Where is hope?

Coronavirus, wildfires, flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes, racial tensions, political hatred and the year 2020. These are all things that we tire of hearing about – we want them to be over with, to “get back to normal”.

Many of you who have read my thoughts over the years know that I am a believer that we are headed full-steam-ahead into the prophesied end times. I believe that the events we are witnessing are tell-tale signs that we are on the cusp of that prophesied time. God’s judgement on the world is coming, but until then, we have the responsibility to increase the Kingdom of Heaven by spreading the Gospel and leading people to Christ.

One of the things that I need to do more of is provide the one thing that I have gobs and gobs of – and that is hope. There are things that cause pain here on earth, and I don’t cherish pain. Like everyone else, I do my level best to avoid pain, especially the emotional type. However, I also know that it is part and parcel to our existence here – it comes with the territory. It isn’t fun, but not everything in this life is fun.

So what of hope? Do you have hope? What is your hope? Answer that before you read on – it’s important.

Many today have hope in various things – a politician, a political party, the medical field, science or even religion. These are all hopes that will ultimately disappoint. In an election year, we have hope in the promises given by the candidates, only to be disappointed even in the one that we supported. We have hope in the medical profession that the latest malady will be cured or wiped out, only to find there is another one a short time later. We have hope that science will “save the world” and “reverse the damage that man is doing” only to learn that the information they use is inaccurate or just plain made up. Religion comes in all shapes and sizes, some religions are even based on Christianity, but they aren’t Christians. Religions are led by man, and man will always disappoint – Christianity is led by Christ, and he will never disappoint.

Disillusionment is easy to find, isn’t it? Sometimes it is hard to see the light when the dark clouds seem to be so thick. That’s the intent of the enemy.

In this environment, it is easy to start returning hate for hate, judgement for judgement and insult for insult. However, we need to come together as the body of Christ and follow what the apostle Peter wrote for us:

1 Peter 3:8-22 (ESV)
⁸ Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
⁹ Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
¹⁰ For
“Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;
¹¹ let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.
¹² For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
¹³ Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?
¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
¹⁵ but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
¹⁶ having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
¹⁷ For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
¹⁸ For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,
¹⁹ in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison,
²⁰ because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.
²¹ Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
²² who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

This is a terrific passage for many reasons, but it includes the tid-bit that I like to turn to. “Always be prepared to make a defense (or explain) to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you”.

For those that may not recognize them, these are witness opportunities. People will see when you have hope – you will stand out. Become and embrace that “city on a hill” that everyone can see.

Even in these unprecedented times, Christians should be the example and show hope. Our hope exists regardless of who is going to be the next president. Or hope exists regardless of what nature decides to throw at us this week. Our hope exists even if we contract coronavirus, cancer or any other deadly malody. We do not wish for death, but we do not fear it.

As the Apostle Paul said:
Philippians 1:18-30 (ESV)
¹⁸ What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,
¹⁹ for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,
²⁰ as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
²¹ 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.
²⁴ But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.
²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,
²⁶ so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
²⁷ Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
²⁸ and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.
²⁹ For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,
³⁰ engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

As Christians, the hope that we have is that we get to be with Christ in heaven when we depart the earth. It is through his suffering and sacrifice that we have this privelege. Take some time and study what the Bible tells us about Heaven – you will long to be there.

The focus on the end times for Christians is not (or should not be) the judgement of the world. The focus is the promised return of Christ to the earth to set things back to the way they were designed by God.

If you are reading this and you are not a Christian, here are the things that you need to understand:

Christians are NOT perfect and certainly are not free of sin
There are two ways to enter heaven – one is by keeping God’s laws 100% by GOD’s standard, and not man’s interpretation of those laws. This is impossible to do, unfortunately.
The second is by believing in Jesus Christ.
Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, born of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary
Jesus walked the earth for about 30 years as a “normal man”, experiencing life and was known by many in his hometown as the son of Joseph, the carpenter
Jesus kept God’s laws perfectly while living as a “normal man” – he never sinned
At about 30 years old, Jesus left and started his ministry, finding his 12 disciples and teaching in synagogues (Jewish churches) and to large crowds of people who were amazed by his teaching
At about 33 years old, Jesus was called a sinner through man’s interpretation of God’s laws and was crucified as a “sinner” according to man
God allowed him to be killed by man as the ultimate sacrifice – an innocent man
The innocent man part is important – God took out all of his judgement for sins of men on Jesus, who loved each of us so much that he didn’t want to see us have to undergo God’s judgement – he took the punishment for you and I (innocent blood is shed for wrongdoing)
Because God’s judgement was satisfied with Jesus, those who accept his sacrifice will not have to endure judgement for sin on judgement day – your name will be written in the Book of Life
There are two things you must do to become a Christian
– Repent of your sins (literally, acknowledge and conciously turn away from them)
– Accept Jesus’ sacrifice, acknowledging him as your savior and Lord of your life

Although Christians are not judged for their sins (Jesus was judged for our sin), there will be a judgement day for Christians. This is known as the Bema Seat, or the Judgement seat of Christ. This is not to determine worthiness to enter heaven, that was decided upon salvation. The Bema seat is to provide rewards to the faithful Christians for their work for the Kingdom – and both good and bad deeds will be reviewed and rewards given based on the results. Read the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30 for a general description of how this will look.

If you have received this and are not a Christian, contact the friend who has forwarded it to you or linked to it and ask them about becoming a Christian.

I am very happy to respond to questions as well and I can be contacted via email from my blog.