No matter what the circumstances might look like when the days of evil come as this apostasy spreads like a spiritual wildfire, we who are in Christ will understand that the Bible is a supernatural Book–written by our merciful Father in Heaven to point the way to the focal point of all of human history–our great and mighty, glorious and majestic Lord Jesus Christ. And let me remind you that this eternal Word of the one true and living God says to us:

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory (Colossians 3:1-4).

From these verses we can see a few important things that will give us the patience and strength to encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25)–the Day here being that magnificent Day when our Lord and Master returns for His Church. Verse 1 – Notice who has been raised – you have been raised.

That’s you–personally–dear Christian! Since, then, – [stated as a matter of fact–past tense] – Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, – [and not just to a new life here on this earth. O no, let’s read on] – set your hearts on things above. Why? Because that’s where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. And God the Holy Spirit tells the true Christian elsewhere in Scripture – God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6).

And so, this is not just a future condition; the obedient believer will enjoy this position with their Lord right now! This is what is in view as the Apostle Paul exhorts the Christian in verse 2 – Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Now we are ready for the vital truth that Satan has been trying to obscure with great intensity during this darkening apostasy–verse 3– For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

O what a glorious place for us to be! Men and women, if you have been born again, then your life is now hidden with Christ in God. So now you understand what Peter means when he tells us as Christians to abstain from sinful desires rooted in our former natures, because in truth we really are aliens and strangers in the world (1 Peter 2:11).

How comforting it is for us to know that no matter what happens in this sin-sick and cursed creation, the Christian is already seated with our Lord. I come before you with encouragement today that Jesus says to us – “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).

Beloved of God, the proliferation of militant shenanigans by Satan within the new evangelical and the emerging church today–of which God the Holy Spirit warned us long ago–only serve to remind the true children of our precious Lord to be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near (James 5:8), and Christ Himself tells His Bride – when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door (Matthew 24:33).

My dear brothers and sisters, let us be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power (Ephesians 6:10), as our loving Father in Heaven begins calling His remnant from the four corners of the earth, because verse 4 of the text above in Colossians is an encouraging reminder for the true Christian that – When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness (Psalm 48:1, KJV).