Lest you suppose I always think in terms of old song lyrics, I can tell you that I most often think and speak in Scripture. But sometimes a secular lyric captures a sentiment that the world seems to know just outside its own consciousness. Like an itch that you just can’t scratch, it lies just below the surface of full awareness. But, like a word that is on the tip of your tongue, that semi-awareness points to a spiritual reality far more important than this mere physical world we inhabit.
In 1965, The Animals recorded a song whose lyrics were even more prescient than they realized:
We gotta get out of this place,
If it’s the last thing we ever do;
We gotta get out of this place,
‘Cause girl, there’s a better life for me and you.
Watching chaos in the Middle East rise to a fever pitch once again these past several weeks, I was reminded that I cannot wait to get out of this place. It will be the last thing followers of Jesus Christ will ever do in this mortal life, and He indeed has a better life waiting for those who have trusted in Him.
But while we tarry here, He also has work for us to do on His behalf.
We sometimes wonder what it would have been like to live through the persecution of the Early Church or witness the Reformation, as the Gospel was reasserted in a series of “solas.” What would we have done had we been alive to oppose the Holocaust—in Nazi-occupied territory or far removed in the New World? With the blessing of hindsight, we like to believe that we would have rejoiced at the prophetic significance of 1948 and 1967 as Israel was brought back to life and the Jews reclaimed the city of Jerusalem.
Standing in the stream of history, it is hard to get perspective on the events swirling around us and sweeping past us day by day. That is why it is valuable to step back and consider the historical trends that have led to where we are today. It is said that those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. For followers of Jesus Christ, the blessing of hindsight offers us understanding our forebears could only dream of.
With that in mind, let’s consider the unbroken chain of faith that has been passed down to us today—blessed assurance that Jesus’ promise to prepare a place for us and to return to gather us to Himself—anchors us to God’s prophetic Word. And that Word remains faithful and true.
Thank you for this wonderful article. I love its simplicity, sincerity, and spirituality. I pray the Lord will bless you in many ways for this uplifting communication.
Hi Tim
I too have been hearing this message now for some time.
Not knowing what to do with it, but certainly confirmed in my spirit.
It has also been stirred by the song sung by Jimmy Swaggart – Leavin’ On My Mind – which I found recently.
So be encouraged, to continue to share the message as the Lord leads, during this time as His second coming draws near.
May the Lord bless you & keep you, & your ministry.
From Geoff in Australia.
On October 4, 2019 I had an accident that rendered me unconscious. I left my body, rose above it, and saw it floating face down under the surface of the ocean. I was instantly transported to the unseen realm. I was immersed in the Presence of God. Jesus spoke to me and said, “You need to make a decision right now.” The decision was to choose life with Him there or return to my pain-wracked body in the ocean. I didn’t’t want to return because I didn’t know how badly my body was damaged and I feared the worst. (Later medical people told me that I had crushed C-1 and C-2 and torn a vertebral artery. Bad! Very bad!) Jesus then told me, “You can stay here with Me. You have done enough on earth. But I have more for you to do there.” Realizing I had given Him my life 35 years before and had been faithful to His will for my life since then, I said, “I’ll live.” Immediately I was thrust back into my body. I have no paralysis, I did not drown, I was life-flighted to a hospital by helicopter. And now I am still here serving Him until He calls me back home. My friends, know Him, love Him, serve Him. Find and follow His will for your life. You do not know when He will call you home. God bless you all. And may God continue to bless LnL ministry!
The Day of the Lord. Now brothers and sisters, about time and dates, we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While we are saying “Peace and Safety” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
Most people, if they know the Bible know that Jesus will save believers from the wrath that is to come. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
The Lord, the Bridegroom, is coming for His bride, it is more and more apparent every day.