Introduction: Floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes are leaving devastation in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee, ravaging homes and businesses and taking human lives as they go. Meanwhile, wars in the Middle East, Ukraine, and other countries abroad are leaving much bloodshed and destruction. One research survey indicated that 70% of Americans believe that we are on the brink of WWIII. In fact, the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, declared the same. Since all of this is happening, is Jesus really in control? During a time of political instability and economic uncertainty, where can we find PEACE and SECURITY?
While the world is changing, the Lord Jesus Christ, along with the Word of God, stays the same; that is an anchor for the soul!
1. Is the World Coming to an End? (2 Pet 3:10-14) – Peter was an old man when he was inspired to write about a “more sure word of prophecy” (2 Pet 1:16-19). Next, he gives some insight as to how this world is going to end; i.e., it’s going up in fire! (2 Pet 3:10) – “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”
However, according to John’s writing in the book of Revelation, God is going to recreate a NEW EARTH. (Rev 21:1) – “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”
Keep in mind this is not the NEW JERUSALEM, which will be approximately 1500 miles x 1500 miles in a cube shape. Can you imagine? So, man is not going to end the world; instead, Jesus Christ is going to bring His will and Word to pass.
2. Are these the “SIGNS of the TIME”? (Luke 21:24) – Remember what Jesus said in the Olivet Discourse concerning the “SIGNS of the TIME”? Technically speaking, this will be during the tribulation, which will last seven years, according to Daniel’s writing (Dan 9:27). Note, while some of these SIGNS are going on today; i.e., wars and rumors of wars, pestilences, earthquakes, false Christs, and deception, all of these are PRECURSORS for what is yet to come. Jesus said, “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring.” (Luke 21:25) His next statement is shocking. (Luke 21:26) – “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.”
The word “failing” pictures a person bent over, gasping for air. Do you feel hopeless? Does our world seem like it’s heading for a crash? In spite of our feelings, Jesus is still on His THRONE! Will you trust Him?
3. Is God the Holy Spirit speaking during these days? (Heb 12:26, 27) Honestly, there is no doubt that things are being SHAKEN! Yet, the Bible is continually being fulfilled. Listen to the Word: “Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.”
In other words, Jesus is going to SHAKE both the heavens and earth. People are losing it. Between anxiety and fear, as well as more uncertainty and instability, things will escalate out of control like we are seeing. That is all the more reason to get anchored in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Have you ever really repented (change of mind) of your sins and asked Jesus to forgive you? You see, He lived without sin, and therefore He could take our place to die but ultimately rise again. But that is not all. He has PROMISED to be with us through this life until we see Him in heaven.
Conclusion: What PEACE and COMFORT that brings to our hearts in a troubled world! With this world spinning out of control, it is great to have that ASSURANCE that Jesus Christ is in CONTROL! Why not let Him take CONTROL?
Love y’all,
Pastor Randy Reese
