THE BLESSED HOPE, CAN WE STILL BELIEVE IN IT?

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This last September, the world was abuzz with wild claims of date setting and prophecies that announced that either Jesus Christ was going to Rapture His church from the earth on September 23, 2017, or the end of the world was going to happen. In fact, for several months running, the number one Google™ search topic was “September 23, 2017.” You would think that by now, after repeated failures by over-enthusiastic doomsayers, they would’ve learned their lesson. Rather than confirming the claims of these false prophets and their adherents, the Bible has foretold us to watch out for such hysteria as the end of days, as we know it, approaches.

As usual, when nothing happened, people pushed back even more regarding what the Bible teaches about the End Times. They ignore the Bible, when it would be much wiser to ignore false teachers and stick with what God has said. Jesus said “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” If we believe that the God of heaven and earth, the God of the Bible, is able to preserve His Word throughout the ages and that He is faithful to keep His promises to His people, then shouldn’t we also be confident that what He has told us about the future will in fact come to pass?

Can we still believe in the Blessed Hope of Jesus’ return for us? The doctrine of the Rapture was a key foundational teaching not only by the Apostle Paul, but also by Jesus Christ Himself. The early church was galvanized and purified by this “Blessed Hope” ̶ ̶ the joyous expectation of Jesus’ return. Seeing that Jesus has yet to appear, this doctrine is even more relevant for us today!

I want to encourage you to read what the Bible says about the future, rather than what some internet expert or come-along-enlightened one has to say, claiming he has a special message from God. Stick to God’s Word and be comforted. There is no need to let your heart be troubled while Jesus is your hope.