Trusted and tested hope against sickness, pain, tragedies, darkness, and ultimately sin
The saddest and painful of all human experiences is death. Add it up with the sufferings endured from terminal illnesses, pandemic such as COVID-19, horrible accidents, intentional injustices that make it truly traumatic.
Think of abandoned young children due to the death of parents from car accidents or war. Think of helpless babies being left alone in cold just elsewhere. Think of old people physically abused by teens for no reason. Think of a dying parent saying goodbye to his children due to cancer or other sickness despite having a healthy lifestyle. These are only a few human experiences that are happening almost every second. These are the results of sin.
Is there hope beyond these awful experiences? How is it possible that others can still experience happines in spite of sad realities in their lives? What drives them to continue with a positive attitude?
Different people have their different reasons for moving on. For Christians, these are some reasons why they continue to experience joy despite the bitter offerings of sin.
#1 Jesus will crush the serpent’s head
Even before sin entered into this world, God has foreordained a plan. The originator of sin will come to its final end. God said this to the serpent (Lucifer) after he deceived Adam and Eve into sin.
“You will bite her child’s foot, but he will crush your head.” Genesis 3:15 ERSV
Ultimately, Jesus as the Promised Seed, will crush this serpent’s head; meaning the devil’s existence will finally be gone soon.
#2 God promised to provide the Lamb
Instead of Isaac being put to death as a sacrificial lamb, God provided Jesus as the better sacrifice. The sacrifice to atone for the sins of many should be without blemish, and there’s no one in the entire history of mankind can attain that perfect righteousness. But God provided the Lamb, Jesus!
“‘God himself is providing the lamb for the sacrifice, my son.'” Genesis 22:8 ERV
This story provided a narrative of God’s way of saving mankind, and it is through His Son alone that men can be saved.
#3 God provides the way for atonement
“This is because the life of the body is in the blood. I have told you that you must pour the blood on the altar to purify yourselves. It is the blood that makes a person pure.” Leviticus 17:11 ERV
There is no other better solution of getting rid of sin than what God had planned. If atoning for sin is through a kilo of rice for every wrongdoing, for example, then only rich men can possibly be saved and that there will be plenty of boasting.
But being redeemed through the blood of only one Person, Jesus–the ever humbled Servant of all, man can never gloat of himself even an inch. That’s the best solution against sin and no man can ever surpass that!
#4 Jesus already fulfilled being the Lamb of sacrifice
“The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him and said: Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 CEV
That climactic part of providing a way of escape from sin for mankind has been fulfilled already. It’s not a myth nor a legendary folktale. There are countless pages in human history to support the veracity of the death of Jesus on the cross. Good news? We no longer wait for it to happen. It’s done!
If those great milestones in the plan of salvation came to its fulfillment, then there should be no cloud of doubt for the remaining Bible prophecies that lies ahead. Praise God for giving us enough time to consider and re-consider Him.
#5 Jesus will do it for us through faith
“But we know that God accepts only those who have faith in Jesus Christ. No one can please God by simply obeying the Law. So we put our faith in Christ Jesus, and God accepted us because of our faith.” Galatians 2:16 CEV
It is through the faith of Jesus, not our faith, that anyone who beleives in Him will be part of His kingdom. Jesus’ faith, which is ever faithful and true, makes it possible for us to be accepted to heaven.
#6 Jesus will complete our faith
“Being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 WEB
Salvation is not a one-day event. It is a process. It includes living a holy life which shows that those who will be saved are fitted to live in the new heavens and new earth. Another good news is that for as long as we abide in Christ, He will complete that faith until Jesus comes and even beyond that.
#7 Testing is bearable
Because we cannot fight the enemy with all of our human endeavors, God promises to give us the ability to endure the temptation. God only asks us to seek Him first and the shield and counter-attack against sin will be provided.
“There isn’t any temptation that you have experienced which is unusual for humans. God, who faithfully keeps his promises, will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to resist. But when you are tempted, he will also give you the ability to endure the temptation as your way of escape.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 GW
#8 Judgement is in favor with the saints
We all know that there is a day of us facing our eternal outcome: eternal life or forever dead and gone in oblivion. In fact, that day is happening now. Our High Priest, Jesus, is mediating our cases in the heavenly court. When He’s done, He will come to render the saints their reward.
Another good news is that the case for those who believe in Jesus is bright and sure. All we need to do is to continue with our faith in Him.
“It did this until the Ancient One, who has lived for endless years, came and judged in favor of the holy people of the Most High. The time came when the holy people took possession of the kingdom.” Daniel 7:22 GW
#9 Saints will be safe
In Matthew 24, Jesus Himself predicted exponentiated chaos as this world is coming to an end. But of course, there is another good news for the saints: they will be protected.
“…and there will be a time of trouble, such as there never was from the time there was a nation even till that same time: and at that time your people will be kept safe, everyone who is recorded in the book.” Daniel 11:1 BBE
That is hope for those of us who are living in the end times. Keep the faith and we will be safe.
#10 There is a resurrection
Life for our departed loved ones does not end in the grave, we will see them again. If Christ’s resurrection is true, if all His promises and prophecies had been fulfilled, then again, there should be no doubt that our loved ones who lived with God’s amazing grace will rise again.
“And a number of those who are sleeping in the dust of the earth will come out of their sleep, some to eternal life and some to eternal shame.” Daniel 11:2 BBE
#11 Jesus is definitely coming again
All these prophecies and promises that are to be fulfilled soon require faith. We just need to look back at how God fulfilled the previous prophecies. There’s no miss, all happened according to His plan.
“For as the lightning cometh forth from the east, and is seen even unto the west; so shall be the coming of the Son of man.” Matthew 24:27 ASV
#12 God’s kingdom will reign forever
“And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” Daniel 2:44 ASV
The head of gold representing the Babylon of King Nebuchadnezzar is long over. The silver torso representing the Medo-Persian empire of King Cyrus and Darius was done. The bronze thigh representing the Grecian empire of Alexander the Great was overcome by the Romans. The legs made of iron representing the Roman Empire also came to an end.
We are now in the foot of that great image in the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar. The next thing that will happen soon is the coming of that stone that strike the statue which represents the coming of Jesus.
Yes, there are horrible and traumatic experiences in this world especially as we are nearing towards the closing chapter of this earth, but God had provided a solution. His words are true.
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
“Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 ASV
Share these promises to your friends!