What should the Christian expect for the future?

We know that "the weatherman" can predict what the weather will be tonight or tomorrow with "fair" results. However, we have a saying in the state where I grew up, "If you don't like the weather, just wait 15 minutes." Some weather is totally unpredictable.

Satan should have a better chance of predicting "weather" than the weatherman because the Bible says that he is "the prince of the power of the air." But regarding his predictions, he can never do anything against God's children until he first gets permission from God. Reading the first chapter of Job, we see how Satan predicted to wipe out everything Job had, and it all happened through war, fire and a fierce wind. War and fire wiped out his servants and herds. A fierce wind came suddenly from the wilderness and hit all corners of the house where Job's children were and, when it fell, it killed them all. What Satan predicted, he was able to make happen with 100% accuracy, but only as God permitted him to do it.

Though Satan has great power, he has no more power than the great God of heaven gives him permission and ability to do. The wrath of God was NOT against Job and his family, that is not why God gave permission to bring affliction upon Job. Satan wished to test Job so that Job would sin and curse God, and bring dishonor to God. God said okay to Satan. But everything that Satan tried to do, Job resisted the temptations to blame God because he knew God intimately and fully trusted in Him who cares for His children, in the bad times as well as the good.

Because there is so much wickedness in the earth, and because there are so very few who really love God and trust in Jesus to save them from sin, which is transgression of His Law of Ten Commandments, we know God's people will be tested fully for their faith. Evil does not like the good. So this war between Satan and God will increase to the end, in hopes that Satan will destroy all God's people. However, Jesus is coming the second time, and He will deliver His faithful people who have not fallen under the fiercest temptations, and take them to heaven to be forever with Him, while the wicked ones will be destroyed. Read 2 Thessalonians chapters 1 and 2.

Because Satan has a short time, he is going about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, especially of God's people or any who would want to serve God. Such a time of trouble is ahead of us which will allow Satan to test us to the very utmost just like Job was tested, but God has seen to it that His people are prepared for the trial, and He has promised to let them go through it without seeing death. Before this time, God has given them every opportunity to learn to love and trust in Him fully. Have you been taking advantage of this opportunity, friends?

Before this time of trouble, some of God's faithful people, young and old, will be laid to rest because God knows that they are His, but they are not able to endure the great trials. But those who will be alive, will be those living witnesses of the power of God to be obedient to Him no matter what happens. Do you get easily offended at the slightest irritation? How can you be Christ's witness now, let alone then? Christ will give you victory, but you need to cling to Jesus by His Spirit because no one can trust in themselves alone under temptation. We need to overcome the idea of being irritated at things, and instead, be looking constantly to Jesus who never showed irritation, even in His time of trouble that led to the cross.

Many will be insulted, mocked at, and mistreated for their faith, both now and in the future. We will be looking at the face of death constantly, we will be living martyrs for Jesus. Can we be living martyrs now under easy trials? Very few are living martyrs. Like Peter, do we deny Jesus by the way we live because we don't want to be ridiculed? If someone looks at us the wrong way, making fun of our faithfulness to God, do we want to run and hide?

God will help us be faithful to Him if we are in continual surrender with our whole heart to Him and His revealed will for us. Whatever is keeping you from following the humble Saviour, do not let it hinder you any longer. Do not be afraid to stand for the right though the heavens fall. Pray for the Holy Spirit to dwell in you who will teach you all things which Christ taught which is according to the Bible and bring them to your remembrance during your times of trial. May you be ready for Jesus who is coming, to save His people, and destroy the wicked.