A World Of Fear

A World of Fear

Read: Luke 21:7-19

“When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened.”

Luke 21:9

“All fear is bondage.”

—Anonymous

IN WORD One of the most controversial points of theology among Christian denominations is our understanding of the end times. And though we’d prefer it if God had spelled things out more clearly for us, He seems intentionally ambiguous on many points. This verse is one of those points. Jesus does not say when wars and revolutions will take place, and specifically when the end will come in relation to the wars and revolutions. He simply says they will come. We can expect them. And we should not be afraid.

All of the signs Jesus gave as preconditions to “the end” have been going on throughout the ages: wars, rumors of war, revolutions, earthquakes, famines, pestilence, persecution, false messiahs, and various other fearful events. Why was He not more specific? Theories abound, but we can be sure of one thing: When we observe the world around us, Jesus wants us to be ready. Christians at all times and in all ages should be ready. And not afraid at all.

IN DEED Today’s world can be terrifying. So could the world in the age of Jesus and every era before and after. The signs Jesus has given are the typical ways of the world. And every Christian’s response in this world is to look beyond it to Jesus and His kingdom. We are to be entirely kingdom focused. Fear indicates a belief somewhere deep inside us that we can be overcome by the ways of the world. We cannot.

Those who are in Christ are overcomers. He prevails, and we are in Him. He guarantees us tribulation in the world, but He also guarantees that He has overcome the world (John 16:33). Fear does battle with our faith. The two cannot coexist. When we fear, we submit to the kingdom of this world. When we lift our eyes up in faith, we rise above it.