My desire for writing The Triumph of the Redeemed was to reconnect the gospel with Jesus’ imminent appearing in a way that breathes hope into your heart, regardless of what you face today or in the future.

My passion is to give believers a solid biblical foundation for their hope against the constant assault of false teaching that results in the saints “tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (Ephesians 4:14). Sadly, this is the state of the church today in regard to future things; so many are carried about by end-time scenarios based on earthly wisdom rather than God’s Word.

What follows is an excerpt from The Triumph of the Redeemed.

God designed the study of future things, what theologians refer to as “eschatology,” to encourage us each day as we step out of bed. Regardless of the messiness of our lives or the discouraging news reports that greet us each morning, an unwavering focus on the joys ahead in eternity injects needed assurance into our hearts and relieves anxieties regarding the future.

“If there’s really so much to look forward to in eternity,” you might ask, “why have so many believers lost their eagerness for it? Why do even seasoned students of prophecy at times lose their focus on our Lord’s appearing and their future reign with Him?”

Why the loss of excitement among believers for our “blessed hope?” Why do saints today have difficulty looking beyond the confines of this temporal world?

I believe this happens for many reasons:

The Busyness of Life

It’s easy to live as though this temporal world is all we have. We get up, eat, go to work, return home, eat again, watch TV, and go to bed. We do a hundred different things throughout the day that focus our attention solely on the things of this existence, with the result that we soon forget about eternity. Even if we spend time studying the Word and praying each morning, we soon find that the all-consuming activities of our days redirect our thoughts to temporal concerns.

I’m not saying we should concentrate on heaven all day long; if we did, we might not get anything done at work or at home! Yet we often go about our routines oblivious to the joys Jesus has planned for us after this life.

We live as though we have no hope beyond the grave, despite what we claim to believe.

Misconceptions About Heaven

When it comes to heaven, misconceptions abound. How often have we seen depictions of solitary men and women sitting on clouds, strumming harps? Who would even look forward to such a dull existence?

Some believers imagine that heaven will be an unending worship service. Of course, we will sing God’s praises throughout eternity, but the Lord has so much more in store for us once we reach the brighter shore.

I love the movie It’s a Wonderful Life, but someday we will be far more than aspiring angels jumping into icy waters to earn our wings. In fact, Scripture not only does not say we’ll become angels, but it says that we will “judge angels” (1 Corinthians 6:3). I’m not sure of all that implies, but it certainly distinguishes us from them.

Perhaps the most popular myth regarding heaven is that it will be boring. Nothing could be further from the truth; this is the greatest delusion of all!

Randy Alcorn, in his wonderful book, Heaven, addresses this fallacy:

Our belief that Heaven will be boring betrays a heresy—that God is boring. There’s no greater nonsense. Our desire for pleasure and the experience of joy come directly from God’s hand. He made our taste buds, adrenaline, sex drives, and the nerve endings that convey pleasure to our brains. Likewise, our imaginations and our capacity for joy and exhilaration were made by the very God we accuse of being boring. Are we so arrogant as to imagine that human beings came up with the idea of having fun? ^[[i]]

In Psalm 16:11, David confirms this upbeat view of eternity with these words:

“In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

“I’ve Heard That Before”

Back in the 1960s and 1970s, eschatology became a hot topic. Many churches emphasized the soon return of Jesus. I remember the week televangelist Jack Van Impe came to my church to teach about prophecy. After hearing his words, I felt the excitement of waiting for the Lord’s imminent appearing.

Many decades, however, have passed since then. Large numbers of believers have lost their expectancy of Jesus’ return, and they often respond with “I’ve heard that before” to those telling them to watch for it. Having anticipated the Rapture for five decades, I understand the sentiment that finds it more than a little challenging to remain focused on that stunning event.

Yet, as we see the circumstances and events described in biblical prophecy coming to life before our eyes today at an ever-accelerating pace, if there was ever a time to be mindful of eternal matters, it’s now! An abundance of converging signs points to the soon beginning of the Tribulation and thus to Jesus’ imminent return for His Church, an event that will happen before the onset of the terrible time of the Lord’s wrath upon the earth.

Don’t let the sentiment behind “I’ve heard that before” take your focus away from the glorious prize that awaits you when Jesus comes for us!

Silence in the Pulpits

Rather than increase their focus on Jesus’ return as the day approaches, many pastors either remain quiet about our hope or they reject biblical teaching about it. Such silence not only takes the eyes of those in the pews (or chairs) off the Lord’s return, but it also deadens their expectation of it. How can the saints look forward to something they seldom or perhaps never hear about?

When pastors mention life beyond the grave, the subject often comes across as such a fleeting and lifeless allusion that those in the congregation forget about it by the end of the sermon. Such lackluster mentions of our gospel hope don’t stir our hearts or relieve our anxieties for the week ahead.

