The fears most common in regard to end times (what the Bible refers to as the last days) concern events described in the final book of the Bible, The Revelation. In some detail The Revelation reveals the progressive wrath of God that will be poured out on the earth and the people who remain alive during those final, dreadful days before “… the glorious appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus” (Titus 2:11-13).

For years, Bible scholars have agreed that all prophecy necessary to be fulfilled before the rapture has already been fulfilled. Though we believe time is now short before end times events begin to unfold visibly, those who have trusted in Jesus and received His life should not fear, but look forward in eager anticipation to the possibility that at any moment we could be caught up “… to meet the Lord in the air,” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)!

We realize, of course, that many people—particularly the young—have a sincere desire to have their turn in life before the Lord’s return, and that is perfectly understandable. Newly-weds anticipate a new life together and starting a family of their own. Others already have children and a desire of the heart to nurture them to maturity. Still others may have new, exciting jobs or perhaps have started a business of their own and want the satisfaction of learning how successful they can be. All these are understandable and honorable hopes and dreams.

However, to give up things in this life in order to gain what God has for us in the next is much more to be desired. The apostle Paul made it abundantly clear as he paraphrased the prophet Isaiah in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “but just as it is written, ‘THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM’.”

Paul also said, “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3).

Simply stated, the things that exist and excite us on earth will diminish to insignificance in the light of what our God has prepared and waiting for us. But here and now, as the world moves ever deeper into these last days, its residents will experience increasingly trying times. Practically every day we see new instances of hostility and injustice, even in our own country. But for those who trust in Jesus, the good news is, “Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him!” (Romans 5:9); that Jesus “… rescues us from the coming wrath” (1 Thessalonians 1:10b); and that “… God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep (meaning alive or dead), we will live together with Him” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10).

As believers in Jesus Christ, we are in a win-win situation. If He does not come for us in our lifetime, we win because His Spirit is living in us, guiding us and leading us into all truth. And we have His promise: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). If He does come for us while we remain alive, we win because it will happen instantly, painlessly, and will be the most exhilarating event of our existence — seeing and meeting our great God and Savior Jesus Christ up close and personal, escaping the tribulation to come and being with Him forever! “Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

Finally and equally important as we consider our daily lives in anticipation of events of these last days, we hear the admonition of Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

And in Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This is an admonition with a promise attached. Thank God that He has made provision for you. Express your fears to Him and ask Him to take them away by helping you to transform your thinking in accordance with the verse 8: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

In other words, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1-3).

Something truly marvelous happens when we follow God’s ways—we begin to experience God’s peace. The truth is, we do not know the day or the hour of the rapture and of Christ’s return. It could be today, or it could be 100 or 1000 years from today.

Usually, our worst fears are about future events and things that never happen! Someone wisely observed that worrying about the future is like building bridges over rivers that are not there. The issue we must be concerned with—for ourselves, our families, and others around us—is today. We can only live in the present, thus we must trust the future to God—the future belongs to Him and He will provide for our needs as needs arise.

Jesus promised an abundant life for everyone who would believe and trust in Him (John 10:10). But that abundant life is in the here-and-now. God’s grace is sufficient for today. He will not grant grace for future things—those future things we worry about may or may not happen. We must guard our minds! We must not lose the joy of living in Christ today by worrying about tomorrow!

One thing we do know is this: if we are true believers in Jesus—having accepted His forgiveness and having received His life—if we are still here on earth at His return, we need not fear. It will be the most joyous occasion we can imagine! Our destiny is set. We are secure.

“These things I (Jesus) have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Come, Lord Jesus.

We hope you have been comforted by these assurances from God’s Word and by the life-giving Spirit He has freely given to all who trust in Jesus. However, if you have not yet thanked Jesus for the unconditional forgiveness He provided for you at the cross, and have not yet invited Him into your heart to give you eternal life and to be your Lord and your God, we encourage you to do so right now.

Receiving Christ means repenting from the sin of unbelief and turning to God and His provision in the person of Jesus Christ. If this is the desire of your heart, you might express your wish in a prayer like this:

Lord Jesus, I need you. Thank you for dying on the cross for the forgiveness of my sins. Thank You for offering me Your life. I now ask You to come into my heart as my Lord and Savior. Take control of my life and make me into the new creation You want me to be. I now thank You for coming into by heart and giving me eternal life. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, the living Christ has come to dwell within you forever and you have begun the great adventure for which you were created as a child of God. We also encourage you to immediately contact this ministry to request a New Believer’s Packet. It will contain free materials to help you on the road to growth and maturity in your new life as God’s child.

If for any reason you are still unsure of what becoming a Christian is all about, we encourage you to read through our Born Free tract. Born Free details all the information you will need to fully understand why we need life and salvation and how to obtain it. God bless you in your search.

(download the PDF)