How to Have Joy in End Times
Duane Vander Klok
“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
Luke 21:25-28
Many people get nervous when the topic of “the end times” or the book of Revelation comes up. They may think, “I need to buy more dry goods or buy a remote property in Canada!” But Jesus tells us to “look up…because your redemption draws near.” He did not tell us to live in fear of the end, but to look to Him. If you are a believer, you do not need to be fearful of the end times, you can be excited to meet your Heavenly Father!
We can be confident in our God and Savior because He watches over His Word to fulfill it. Jesus fulfilled every prophecy spoken about the Messiah, and He will fulfill every prophecy about His return.
As believers, we need to live with our eternal life in mind. Do not be ashamed of the gospel, but share it freely! When Jesus ascended into heaven after His resurrection, He gave us one last instruction: “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” We may not know the exact day of His return, but He has instructed us to establish His Kingdom here on earth while we wait on Him.