Security in A Dangerous World
By Hal Lindsey
Things are going wrong all over the world. Civilization itself seems on the verge of a terrible implosion. Economies are held together with bailing wire and spit. The UN and most nations tend to reward warmongers, while attacking those who resist military aggression. In a time of nuclear proliferation, our leaders keep choosing policies that encourage belligerence.
It is only by the grace of God that an ungrateful world continues its balancing act on the edge of a terrible abyss. But as the world rejects God, it also rejects His grace and His help. Without major changes, time is short. Meanwhile, it gets more dangerous every day to go to the grocery store or drive down the street. Tidal waves of drugs and drunkenness engulf the nations. Pestilences plague the world. Lies and fake news now permeate once trusted institutions.
Churches that ignore these things or fail to sound the alarm, neglect their duty to those they are called to serve. Meanwhile, some other churches and Christian organizations make the opposite error. Instead of looking for the coming of Christ, they diligently search for Antichrist. They focus on evil. Dark conspiracies have become their stock in trade. They act as if their job is to make Christians depressed, distressed, and afraid.
The signs of the times should focus our attention on Jesus. That’s why we need to be aware of them and let Him help us understand them. In Matthew 16:2-3, Jesus chided the Pharisees and Sadducees because they understood signs in the weather, but not signs of the times. It is for good reason that the Bible gives detailed information about the times leading up to the Lord’s return.
But signs only give part of the picture. The key to it all is Jesus. He should be our focus, especially in an era of chaos. 1 Corinthians 14:33 tells us that “God is not the author of confusion.” The Greek word here translated as confusion means disorder and chaos. But Jesus is our Rock, our unchanging home even as bedlam overtakes the world.
Our hope as Christians has always rested in Him alone and not in the world system. But the world’s present instability should remind us of the One who remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. We find our stability in Him.
I’m not saying to disengage with our neighbors in the world. The Bible admonishes us to be good citizens. And in a republic, citizens comprise the ultimate governing authority. We must discharge those duties with diligence and care, especially when it comes time to vote. We need to be informed and involved.
Sadly, many have taken this to unwarranted extremes. They started by simply pulling for their guy in an election. Nothing wrong with that. But some then became so absorbed in the world system that they began to place their hope in political messiahs. This leads to inner turmoil, anger, and fear. Many live in constant dread of the next election.
Remember Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith.” He has never let you down. He never will. Romans 8 lists terrible difficulties Christians sometimes encounter. Verse 37 then proclaims, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
