Author: petebeck3

Pete Beck III ministered as a pastor and Bible teacher in Burlington for over 35 years. He is married to Martha, with whom he has four children, ten beautiful grandchildren, and five amazing great grandchildren. He ministers in his local church as a Bible teacher and counselor. He has written several books, including two that are available on Amazon - Seeing God's Smile and Promise of the Father - as well as a wide variety of Bible-related articles.

Artificial Intelligence – A New False God?

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Artificial intelligence is both feared and praised, but could it be a new false god? People are inherently religious, despite the protests of atheists.

We were created to worship and serve God. If we reject him, we will find something else in which to put our trust.

Some people worship themselves and the powers of their own intellect. This is called humanism, but it is really self-worship. All who believe that complex humans and the rest of creation developed by some random evolutionary processes fall into this category. We may think we are God, but we are not.

Over the centuries people have manufactured idols to represent gods of their own fancy who allow them to do whatever they want. An example of this is when the Israelites became frustrated with Moses’ long absence and demanded that Aaron fashion and idol for them.

Then all the people tore off the gold rings which were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4 He took this from their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool and made it into a molten calf; and they said, “This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.” Exodus 32:3–4 (NASB95)

No doubt they were scared and confused and felt a bit lost after leaving Egypt, their home for over 400 years. They did not trust in the true God; so, in their desperation they created another god to lead them. Falling down before such an idol may seem extraordinarily stupid to us today, but don’t be deceived. We do much the same thing.

Everyone is looking for something or someone to save us. We inherently understand that we are lost and floundering. If we cannot find a savior, we have to create our own version of god. 

I am wondering if humanity is now beginning to look to Artificial Intelligence as a savior with godlike intelligence.

The world elites think that man should bow down to AI and serve what we created with our own minds. AI can only do what we program into it. Even though it can process ‘thoughts” much faster than humans, it can only “think” within the parameters we give it. However, our elites think that our future is to be run by this new “god.”

Klaus Schwab recently said that he had a “conversation” with ChapGPT about the future.

“I had about 20 pages of text, and I asked ChatGPT, ‘Summarize the text, and tell me now, based on our discussion, how will the new era — the intelligent era — will look like,” he said.“Envisioning a future propelled by the technologies of the fourth industrial revolution we see a NEW DAWN of human civilization”  (Klaus Schwab, World Governments Summit, 2024)

Consider the unmitigated foolishness of consulting a computer instead of the Creator! But that is exactly where we are when we forsake our Maker.

Yuval Harari, another elite spokesperson, believes that we are on the brink of humans being “hacked” (i.e. “controlled”) by artificial intelligence. He clearly believes that we should allow this something we created to run our lives. Is this not idolatry of the worst kind, being led by AI instead of the Spirit of God?

God alone is capable and worthy to give us direction. The Bible makes it clear that we are to put our trust in him alone, not in some idol of our own making. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

When billions of people decided to allow the government and “Big Medicine” and “Big Pharma” to “hack” their immune system via mRNA injections, they, perhaps unwittingly, bowed down to a man-made technology that is supposed to “improve” our God-given immune system. This was another form of idolatry in which we put our trust and allegiance in man instead of the Creator, who gave us an immune system that he perfectly designed. But if we don’t believe in God, why not? Any believer who did this and realizes now that it was an error should ask for forgiveness and healing from any bad effects. God is merciful and the Healer. We all make mistakes because we are human and easily fooled at times, but, if we repent, God will mercifully restore what the enemy tried to steal and destroy.

Increasingly, those who trust in our Lord Jesus will be forced to choose between giving allegiance to man-made idols or remaining true to God.

I fear that many will succumb to the siren song of AI and put their trust in its ability to arbitrate truth and run our lives. But AI has no spirit, except whatever evil spirit is behind it and its creators.

We are spirit beings who live in a body and have a soul, who are designed to be sustained and led by God alone.

AI may be used in an attempt to strip away the soul of humanity, our interface between spirit and body in which resides our mind, will, and emotions, what we call our personality. AI can create paintings better than I can paint, write incredible music, compose sermons, and write grammatically correct articles. But where will be the artistic and spiritual expression of mankind? Where will the Spirit of God be manifested in our creativity?

If AI is used to teach our kids, it will only spit out what has been programmed into it. If godless ideas are programmed into it, that will be what it will declare to be the truth, and gullible people will be deceived by it. After all, AI is smarter than we are, right?

Wisdom comes from God. It cannot be programmed into a computer.

One of wisdom’s dimensions is discernment, the ability to distinguish between good and evil, good sense and folly, truth and lies, and God and the devil. Good discernment comes through exercising our God-given wisdom coupled with a knowledge of God, his ways, and his promises that can only come through the Bible via the Holy Spirit giving us understanding.

Satan is after the heart and soul of the younger generation, and AI will be used to propagate his lies. The ultimate goal is the destruction of a generation and the enslavement of humanity.

The Bible shows us that God loves people and gave them authority to rule over his creation.

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:27–28 (NASB95)

Sin stripped us of our relationship with God and put us under Satan’s thumb. Jesus told us that Satan only desires to kill, steal, and destroy humankind. He does this through incessant lying and fear mongering. It’s his way. As Jesus said, “There is no truth in him.” (John 8:44) We can see that our government and media not so subtly serve as Satan’s ambassadors, propagating lies and fear at every turn.

