Matthew 11:28-30; “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
Psalm 18:6; “In my distress, I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears.”
Psalm 55:22; “Cast your burdens on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Proverbs 3:5-6; “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
And then, of course, John 16:33; “I have said these things to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but take heart; I have overcome the world.” (ESV – all emphasis mine)
And the list goes on and on of Bible verses that instruct us to “Fear Not,” “Do not be troubled,” and that “All who call on the Lord will be saved.”
We are definitely at the time of this age when Luke 21:25-26 is happening. “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars; and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves; people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”
What did Jesus say we should be doing when all this begins to happen? Luke 21:28; “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Well, the beginning started several years ago, so we are even closer today than ever.
Over the past several years, this world has taken a definite negative turn toward evil and also persecution of anyone who has Jesus as their Savior. In Matthew 24, Jesus said that many false prophets would be here giving out lies and leading people away from the truth. There will be wars and rumors of wars; nation will rise against nation; kingdom against kingdom; famines; earthquakes in various places, and this will be the beginning of birth pains. Every one of these is happening with increased frequency more than ever before.
He talks about many who will fall away and betray and hate one another, and lawlessness will increase. Do we see any such signs in today’s society? Groups that used to stay behind closed doors are now out in the open, and they take great pride in calling all believers “haters” because we won’t participate in their lifestyles. Satan is actually worshiped openly by numerous false prophets and antichrists, and they are influencing a substantial part of society.
Looking at the second greatest commandment from our Lord, we’re to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” The first and second greatest commandments are given in Matthew 22:37-39, Mark 12:30-31, and Luke 27. Jesus was referring to Deuteronomy 6:5, in which Moses was giving the people of Israel the commandments that the Lord had given him to pass on. This should indicate that God does not change His mind.
Recent studies have shown that more people are accepting Satan and this earth over our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Some previously Bible-based evangelical churches are teaching that all the Bible abominations are no longer sinful but were only meant for people in ancient times.
Some organized “religious” services have become entertainment sessions with light shows, catchy music, and twisted biblical messages. After all, people shouldn’t be insulted with messages about sin and eternal damnation. That would lead to empty seats and reduced collections.
To believe that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are surprised about any of this, one need only to look at Matthew 7:13-14. Jesus was speaking; “Enter by the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow, and the way is hard that leads to life; and those who find it are few.”
It’s easy to go along with the world in order to be accepted and popular and to not have anyone speak against us. However, that would be Satan’s way, not the Father’s, and the so-called good times last only while on this earth. After that is our eternity, and that’s what we should be looking for.
The hard part is to go against the world and all the evil by receiving and accepting Jesus as our Savior. Jesus knew everything that would be happening and that the so-called “religious leaders” of His day would not accept Him. They witnessed miracles being performed and should have known the scriptures about the coming of the Messiah. However, they refused to turn from their lavish lifestyles, in which they received accolades from the public. If that was to be what would have saved us, Jesus would have arrived with all the pomp and circumstance and would have praised all those leaders for their piety. Instead, He constantly condemned their actions and tried to get them to repent and turn to the truth.
He came in a humble and lowly manner and willingly gave Himself as a perfect sacrifice for all who would believe in Him. Next time around, when He sets foot on this earth, He will be here to put down the rebellion (Tribulation/Wrath) and to rule for 1,000 years in Jerusalem.
Anyone would think that would settle the matter once and for all. However, humans will still have the sin nature, even though Satan will be bound for that millennial period. At the end, there will be one more rebellion against the Savior, and then it will become a sinless forever for all believers.
For all my Jesus has given, how could I not give Him honor, praise, and glory? To have even a small part in following the Great Commission should be in our hearts and on our minds.
There’s a song from 1877 by Charles Luther called “Must I Go and Empty-handed.” Verse 3 hits home for me, yet I know all my past sins were forgiven when I called out to have Jesus as my Savior. Further, He has provided a pathway in 1 John 1:8-10 for forgiveness of any current sins I will commit. He knows how imperfect we are, yet He loves us anyway.
1.) Must I go and empty-handed, thus my Redeemer meet? Not one day of service give Him; lay no trophy at His feet?
Ref.) Must I go and empty-handed? Must I meet my Savior so? Not one soul with which to greet Him; must I empty-handed go?
2.) Not at death I shrink or falter, for my Savior saves me now. But to meet Him empty-handed, thought of that now clouds my brow.
3.) Oh the years in sinning wasted; could I but recall them now? I would give them to my Savior; to His will I’d gladly bow.
4.) Oh ye saints arouse, be earnest up and work while yet ’tis day. Ere the night of death o’er takes thee, strive for souls while you still may.
We can’t go back in time to correct what we’ve already done, but we can strive to live for Him from now on. The path is found in Romans 10:9-13. Admit we’re sinners; Believe Jesus is the only path to eternal life; Call on Him to forgive and save us. That’s what is called the ABCs of Salvation. Don’t try to do any special works to “earn” it, nor try to offer any money or whatever to “buy” it.
Remember the hymn that says, “Jesus paid it all; all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow.”
Looking at all the signs that are here today, it won’t be long before all true believers will be taken up to meet Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53). Call on Him today – now would not be too soon – and you will be ready when the Trumpet sounds and the shout from an archangel is given. You will be forever glad you did.
Ahavah B’Shem Yeshua! (Love in the name of Jesus!)