GREAT EXPECTATION
By W. G. Guy
For the believer in Jesus Christ there is a wonderful event that is just ahead for us; namely the return of Christ to set up His glorious kingdom on earth.
Luke 21:27-28 – And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
However, prior to His return things are going to look terrifying causing much fear among people and nations.
Luke 21:25-26 – And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
What kind of fearful things are we likely to see happening? Earthquakes; wars and threats of destruction; volcanoes; extreme weather phenomena; man-made disease and pestilence; massive violence and rebellious riots; unknown things in the skies (drones, UFO’s, UAV’s); and the most vile sinful forms of corruption made public, and even performed in public (Olympic ceremony).
Jesus gave us this warning for a very important reason. Fear is a tool of Satan that he will employ as the coming of the Lord approaches. Jesus told this to the apostle John who recorded it in the Book of Revelation:
Revelation 12:12 – Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhibiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Satan, knowing the time his rebellion is coming to an end, will use everything in his arsenal to steal, kill and destroy whatever influence of Christ you have that stands in opposition to him.
Why does the devil rely on fear to use as a weapon against Christians? Fear will cause a person who is not strong in faith to back up, to yield gained ground, or to flee from threats of harm. Fear thus causes doubt in the Word and promises of God, and in what Jesus said and provided for us.
Causing doubt is a favorite effort of Satan, as evidenced from the very beginning of mankind.
Genesis 3:1 – Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
“Hath God Said”? Did God really mean what He promised to us in his Word? Did Jesus really accomplish what He did for you? Are the works of the Holy Spirit really for today? Satan will challenge the very word of God to you in many ways. He used this same tactic on Jesus. The devil tried to cause doubt in Jesus of who He is by questioning Him with the word “IF”; a word of doubt.
Luke 4: & 9 – And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God: …. 9 And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God,
Why would Satan not challenge you in the same way; by causing fear, and creating doubt about God’s loving faithfulness to care for you. We need to understand that fear filled days are coming to try to destroy your faith and trust in God, His Word, and promises to you in Jesu Christ. This is spiritual warfare, and it going to get more intense as Christ’s soon return will be resisted by the devil. Thus: men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.
We must be founded on the Word and promises of God, because this is our form of armor in this warfare as it intensifies in these last days.
Ephesians 6:10-17 – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
We are exhorted in God’s word to not give into fear but to resist and stand firm on the promises of God, which is our spiritual armor. We can’t fight Satan with physical weapons of war because this is not a physical battle, it is spiritual.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 – For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Thus we see that most of this warfare is in the mind, how you think, and what you focus your attention on because of what we see and hear. It is in the mind (soul) where fear and doubt take place. Therefore we must be firm in our faith and knowledge of God’s Word. Those who lack a sufficient knowledge of God’s love, and His Word, are likely to give in to fear and doubt. Several places in God’s Word we are told not to give into fear because of its destructive influence.
Psalm 46:1-3 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and thought the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
Here we read what Jesus foretold would be experienced before Hs return in Luke 21:25-26. There is coming a great shaking; it will occur in the institutions of man, as well as the earth itself, and even what we see in the heavens (sky).
Hebrews 12:25-29 – See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: for our God is a consuming fire.
God will deal with those wicked ones who are against His own people because they are actually working against God, who cares about you.
Isaiah 41:10-13 – Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contend with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
Isaiah 54:10 & 14 – For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. In righteousness shall thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.
2 Timothy 1:7 – For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Trusting in God’s love means you have no cause to fear, because of His loving care for you. (Read also Psalm 91, the tribulation Psalm).
1 Peter 5:7-9 – casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith,
The conclusion of this matter is to the get into the Word of God, and to get the Word of God into you. Know His promises for you, and stand fast on them; even when your confidence is being challenged, because it will be in these last days. Above all, FEAR NOT what you see coming because it is for the wicked, to get them to their knees and to call out to God. This will be an opportunity for us to be His witnesses to them, because we do not fear what is coming, but we have piece because we know the end result and His purpose. There will be problems!
Matthew 10 21-22 – And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
An increase in hatred shall also be a sign of the last days, along with wars, conflicts, and contentions: even over words, thoughts, policies and beliefs: but you will be able to endure and even thrive as you stand firm on the Word of God.
As an added warning, we are told by Jesus to beware of false prophets, preachers and teachers who will lead people astray with false doctrines that may sound good: like the prosperity doctrine that focuses on material things of creation rather than on the Creator and Redeemer. Deception shall be prominent in the last days; not only from government leaders, but false church leaders.
Matthew 24:4-8, 24 – And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. …… For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
In spite of all the evil that will manifest in the days before the return of Christ, we are still told to “look up” with GREAT EXPECTATION, and we will behold the glory of the LORD, and His coming, which is getting close.