Yuval Harari, a global elite spokesperson, stated the following.

“I strongly believe that given the technologies we are now developing, within a century or two at most, our species will disappear. I don’t think that in the end of the 22nd century, the Earth will still be dominated by Homo sapiens.”

The devil is completely committed to contradicting God’s purpose and destroying us in order to hurt God somehow. He knows that he cannot directly harm the Creator of the universe; so, he is going after his beloved – us. As his children, we cannot afford to believe the lies of Satan. We should not give our allegiance to those who represent him. We must not bow down to the false god called AI or any other substitute our Creator-Sustainer-Redeemer. The only person who deserves our complete trust and allegiance is our Lord Jesus Christ.

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21st Century Idolatry

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Do people living in the West embrace idolatry in the 21st Century? Modern man prides himself in having progressed beyond the superstitions and ignorance of our forebears. Yuval Noah Harari is an influential thinker among some world leaders. President Obama recommended his books. He has been a counselor to Klaus Schwab and a spokesperson at World Economic Forum events. Recently he gained some notoriety among conservative and Christian circles due to some quotes he made regarding the use of under the skin surveillance which may be linked to the mRNA injections. Mr. Harari provides us with a very good example of modern idolatry, which I define, in this case, as the replacement of God with humanism.

Humanism, the belief that man is the measure of all things, began in the garden of Eden when Adam and Eve decided that they wanted to be like God and decide for themselves what is good and evil. (Genesis 3:5)

The desire to remove God from the equation of life has plagued us ever since.

Humanism always devolves into satanism because that evil monster is behind it.

The tower of Babel was the next clear cut example of human beings attempting to be their own god. Before the Lord stopped that venture, he said that unless he intervened nothing would be impossible for humans. (Genesis 11:6) The confusion of languages that God imposed stopped our progress toward self-glorification for some time. Now that we have developed computers and gene-editing capabilities, those who are considered to be world “elites” have once again begun to build their version of the tower of Babel.

Here is a relevant quote from Mr. Harari.

“There are no gods in the universe, no nations, no money, no human rights, no laws, and no justice outside the common imagination of human beings.”
― Yuval Noah Harari, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

The further we drift from a belief in God, the more easily people accept the notion that there is no Creator, no being to whom we owe our continued existence, allegiance, and worship. Once we adopt such a stance, the next step is for us to take things into our own hands as much as possible.

Harari declares that there is no such thing as God, heaven or hell, or choice. According to him our actions, feelings, etc. have nothing to do with the human soul or our being made in the image of God. We are simply products of mechanistic evolutionary processes and random chance. He claims that eventually authority will be transferred to artificial intelligence by way of algorithms that will understand us better than we do. In this brave new world, societal elites enabled by amoral scientists will rewrite our genetic code and attempt to create an injectable brain-computer interface that will combine biology with human engineering. Harari states that we may be the last homo sapiens because our genetic code is being rewritten. This appears to be taking place with the mRNA injections, at least to some extent, already. This new world will include injectable digital monitoring systems that will surveil us at all times. What could possibly go wrong in this scenario? This new world order seeks to abolish all accountability to God.

This brazen attempt to tamper with God’s creation to produce a hybrid cyborg version of humanity is a clear example of 21st Century idolatry and rebellion against our Creator.

Humanity has been Satan’s dupe for far too long; yet, we never seem to learn. That evil being never has our best interests in mind, yet we stupidly follow his lead. This is not to mention that he is on the losing team. Those who follow him eventually adopt his hatred for God and are attempt to finally rid themselves of any and all accountability to the Creator. But God will have none of it. Here is what King David wrote well over 2500 years ago.

Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? 2  The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the LORD and against his anointed one. 3  “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.” 4  But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them. 5  Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury. 6  For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.” Psalm 2:1-6 (NLT)

Nothing Satan and his followers plan ever turns out well for them. Eventually their futile efforts will come  crashing to the ground. The Lord will return in glory to judge the living and the dead. We look forward to the day when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. Until then, let us boldly keep the faith and declare our allegiance to the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

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The Measure of a Man: The Legacy of My Father

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Papa PeteMy father, affectionately called Papa Pete, died at the age of 93, leaving behind a rich legacy. He experienced a rich and full life, serving God for 51 of those years as a disciple and church leader. He left behind the love of his life and wife for 71 of those years, four sons, fourteen grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren, and two great-great grandsons, along with countless friends and partners in the ministry. Many regard him as a kind of legend. For us in the family he was Dad, granddad, or something familiar. It is pretty difficult to be a legend among those who see you often and know you well, but he was highly respected and well-loved by his family.

Is it possible to take the measure of a man? Can we ascertain his legacy? Only God can do that properly, but we can take a stab at it.

One way to think about someone’s legacy is to look at what his children and disciples were and are able to accomplish while he was still alive and after he is gone.

