Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.  Revelation 3:10

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING:  REVELATION 3:7-13 “ ⁷ “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: ⁸ “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. ⁹ Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. ¹⁰ Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. ¹¹ Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. ¹² He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.¹³ “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

COMMENTS: As I write this devotion, we in USA are in the middle of a world – national – state – community war against the coronavirus epidemic.  This virus is dangerous because it is so contagious, which is at its peak prior to carrier having symptoms.  Most would not expose others knowingly but this virus is sinister enough to being most contagious prior to symptoms.  Yet some have refused to take this illness serious enough to self-quarantine or minimize public gathering exposure to become infected or infect others.  Church services and meetings and other public gatherings have been postponed or cancelled along with recommendations of grocery shopping or necessary purchases being made in off store hours to minimize exposure.

So, is this worldwide virus evidence of God’s judgment or a sign of end times we are living in.   No human knows, only God knows.  However, Jesus did reveal clues for us to judge if the time we are living in is end time so prophecies of future events foretold can be anticipated soon if we are.  Many have tried to predict timing of Christ’s return and disasters and dangers and warnings we can expect before He returns and after He does return.  It is not my intent to make this devotion a study of bible prophecy, so will simply say weather changes and related disasters, earthquakes  and disease epidemics, wars and breakdown of moral values and behavior, increase in violence and associated epidemic fear and anger, breakdown of traditional family and contempt towards biblical moral world view and reverence or even belief in God or His law and instruction. 

All this and much more flooding our local and national and world news is supporting and confirming conclusion we are living on the end times and Christ’s return is immanent.   Disasters both caused by humans and by forces of “nature” or God all support this conclusion.   In fact, prophecy even tells us that human conduct and harm inflicted without regard to consequences (also evident today) will influence timing of Christ’s return to stop it before all mankind is destroyed. 

Matthew 24:21-22 “²¹ For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. ²² And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the ^[a]elect’s sake those days will be shortened.”

Yes, we are living in dangerous time but not without hope and confidence.  Those without hope are not Christ followers so we have a powerful opportunity to share that hope during times like this.   Christ not only gives us hope but His Holy Spirit councils and guides us to make wise choice that give hope and wisdom in conduct that will help guide ourselves and others not only to a meaningful relationship with our creator but a  lifegiving path out of the disaster or tragedy or loss  that is being  endured presently.      Heaven is our ultimate and long-term reason for hope but present help t hat   the Holy Spirit and God’s Word provides immediately exceeds anything world wisdom offers or is capable of providing.

Gratitude has a wonderful way of clearing the storm and clouds and fog of fear and panic and desperation and hopelessness.  Clear thinking enables us to logically receive and act on true paths out of bad situations.  Satan does not want us to get out of despair and danger he has led us into.  We are at his mercy when there but God wants us safe, so He offers us a way out but also a way to be in fellowship with Him so we can stay out those pits of disaster and despair. 

So, will we follow the deceiver and liar or the Giver and Sustainer of life?   Will we just follow Christ when suffering disaster or will we follow Him in good – safe times too?  Human tendency is to go our own way during good times and only go to God when have to or have no other option.

So, what must we do?   Do what is needed and what we can do to recover and promote recovery of others.  Today’s need is to stop the spread of Coronavirus and support treatment of those with it.  That means doing what we can while conveying hope and gratitude and confidence only Christ can give.  Be the Christ that others will learn and desire in their lives.

Are we living in the end times?  Will things get worse?  If yes, then we need to do more to be prepared and help others prepare for His return while enduring present and coming dangers and temptations.  If we are not in the end times, then what about this should change?  I dare say, nothing!!  Not one thing!! Everyday should be a day of preparing by having and seeking fellowship and council and forgiveness and hope from our Savior and from His Word and from His Holy Spirit.  Then go out and act accordingly responding as our Lord guides with a clear mind and in an attitude of gratitude. 

When despair or depression or lack of direction loom down on you and me and on others near us, we need to seek Him and pray for help.  He is as near as our breath ready to respond.  He bore judgment for our sins on the cross so we can freely come to God’s throne for forgiveness and help without restriction anytime and anywhere knowing He will listen and respond, maybe not   as we expect but always the best way. 

“God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

Thank God today that Jesus Christ bore our judgment on the cross that we might inherit salvation through Him.

God’s wrath is his righteousness reacting against unrighteousness.
J. I. Packer

AMEN?  AMEN!

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