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Persevering in a Dangerous World

Persevering in a Dangerous World

by Jonathan Brentner

We live at a time like no other. We live in Biblical times.

The voices warning of dire food shortages for 2023, skyrocketing energy costs and threats of World War 3 come from a wide variety of sources, but very few are paying attention. Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, military generals in the U.S. and NATO leaders, frequently talk of nuclear war and dirty bombs. But again, most people ignore the threats and plan for a future in which nothing will change the status quo. Globalists such as Joe Biden are much more interested in fervently promoting abortion up to the moment of birth and the monstrous evil of transgenderism for children, than they are in resolving the conflict in Ukraine that threatens to engulf much of the world in a deadly war. We live at a time like no other because so very few people are paying attention to the deadly crises that loom on our horizon. We live in Biblical times because what we see worldwide is precisely what God’s Word says the world will look like just before the start of the seven-year Tribulation. The similarity with prophecy is uncanny, but few believers recognize that we indeed live in biblical times.

In spite of the perilous times in which we live, please know that, as believers, we possess an exceedingly great hope; an over-the-top joyous anticipation of the glory that awaits us at Jesus’ appearing.

Persevering in the Faith

What enables us to persevere amid these dangerous times?

In Philippians 3:20-21 and in 1 Corinthians 15:51-57, Paul describes the future Biblical event that we call the ‘Rapture.’ It’s the time when Jesus raises the dead in Christ, gives us who are alive imperishable bodies, and takes us up to His Father’s house in heaven. In each passage, Paul follows up his discussion of the Rapture with encouragement to persevere, or stand firm in our faith (Philippians 4:1; 1 Corinthians 15:58). There’s something about our anticipation of Jesus’ appearing that gives us the courage to stand firm in these perilous times.

I believe it’s our certain expectation of glory that enables us to move forward in serving the Lord, regardless of the cost. It’s recognizing that the joy that lies before us far outweighs any pain that might lie in our future. Is this not what Paul so eloquently stated in Romans 8:18? - “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
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Also in this edition

Powerpoint - John Williams 
From The Editor 
In Touch with the General Director 
Persevering in a Dangerous World - Jonathan Brentner 
Shipwrecked On Revelation - part two - Donald CB Cameron 
Signs of The Times - Tony Pearce 
The Eschatology of The Invisible Church - Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Th.M., Ph.D 
Israel Desk - Tony Pearce 
Crowns and Judgment - Todd Hampson 
What In The World Is Happening? - Brian Papworth 
‘What’s On?’ 
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