Moses did a lot in the forty years after he turned eighty. He confronted the most powerful ruler in the world and witnessed God’s power humble and eventually destroy that man in order to liberate God’s chosen people. He led Israel through the wilderness for forty long years and brought them to the brink of the Promised Land. As great as all that was, the one he appointed to assume command after him accomplished perhaps even more. Joshua led God’s people to victory over the inhabitants of Canaan and oversaw the distribution of the land to the twelve tribes. Moses’ legacy has to be measured in terms of his own victories and those of his protege. If all Moses had done was bring them to the brink of receiving the promise, he would have been somewhat of a failure.

What we accomplish through our heirs or disciples is just as meaningful, or perhaps even more so, than what we personally achieve.

Another fine example of a disciple carrying on the legacy of his father in the faith is the Elijah – Elisha relationship. Elijah accomplished some amazing things during his stint as the major prophet in Israel, but he eventually came to a point when it was time to pass the baton to a successor named Elisha. In addition, he was to anoint or appoint new kings over Syria and Israel.

Interestingly, his first step of obedience was to call Elisha to be his disciple. Elisha dropped everything to follow him and remained faithful to the very end of Elijah’s life, at which point he was granted his request to be given a “double portion” of Elijah’s anointing. Elisha was the one who anointed the two kings in Elijah’s stead. In addition, over his lifetime and in one case after his death, Elisha performed exactly twice as many miracles or signs than his mentor. Elijah accomplished more through his successor than he did through his own ministry. Elisha became an important part of the measure of Elijah’s life.

Jesus also accomplished and is accomplishing amazing things through his disciples. Jesus only spent three years in active ministry here on the earth. He had no biological children who can be thought of as a legacy. Our Lord’s ministry is measured by what he accomplished through his death, resurrection, ascension in the heaven, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and his coming return as the glorious Son of Man to judge the living and the dead and subsequently rule over all creation. That might be enough, but our Lord’s purpose was always to include us. He has given life to multitudes of disciples through the gospel and the new birth, making all of them part of the family of God. Therefore, part of Jesus’ legacy is his heavenly family, which keeps growing. A third part of his legacy, which is also still going forward, is the ongoing ministry of the church, his disciples, whom he said would do even greater works than he was able to do in his lifetime. (John 14:12)

My father’s legacy is being proved and expanded through the ministry of those he left behind.

Now that he is gone, it is time for us who remain to pick up the baton and run with passion and endurance our leg of the race, realizing that we too will eventually to pass that baton to the next generation.

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The Last Three Things My Father Taught Me

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My father, Pete Beck, Jr., taught me a lot over the 69 years of my life he was with us through teaching, correction, and example. The last three things he taught me came by example. I hope I will be able to follow in his footsteps in each of these three areas.

Live Fearlessly

Dad had weak lungs. Over his lifetime, I believe he had pneumonia three or four times. It seemed that Papa Petewhenever he caught a cold, it would end up in bronchitis. Many thought he would die at a much younger age, but he proved them wrong.

Near the end of his life, he was diagnosed with mild COPD. In addition, for the last year or so, he suffered from a bone marrow condition that lowered his hemoglobin levels. It was simply a by-product of being 93. He had just suffered a mild stroke and survived carotid artery surgery. He was still on a mild form of an anti-cancer drug, which lowered his immunity still more.

This combination of co-morbidities might incline some to “hole up” for the duration of Covid, but he and my Mom refused to live in fear. They did not foolishly expose themselves, but they continued to attend our small group meetings and other gatherings for his last two years and even hosted events in their home occasionally. God kept them from that virus until it finally came knocking. Even near the end, he exhibited no fear. He kept his sense of humor and faith in God.

He lived as he died – fearlessly by faith.

Have the Courage of Your Convictions

Over the last two years, Dad and Mom thoroughly researched Covid and possible treatments. They decided in advance how they wanted to be treated, which went against the prevailing medical opinion. When Dad contracted the virus, he stuck to his convictions, even when his condition deteriorated. I do not believe he ever wavered.

This was impressive to me and taught me another great lesson – live out your convictions without wavering.

King David wrote in the Psalms:

I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. 3  Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! Psalm 63:2-3 (NLT)

There are some things better than life, one of which is to live by courageous faith.

Is there any other kind?

The Bible says that some overcome sickness and death by faith, while others die in faith, never receiving in this life that for which they believed. (Hebrews 11:13-16)

Faith brings glory to God, whether we receive in this life that for which we believe. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Dad died in faith. I heard him testify that he was still trusting in God to heal him even when he was so weak he could hardly lift his head or turn himself in bed. I think that brought glory to God. When we continue to trust in the goodness of God despite everything going against us, it is a wonderful thing.

Die Well

Dad endured his sickness with grace, dignity, and without complaint. At the end he exhibited the same peace and faith he showed in life.

He was a good example of how to die well.

The Bible says that Jesus endured death to set all of us free from the fear of it.

Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. 15  Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. Hebrews 2:14-15 (NLT)

All of us will die one day, unless Jesus returns first. God wants us to die in a way that brings glory to him and courage to others. Our actions speak louder than words. May God give us all grace to die well.

While he lived, Dad taught us to live fearlessly and courageously by faith, and he also showed us how to die. These are some of the greatest things he ever taught me.

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Prayer when Facing Death

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Here is a prayer we may wish to use some day when facing death. Perhaps we know someone right now who could use some encouragement and strength as he or she faces the cessation of physical life. Please take these words to heart. This prayer may be a lifeline extending to heaven one day.

