We are beginning the year 2024 with many great uncertainties. There are wars and rumors of wars. Certainly, Israel is God’s timepiece and our eyes’ focus on the Middle East will lend us discernment of the times. There is turmoil in much of the world that has been generated by the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack by Hamas against the unarmed men, women and children of Israel. The nations surrounding Israel are also talking of war. Missiles are being shot from Lebanon and Gaza. Syria remains hostile. Iran has its “advisors” on the ground in Lebanon and Gaza. Turkey’s leadership speaks favorably of Hamas. There are riots around the world by those supporting Hamas. The world is becoming even darker.
Here in the United States, there is medical, political and economic disruption. The federal government has joined with big pharma to control you through fear mongering about your health. The political elite are using politically-appointed judges and the administrative/deep state to undermine your vote and choose the leaders they want to rule over you. In addition, there are Marxist forces at every level of government using their positions to attack your rights as citizens and as parents. The public school system is a breeding ground for anti-God, anti-parental rights, and statism. The government and corporate media are conspiring to censor your thoughts and voice. The economy is heavily influenced by leftist theories and social scoring.
Even churches are in a disruptive phase. The forsaking of teaching sound doctrine in deference to feel-good, emotional, political correctness, and self-indulgence has succumbed to a falling away. The cumulative effect is a tremendous exodus of young people who see “church” as feckless and hypocritical. We have fast approached the time, if we are not in it already, prophesied in 2 Timothy 4:3, “For there will be a time when they will not endure sound teaching, but according to the own desires, having an itching ear, they will gather around them teachers to suit themselves.” The instability of double-mindedness has become the norm and those who discern well are looked upon with disdain.
These are days of great testing. They are the days when we as disciples of Christ must remember who we are. As Christ said in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Whilst we live in our home nation, we are royal priests making up a holy nation set apart to do the work of the Father. No matter the condition of the world, let us remember who we are.
