Who holds the future?

Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

Matthew 24:34 KJV

Who holds the future? Many would believe that they have a stake in their future. Have you ever considered your destiny? Franklin D. Roosevelt said during the Great Depression that “this generation… has a rendezvous with destiny.” Do you believe that we have an agreed-upon time in space? What appointment does this generation have with destiny? Most of us do not think about it, or we are too busy trying to figure out our next move in life. I do hear some asking if we are living in the last days. I have been wondering this myself. Christianity through the ages has had many so-called prophets stating that the end is near and that Jesus is coming on a certain date. Do you remember the Y2K bug? The bug in computers may not change the dates properly. People panicked that the worldwide infrastructure would collapse. This led to people stocking up on food, water, weapons, purchasing backup generators, and withdrawing large sums of money in anticipation of the collapse. We recently saw the same thing with COVID-19. This is known as a global catastrophic risk or an apocalypse.

What are these things referring to in this scripture verse in Matthew 24:34? One must back up and start at the beginning of the chapter where Jesus is referring to the end times. These things are the false Christ and prophets who deceive many, wars and rumors of wars, nations against nations, famines and pestilences, earthquakes, lawlessness shall arise, and people’s hearts will grow cold [see Matthew 24:4-13]. Each year, there have been events where we have heard about these things taking place somewhere in the world, and some of us have experienced these things firsthand, but “let us not be troubled,” said Jesus, “for these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet,” [see Matthew 24:6]. The key verse is the preaching of the “gospel of the kingdom” in all the world for a witness before the end comes [see Matthew 24:14]. The importance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to save humanity from eternal punishment in hell. Christians have a voice to preach the gospel to those around them.

“Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.”

Isaiah 52:8 KJV

Lift up your voice and break into joy for your salvation has come. Deliverance is here right now through the Son of God. Let not your heart grow cold; believe in what Jesus did on the cross for you. He delivered you from the bondage of corruption, the chains of darkness, and now you are waiting for the redemption of your body when He shall return. Oh, what a glorious day that will be. Christians are to watch and lift their voice, for no one knows the hour when our Lord will come. That’s right! No one will know the exact hour [“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” Matthew 24:42]. It will be as it was in the days of Noah, when no one believed in Noah as he continued to build the ark. Noah believed in what God told him, and he was busy building the ark until the day of the flood.  Many mocked him and made fun of him.  They knew not the hour until the flood came [see Matthew 24:39], so it will be the same when the Lord comes. No one will perceive the hour when He comes.  Let your testimony of Christ be confirmed in you, for remember in the end you will “overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of your testimony, [see Revelation 12:11].  It is the blood of the Lamb [Christ’s sacrifice] and the word of your testimony that the preaching of the “gospel of the kingdom” is to go out into the world as a witness.  Every believer is a witness, every believer has a voice, for they have overcome the evil one through the word of their testimony.  This is our victory that we have through Jesus Christ.  Watch, pray, and be a witness for Christ.

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57

“O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever! He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood,” is the chorus sung in this wonderful hymn written by Eugene Bartlett. Listen and sing along with Lynda Randle.

No matter what the future may bring us, God is still in control of our tomorrows.

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:31-34 KJV

We all seek food, clothing, and a place to live. However, in Matthew Chapter 6, we are told not to think about expecting these things, for our heavenly Father knows that we need these things. We must seek first the kingdom of God and know where we stand with God. We must have the assurance that we are victorious through Christ. As we begin this New Year, place all your cares upon Him, for He careth for you. Our God will establish, strengthen, and settle you [see 1 Peter 5:10] as you continue to walk in faith. God loves you.