Christian Life During Interesting Times.
- Bob Russell
- Jun 16
- 5 min read
It is often said, “May your life be during interesting times.” However, is that statement actually true?
We often wonder what it would be like to live during a time of major transitions. Some have seen wars and changes on a geopolitical scale. But up to now, we continue to forecast a time when Jesus will turn this world into his domain. This will come with an ending to all the current world order, dominions, and national power.
It’s nearly inconceivable that this will actually happen outside the eyes of faith. Many today scoff at the idea, and some have grown weary listening to anyone claiming a literal end of the age is coming. However, it will occur, and when it does, there will be few, if any, prepared for the events of that critical point in time. We are now becoming a generation that might just witness the return of Christ!
Being prepared is very important for the house of faith. God provides in His word examples of some who actually faced and lived through Biblical prophetic times of woe and destruction. As bad as it was, God found a way to help his people survive. This is an additional assurance, while some await a pre-tribulation rapture to rescue, we have to be ready to face those days, should it be God’s will.
Being a prophet of the last days will be extremely difficult. Not only for lack of credibility, but for likely prosecution and heckling that will occur. It is not for the faint of heart.
Of all the Spiritual Gifts listed in the New Testament, none are considered as important as Prophecy! The ability to see and foretell events to come with accuracy would seem quite important — provided anyone is around to believe.
While prophecy is considered the greatest of spiritual gifts, [1] it comes with a tremendous burden. The mythological Greek tragedy of Casandra comes to mind. [2] In summary, Casandra was loved by the Greek god Apollos; she attempted to gain a gift from the god, but she rejected his pursuit. Apollos angrily gave Casandra the prophecy gift but condemned her so no one would believe or listen to her. She correctly prophesied the defeat of Troy and the legendary hero, Agamemnon.
No one listened, and the defeat of Troy and the death of Agamemnon occurred as predicted. Her fate was to face humiliation, indignities, and death. As I have stated before, there are certain realities behind myths, including the existence of lower gods and their human targets, which are reasonably accurate. The fall of Troy is historically true. However, the story is quite illustrative for providing context on the dark side of the gift of prophecy.
In Scripture, the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah is also a great example of prophecies going unheeded by leadership and authority, which resulted in a disaster for a nation. Jeremiah is the one who both predicted it and lived through the transition. This is very rare indeed! Scripture foretells of two prophets in the last days that attempt to warn humanity, only to be killed and left in a public forum to be sneered at and scoffed. [3] Just try to imagine what it would be like not only to be one of those individuals, but to suffer the fate of those remarkable saints! Jeremiah would have understood this, and to him we should look to help us better understand that:
GOD IS OUR PROTECTOR
Two Old Testament books are credited to Jeremiah — Jeremiah, the main text, and Lamentations. Lamentations are the prophet’s laments on the fall of the nation of Judah and Jerusalem. Jeremiah was an eyewitness to this event and warned of that outcome just before the occurrence. His feelings about the event are expressed as laments and sorrows. He describes the deserted city in a poetic fashion: its desolation, its miseries, and cries out to God for mercy.[4] He confirms that God’s warning was fulfilled with the humiliation of Zion.[5] However, he still affirms that God’s love endures.[6]
The remainder of Lamentations details the destruction and the holy relics that were destroyed and plundered. This is a post-event reflection and shows great sorrow from the prophet. The book of Jeremiah describes the historical event leading up to the nation’s fall and how he pleaded with the people to repent and avoid the disaster — to no avail.[7]
He goes through the history of Israel and its calling, as well as its lack of faithfulness to God, and a call to repent before it was too late. When it seemed no one heeded his warning, he tried to get the people to flee Jerusalem in haste as the invasion to come was imminent. [8] He cries out and mourns for the people, claiming, “My joy is gone, grief is upon me, and my heart is sick.”[9]
Jeremiah was threatened not to speak of the destruction, or in the name of the Lord, he would die.[10] God further revealed the plot to kill Jeremiah to the prophet. The prophet complained to the Lord and wanted the Lord to do the right thing against those plotting his death and the evil things they committed. [11]
God hears and responds to the prophet, assuring him that he will follow through on his judgment of Israel. He further warns the prophet that members of his family plot against him and do not trust them. The story shows false prophets springing up, telling leadership and the people that no evil would happen to them.[12] God promises Jeremiah that he will deliver him from the hands of those plotting against him.[13]
I go into detail in this description of Jeremiah to show the trials of a prophet who is not believed to be rejected by his or her people or threatened by the people. It can produce great anguish and sorrow when facing such conditions. Worse, to witness the bad outcome of a prophecy come true. Jeremiah is placed in prison, and he speaks out against the false prophets and witnesses the arriving armies of Babylon, as well as the great battle and untold deaths.[14]
Having found favor with the Lord, Jeremiah is taken captive by the Babylonians and then allowed to walk away.[15] He stayed with the remaining people in the land; the poorest and needy were left behind as the many in Judah and Jerusalem were taken into captivity. Those left were provided with plenty of food, drink, and shelter from the spoils of those who were taken away.
God cares for the poor and humble. [16]
He will rescue the humble and downtrodden too and escort them into the Millennial Kingdom!
Prophecy can be a significant burden, but obeying the prophetic word can deliver the faithful during times of great upheaval and distress, such as the times we will soon experience.
This example from Scripture also provides context on things that go wrong and how the faithful face these conditions. It’s now always sunny, and we can face great despair. It’s not uncommon to complain to God, but seeking his input is essential rather than rejecting Him when you don’t understand the circumstances.
It will save you in the end.
Sources:
[1] 1 Corinthians 12:1–11; 14:1- 24
[3] Revelation 11: 3–14 [4] Lamentations 1:1–23 [5] Lamentations 2: 1–22 [6] Lamentations 3:1 [7] Jeremiah 2:1–37 [8] Jeremiah 6: 1–23 [9] Jeremiah 8:18–21 [10] Jeremiah 11:18–23 [11] Jeremiah 12:1–17 [12] Jeremiah 14: 13–16 [13] Jeremiah 15:19–21 [14] Jeremiah 39:1–18 [15] Jeremiah 40: 1–6 [16] Matthew 5:3–12
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