Teaching that Lacks a Biblical, Two-world Perspective:

When pastors and church leaders don’t present instruction based on a biblical, two-world perspective (2 Corinthians 4:17–18), they unwittingly make goals such as happy marriages, good parenting, and wise financial planning the ultimate hope of believers.

Of course, biblically centered teaching on such matters is essential. However, without a two-world outlook integrated into such instruction, these issues easily become all-consuming. As a result, believers put all their efforts into becoming “better Christians” and soon forget about forever.

Problems arise when the saints (believers) place their ultimate hopes on temporal outcomes wherein many factors, including sinful choices, negatively impact the results they so greatly desire. Children rebel, wives leave husbands and vice versa, finances fall apart, and tragedies often turn lives upside down.

What’s left when believers do their best to adhere to biblically sound principles, yet everything falls apart, and they end up alone to pick up the broken pieces?

I know of such turmoil; it happened to me.

The New Testament teaches us to expect difficult times (James 1:2–3; 1 Peter 1:6; 4:12–13). The Lord promises paradise once He comes for us—but not now. We set ourselves up for disappointment if we define anything in this life as our ultimate hope, even if it’s scriptural, desirable, praiseworthy, good, or wholesome.

I’m not at all saying that we fail to enjoy the things of this life and the many blessings God sends our way. A two-world outlook doesn’t mean that we fail to dream, set goals, or plan wisely for our future. It does, however, teach us to place our ultimate aspirations on eternal realities versus the fleeting matters of this life.

The Great Divorce

“What’s the big deal?” you might ask. “As long as I believe in my future resurrection from the dead and possess a general understanding of heaven, what difference does it make what I believe about the Rapture, the Tribulation, Christ’s Second Coming, or the Millennium?”

The danger of ignoring these specifics is this: Instead of eagerly waiting for Jesus’ appearing, our fondest desires naturally shift to matters in this life—to our plans for our future. Momentary concerns soon consume our focus, and thoughts of Jesus’ imminent return rarely, if ever, enter our minds. Paul David Tripp describes this malady as “modern evangelical schizophrenia,” which he describes in this way:

It is the fact that we declare that we believe in forever, yet live as if this is all there is. This functional contradiction between our belief system and our daily living cannot work. Here’s why.

First, you cannot make sense out of the Christian life without eternity. This is the whole argument of 1 Corinthians 15….

Second, you and I have been hardwired for eternity. Ecclesiastes 3:11 declares that God has placed eternity in every person’s heart. That means that everyone hungers for paradise. No one is satisfied with things the way they are. ^[[ii]]

It’s the details of our everlasting hope that enable us to put the ups and downs of our lives as well as chaotic world events into a sound biblical prophetic framework that offers assurance of God’s unfailing sovereignty over all that concerns us. These specifics redirect our attention to the joys ahead in paradise during times when life doesn’t make sense or when all seems lost.

The tragic divorce of the Rapture from the message of the gospel has resulted in a near blackout of teaching about our “blessed hope” (Titus 2:11–14). This negatively affects new believers as well as seasoned saints, as it leaves them ill-prepared to live in a fear-ridden society. In addition, this neglect or even denial of Bible prophecy provides no context into which a follower of Jesus can place the violence and lawlessness of our day or the push for a New World Order or what the World Economic Forum calls the “Great Reset.”

My book, The Triumph of the Redeemed-An eternal Perspective that Calms Our Fears in Perilous Times, is available on Amazon. This book not only shows the necessity of focusing on eternity during perilous times but also provides a rock-solid foundation for our hope in Jesus’ soon appearing. Please consider purchasing it, especially if you have any doubts regarding our imminent hope.

Note: Please consider signing up for my newsletter on the home page of my website at https://www.jonathanbrentner.com/. It will greatly help me in reaching more people. Thanks!

Jonathan C. Brentner

Website: Our Journey Home

[i] Alcorn, p. 410.

[ii] Paul David Tripp, New Morning Mercies—A Daily Gospel Devotional (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2014), January 21 (the book does not have page numbers, just dates).

 

(There is a special message at the end of this article for those who do not have Jesus in their life and are looking for peace and a way to better understand the present-day insanity and confusion.)

I have always found it fascinating when “old sayings” float to the surface in our lives and find application for otherwise unintended circumstances.

I believe it is God’s way of prompting us to take a closer look at ourselves. Perhaps it’s just me going through word drills in my mind, but then again, maybe not. God does most frequently communicate with people through people.

Yogi Berra, one of America’s most quoted and beloved baseball icons, had sentence structure that was wonderfully humorous and memorable, to say the least.

One of the better known is: “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

I found it in the process of doing some research, and the word association and mental picture it created came into my mind (no doubt by prompting of the Holy Spirit) as it relates to the fact that every single person will eventually come to this specific fork in the road. All of us, with no exceptions.

It is relative to the two paths which Jesus spoke of in Matthew 7:13-14:

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

As we see by this verse, there are only two. When you come to it, which will you choose?

