If
you are a born-again Christian, then you have so much to rejoice about, even
if your life is in shambles here on earth. Even you if you have lost
everything dear to your heart in this life, you cannot lose your salvation.
Jesus said in Luke 10:20, “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the
spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are
written in heaven.” Amen! Jesus is precious to give us such a wonderful
assurance of eternal life, peace and salvation.
Jesus gives us hope. No matter how messed up our life is down here on earth, the Lord has promised to make everything right. John 16:20, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.” Jesus died on the cross so He could make everything right. Jesus is precious and has promised to give us happiness one day, taking away our sorrow and giving us a new changed body (1st Corinthians 15:52). John 16:22 teaches that no man will ever take our joy away again. People will take your joy at times, just as they persecuted Daniel, the Apostle Paul and the prophets; but Jesus said that won't always be the case. We are on the winning side in Christ Jesus! Jesus gives us hope of a brighter future.
Jesus gives us peace in the midst of this insane world. John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Notice that Jesus said He doesn't give peace AS THE WORLD GIVETH. The world's answer is psychiatry and drugs. Jesus said He gives us true peace, through the Holy Spirit and the precious Word of God in our soul. Even in the face of harsh persecution and unprecedented social wickedness, the born-again believer has peace knowing his or her name is written in Heaven.
Even while suffering daily with agonizing pain and persistent health problems, we still have peace in our souls knowing and believing the wonderful promises of God (2nd Peter 1:4). The Bible contains several thousand promises, which are the power of God unto us. God is bound by His Word to keep that which He has promised. We don't have to wonder, worry or weary ourselves with doubts and fears; but rather, we have the precious promises of a God Who cannot lie (Titus 1:2). The name of Jesus is precious!
It is comforting to know Jesus cares about us so much. Jesus said to rejoice that out name is written in Heaven (Luke 10:20). Jesus said to rejoice when our enemies persecute us for His name's sake, because our reward is great in Heaven (Luke 6:23). Jesus said He would send the Holy Spirit to comfort us (John 14:18; 15:26), and to teach us (John 14:26). Jesus said He knows that people often rob our joy, but they won't ever do it again once He returns (John 16:22). Jesus said He didn't come to condemn anyone, but to save sinners (John 3:17). Jesus said all these awesome things, because He loves us and cares about us, and wants to encourage us.
Jesus said in Matthew 28:20 that He is with us wherever we go in the world. Jesus said in John 16:33 that He wants us to BE OF GOOD CHEER, because He has already done what cannot do... OVERCOME THE WORLD... “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Though the wicked are rising to power, and evil is all around us today in society, and faith is becoming hard to find... we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37). The battle has already been won, when Jesus was crucified at Calvary.
Prophecy is simply history written in advance. God already knows the outcome, and He has shared that information with us in the Bible. We already KNOW what the end of the world will entail. We will be Raptured when the Lord returns... TO BE WITH THE LORD. 1st Thessalonians 4:17, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Seven years later we will return WITH the Lord at the Second Coming, when Jesus will clean house on earth and establish His earthly reign as King. What a day that will be!!!
I was prompted to write this article, while recently thinking about all the wonderful things which the Lord Jesus told us in the Scriptures to encourage us. Jesus gave us many precious promises to hang onto, to warm our hearts, and give us a hope through His name.
