2022-07-27
Rapture
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Fear is a common issue that halts us. Fear is one of Satan’s most effective weapons against the mind of believers. Satan chooses to use fear as a way to paralyze us and render us ineffective in spiritual battle. Fear is such an incredibly strong emotion, and it can be incredibly hard to overcome.

It is no wonder that so many people are afraid of the end of the world. What will happen after? What if I never make it to Heaven? What if I never see the ones I love again? These are all common questions that cause doubt and confusion. The Book of Revelation lays out the end of days and it can be an intimidating read. It brings out some of the most common fears: fear of the unknown, fear of death, fear of pain and fear of loss.

However, fear is only an emotion. Though its effects are incredibly powerful, fear can always be overcome by truth. If we know the truth about God and the world, we can beat our fears. We as Christians should try to conquer this fear given to us by Satan, and instead turn to God and His Word. Despite the scary scenarios in the Book of Revelation, a believer who has a saving relationship with Jesus Christ (John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10) can find peace for several reasons.

God is Always With Us

Christians can rely on God’s spirit to help alleviate our fears. God is always by our side, lifting us up and giving us strength (Isaiah 41:10). While He can’t promise that nothing bad will happen to us we can take comfort in knowing He is with us. No matter the things we face in life, we always have God on our side to guide us and protect us. This doesn’t end in the prophesies of Revelation. Next time we are fearful of the end, remember to cast those worries on God (1 Peter 5:7). He will give you the extra strength and reminder that you are not alone, and you never will be.

It’s Not Really the End

Secondly, we can take comfort in the fact that the end of days is not really the end. The Bible clearly states that a believer’s final destiny will be in Heaven with Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). God will keep us safe as we walk through the trials of the world (Revelation 3:10). Even more exciting, after the trials of the world are over we can rejoice as God’s Kingdom comes to earth. He will create a new earth and new heavens where everything will be perfect (Revelation 21). While the end of the world seems scary, the results after will be beautiful. We will be with God for eternity in a place that has no fear, no death, and only happiness (Revelation 21:3-4).

Jesus is Our Salvation

We can also find peace because we are one with Christ. We do not have to fear Judgement Day because we are children of Him. We are instructed to be confident about judgement, because we are covered by Christ’s merit. He love us, and that love drives fear away (1 John 4:17-18). However if you choose not to follow God, you do have reason to fear. Jesus did not come to judge us, but to save us. Those who reject His offer of salvation will face judgement (John 3:17-18).

God Does Not Want Us to Be Afraid

In the Bible, God makes it clear that He doesn’t want His followers to be scared of the End Times. Instead, what Christians are told is actually encouraging. First Thessalonians 4:13-18 states “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” Rather than fear the future, we are called to anticipate the future with joy. Why? In Christ, we will be “caught up” to meet Him and we “will always be with the Lord.”

Further, Scripture says we do not need to fear Judgment Day: “By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love” (1 John 4:17-18).

Fear is a normal emotion, but we can recognize it’s just Satan’s way of turning us away from God and the truth. When we take the time to understand the Book of Revelation, God’s promises, and the End Times we learn that there is nothing to be truly afraid of. Instead, there is only love and a future with our Father.

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