Death is the final enemy and the last struggle, but it is also a threshold into eternity. Every one of us will live on after the death of the body. The question is where will we be? What will this eternal reality be like?

Jesus promised that, if we believe in him, we will never truly die! Physical death of the body is not permanent and not the ultimate form of death.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26  and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 (ESV)

Martha, Lazarus’ sister, responded to Jesus that she believed, but she was only thinking of the distant future, which is what most of us do. We postpone the inevitable as long as we can, missing out on the glorious reality that Jesus is the Resurrection right now!

Eternal life begins the moment we acknowledge that Jesus is Lord and will never end!

Physical death terminates the life of body, but our spirits will seamlessly transition immediately into God’s presence, and one day our bodies will also be resurrected!

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2  In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4  And you know the way to where I am going.” 5  Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:1-6 (ESV)

Physical death will bring us to the point of our greatest weakness when we will have to rely 100% on our Savior and his promises.

The Bible clearly teaches us that God is sovereign. He ordains how long we live and sustains us every moment we breathe. He will carefully watch over our physical deaths, when we who are born-again will transition into his manifest presence. The problem is that we, in a similar way as Martha above, have doubts lurking in our hearts. We believe, but not as surely and strongly as we should.

Jesus said that the Spirit lives inside and through us and will never, ever leave or forsake us. Most assuredly he will not abandon us when we face physical death.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17  even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. 18  “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:16-18 (ESV)

Many people fear being abandoned at death.

The popular concept of ghosts is that they are disembodied spirits wandering hopelessly in a kind of tormented limbo-like existence. Jesus made it clear that no such thing will ever happen to us. One can only imagine what “ghosts” really are, but most likely they are demonic spirits posing as disembodied humans to deceive and enslave the gullible.

The sentence is one of the most important truths of the New Covenant. Please consider its implications.

When we are born again, we are joined to the Spirit of God by an indissoluble fusion – spirit to spirit.

But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. 1 Corinthians 6:17 (ESV)

This amazing union with God through the Spirit is a most precious secret of the New Covenant. It is what makes us children of God. It is why we have eternal life. It is the reason we are able to enjoy God’s presence and communicate with him. In fact, the Bible tells us that even while we are still living in these physical bodies, we are actually seated right now in the heavens in the spirit with Christ.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3  For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4  When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV)

When our bodies die, our spirits will instantly be with God, which is where we are right now in the spirit as a result of our being joined to Christ.

Don’t try to figure this out logically. Simply believe. If we are believers, we are right now in heaven with Christ. His Spirit is joined to our spirits. You and I are one with our God. He lives in us and through us, and we in him. This will never change. It is true whether our physical bodies are alive or if they temporarily die. (Don’t forget we will be resurrected!)

Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20  In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. John 14:19-20 (ESV)

The question is, do we really believe this? Is it settled in our hearts?

Death is not part of God’s original design and is an enemy that sin brought into our existence. However, it is a conquered enemy that has lost its sting because our Lord Jesus rose from the dead and is the Resurrection living inside of us.

We all have the promise that Jesus will personally raise us from the dead.

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40  For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:39-40 (ESV)

Paul was granted the amazing experience of going to heaven while he was still living in his physical body. (2 Corinthians 12:2-4) What he saw there convinced him that death is not to be feared. He wrote that death is actually gain.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22  If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23  I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. Philippians 1:21-23 (ESV)

Paul experienced no ambivalence regarding death. He was eager to pass through the portal of physical death into God’s glorious presence.

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7  for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8  Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (ESV)

God wants to work in us a similar desire to pass into the heavenly realm. No, we are not in hurry to leave behind our loved ones and what we know, but we can have a genuine joyful expectation of what lies ahead on the other side of physical death.

Jesus expressed such an expectation.

You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. John 14:28 (ESV)

Perhaps our greatest challenge is that we haven’t yet glimpsed what is on the other side. This is where we need help from the Holy Spirit, who is able to give us revelation about the hidden things of God.

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— 10  these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (ESV)

The prayer that follows asks the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the glorious realities of eternal life in God’s presence.

Physical death is merely a “bump in the road,” a gateway into glory, and the door into an eternity spent with God!

Prayer

Lord, I am facing death and need your help. Thank you for being patient with me. You know my struggles to truly believe. Holy Spirit, you are the one called alongside to help me. Thank you that you will never abandon me. I ask you now to strengthen me in my spirit. (Ephesians 3:14-19) I ask you to reveal to me from the Bible whatever will help me to gloriously, peacefully, joyfully, and lovingly pass through death into your manifest presence. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. You gave me life, have sustained me all my days on earth, and will continue to be my Life and Source for eternity. Jesus, I believe you will be there for me when I take my last breath. You will welcome me into my new heavenly home and reveal to me your fabulous glory! Help me to look forward to this as I should. I want my death to bring glory to your name. I want to show others how to trust you in death; so that, when their time comes, they will be helped by remembering how you helped me. Glorify yourself through my life and through my death. I surrender to your will and care. In life and death I am more than a conqueror through you! Amen.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 (ESV)
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Finishing Well Is a Reason to Celebrate

