The hope of salvation is the most real protection in the last days

ByPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 5 minutes

Peace and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ may be multiplied to you on this wonderful day!

Until now we have been talking about the hope of salvation and about how it affects our lives at present. When we have the hope of salvation, we can look forward to the future with joy and peace. While many people in this world look forward to the future with horror, we can have peace and anticipation because we have the hope of salvation. Why is it so? Because Christ in us is the hope of glory!

«I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory» (Colossians, 1: 21-27).

When a person has obtained a revelation of the fact that since Jesus lives in his heart he should expect glory and not sorrows, then joy replaces sorrow and grief; and peace replaces anxiety and fear.

Speaking of the last days, Jesus said:

«And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near» (Luke, 21:25-28).

In this passage of Scripture Jesus talks about obvious advantage of the hope of salvation. Describing the difficulties of the last days, Jesus said that there would be serious shakings and even the powers of heaven would be shaken. He said that there would be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; He predicted fear and perplexity among men, and roaring and storms in the sea. At that time some people will be extremely fearful; there will be fear of calamities, lots of depression; but others will raise their heads, praise God and joyfully expect their redemption, because they will have the hope of salvation. The hope of salvation is the most real protection in the last days.

Also the hope of salvation keeps us on the track and helps us to focus on the Kingdom values.

«But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as as snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man» (Luke, 21: 34-36).

If we expect the appearance of Christ our Saviour, then we will stay sober. We mustn’t allow the cares of this life to overwhelm us so much that we do not have time for prayer, Christian fellowship, and ministry and so on.

At the time of Christ’s first coming, the whole earth was extremely religious, but not many people realized that Jesus had already come. There was a man named Simeon who was expecting the Consolation of Israel. He knew about the birth of Jesus; he also knew the moment when Jesus was brought to the Temple. He went there so that he could hold the salvation of God in his hands.

«And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.”» (Luke, 2: 25-32).

The hope of salvation helped Simeon to live just and devout life. He prayed and expected God’s consolation, when others, probably, complained and grumbled about anything and everything. Simeon stayed alert in prayer, because the Spirit of God had given him a promise that before his departure from this world he would see the Lord Christ.

Are you expecting the coming of the Lord? Are you expecting the appearance of His glory? How does that affect your daily life? If you are afraid to thing about tomorrow because of different news and predictions, if you are still not free from unhealthy cares and anxiety, then you need to arm yourself with the helmet of the hope of salvation. Without this helmet many people will lose their sanity due to shakings and calamities of the last days. May the Lord keep every one of you from it!

God bless you!

Pastor Rufus Ajiboye

Similar Posts

  • The counselling IV

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 4 minutes
    Let’s talk about another quality Jethro possessed: he did not pressure Moses to accept his advice. We can see in the Scripture, which I would like us to look at:«If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace» (Exodus, 18:23).We can see here that Jethro did not demand Moses to accept his advice, but gave him a chance to make a choice himself. The phrase “if you do this thing” means that even if Moses did not listen to Jethro, he would not be upset. So he knew he could not take it personally if Moses chooses a different way.

    Let’s talk about another quality Jethro possessed: he did not pressure Moses to accept his advice. We can see in...

  • Everybody is dedicated to something the question is what or whom. What or whom are you dedicated to in your life?

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 3 minutes
    Whom do you follow in your life? What is the engine of your life? What is your friendship with other people based upon? What makes you rejoice in your life? Is your dedication connected to eternal life and God´s will for your life?

    Whom do you follow in your life? What is the engine of your life? What is your friendship with other people based...

  • In order for you to be constant in this life you need to overcome human factor!

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 4 minutes
    «And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” But He answered her not a word» (Mathew, 15: 22-23). At the time when a woman from Canaan was following Jesus and asking for help, His disciples were telling her to leave. That is what I call a human factor.

    «And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son...

  • In order for us to do the works of Jesus, we must ask for it in prayer!

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 3 minutes
    «Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son» (John, 14:12-13).When Jesus Himself says ‘most assuredly’, it means He wants us to pay attention. These two verses are connected. Jesus says that we can do the works that Jesus did and even more, if we pray. Jesus tried to tell His disciples that He has been given all authority in heaven and on earth and that He will represent them in heaven, because He will be sitting with Him on the heavenly throne. Jesus told His disciples that they should ask in His name and that He would do what they ask so that His Father would be glorified.

    «Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than...

  • You have already been given that what you need to start your supernatural ministry

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 4 minutes
    When you first begin, don’t expect something big. Start doing something small that you are able to do and do it with consistency and responsibility and do it with all of your heart. Develop the gifts and talents that you have noticed in yourself, using them for the good of the people and the Kingdom of God. As you do it God will allow you to enter larger ministry. You will be noticed not because you’re sitting around doing nothing, but because you are doing your best. That is how your gift makes room for you.“A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great man” (Proverbs, 18: 16).

    When you first begin, don’t expect something big. Start doing something small that you are able to do and do it...

  • Be faithful in small things; then God will set you over many things! II

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 3 minutes
    Do not compare yourself with other people, but always check whether you are faithful to God. Are you faithful to God in the area of being a good steward of the resources God has entrusted you?Jesus’ parable of talents says that after the lord returned and settled accounts with his first two servants that had multiplied their talents, he did not just praise them for their faithfulness; he also blessed and promoted them: «…you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things».

    Do not compare yourself with other people, but always check whether you are faithful to God. Are you faithful to...