Hope for Families  

It’s no secret that Planet Earth is a mess these days. Major news networks almost constantly carry shocking reports of deadly natural disasters, terrorist atrocities, violent crimes, political corruption, economic woes, divisive debates over sexual orientation, not to mention spiraling heart disease, diabetes and cancer, even among young children. Such boiler point pressures are taking their toll on everyone seeking to maintain sanity amidst chaos.  

Even if you and your family have managed to escape most of these difficulties, most homes still struggle with daily living. Countless fathers have so many bills to pay that they hardly spend quality time with their children. Many mothers are so overwhelmed with home responsibilities that they often sink beneath the strain. Children, who are caught in the midst of previously unimaginable stresses, are growing up too fast, face tougher times in school, and often develop harmful habits, such as spending too many hours playing addicting video games—some of which have inspired violent crimes. Instant Internet access also exposes even young boys and girls to bizarre sexual temptations that contaminate the soul. What can concerned parents do? What kind of world will our kids grow up into? Is there any real hope for the future?  

If life on earth is weighing you down, have you considered looking up? As amazing as it seems, the Holy Bible contains stunning prophecies that not only pinpoint our chaotic generation (see 2 Timothy 3:1-5), but offer hope for everyone. In that sacred volume, God Himself is referred to as “our Father” (see Matthew 6:9); and His ultimate solution to an out-of-control world is to finally send “His Son” Jesus Christ back to earth to right all wrongs, destroy evil, and usher in permanent peace. Based on current “signs” being fulfilled all around us (see Luke 21:25-28), that Day is coming soon.  

Nearly two thousand years ago—right before His agonizing death on the cross for our sins, His burial, His resurrection, and His ascension to heaven (see Mark 15 and 16),—Jesus left us with this promise:  

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also (John 14:1-3).  

Did you catch that? “I will come again,” our Savior promised. But how will He come? By reincarnating Himself? By appearing as a ghost? No. The Bible is crystal clear that Jesus Christ’s return will be a cataclysmic event that is highly visible, exceedingly loud, and will even result in the physical resurrection of dead people worldwide who will suddenly pop out of their graves. Paul wrote:  

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17).  

According to Paul, when Jesus returns to earth, His feet won’t even touch the ground. Then God’s people will be “caught up.” So if you see someone walking around on earth claiming to be Christ, don’t be fooled. It won’t be Him, but an imposter (see Matthew 24:24-27). Adding more clarity, Peter also predicted,  

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up… Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:10, 13).  

Did you catch that? Heaven’s plan isn’t to slap a band-aid on a global crisis. In other words, God won’t use peace treaties, the United Nations, earthly governments, moral legislation, law enforcement officers, or any proposal initiated by fallen men to permanently soothe earth’s deadly woes. Ultimately, such measures won’t work anyway. Instead, His purpose is to utterly eradicate evil by melting “the elements… with fervent heat.” All pollution, global toxicity, gross immorality, and wickedness will be “burned up.” Then God Himself will recreate “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” Now don’t miss this:  

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” (see Revelation 21:4,5).  

How exciting! In spite of the dreariness we observe around us, there’s hope for us all, especially for faithful families that adopt Joshua’s advice: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Amidst trials that thicken daily, God longs for fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, grandparents and children to look up! Don’t be discouraged. Read His Book. Pray. Confess your sins. Trust Jesus. He will forgive and help you.  

Yet make no mistake about this one thing: Until Jesus returns, life won’t be a picnic in the park, for Lucifer remains intensely active behind the scenes (see Revelation 12:12). The Bible even warns that our ancient enemy will attempt to counterfeit Jesus Christ’s return by using “all [his] power, signs, and lying wonders” (2 Thessalonians 2:9). Don’t be duped by the devil. 

God’s Word is clear. “Behold, He [Jesus Christ] is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him” (Revelation 1:7, emphasis added). Jesus Himself also predicted that He will descend in the clouds “in the glory of His Father with His holy angels” (Matthew 16:27). Clearly, no one will miss it. As myriads of shiny angels escort the King of Kings back to earth, there’ll be no mistaking His arrival. So again, don’t be seduced by satanic counterfeits.  

Dear friend, although there is no earthly solution to earth’s unsolvable woes, take heart.God knows our difficulties, trials, and struggles.  

“Let not your heart be troubled,” is our Savior’s encouraging word to each of us. “I will come again” (John 14:3), is His unbreakable promise. Until then, don’t give up. Hold on. Pray for your friends and relatives who need God’s grace. The good Lord will hear your prayers. With His help, be a shining light amidst the surrounding darkness. “The darker the night,” someone wisely stated, “the brighter the stars.”  

Until Jesus returns, “be strong in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:10). “Husbands, love your wives” (Ephesians 5:25). Ladies, become one of God’s “holy women” (1 Peter 3:5). Parents, raise your children “in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). When King Jesus returns, He Himself will establish everlasting peace in God’s new earth.  

Will you be there?  

Choose Jesus Christ today!