Podcast: Download (Duration: 7:22 — 5.1MB)
After all the recent changes, many people are feeling very uneasy. What happens next? Corona has the whole world in its grip, and no one knows how the consequences will affect us personally, or even global events. Will there be an economic collapse? Will the pandemic get even worse, or what awaits us in the near future? Will we all soon have to be vaccinated against Corona? What's the deal with this vaccine that supposedly even alters our DNA?
Unfortunately, our time is rife with fearmongers who use various video clips and other panic-inducing messages to try to make people feel insecure. What is important for us to keep in mind today?
1. Keep peace in your heart!
First, I would like to remind you of Jesus' words: " And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age " (Matthew 28:20). Jesus is with His people and holds all world events in His hands and therefore under His control. Nothing happens without His will. Therefore, in this time, all of God's children should place their trust in Him and not in the uncertain powers of this world. This is a very important and comforting message for us Christians.
“ I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world ” (John 16:33). We are to have peace in Jesus Christ and let nothing distract us from that peace.
One question keeps stirring the emotions of many believers: "Does Corona have anything to do with the mark of the cross that is written about in the Book of Revelation?"
“ And it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, so that no one can buy or sell except one who has the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of its name ” (Revelation 13:16-17).
Today, more than ever, we see that everything is steadily developing in this direction. Cashless transactions are being accelerated worldwide, especially by this pandemic. People find it obvious that it's better to pay with their mobile phone or card than with cash. It's becoming commonplace for our hand and forehead to be used for scanning.
I experienced it myself in a department store in Romania. We were buying relief supplies at Kaufland in Botosan. I saw people holding their hands up to a scanner to be allowed into the store. I immediately thought of that Bible passage and wondered what was going on. Only then did I realize that they were simply measuring body temperature – for everyone who wanted to enter the store.
I had already noticed this practice at the airport, where many passengers had a scanner held to their heads to measure their body temperature. These events, however, have nothing to do with the mark of the Antichrist. Nevertheless, we are becoming accustomed to these procedures in our daily lives. Jesus never spoke of fear and anxiety, but taught His disciples in their discussion of the end times: “ When these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near ” (Luke 21:28).
May the peace of God fill and preserve our hearts even in these days.
In this end-times discourse, Jesus gives his followers a call to the right course of action: “Stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28). It is very important for us not to succumb to panic and fear, but to look to the future with confidence. May the peace of God fill and protect our hearts, even in these times. Paul writes to the Philippians: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
2. Be vigilant
On the other hand, I also often see, especially among the younger generation, a great deal of indifference, which inevitably reminds me of the sleep of the five foolish virgins in Jesus' parable. It is with this text that I want to shake such people awake, because the times we live in are very serious.
In Luke we read the following exhortation from Jesus: “ Be on your guard, lest your hearts be weighed down with drunkenness and carousing and with the cares of daily life, and that day come on you suddenly like a snare. For it will come on everyone who lives on the face of the whole earth. Be on your guard at all times, and pray that you may be strong enough to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to be able to stand before the Son of Man ” (Luke 21:34-36 /NLT 2017).
Jesus here issues clear warnings for people living in the last days. He urges us very earnestly: Beware—lest your hearts be burdened. Two things are mentioned here: poor eating habits and daily worries. These can weigh us down so much that we are suddenly overwhelmed by the day of His return. “ It will come like a snare to all who live on the face of the whole earth” (Luke 21:35).
But he also shows how we can be prepared for all events and stand before the Son of Man: “ But be watchful at all times and pray that you may be strong ” (Luke 21:36). Jesus here names the means to strength and vigilance. Yet how burdened our hearts are with other things.
I would particularly like to draw attention to our use of smartphones. How deeply is our generation trapped in the shackles of media consumption, unable to break free? Our thoughts are consumed all day long by what we consume on our phones and what floods our chats. Hardly anyone can focus their thoughts on divine matters anymore because the smartphone captures all our attention.
What we read in the Bible in the morning is quickly pushed aside by the many funny and interesting videos and other content we consume. Consequently, we can't concentrate on our conversation with God. Isn't that the reality for many Christians today? Aren't our hearts burdened with these things, making us unable to receive God's admonitions? How can we face the events of the end times in this way, and how can we appear before the Son of Man with defiled hearts?
Even conversations with God are increasingly reduced to a brief "obligatory appointment" these days. Our hearts are elsewhere. This is a dangerous state of affairs. The only preparation against all the difficulties and catastrophes of the end times that await us is summarized in Jesus' exhortation: " But be watchful at all times and pray that you may be strong " (Luke 21:36).
There are no other ways to prepare for uncertain times than these, and we are so poor at them today. How else will our lamps be filled with the necessary oil if we ignore these warnings?
3. Seek God with all your heart
Our cell phones, good food, daily worries about our finances, and hobbies and leisure activities all hold us captive. Often, there's no time left for vigil and prayer. Some aren't even saddened that church services are canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions. Many seem perfectly capable of living without fellowship with the saints. What will happen when even more changes come our way as Christians, perhaps even persecution? Are we prepared for that?
How important it is for us to put aside all that steals so much of our time and distracts our thoughts from God. We should contemplate God's Word more intently, practice prayer anew, and be vigilant so that our hearts are not burdened by things that separate us from God and thus deprive us of eternal life with Him. How many of us now lack the strength to resist all these temptations and live a life in fellowship with Jesus?
May God help us all to be awakened by these words, to take this exhortation to heart, and to act upon it. Only then will we receive the strength to become strong in our inner being. “ But be watchful at all times and pray that you may be strengthened .”
(Luke 21:36 /LUT 2017).
Ernst Fischer
Municipality of Cloppenburg
Wine for the Last Supper
Our former bishop, Brother Johann Janssen, who spent several years in prison in Russia for his faith, secretly celebrated Holy Communion at night with some brothers behind a barracks in a labor camp. They longed to celebrate Communion with real wine next time, but unfortunately, they only had compote available. They decided to fast for three days to ask God for the wine.
After two days, Brother Johann was summoned to the administration office. A very tired and battered camp leader asked him, "Janssen, what do you want from me?" Brother Johann didn't understand anything and wanted to know what was going on. The camp leader then told him that a man in white had been coming to him for the past two nights, demanding that he give Brother Johann everything he needed, or he would have no peace.
The camp leader hadn't been able to sleep for two days, so he earnestly asked Brother Johann what he needed. Brother Johann replied that they required a bottle of wine. He immediately received the bottle, and the camp leader also allowed them to celebrate communion in his office. This is how God acts when his children watch and pray.
Ernst Fischer
Municipality of Cloppenburg