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The death of someone who demonstrated faith and love in his or her life, especially if they finished well, is a reason to celebrate. Births and marriages are times of celebration, because the mark a new beginning that is full of hope. Wise Solomon wrote that the day of death is better than the day of birth (Ecclesiastes 7:1) because it is better to finish something than to start it. (Ecclesiastes 7:8)

Plenty of people start the Christian life with a flourish, but eventually their zeal wanes. The Bible calls this losing our first love for the Lord, which is a serious matter in the Lord’s eyes. (Revelation 2:4)Some even shipwreck their faith journey. (1 Timothy 1:19) I have witnessed this many times in my years of following Christ. Jesus warned that this would happen in his parable of the sower. (Luke 8:5-15)

Finishing well is a mark of a faithful God’s ability to preserve us to the end. It is a reason to celebrate.

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (NASB95)

He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 9 God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:8–9 (NLT)

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 (NASB95)

Papa PeteMy father, Pete Beck, Jr., finished his race well, actively serving the Lord he loved and holding to the word of his grace until the very last breath.  He remained faithful to the Lord, his wife of 71 years, his family, and the church, all by the grace of God. He had a love affair with God’s Word all his years as a disciple, which grew even stronger toward the end when he knew he would soon see his Lord face-to-face.

Soldiers who have served in combat say that one cannot  know how he or she will do under the strain of battle until thrust into it. That is when we find out what we are made of. Some fold under the pressure, while others rise to the occasion. Likewise one must go through what life throws at us in order to know how God’s grace will enable us to handle it. Someone once said that worry is imagining a future without God. That is a terrible waste of the imagination. God’s presence is always enough.

With the Lord as our ever-present Keeper, we can survive and even thrive through anything this life throws at us.

Call me crazy or unfeeling, if you like, but I felt a sense of joy at Dad’s passing. He is with Jesus now. He did not have to suffer for any extended period of time. He did not go through a time of debilitation. He remained active until the end. He did not become a “burden” on my Mom. He died with grace and peace. He finished well and crossed over into eternity. He made it!

Paul wrote:

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8  And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NLT)

When Paul’s demise was fast approaching, he met with some disciples who were already mourning his soon expected departure. Paul mildly rebuked them, saying he was more than ready to give up this life as an act of allegiance to his Lord. (Acts 21:13) In another passage, he remarked that he would rather die and be with Jesus than continue living; but he was willing to remain and serve others. (Philippians 1:21-26)

God gave my father many more years than he ever expected, but eventually his time to depart from this earth arrived. In God’s eyes, it was finally more profitable for the kingdom of God for him to depart this earth and begin to enjoy “face time” with his Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Lord. That time is coming for all of us.

Even though death itself is not pretty or desirable, God carefully watches over us as we go through it.

Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His godly ones. Psalm 116:15 (NASB)

For us and those we love, it is a sorrowful time of leaving what is familiar and beloved. For God it is a “precious” thing, a long awaited moment of our experiencing more fully the joys and realities of God and eternity.

Jesus longed to return to his Father. (John 14:28) He told his disciples that they should be glad for him, but they, like us, saw things from their own perspective rather than God’s. We feel loss and sorrow, but God also wants us to see his side of things.

For God and us who believe, death is a homecoming, a commencement, and a triumph because of the promise of the resurrection.

“O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:55–57 (NASB95)

Jesus said that his followers actually never would die.

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26  Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” John 11:25-26 (NLT)

We should fill in our own names in place of “Martha” in the last verse. Do we really believe?

The body expires, but our spirits seamlessly transition into God’s manifest presence. Can you imagine the unimpeded joy my father felt as his last breath was exhaled and his strong heart finally stopped beating? Joy inexpressible and full of glory!

Yes, I feel our family’s loss and will greatly miss our Dad, but I cannot mourn for him. He is finally home! One day I expect him to be part of the throng who welcomes me.

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (ESV)
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Keep in Mind the Brevity of Life

first day in heaven

It is important for us to keep in mind the brevity of this physical life. Solomon wrote that the day of one’s death is better than his birth (Ecclesiastes 7:1) because the end of a matter is better than its beginning (Ecclesiastes 7:8) Most of us tend to live as if we will never die, at least until we attain old age, if we are so blessed. But God tells us that the wise in heart will live in consideration of our certain demise.

Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (NLT)

The other day I was thinking about someone I have tried to help over the years. I gave this person things of value that I never saw him use. I suppose he sold or gave them away. I decided not to give him anything else because he did not appreciate my previous gifts. In my thinking, he squandered something valuable to me that I shared with him. Immediately a thought entered my mind, probably from the Holy Spirit.

God gives all people a most precious thing – life, and most of us squander it to a great extent because we don’t fully appreciate it. 

We imagine our lives will never end and that we are accountable to no one for how we use this time on earth.

The Bible says that Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the first and last, the beginning and the end. (Revelation 22:13) This means that God gave us life (created us), sustains our lives each moment, and one day will call us to return our lives back to him. Ultimately, we will stand before him in judgment, and receive from him our final reward.

Solomon wisely advised us.

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; 2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain, 3 in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look through the windows are dimmed, 4 and the doors on the street are shut—when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low— 5 they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets— 6 before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, 7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. 8 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity. Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 (ESV)

Because of sin, death entered God’s perfect creation. It disconnected us from life’s Source, our Creator – Sustainer – Redeemer.

