Bible Prophecy and the Current Political Divide

Q: How Can I Know the Difference Between Turning the Other Cheek and Taking a Stand for What Is Right?

A: America was founded on Christian principles, but this foundational premise began to erode after World War II. Today momentum for the downward trend is building. The government, the educational system, the entertainment industry, and the media no longer share our values, which means faithful Christians are becoming alienated from the dominant forces in society. Christianity is now a religious subculture, increasingly demonized, ridiculed, and marginalized.

Persecution is not too strong a word to describe what is happening to Christians in America today. To be persecuted for righteousness’ sake means that we are hated or opposed or suffer solely for following Christ and living for God. In our nation, we are experiencing five stages of religious suppression: stereotyping, marginalizing, threatening, intimidating, and litigating. I think America is a long way from the persecution involving torture and death, as Christians endured in the New Testament and now endure in other countries. But one never knows what may lurk around the corner. In my younger days, I never in my wildest nightmares dreamed that Christianity would be under fire as it now is in the United States.

Christianity is now a religious subculture, increasingly demonized, ridiculed, and marginalized.

How should Christians in the United States react to persecution? The first response might naturally be anger. But the New Testament gives us a more constructive response. The early Christians suffered much more severe persecution than anything we presently face, and we never find them responding in anger. In fact, they found positive benefits in suffering. They discovered suffering promotes character (Romans 5:3-5), provokes courage (Acts 4:19-20; Philippians 1:20-21), proves godliness (2 Timothy 3:12; Hebrews 12:6; 1 Peter 5:10), produces joy (Acts 16:25; 5:41), and provides rewards (Hebrews 11:24-26).

We can determine to stand for truth, draw support from one another, and derive our security from the Lord.

When we view the current political climate in light of God’s eternal plan, there are decisions we can make and steps we can take in advance to steel ourselves for that moment when persecution comes. Let’s look at three things we can do to prepare for that moment.

1. Determine to stand for truth. We cannot allow the fear of rejection, criticism, or loss to prevent us from shining our light. To live worthy of the Gospel is to stand for God’s truth without bending. As Paul urged the Corinthians, we are to “watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love” (1 Corinthians 16:13–14).

To live worthy of the Gospel is to stand for God’s truth without bending.

2. Draw support from one another. We cannot be Christians alone. We need the company of others like ourselves with whom we can share encouragement, struggles, and victories. It is easy for us to feel alone and discouraged, but in the company of fellow believers, we draw strength, discipline, knowledge, encouragement, support, and love from one another. A courageous example can spur us to say, “If he or she can do it, by God’s grace, so can I.”

Derive your security from the Lord. The key to standing firm in the face of persecution is to remember whom we belong to and where we are going. We belong to Christ, and He secures us in His hand. Thus, we need not fear danger to our reputations, jobs, finances, or even physical lives. As He said, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25).

Q: How Does the Current Political Divide Fit Into God’s Timeline and the Revelation of Christ’s Return?

A: In Matthew 24, our Lord predicted the future of world history and the end of the age. I believe the signs in verses four to fourteen represent a description of the first half of the tribulation period. But these trends and events will not appear suddenly when the Rapture comes. They’re going to increasingly characterize the World of the End and reverberate backward through time.

The signs described in Matthew 24 will increasingly characterize the World of the End and reverberate backward through time.

The Rapture is the next event on God’s prophetic calendar and will occur without warning. It could happen at any time! We can almost hear the countdown. We’re living in prophetic times and seeing prophecy fulfilled before our eyes. When we consider world events, we can see that the signs of Matthew 24 are intensifying. It’s time to look up, for our redemption draws near!

During these troubled times, we can find personal peace by considering God’s message to two Old Testament figures. When King Ahaz and the nation of Judah were facing invasion by two enemies, the Lord gave this message through the prophet Isaiah: “Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood” (Isaiah 7:4, NIV). Even earlier, Moses had told the Israelites by the Red Sea: “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still…. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm” (Exodus 14:13-14, NLT).

These verses remain as applicable today as they were to God’s ancient people: “Be careful… keep calm… don’t lose heart… stand still… the Lord will fight for you.” Do those words reverberate in your heart right now? The devil may try to invade your orbit and disrupt your day. You may face battles on multiple fronts, but by fixing your thoughts on Jesus, you can claim His perfect peace and persevere. Practice putting these three steps into action to maintain peace in your heart: keep calm, don’t be afraid, carry on, and trust God to fight for you.

Practice putting these three steps into action to maintain peace in your heart: keep calm, don’t be afraid, carry on, and trust God to fight for you.

Q: How Can I Avoid Feeling Discouraged When World Affairs Seem So Bleak?

A: As world conditions worsen, Jesus said we shouldn’t hang our heads in hopelessness or shake our heads in confusion. Instead, we should lift our heads in expectation, for our redemption draws near (Luke 21:28). After Paul told the Thessalonians about the sudden return of Christ in the air for His people, he said, “Comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

Our world is in a state of depression. Proverbs 12:25 states: “Anxiety in the heart of a man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.” Certainly, there are times when medication is necessary, but meditation is often better. When we visualize our Lord’s return, we treat our souls to a “good word.”

Jesus told His worried disciples on His last night with them, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions.… I will come again and receive you to Myself” (John 14:1-3).

Try this experiment. One evening, sit down and watch television for an hour, focusing on world news. It’ll be an hour filled with riots, war, politics, problems, budget deficits, serial killers, and natural disasters. Reflect on how you feel afterward.

Bible prophecy is a practical subject with tangible benefits; those who study it are happier, holier, and healthier people.

The next night, turn off the television and study First and Second Thessalonians, two little books in the New Testament with much to say about the Lord’s return. Focus on 2 Thessalonians 1:7, which promises that God will give His anxious children rest “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels.” After an hour of pondering the eight short chapters of the Thessalonian epistles, I believe you’ll have joy in your heart as you anticipate His return.

Studying the signs of the times isn’t just for “Second Coming scholars.” It’s for every single Christian who loves His appearing. It’s comprehensible and compelling, and it will change your life. It is a practical subject with tangible benefits; those who study it are happier, holier, and healthier people. Prophecy is the best self-improvement course we can take, and the benefits are eternal.

During these challenging days, commit to studying what the Bible says about the prophetic times and learn to pray: Even so, come, Lord Jesus!