A Future and a Hope

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Usually when I read a 300 page fiction book, it takes me two or three weeks to complete. I read 20 to 30 pages one day, the same the next, then I skip a day or two here and there. I just read a bit, then I am off to something else. A couple days ago I picked up a book titled "The Planner" by Alexandra Swann, this is one of those books I cannot put down. In two days, I am already half way through it. This books, the first of a two in a series, has got me thinking about the future of America. The book opens in the year 2013, however I think the author would be better served setting the book at some point in the future. However, this being said, the book thus far paints a picture of what life in America might be like when the government runs out of money to meet the obligations which it has promised.

To make a long story short, Washington realizes they are quickly approaching a shortfall of money to pay Social Security. As a result, the President initiates a plan to solve this problem. In 90 days some retired people will stop receiving their social security checks. As time passes, more retired people will lose their Social Security. The government gives those affected an option, one is to do nothing, stop receiving their checks and make ends meet on their own. For many this is not an option as they do not have the resources to do so. The other is to give the government all your money and possessions, then live under a new retirement plan. If you choose this option, you must live in an enclosed government managed community living by all their rules. However, the government promises to take care of you for the rest of your life. Instead of a check from the government, you receive credits which can only be spent in the community. A married couple is given a 500 sq. ft. apartment with no kitchen. You must only eat in the cafeteria, and eat what they say you will eat. You are not allowed to cook your own food. Basically, you are taken care of for the rest of your life, but lose your freedoms. Here in the USA, Washington keeps piling on the debt. If this continues, it is only logical to conclude that the end result will not be pretty. I ask of myself, "If we here in America stay on this path we are on, what will life look like when the government no longer has the money to meet its promised obligations?"

In the Bible, I hold to a a futurist interpretation of end times eschatology. As a result, I believe their will be a tribulation period before Christ returns to set up His 1000 year millennial kingdom. This will be followed by a new heaven and earth in which believers will dwell with the Lord forever.

²¹ For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. ²² And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:21-22 NKJV)

While we are looking at a time of tribulation which the world has never experienced before, I am not the doom-and-gloomer type. I firmly believe for all us who are in Christ Jesus, we have a future and a hope. The devil will come out like a roaring lion seeking to whom he may devour, but Jesus has already won the battle. While the devil is running around killing all of those who will not pledge allegiance to him, Jesus is busy saving souls. Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— (Revelation 14:6) As a follower of Christ Jesus, I need not fear what the future may hold. I have read the end of the book and I know the ending. The devil loses, and those of us who are in Christ Jesus will have a life beyond all our wildest imaginations.

All Things Made New

21 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. ² Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

⁵ Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

⁶ And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. ⁷ He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. ⁸ But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:1-8 NKJV)

I would like to ask one question. "Who or what are you following?" You can be certain of this, if you follow Jesus, He will take you to a place you want to go. If you are following anyone or anything else, the devil will take you to a place you do not want to go.

“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32NKJV)

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NKJV)


Just as a side note, I do not receive any compensation if you go to Amazon and buy the book, "The Planner."

In The Time of Need

The name of the LORD is a strong tower;

The righteous run to it and are safe. 

(Proverbs 18:10NKJV)

I want the rest of my life to be smooth sailing, so to speak. I hate problems; I do not want any trials or tribulations in my life. None, not one, zero, zip, nada! But we all know life has its ups and downs. We all have our struggles. Some situations are more troublesome than others. One minute we might be thinking, “All is well,” then the next minute life is turned upside down. All that it takes is a slip in the bath tub or some criminal entering your home and life is not the same.

While I do not like the idea of terrible things happening, I believe one should predetermine how we should respond in the event of something does go wrong. For example, learn to administer first aid. At work, we have an emergency evacuation plan in the event of an emergency. Throughout the world, we have fire and rescue teams to come to the aid of people in need. Here in America we dial 911 in the event of an emergency for the proper people to respond to our needs.

While it is wise to prepare as mentioned above, there is only so much these things can do to help. We must also know who our strong tower is. We need to know: “the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!” (2 Timothy 4:18 NKJV) No matter how unbearable this situation is that we may be facing, we know the Lord will bring us through it. He will not drop the ball. This thing will come to an end. No matter what we are facing, nothing can separate us form the love of God or remove our home in heaven awaiting us. All my brothers and sisters in Christ, let’s be predetermined to run to the Lord the next time, and every time something goes wrong in our lives. We must remember there is protection under the shadow of His wing. (See Psalm 91).

Hope

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast… (Hebrews 6:19a)

To me, one thought I never want to entertain in my mind is the loss of hope. A person may keep plugging away as long as they have hope. When it is all gone, one may just give up. What if one is giving up on life? This is a very dark and scary place, a place I never want to be.

We must look at what we place our hope in. For example, many people place their hope in their careers, wealth, expensive toys and luxury living. This is their hope in life, living the “good life,” so to speak. I read here (The Economic Collapse Blog) where a survey stated that 48% of the people believe it is likely we will be in another great depression within a year. Will this happen or not? I do not know. For 48% percent of the people to think so, it must certainly be a possibility. If it does happen, will these people who lost their hope in wealth find something else to place their hope in? Of course, economic collapse is not the only threat to one’s hope in wealth; end of life brings it all tumbling down. Like the old saying goes, “you cannot take it with you.” As we can see here, this hope is only temporary.

For when God made a promise to Abraham,

because He could swear by no one greater,

He swore by Himself…

(Hebrews 6:13a)

Why hope in something which will end when we can have hope in Someone who is eternal and bigger than everything? Life will always have its storms, but none will be more powerful than Jesus. When we hope in Jesus, He anchors our soul. No matter how powerful the storm is, Jesus anchors our soul. He will always hold us secure. When the storms come crashing down we know it will pass and our future is secure. As a Christian, we may always have hope. Even if we are on our death bed, we may still have hope. Even in the last hours He may choose to heal us. If He does not, then we are moments away to a new beginning, an eternity with Him where there is no more suffering. We will be experiencing a joy so incredible, it would be impossible to come anywhere close to describing it with words.

When we hope in Jesus, we are hoping in God because Jesus and God are one. Jesus is God. I pray all of us hold onto Jesus at all times, during both the calm and stormy days for He is the One who anchors the soul.

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)



All scripture from the NKJV