The aging and dying process gently weans us away from the pull of this world. The things that formerly brought joy and meaning to our existence tend to fade. God wants us to become more and more focused on eternal things.

The approach of death, if it leads us to Christ, is a blessing from an eternal perspective.

For the believer in Christ, death is a gateway into eternity and manifest presence of God. It is the goal of life to stand before God and enjoy his love and being forevermore!

Solomon said that it is better to consider death than go to a party!

A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth. 2  It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. 3  Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. 4  The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. Ecclesiastes 7:1-4 (ESV)

Most people put off thinking about death and the hereafter as long as possible, but this is actually quite foolish. Eternity may get here sooner than we think, and it lasts a long, long forever. When God calls us home, there will be no more second chances, no more life to squander. We will face the one who gave us life and will hold us accountable for how we used this wonderful opportunity.

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV)

God wants us to consider and be thankful for the gift of life. He wants us to be grateful and appreciate his continual sustaining of our lives each day. With each breath we take, we are experiencing God’s grace. And when it is time to return these lives back to God, he wants us to do so freely and eagerly, knowing that what lies ahead far surpasses anything we have yet experienced. This will only be true for those who recognize Jesus as the Savior and Lord.

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV)

God wants us to hold onto physical life with an open hand, not a clenched fist.

It does not really belong to us, does it? For us to do this, we must be like Jesus, who at the point of death said: “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46) As a little child, he wants us to entrust our lives and death to him – our Creator, Keeper, Shepherd, and Final Destination.

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The Mystery of Lawlessness

deception

The apostle Paul wrote about what he called the “mystery of lawlessness” in his second letter to the church in Thessaloniki, Greece.

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 (NASB95)

There are various theories concerning the identity of “he who now restrains,” the most plausible, in my opinion, being the archangel Michael. The prophet Daniel wrote:

Then this one with human appearance touched me again and strengthened me. 19 He said, “O man of high esteem, do not be afraid. Peace be with you; take courage and be courageous!” Now as soon as he spoke to me, I received strength and said, “May my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” 20 Then he said, “Do you understand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia; so I am going forth, and behold, the prince of Greece is about to come. 21 “However, I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth. Yet there is no one who stands firmly with me against these forces except Michael your prince. Daniel 10:18–21 (NASB95)

And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, 8 and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Revelation 12:7–9 (NASB95)

A mystery (Greek: apocalupsis), biblically speaking, is something that is hidden unless uncovered by divine revelation. Paul taught that there is a godly mystery connected to the gospel, which is the inclusion of the Gentiles in the one new man, which is the church or body of Christ.

By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, Ephesians 3:4–6 (NASB95)

God has so orchestrated things so that we cannot see, understand, or believe his truth unless the Holy Spirit opens our sin-blinded spiritual eyes, ears, and heart.

Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT)

At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. 26 “Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. Matthew 11:25–26 (NASB95)

Just as we cannot see or comprehend the mystery of godliness in Christ without divine help, the mystery of lawlessness and evil is hidden from our eyes as well. Satan and sin have blinded our eyes, deafened our ears, and hardened our hearts.

Most people vastly underestimate the depths and scope of evil in the world. Jesus told us some very important things about the mystery of evil. He taught that Satan is a deceiver, the father of lies, in whom is no truth whatsoever. (John 8:44) He has managed to deceive the entire world (Revelation 12:9), which lies in his power. (1 John 5:19) 

Satan is even able to pose as an angel of light. (2 Corinthian 11:14) His demons often pose as friends, offering comfort, security, or protection to unwitting individuals who end up being oppressed at their hands. Satan’s lies are most alluring and bewitching, as evidenced by how easily Adam and Eve were seduced. Even today born-again Christians must beware of being pulled off track by deception. Paul warned the Corinthian church of this danger.

For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. 3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:2–3 (NASB95)

The bewitching power of legalism in the form of returning to Jewish practices was at work in that church, just as in Galatia. (Galatians 3:1)

A big part of the the mystery of lawlessness is its deceptive allure and how easily we are fooled. Another part of the mystery is the absolute depths of depravity that followers of Satan are willing to plumb.

Satan worshipers trade their souls for money, pleasure, and power. Most Christians are oblivious to the machinations of evil taking place beneath the surface. Jesus knew full well what he was getting into when he came to the earth to testify to the truth. (John 18:37) He fearlessly took on Judaism which had become satanic in nature by that time. He had no illusions regarding the depth of depravity that had wrapped itself around humanity. (John 2:25)

The evil plans hatched decades or even centuries ago, shall we say millennia ago, are playing out today. We are very likely close to the end. We see close up now more of what evil looks like. This is a good thing as long as we keep our eyes on the Lord. He laughs at the plans of the enemy, and so should we. However we have a responsibility, too.

If we do not make a strong decision to stand for truth, we may find ourselves running headlong off a cliff with all the other lemmings.

Truth is bound up in a Person named Jesus (John 14:6). Allegiance to him and the truth of God’s Word is our only defense. We cannot be neutral or passive. We must take a stand. Now is the time to publicly declare that Jesus is Lord and unashamedly stand for truth.

