Living In Difficult Times

September 20, 2023 Scott Jones

By Scott Jones

No doubt you have noticed that these are difficult times. Lawlessness and outright foolishness seem to be in abundance. Although living in the “land of the free”, more and more citizens feel the clammy grip of tyranny from all levels of government. In this article I am not going to get into the tantalizing nuances of prophecy, nor take a stand on the timing of the Rapture. I am going to look at what Jesus told His Church and make some suggestions about how the faithful can live in difficult and perilous times, glorifying God, while awaiting His return.

Understand the Times

1 Chronicles commends the tribe of Issachar: “of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do…” (1 Chronicles 12:32). The men of Issachar looked at their circumstances and understood – not only what was going on around them, but what they ought to do. They are a role model for followers of Jesus. Rather than hiding their heads in the sand they observe what is happening in their communities, state, nation, culture, media, entertainment, educational institutions, and government. Looking frankly at the growing evil in these sectors, they must recognize it for what it is: the encroachment of the spirit of the age. This is not a time for excuses, nor for putting “lipstick on the pig.” Christians must recognize the threats on themselves, their families, and the Church and then they determine what they ought to do – being prepared to act. Nevertheless, they must act Biblically – not lashing out in vengeance, but resisting the evil by civil, peaceful, and legal means. So, pray for wisdom to understand the times and to know what you ought to do.

Christians must also understand that this may be the “end times” or it may not. Jesus tells us that no one knows the time of the end, but the Father: But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. (Matthew 24:36) – see also Mark 13:32.

No one knows the time, but the Father. That means that you don’t know, I don’t know, your favorite TV preacher doesn’t know, but more importantly, our enemy doesn’t know. This is the reason that every age feels like the end times to believers because Satan must scurry about doing the things in the present age that he must do at the end of the age. So, this may be the end, but it may not be. One can say with certainty that the Church is closer today to the return of Jesus than in the first century.

See the Signs

Jesus repeatedly tells His followers, explicitly and in parables, that His second coming will be a surprise. Nevertheless, in Matthew 24 and in Mark 13, Jesus provides signs that will precede His coming. Among those signs are false Christs and deceptions. Christians need to understand these prophecies and to develop the discernment to guard themselves against the lies and schemes of our enemy.

Because Satan does not know the time of Jesus’ return, he sends antichrists into every age to deceive people and to lead them astray. These battles will be spiritual, and believers must put on the full armor of God to withstand what the enemy will throw at them. (Ephesians 6:10-18) Jesus warns His flock to expect deception: “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” (Mark 13:22) Some will even claim to be Jesus. “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many.” (Mark 13:6)

Some antichrists will deny Christ. (1 John 2: 18-23) These may take the form of atheists who deny the existence of Jesus Christ, or they may take the form of false religions or heretical sects that preach a Jesus different from the Bible:

Jesus was a good man, but not God.
Jesus sometimes sinned.
Jesus was spirit only and was not incarnate.
Jesus was just a great teacher.
Jesus was a prophet, but not the Son of God.
Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene.

John warns the Church against these types of deceptions: For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. (2 John 1:7) Furthermore, John instructs Christians to test the spirits to see if they are from God.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. (1 John 4:1-3)

There are many ways to deny Jesus, but the Bible tells us the truth. Jesus is fully God and fully man. He is unified in the Godhead with the Father and the Holy Spirit - one in essence and yet distinct in personality. He came in the flesh, lived a sinless life, died on the cross to atone for the sins of the world, and was resurrected – He rose from the dead.

Remain on the Alert

Jesus promised that he would return one day to gather the faithful to Himself. Nevertheless, he also told His followers that no one knows the time of His coming. So, what are the faithful to do? For one thing, Jesus commanded His followers to remain alert and vigilant, waiting expectantly for Jesus’ return.

Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:42-44)

And

Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. (Mark 13:33-36)

Clearly, Jesus wants His Church alert and ready for His coming. His people must not allow themselves to be lulled into sleep by the length of time, like the slaves in the passage from Mark. Rather they must remain alert like the five wise virgins at the wedding feast who maintain their lamps ready for the coming of the bridegroom. (Matthew 25:1-13)

Paul reminds the Church to be on watch, standing firmly in the faith:

To the Corinthians: “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)
To the Ephesians: “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18)
To the Thessalonians: “Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:6)

It’s been over 2,000 years and Jesus has not yet returned for His Church. Furthermore, His followers do not know when He will return. Nevertheless, they are called to be ready for His return, whether He comes in a few moments, or if He continues to tarry. During this time, they are to remain watchful, standing firmly in the faith, and being prepared at all times.

Courage in Persecution

This may not be an easy task. Clearly the Church must endure persecution before Jesus’ return. Jesus Himself warns the Church to expect persecution: “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.” (Matthew 24:9-10) And in Mark: “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them.” (Mark 13:9) The Apostle Paul endured persecution, and told Timothy that all who live godly lives in Christ will endure persecution:

But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:10-12)

Don’t expect all people to like you. There are those who will hate you because you love Jesus. Being “nice” and failing to speak the truth will not win them over. It is normative for the Church to endure persecution from the world system because the enemy hates the truth. Although our nation has enjoyed a brief respite from persecution, it appears that persecution is on the rise.

Jesus also promises that He is with His people and will sustain them through persecution. “But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 13:11) The Apostle Peter gives us instruction about how the faithful endure persecution:

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” (1 Peter 5:8-10)

The writer of Hebrews advises followers of Jesus to take courage: So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6)

Lastly, encourage one another and exhort the brethren to faith, courage, and good deeds.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

What Can the Faithful Do?

You are here. Jesus has been resurrected, assuring us that His words are true and that if one believes in him and accepts the free gift of salvation, that he is His forever. The resurrection also assures Christians that Jesus will return someday for His Church and will make all things right. So, what are the faithful to do in the meantime? Jesus does not want His followers to remain passive. In the parable of the talents the slave who simply buried his talent received rebuke and condemnation. Jesus wants His followers to be about His business, doing the good works which God prepared beforehand that we would walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

In conclusion, here are four things that can guide the faithful as they await Jesus’ return.

Understand the times in which you live and know what you ought to do. Be informed and engaged.
See the signs. Test the spirits against the word of God. Discern deception and do not be deceived by false prophets.
Remain on the alert. Watch, pray, and stand firmly in the faith.
Have courage in persecution. Expect persecution and walk by the Holy Spirit as you encounter trials. Exhort and encourage one another to endure.
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