There is a spiritual battle going on for the country of America. It is fierce, and it will either hasten or delay God’s day of judgment upon the earth.

“ The time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service” (John 16:2). Does that sound like anything going on today? Many throughout the world are being killed by those who think that they are doing God a service by killing others, or themselves in the process.

In Romans 1:25 we read, “For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator.” How about that? A couple of years ago, I had an opportunity to talk to ranchers, farmers, and others who work and make a living on the land. They were from across the U.S. Every one of them in the discussion (and there were about 20 states represented) was dealing in some way with a law restricting humans and protecting some animal, from owls to minnows to squirrels to birds to worms, etc. to the extent that it was causing economic and physical (usable land) destruction to the people of communities and areas. The laws were forcing people out of jobs, or off land, or limiting how their own land could be used or treated, in order to protect, preserve, (and elevate to a higher status than all else?) these particular creatures.

We see again in Isaiah 5:20, that people “will call evil good and good evil.” Does that sound like something that is true today? How about, “there shall be wars and rumors of wars, and earthquakes and famines” (Luke 21:10, Matt. 24:6-7, Mark 13:8)? Or “upon the nations, perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves” (Luke 21:25-26)? (Do you know anyone in Florida?)

If any of these occurrences sound familiar to you, the Bible tells us we are in the last days. The Bible also says that we should do certain things when we encounter these things in the last days.

We are supposed to “Look up, for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28). We are to look to God and keep our focus on our relationship with Jesus, because He is coming to redeem our bodies so that where He is, there we may be also (John 14:3). We are to focus on Jesus and stay close to Him in mind and spirit, so all of these frightening and troubling circumstances and occurrences do not shake us or our faith in Him.

Along with looking up, we need also to look out- to others, because while our redemption draws nigh, their redemption, or lack of redemption as the case may be, is drawing nigh too. If they are in need of redemption, it is out responsibility to share that with them. We don’t want our friends, family, or neighbors to look at us at the judgment, as they are condemned to an eternal life without God, to ask us, “Why didn’t you ever tell me this?”

We are told repeatedly to be alert and be ready (Matt. 24:42, 44; Matt. 25:13; Mark 13:33, 37) That word means to keep your eyes open, to be awake, vigilant and watchful. As we see the world progressing as it is, we need to stay alert to spiritual things. We can not afford to go to sleep (or stay asleep) spiritually!

In addition to looking up and looking out, the Lord tells us to encourage one another, as we see that Final Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25). I don’t know about you, but these days when evil is being called good, and good is being called evil, and justice seems to be a thing of the past, and utter foolishness is being passed off as sophisticated and intelligent, I get so frustrated that I am tempted to lose hope and give up. But we must not! We are the light in the dark places! That is why Christians need to encourage one another to continue in the work the Lord has given each of us to do! We may be tempted to give up or give in, but if we can continue to encourage one another in these frustrating times, we can gain strength to keep running the race, as in Hebrews 12:1-2 and keep reaching for the goal (Philippians3:14), gathering others along the way for the Kingdom!

These are perilous times, but if we keep in mind the things we are supposed to do- 1) look up- focus on your relationship with Jesus, 2) look out- behold the fields are ripe for the harvest, 3)watch- be ready for His return, 4) encourage one another, these will also be joyous and exciting times in which we see the Lord do great and mighty things in preparation for His return on that “great and awesome (terrible) Day of the Lord.” He is coming back to collect His redeemed, are you ready?……. Let’s talk………… ann@datilbaptistchurch.com

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