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Signs of the Last Days: Arrogance

lord

The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write down some of the signs of what people we be like in the last days before Christ’s return to earth.

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. 2 Timothy 3:1–5 (NASB95)

What made Hitler and Napoleon attack Russia despite all sound wisdom and advice to the contrary? What is behind Satan’s thinking that he can defeat God? What motivates atheists to deny God’s existence, in spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary? One word – arrogance.

"The arrogance of your heart has deceived you... Obadiah 1:3 (NASB)

When we choose to spurn God and his wisdom and try to navigate life independently, God gives us over to darkness and deception, making us incapable of good judgment.

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Romans 1:21 (NLT)

Those who reject God, arrogantly assume that they have the intelligence and ability to guide their own destinies, forgetting that they would not exist without the continued sustaining influence of the Creator.

He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Colossians 1:17 (NLT)

They try to control their environment, including other people. This is what is behind what some call the Babel principle of ever increasing government control.

Never for a moment do ungodly people suspect that they are actually being led into a deadly trap by someone who is incredibly clever, but insane – Satan.

Satan lacks any trace of wisdom or good judgment. This will lead to his ultimate defeat, just as Hitler’s and Napoleon’s lack of judgment destroyed them.

The arrogance of evil people relentlessly pushes them to go too far, so that their entire evil plan collapses under its own weight.

Evil never anticipates God’s incredible creativity and wisdom until it has been defeated by it.

Satan tried to displace God and was defeated. Now he wants to drag foolish people with him into the lake of fire.

He is working feverishly to lead the world into a gigantic revolt against God. Like lemmings, people who lack wisdom will be willing to march in lockstep off the cliff in pursuit of a doomed quest to be like God.

The Lord will eventually lose patience and at last will “put his foot down.”

“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. Matthew 25:41 (NLT)

We dare not be among that number.

The Antidote

Here is a simple five-step plan to neutralize the poison of toxic arrogance.

  1. There is only one cure for the deception of arrogance. It is summed up in one word – repentance, which means to change the mind. We must humbly admit that we have been arrogant fools and ask God’s forgiveness.
  2. The next very important step is to surrender our lives to Jesus, the only one wise enough to direct our paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
  3. Ask God for his wisdom, and he will give it to you. (James 1:5)
  4. Pray for a love of the truth that will allow you to navigate the perils of the deception during the Last Days
  5. Finally, trust Jesus completely. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6)
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Should We Remain Optimistic in the Last Days?

lord

Is it advisable to be optimistic as we are seeming to accelerate toward the Second Coming of Christ and the conclusion of the “last days”? Many people today believe we are on the precipice of descending into what the Bible calls the Great Tribulation. Jesus warned his disciples…

“For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. Matthew 24:21 (NASB95)

There are two distinct ways of viewing what is going to happen on the earth prior to Jesus’ Second Coming: the futurist explanation and the partial preterist viewpoint.

The futurist position, often identified with dispensational theology, gained prominence in the early 1900s with the publication of the Scofield Reference Bible. It holds that almost every one of the the biblical prophecies regarding the “end times” is yet to take place, disregarding 2000 years of church history and contradicting the insights of the early church “fathers.” The partial preterist position believes that most prophesied events have already taken place, being fulfilled mainly when Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed in 70 AD, but some things still remain to take place in the future. I hold to the partial preterist viewpoint, but I will not be attempting to “prove” its validity in this article. If you wish to explore this position in depth, I recommend reading Victorious Eschatology by Eberle and Trench.

From the context, Jesus’ words quoted above clearly refer to the fall of Jerusalem, which was the most horrific thing that ever happened to the Jews with respect to intensity of suffering over a short period of time.

God’s wrath against the Jewish nation for rejecting and crucifying their Messiah was poured out, just as Jesus prophesied.

As a result, this generation will be held responsible for the murder of all God’s prophets from the creation of the world—51 from the murder of Abel to the murder of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, it will certainly be charged against this generation. Luke 11:50–51 (NLT)

Jesus warned believers to leave the city when they saw the abomination of desolation (the Roman army) surrounding the city, which history said they obeyed by fleeing to surrounding areas before the Romans sealed off the city, thus avoiding the starvation and carnage that was experienced by those remaining in the city.

But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. 21 “Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city; 22 because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled. Luke 21:20–22 (NASB95)

If, as I believe, the Book of Daniel is primarily concerned with the first coming of the Messiah, his rejection and crucifixion, the rejection of the gospel by the Jews by and large, and the subsequent destruction of the temple and the city of Jerusalem, then most of the futurist version of the end times (eschatology) falls apart.

The first coming of the Messiah completely surprised all the most learned Bible scholars and students. Only those who hearts were open to God’s surprise introduction of his promised one were able to perceive his true identity. Why would we expect his Second Coming to be any different? God loves to surprise us. His ways and thoughts are so very different from ours, that we are always surprised by how and when he does things.

I feel certain that the Second Coming and everything associated with it will be very different from what is generally expected, especially for those who hold to the futurist position.

