The Upcoming Year

Hope you’re feeling refreshed and energized after the holidays, and that you’re also filled with excitement for 2012. I’m certainly looking forward to seeing what God will do in, and among the people of our church. I hope that you’ll join me in praising Him ahead of time for whatever this coming year may hold.

As this new year starts, let’s eagerly look for opportunities to mature as disciples of Christ and draw near to Him.

Many people around the world are having quite the opposite reaction to this upcoming year, they’re filled with dread as they contemplate 2012. They are fearful that the end of the world is upon us as they consider the predictions of the Mayans, Nostradamus, the Hopi Indians, and others. Even a few scientists are predicting that the earth will be sucked into a black hole, collide with an asteroid, or be hit by a planet sometime in December, 2012.

There are lots of different reactions to these predictions. Some make jokes, some ignore them, some try to use logic, while others are getting into survival mode, thinking that they’ll be able to “tough out” whatever is thrown at them.
Regardless of a person’s response, you can be sure that down deep there is a lot of uncertainty, doubt, and fear.

As believers in Jesus Christ, this gives us a great opportunity to demonstrate peace and confidence about the future. It also provides us with an open door to share the gospel.
Here are a few truths about the future that might help you to be ready with an message of hope.

Christ is going to appear in the clouds someday, to draw all believers to Himself (the living and the dead). From that point on, the believer will be with Him forever! (1 Thes. 4:13-5:11)

No one knows when this will occur. It could be today or it could happen in another 1000 years (the apostles Peter and Paul thought it would occur during their lifetime.)

Immediately following this rapture of the saints, 7 years of tribulation will begin. According to God’s Word, this will be a time of pure devastation and calamity upon the earth (for all the terrifying details, read Revelation, chapters 4 through 19).

So, yes…there are certainly some dark and scary days ahead, however remember the good news…before this terrible calamity on earth occurs, Christ will appear in the sky to receive and deliver all who have believed in Him.

Then at end of those 7 horrible years, Christ will return to set up His wonderful kingdom here on earth. He will come to the earth to judge, and to rule. To help get an idea of what it will be like in this kingdom, you may consider His original intentions for the Garden of Eden. (Here are a few passages that describe His kingdom…Isaiah 11:6-9 &65:19-25).

So as you can see, we have some great news for those who are scared and hopeless about the upcoming year. We can offer them security about the future, a guaranteed home with Jesus Christ, and certain deliverance from the 7 year tribulation.

We also have good reasons to live each day intentionally, purposefully, and in line with the Word of God!


Having these truths about the future on our mind, let us live each day in preparation for His return.

Let’s be active about sharing our hope and faith with others. ~Phil. 3:20-21 // 1 Thes. 4:16-18 // Titus 2:11-14

Let’s stay connected to (abiding with) Him. ~1 John 2:28

Let’s be maturing in our love for Christ and others. ~1 John 4:7-17

Let’s daily surrender to Him, always ready to obey. Praying… “Lord, what do you want me to do?” ~Acts 22:10

Eagerly anticipating many blessing for PSCC as we each take new steps of faith!

Pastor Rich