Coronavirus, wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, political strife, and division. These words marked the year 2020, and in many ways, they still describe the world today. The past few years have been a relentless cycle of uncertainty, and many of us have longed for things to “get back to normal.” But what if normal is never coming back? What if we are witnessing the very signs Jesus told us would precede His return? What does it take to obtain hope that never fails?
Many of you who have followed my writing know that I believe we are headed full-speed into the prophesied end times. The events unfolding around us align with what Scripture describes as birth pains—signs that the return of Christ is near. While God’s judgment is coming, our responsibility right now is clear: we are to increase the Kingdom of Heaven by sharing the gospel and leading people to Christ.
A Need for Hope
One thing I know I need to offer more of is hope. And not just wishful thinking or empty reassurances, but real, unshakable hope—the kind that can weather every storm, every disappointment, and every hardship.
Pain is an unavoidable part of life. I don’t welcome it, and like anyone else, I do my best to avoid it. But I’ve also come to understand that suffering is part of our existence in a fallen world. It isn’t pleasant, but not everything in life is. And yet, in the midst of it all, we have a choice: will we be consumed by fear, or will we anchor ourselves in the one thing that never fails?
What Is Your Hope?
Before reading any further, take a moment to answer this: Where is your hope?
So many today place their hope in things that will ultimately fail them—politicians, governments, science, medicine, or even religion. We hope that the right leaders will fix what is broken, but time and again, we are disappointed. We hope for medical breakthroughs, only to find that sickness and suffering persist. We put our faith in science to save the planet, yet we see contradictions, misinformation, and human error.
Religion itself can be deceptive. Many so-called Christian movements have veered so far from Christ that they offer nothing but empty rituals and human tradition. But Christianity is not a man-made religion—it is the truth of a Savior who never fails.
Disillusionment is everywhere, and it is easy to feel overwhelmed when the world seems so dark. That’s exactly what the enemy wants—to cloud our vision, to make us feel lost, to leave us hopeless.
But we are not without guidance.
A Call to Stand Apart
In a world filled with division and hostility, the natural response is to return hate for hate, insult for insult. But as believers, we are called to something higher. Peter reminds us of this in 1 Peter 3:8-15 (ESV):
“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing… but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
This is powerful. When the world is desperate for stability, our hope in Christ should make us stand out. People will notice. They will ask how we can remain steadfast when everything else is crumbling. And that, my friends, is a witness opportunity.
Jesus called us to be a light—a city on a hill that cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14). Now more than ever, we must embrace that calling.
The Hope That Cannot Be Shaken
Even in these chaotic times, our hope remains. It is not tied to a political outcome, a temporary peace, or a medical cure. Our hope is in the unchanging promises of God.
Paul understood this deeply. Writing from prison, he declared in Philippians 1:21 (ESV):
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Think about that for a moment. To live is Christ—to serve, to proclaim the gospel, to love others. To die is gain—to be in the presence of the Lord, free from all pain and suffering. This is the hope we have as believers. We do not wish for death, but we do not fear it.
The world is obsessed with preserving life at all costs. But as Christians, we know that true life begins when we enter eternity with Christ. Until then, we live with purpose—spreading the gospel, loving our neighbors, and standing firm in faith.
The Focus of the End Times
When we talk about the end times, the focus should not be fear or judgment. It should be the return of Christ and the fulfillment of His promises.
If you are reading this and are not a believer, here is what you need to understand:
- Christians are not perfect. We sin and fall short just like everyone else.
- There are only two ways to enter heaven:
- Keep God’s law perfectly (which no one can do).
- Believe in Jesus Christ, who kept God’s law perfectly on our behalf.
Jesus, the Son of God, was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and was crucified—not for His sins, but for ours. He took the judgment we deserved so that we could be made right with God. And because He rose from the dead, we have the promise of eternal life.
How to Receive Salvation
If you want the hope that never fails, here’s what you must do:
- Repent of your sins. Acknowledge them and turn away from them.
- Believe in Jesus Christ. Accept His sacrifice and declare Him as your Lord and Savior.
That’s it. It isn’t about rituals, good deeds, or church attendance. It is about faith in the One who already paid the price for you.
For believers, there is also a day of judgment—not for sin, but for our faithfulness. This is known as the Bema Seat Judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10). On that day, Christ will reward His followers based on their obedience and service. It is not about earning salvation but about living a life worthy of our calling.
The Time Is Now
We don’t know how much time we have left. But we do know this—Jesus is coming back, and the world will not always be as it is now.
If you are a believer, let your life reflect the hope within you. If you are not, I urge you to seek Christ today. Speak to a Christian friend, read the Bible, or reach out—I am more than happy to answer any questions.
The hope we have is real. And it is yours for the taking.
- Share the Gospel – Lives depend on it!
- Go in peace and live your day for the Lord!
Your brother in Christ,
Duane
See all of our Principles for Last Days Living
