We are living in incredible times.
Romans 8:22 – For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Have you noticed how creation is groaning? Are you aware of the intense battle going on around the world? I am not talking just physical. I am referring to the spiritual battle which is growing in intensity. Everything godly, Biblical, and right is under attack.
(Before going further, we must make a distinction that this verse is talking about the effects of sin on mankind and creation, and not talking about climate issues or directing us to become climate activists. We know this because of II Peter 3:7 – “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” This planet is a wondrous creation and shows God’s power and design, but this planet is a “disposable planet.” God is going to destroy it utterly and remake everything anew. Those who put their efforts into saving the planet, will come up against the force of the Almighty God. So we know, when Romans 8:22 says “creation groaneth and travaileth,” it is referring to the effects of sin after the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden. The effects of sin can be seen in our world today.)
Creation is groaning in pain. The “end of the age alarm” is going off. Israel has now been a nation in their land for over 70 years, but beyond that, we can hear on the news how more Arab leaders believe this is the time to make peace with Israel while the rest of the world grows more anti-Semitic. We are seeing massive changes in weather, to the point that secular scientists are “shaken.” Biblical morality is being rejected openly, and mankind is trying to re-establish what is morally right in their own eyes.
I must pause to again say, we are living in an extraordinary and wonderful time (not the sadness of men’s sin, but the fulfillment of prophecy from our Almighty God). For just under 2,000 years, Christians have waited and desired to see what we are seeing now. I believe with all my heart that we are the generation that will hear the call of our Saviour, Jesus, and experience the Rapture.
Back to the indications, have you noticed how news agencies are not even reporting on some major events anymore? They have too much to report on!
Creation is groaning.
I set no dates and I’ll set no year, but we ARE in the season (however long it lasts).
1 Thessalonians 5:3-6 “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”
The arrogance of this fallen world will soon be utterly broken and we will stand before Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Doesn’t this thought make your heart burn?
We, who are watching, can easily see the signs of our Holy King’s imminent return. Soon, and I believe any day now, our Great and Glorious God will shatter the arrogance of this fallen world. People around the globe will disappear in an event that shakes governments, economies, transportation, militaries, families, churches, and world views. Some people will understand what has happened and what they missed; some will be deceived.
This world has always groaned in pain under the weight of sin, but this “groaning” is becoming a wail. Everything wicked, sad, and wrong is displayed across the news these days. I’m not just talking the United States, but the entire world is roiling under the effects of sin. The headlines of news articles have become disturbing to the point that it’s hard reading just the headlines.
Romans 8:22-23 “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”
You who have put your faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:16) and have the Holy Spirit abiding in you (1 Corinthians 6:9-20) know this groaning. We desire to be with Christ, in His presence (Phil. 1:23). Take heart; we don’t have long to wait.
As we wait in these last days, we can take comfort in the wonder of what’s to come.
Creation is “travailing in pain.”
Personal Peace and Perspective … as the World Breaks
The arrogance of mankind says their way is better than the Lord’s way.
What is the Lord’s way? At its simplest, it is repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21, 4:12). Mankind turns to their own way rather than simply accepting the simplicity of the Lord’s way, as presented in His Word.
1 Timothy 2:5-6 “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”
John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
For those who have never turned to Jesus and asked Him to be their Saviour, He is our only hope, help, and future. We have no eternal life outside of Christ. We have no true peace or joy without our Wonderful Saviour.
Atheism, occultism, and everything else under the sun is common and growing in popularity in these last days. Mankind is becoming more and more openly rebellious to the God of the Bible. Can I say, this is another indication of the lateness of our age? A Side Note: Mankind, during the tribulation period, will know that the Lamb is judging the earth (Revelation 6:16-17). They are openly rejecting Jesus.
Many groups have redefined Jesus in their own way.
The Catholic church teaches that Jesus is unapproachable, which is why they need to go to Mary. Let’s look at what the Bible says, and I will provide passages. The Bible directly contradicts this teaching and says in Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
Jesus of the Bible is our advocate (1 John 2:1) or intercessor (Romans 8:34), not Mary or any other saint (Rom 8:34, 1 Tim 2:5, John 14:6, Acts 4:12). Putting our faith in a church or someone other than Jesus misses the entire wonder of salvation and redemption. The wonder, the marvel, the incredible love in the redemption story is that the living God showed unimaginable mercy and love by giving His own Son to die for our sins (John 3:16), meaning that, when we put our full faith in Jesus, God the Father sees Jesus’s blood covering us or washing us clean, rather than our sin (Revelation 1:5b-6); and then He went beyond that wonder and showed grace by making us His children (Romans 8:15), giving us direct access to the throne room of the Father through the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Through this redemptive plan (faith in Jesus alone), we are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22), which marvelously changes us (1 Corinthians 6:11) and gives us a new perspective on everything. God’s true Biblical plan for salvation “turns the world upside down.” The thought of us working to pay for our own sin or turning to anyone other than Jesus become anathema. This is because it is directly against the grace of God and everything the Bible teaches.