Truthfully, if you have not decided which fork/path you will take, then you will have decided. You have, by not deciding, selected the “broad path that leads to destruction” because you have rejected the Grace and Mercy of God.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

“For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

I have learned (the hard way) that in life, we can sometimes travel a road/path, etc., for a very long while. So long, in fact, that we have trouble deciding to turn back even when we know that it is the wrong path. This is why God equipped us with a conscience that convicts us when we do or think either right or wrong. And, as we all know, it can be quite powerful.

“So they show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or defending them” (Romans 2:15).

Sometimes we can even see in our minds a retroactive road map, perhaps comprised of the results of some of our poor decisions that clearly confirms that we have taken the wrong path, but we purposely discard it or elect to go our own way. It can haunt our every waking moment.

I know of which I speak, my friends. For many, many years, that was my “modus operandi.”

If we go on this wide path long enough in this world, we can become so hardened of heart that we might even reject the council of friends or loved ones who try to help us to see the Truth and thus turn around.

It’s that “turn around” part that we don’t care for. We wrongly think (because, all-to-often, that Bible Word “repent” comes up) that we would “have to” change our ways. We would have to “give up” something.

Well, you would end up giving up something, but it would not be because you “had to.”

No, it would be because you would “want to!”

You would find that you are no longer under that compulsion to sin. Wanton sinning is like walking with a backpack loaded with bricks. It wears you down with guilt and shame or perhaps some other dark weight that you can’t or won’t be able to define. Maybe it won’t be felt right away, but eventually it is.

I know of what I speak. I am not one of those who became free through the Love and liberation of the mercy of Christ when I was a youngster. I was in my forties. I can still look back and see what a miracle Jesus performed for me and what a miracle the Holy Spirit performed IN ME!

I gave up NOTHING, and I have gained everything. It has been 30 years, and I still revel in the free air of Salvation.

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

I do know the Truth, and He is Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.

You can as well.

And now to the crux of this article.

Your situation is not hopeless. No, it is not, as long as you still draw breath!

There is the great God and Savior who can overcome any of our individual obstacles if we let Him. Due to His own Sovereign will, He will not force us to choose Him. It is entirely up to us.

So, even if you desire to repent (which means change the direction of your life), but you don’t know how or where to begin, or perhaps you think you can’t – but, in fact, you can. Yes, you can.

“For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37).

It is actually a simple and straightforward process once you decide to ask Him for help. He already knows every single thing about you – all that you have done, think, feel. Even what you are thinking this very moment.

He cannot be surprised, and He never refuses anyone who comes to Him in humility.

I don’t mean to oversimplify such an important thing as the salvation of your soul; after all, it required someone to die.

That Someone was/is Jesus Christ, whom God decided would pay for your sins and mine. The sinless Son of God allowed Himself to be nailed to a Roman cross for all who will repent and believe that He is who He said He is. And then, He rose from the grave to prove that He has power over death and, in fact, He is who He said He is! Imagine that!

No, you don’t have to imagine it. It is simply the Truth.

He, as He said, had the mercy to give His life for us and the power to take His life up again. That is exactly what He did.

“No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. This command I have received from My Father” (John 10:18).

So, in view of this, is there really any legitimate reason to think He can’t rescue you?

He can actually take you back to that fork in the road and show you which is the “narrow way,” the Way that leads to life.

And then, if you choose “life,” the Holy Spirit will guide you along the way. All the way Home.

I pray that you will heed and understand that you can be free from fear and feeling defeated, crushed, and utterly helpless. It requires that you come before God on His terms.

And, what are His terms according to His Word?

• Genuine repentance (turning to God instead of continuing to reject or ignore Him).
• Confession of sins (that you are a sinner and acknowledge that to God).
• That you understand that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
• To acknowledge to God that you are unable to pay that debt.
• Belief that Jesus Christ paid your death sentence for you on the cross
• To believe that Jesus is the Way, the only Way, that God has established by which humans may be saved from the consequences of their sin and rebellion.

God has made it absolutely clear that there is no one who comes before Him, under His terms, that will be refused.

• No one: no race, no color, no country of origin, regardless of any previous belief system: no one.
• No matter what your past sins have been, God can and WILL forgive you because He says He will.
• Salvation is available to everyone without any exceptions.

If you put all your trust for salvation in Jesus and Him only, you can follow that prayer up by simply saying, “Thank you, Father God, for hearing my prayer and saving me,” because we can trust Him to keep His Word.

He always has. He always will.

John 5:24: “Truly, Truly, I say to you that he who hears My words and believes the One who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned. He has crossed from death to life.”

There are no answers and there is no hope in the world by governments, organizations, politics, or politicians. There are only lies and deception. But you can have the Truth and the peace you seek.

Once you have taken the right fork, you will be able to begin to understand the roadmap:

The answers are in the Word of God. The Bible.

If you ask God with all your heart, He will hear you.

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).

Pro Salvator Vigilans

To contact me: canoeman96@gmail.com