During Today’s Unfolding Events, Are We Contemplating These Potential Financial “What If’s”?
There appear to be many Bible Prophecies being fulfilled in world events today. Each suggesting the potential for Christ’s soon return. However, as Christ states in Matthew 24:36-41, no one but God knows the day or hour He will come back.
With the potential for Christ’s return for His Church, it might be wise and prudent to ask ourselves some financial “What if” questions. In His preparing us to be wise stewards, Christ continues in Matthew 24:42-46 by encouraging us to be ready and prepared for His coming. Our answers to challenging financial “What if” questions could be revealing, and at the same time guide us in our financial planning and goal setting for 2024.
Following are a few current events that appear to line up with Bible Prophecy, indicating the time until Christ’s return could be short:
The Birth Pangs of World-Wide Events:
“And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs." (Matthew 24:4-8)
The Birth Pangs of Pending World-Wide Deception and Pharmakeia (Sorcery):
Rev. 18:23 states, “and the light of a lamp will not shine in you any longer; and the voice of the bridegroom and bride will not be heard in you any longer; for your merchants were the great men of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery.” (underline added)
This world-wide deception also includes the notion of a two-state solution to the issues surrounding Israel and Arab nations. The Bible is very clear that the land and Jerusalem belong to Israel. (Zechariah 12:1-3; Joel 3:2)
The Sign of Difficult and Lawless Times (Timothy lists 19 items):
“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
The Limited Teaching, or even False Bible Teaching, within some Churches Today:
“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. (2 Peter 2:1-3)
Note: When pastors don’t teach all of the Bible, including prophesy, then the congregation and attendees won’t have the spiritual strength to endure all that’s coming; rebellious kids, death, hardships, all the mentioned “birth pangs” just prior to the Great Tribulation. They also don’t have the blessed hope that Jesus wants us to have in his pending return (John 14:1-6).
The Mocking of “End-Times” Talk:
Today, there is an increased mocking and ridiculing of talk regarding a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, the Great tribulation, and the Second Coming of Christ.
“Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:3-9 - underlines added)
What are a few potential “What If” questions to consider as we plan for 2024?
What if the “Rapture” of the Church is actually about to happen?
What would we be doing differently regarding our time and finances, while still keeping a balanced approach? When we focus on Jesus and others (i.e. getting people to Jesus); time will fly by, and we are fulfilled.
What if Russia or China launch a war (nuclear or otherwise) on the U.S.?
What if the wars in the Middle East continue for a lengthy period of time, and even escalate?
What if “civil unrest” and divisiveness accelerate within the United States?
What if inflation continues, and the supply chain shortages increase?
What if there is a new round of being locked down by the government or other world entities?
Note: As many churches practiced during Covid, we don’t have God’s permission to not meet. If we should get locked out, what’s our plan to meet and continue community fellowship? Keep in mind the four legs of the local church mentioned in Acts 2:42: “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (underlines added)
What if there is a new mask and vaccine mandate?
How prepared are we to be without work, or lose our job; financially or otherwise?
How prepared are we to love those who view these issues differently than we do?
One common denominator to all these “what if’s” is the fulfillment of Bible prophecy!
These “What If” questions are simply stated to get us thinking!
Do we need to draw closer to Jesus Christ, or even back to Him if we have drifted away?
Do we need to rethink our relationships with family, friends, neighbors, or business associates?
Do we need to make adjustments to our budget, financial plans, and goals for 2024?
Do we need to reconsider how we might better help our family members, friends, neighbors, local church, non-profit ministries, and those struggling more than us?
God’s Word holds the true answers to all the” what if’” questions. The Bible gives us God’s answers to living life, each and every day. Sometimes His answer is simply, "Trust in Me." In Christ, Christian Believers have the hope of His return to take us home to be with Him forever. In the meantime, we need to be about His work of saving the lost and encouraging one another. Christ adds another instruction for us in Luke: “But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28)
Let us also remember that our battle is from within (Eph. 6:12). Don’t allow the enemy to use these “What If’” questions to bring about fear. We should be biblically informed through searching the Scriptures, and we need the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide us in our finances and our planning for 2024. Then we can trust God, charge forward, and rest in His promises. “Your word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path.” (Psalms 119:105)
In closing, let’s remember Peter’s words, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
May we all choose to follow Christ and His written Word. May we choose not to get distracted by the ideas and ways of the world. May we choose to charge forward as one of God’s faithful warriors, leading people to Christ for salvation before His return. As Jesus clearly stated in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
Serving Together With You,
David and Debbie Bragonier
P.S. If you know, or are even somewhat suspect, that you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, this link will lead you to “The ABC’s of Salvation.” The immediate result will be the giving of the indwelling Holy Spirit, affirming your eternal salvation in Christ Jesus.