"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
God has told us about the future in order to give us confidence and strength and not be overcome when this life doesn't meet our worldly expectations. God called His prophets of old to speak to His people about events to come. He did this in order to show them that He is in charge and has a plan. When we look back over all the many prophesies He fulfilled, we can be confident that He will be as faithful with us in the future.
God speaks of our time and these "Last Days" as a period of trial and testing, of difficulty and challenge. He tells us ahead of time so that we are not taken off guard, indeed, so that we can expect and prepare ourselves for such tribulation. When we see God's prophesies coming about, we should not be discouraged, but rather encouraged, to lift up our heads and know that our ultimate redemption is drawing near.
What this world would sees as a hopeless situation, we see as God's plan coming about. We know that defeat is not the end and that this world will not have the last say. God has a beautiful plan for us and because He has promised this, we can live secured and encouraged even as this world falls apart. We can live in peace, even in the face of trouble!
"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
God has told us about the future in order to give us confidence and strength and not be overcome when this life doesn't meet our worldly expectations. God called His prophets of old to speak to His people about events to come. He did this in order to show them that He is in charge and has a plan. When we look back over all the many prophesies He fulfilled, we can be confident that He will be as faithful with us in the future.
God speaks of our time and these "Last Days" as a period of trial and testing, of difficulty and challenge. He tells us ahead of time so that we are not taken off guard, indeed, so that we can expect and prepare ourselves for such tribulation. When we see God's prophesies coming about, we should not be discouraged, but rather encouraged, to lift up our heads and know that our ultimate redemption is drawing near.
What this world would sees as a hopeless situation, we see as God's plan coming about. We know that defeat is not the end and that this world will not have the last say. God has a beautiful plan for us and because He has promised this, we can live secured and encouraged even as this world falls apart. We can live in peace, even in the face of trouble!