Salvation is from the Father, through the Son, and by the Holy Spirit.
Islam teaches Jesus is a prophet rather than the Son of the living God. Some of evangelicalism believes in a “social justice” Jesus. Many other groups have their own thoughts on Jesus, but these are all “doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1) and lies from Satan.
Jesus is the Son of God. He was/is/will remain perfect and sinless. He is part of the Trinity (three distinct persons, different in function, but all completely God). He is Holy, which means “set apart.” He is perfection beyond our understanding. We, the finite, cannot comprehend the infinite.
How can we (the creation of God) fully comprehend the incredible love God the Father showed to us by giving His Son to die for us? Nothing in all of creation is more wondrous than our Living God.
We should look forward to every person, past, present, and future, bowing before Jesus and admitting that He is God! Creation seems to groan in anticipation of the day Jesus receives the glory He deserves.
Philippians 2:9-11 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
We will all bow before Him at some point. We can bow to Him during our lifetime and accept Jesus as our Saviour, or we can reject Him. The ones who choose not to bow to Him now, WILL still bow. They will bow before Him when they are judged and thrown into the lake of fire to burn for all eternity (Rev 20:15). I hear many Christians focus on the sadness of this truth, and it is sad, but what about the rightness? What about the holiness? What about the glory?
We shouldn’t desire for anyone to be thrown into the lake of fire, but God is holy, and His judgment is right. The people who are thrown into the lake of fire will have committed the worst and deepest sin of all. They rejected the Son of God. They rejected the perfect and pure love of the Living God. They arrogantly thought themselves better than God. God has shown astoundingly deep matchless love and patience in waiting for mankind to repent, and always remember, His judgments are righteous, good, and holy.
John 8:24 “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”
Psalms 9:7-8 “But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment. And he shall judge the world in righteousness; he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.”
Won’t it be a wonderful day when this wicked world admits Jesus is God? Personally, I believe the Rapture will be one of these instances when many people will realize God’s Word is true.
If not immediately after the rapture or during the tribulation judgments, the world will undoubtedly HAVE to admit Jesus’s deity when He rides out of heaven, during His second coming, at the end of the tribulation period (Revelation 19). Jesus deserves all glory and worship, period (my words cannot convey the depth of truth behind this statement).
Where is your peace as the world breaks? It’s in Jesus, because He is in control. Our God knows every molecule on every planet in every galaxy across the universe. Our God knows every grain of sand on every beach in this entire world. If our God knows every sparrow and has the hairs of our head counted, then He certainly knows those who trust Him.
Nahum 1:7 “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.”
Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”
Believe Jesus. He’s Faithful and True.
Rest in Jesus. He is our Prince of Peace.
Love Jesus. He is Wonderful.
What should be our perspective as the world breaks? Praise the Lord! We get to shine all the brighter in this broken world until our Glorious God calls us to Him! Share the Gospel, love God, love your neighbor, stand for truth, and turn from the lusts of this world.
When you stand before God, will He say, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” or “Thou wicked and slothful servant?”
Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Job 13:15 “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.”
A Last Thought
Creation is groaning. Doesn’t it seem like God is delaying the next step in Israel? The pressure is building all around Israel and even around the world, but just keeps building. Israel is quickly being surrounded by enemies and is delaying (strategically) any wars against her neighbors. Anti-Semitism is exploding around the globe. I believe we are watching God move in a very visible way in the world right now. The stage is being set.
The arrogance/blindness/hatred of mankind says Israel is to blame for the unrest in the Middle East. The truth is, God is restoring Israel for the glory of His name (Ezekiel 36:22-23). No matter what mankind tries to do to Israel, God will do as He wills.
Won’t it be wonderful when Israel is restored? Jesus deserves their worship. The Jews rejected their Messiah, and for now they are blinded (John 12:40, Romans 11:25), but they will be restored. I believe that restoration is very near.
God gave the land of Israel to the Jews. It is divinely theirs and nothing will change that fact. Any country that steals from Israel by giving away their land will suffer the consequences. This includes the United States, of which I am a citizen.
I wonder if this is the reason why the United States does not seem to appear in end-times prophecy. What will happen to us if we push Israel to a two-state solution or try to give their land to the Palestinians?
As Israel blooms, we see the world convulsing under the effects of sin.
Creation is groaning.
Time is short, and redemption is drawing nigh.
I’m looking forward to hearing all the hosts of heaven sing praises to God, and I can’t wait to be one of those voices. “What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see!”
