Most of us seem to know that the world has gone mad. We’re seeing things in our country that few thought would ever happen. It’s devastating if you camp there. But, what if God willed exactly what is happening? What if God willed for evil men to be put into leadership for his purpose?

This wouldn’t be the first time. Every single King in Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.

What if God’s picture is bigger than our comfort?

What if God’s picture is a terrible economy?

What if God’s picture for the USA is socialism? Or communism?

What if God’s picture is persecution for Christians in America?

The early church was persecuted. The disciples were fearful until Jesus ascended; then God used the persecution to grow the church. The modern church in many places all over the world is persecuted even today and God uses that persecution to grow the church.

A Kingdom Focus isn’t one political party or the other. A kingdom focus isn’t a life of ease and comfort. A Kingdom focus is on growing the Kingdom no matter what comes our way.

What if all of this craziness brings people to Christ? What if the church grows by leaps and bounds while Christians are killed for their faith?

It wouldn’t be the first time.

What’s your expectation? As a follower of Christ do you expect that this world will be without trouble? If so, you’re theology is a bit out of skew. God’s Word never tells us that we will be trouble free in this world. In fact, the Bible is replete with verses that tell us just the opposite.

We should expect tribulation. We should expect sorrow. We should expect persecution and heartache.

When we look for the things of Heaven in the real world, meaning the world that is full of sin and evil and strife we are expecting the “then and there” in the “here and now.” (words of Voddie Baucham) When we over realize eschatology we come to wrong conclusions, wrong conclusions breed discontentment. Health, wealth and prosperity are never the answer for our spiritual woes. God’s word says we should be content, looking for perfection, what is to come, in the here and now leads to discontentment. Pastor Voddie Baucham says there are 2 main problems that morph when we expect Heaven in the real world.

We question God, and we get angry and shake our fists at God.

Dear believer, this world, this “real” world is not our home. We cannot expect this life to be without trouble. This life is full of evil, the Father of Lies lives in this world. This world, the here and now, will disappoint us! But the there and then, Heaven will fulfill all our longings. We will stand before the throne, face to face with our Heavenly Father. We will worship the Lamb of God and cry “Holy, Holy, Holy.” And what a glorious day that will be!

Pastor Voddie’s series on Revelation can be found here.

We decided to head to Jefferson City September 26th the Tuesday before. We weren’t expecting anyone to join us but wanted to be ready if they did. We also had several people joining us in prayer from home.

We pulled into Jefferson City ready to pray in conjuction with Franklin Graham’s call to prayer September 26th. We knew some friends were joining us, but we also had some folks join us from Jefferson City. They had heard PSA’s on Bott Radio the day before.

It was a blessed hour!