are feared dead. It truly is a terrible sight to see, and I can’t imagine having to go through it.
We are in the midst of birth pains upon our nation and upon the entire world. Having given birth to children myself, I know that contractions, birth pains, feel like. When they first start, they aren’t too painful and there is some time in between them, but as that baby is ready to be delivered, they are right on top of each other, so much so that when I was in labor I could hardly take a breath in between them and the pain was unbelievable. That is where we are now. All the signs that Jesus told us to look for are happening; everything is converging. While we are still reeling from one crisis, another starts, and then another.
Based on my understanding of the Bible and as led by the Holy Spirit, I believe we are on the cusp of the rapture of the church, when Jesus calls up His bride - believers in Christ, both dead and alive - to Him in the clouds (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:5-58), and the time when the antichrist will step on the scene, with the 7-year tribulation period beginning sometime thereafter. During this 7-year period, also known as the time of Jacob’s trouble, the world will go through a series of severe judgments from God before Jesus returns to earth the second time. When Jesus comes to earth the second time, it will be very different from the first time. At His second coming, He will come as the King of kings and Lord of lords and will destroy all wickedness and evil and all who reject His free gift of salvation and instead follow Satan. They didn’t want to be forgiven of all their sins by believing in the One - Jesus the Christ - sent by God. For those left on earth, this will be a horrific time on earth as was never known to mankind, nor will never be known again.
Look out in the night sky one evening and focus on one single star. Look at it with respect to all the others stars and to the entirety of the night sky. Then imagine that single star in the vast expanse of the universe. That one single star in the universe is like our time here on earth compared to our eternity. As believers in Christ, may we remember that all the trials and tribulations we go through, and perhaps are going through now, are temporary, just as our lives here on earth are temporary. Yes, I am grieved, distressed by all that is happening, but I also know that Jesus told us it would be this way in the end times, the days before He returns, and that gives me hope, for I know that I will be called up to Him soon with my brothers and sisters. He is my hope, my living hope, and in Him, I greatly rejoice. ✝️
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for our blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.” (Titus 2:11-15)