Dispensational futurist eschatology holds that things will get darker and bleaker as the Second Coming approaches and we enter a time of great persecution with the advent of the one called the “antichrist.” On the bright side, many futurists believe that the church will be “raptured” (miraculously caught up to be with God) just prior to this time of evil. In fact, many pin their hope on this happening, which I believe is a mistake. There may yet come upon God’s people in the West a significant level of persecution, but can we overcome our cultural bias long enough to realize that God’s people around the world have been going through persecution and pressure (the meaning of the Greek word translated “tribulation”) for centuries? Are we in the West the only ones that God has promised to protect from the expected impending horror? What about those who died in the killing fields of Cambodia or the gulags in Soviet Russia? What about those who were put to death in Muslim nations or during the waves of Roman persecution? What about the many who were martyred by the Roman Catholic Church because they would not recant their stand on the biblical doctrine of justification by faith alone during what is called the Counter reformation?

We in the West are often guilty of a kind of historical myopia that cannot see beyond our own experience.

But what if the partial preterist view is true? What if instead of being on the precipice of the Great Tribulation, which I contend already took place in 70 AD, we are on the verge of something wonderful instead? What if we are about to see God pour out his Spirit on “all flesh,” as prophesied in Joel 2:28? Don’t forget that can be considered an end time prophecy, too. What if we are going to see the knowledge of God’s glory fill the earth as the water covers the sea? (Habakkuk 2:14) What if God is about to turn the tide, much as he did when he drowned Pharaoh’s army in the Red Sea or when he raised Christ from the grave?

Jesus rose from the dead as the glorious and powerful Son of God and Lord of Lords, having disarmed and humiliated Satan and all his servants. (Colossians 2:15) Nevertheless, he left much for us to accomplish on his behalf. After a short time here on earth with his disciples, he ascended to heaven, where he sits at God’s right hand waiting for his Abba Father to complete the crushing of his enemies.

The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.” Psalm 110:1 (NLT)

Jesus and the early church understood this verse to apply to Jesus (Mark 12:36 and Acts 2:34-35), and so should we. The time since Jesus’ ascension and the pouring out of the Spirit at Pentecost has been a time of Jesus’ waiting for his Father’s perfect timing to complete the process of crushing the head of the serpent. (Genesis 3:15) We, the church, will participate in that final victory, as taught by the apostle Paul.

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Romans 16:20 (ESV)

Since the fall of man in the garden, unregenerate humanity, under the inspiration of the chief rebel, Satan, has been trying to throw off God’s rule and be his own god. Babel was a first concerted effort to pull this off, which God crushed.

Today we see another, perhaps final, last days push toward a world-wide anti-God government, but the Lord who sits in the heavens will not have it. He laughs at the futility of it all, and so should we.

Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? 2  The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the LORD and against his anointed one. 3  “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.” 4  But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them. 5  Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury. 6  For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.” Psalm 2:1-6 (NLT)

Jesus is the appointed king who currently rules from heaven, where, incidentally, we also sit. (Ephesians 2:6) His rule will soon be extended and enforced more fully on the earth as well, just as he taught us to pray – thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

God will not allow the nations to succeed in their desire to rid themselves of his appointed king. No matter what plans the devil and his minions put together, it will all come to nothing.

The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes. 11  But the LORD’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken. Psalm 33:10-11 (NLT)

Our God is shaking everything that can be shaken so that we will finally realize that our confidence must be in Christ alone. (Hebrews 12:27-28)

Those who willingly submit to Christ’s rule will be forgiven for previously participating in the satanic rebellion, made right with God, and brought into his forever family.

Those who refuse to accept this wonderful offer will be condemned. At some point, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord! It is far better to do it now willingly than later under duress.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11 (NLT)

Christ’s rule is our glorious future, but today we are in the midst of a world-wide “mopping up” operation.

The war was officially won when Jesus rose from the dead, and it will be officially concluded when he returns as the glorious Son of Man to judge the living and the dead. In the meantime, we must encourage ourselves with the thought that “God’s got this.”  We simply have no real idea of just how glorious and powerful he is and how completely able he is to humble and defeat his enemies. (Ephesians 1:19)

We cannot allow ourselves to be mesmerized or paralyzed by fear of what may be coming upon the world.

Jesus asked if he would find faith on the earth when he returned. (Luke 18:8) Who will he find who has kept his or her eyes firmly on God and his promises? Who will he find faithfully carrying out the Great Commission? Let us not be among them who have given up and “forted” up in our local churches awaiting the rapture. Let us continue to reach out to those around us with the gospel. Let us expend ourselves in teaching the next generation to follow Christ. Let us involve ourselves in practical matters of governance, rather than ceding that arena to the godless.

Let me conclude with the following verse.

Come, see the glorious works of the LORD: See how he brings destruction upon the world. 9  He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10  “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” 11  The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Psalm 46:8-11 (NLT)

Remember: the devil is a liar. He wants us to believe for the worst. He continually broadcasts his narrative to the world in order to demoralize God’s people. But God is greater.

No matter how dark things may seem, we who serve Jesus have a glorious future.

Yes, we must be prepared to endure suffering, and none of us knows exactly how all this will play out; but, let’s be open to the idea that it may be quite different from what we expect. All we know for sure is that God is in control and his plan is glorious. His Son will be exalted in the earth, and we who serve him will rule and reign with him forever!

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