Jesus has overcome the world!
“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 NIV)
It is difficult to escape all the negative and scary news stories hitting us from every possible direction! It’s all over the newspapers. It’s blasted from radio and TV. And it’s exploding all over the various forms of social-media. To listen to it you would think the world is completely falling apart at its seams, is under severe attack by radical extremists of every ilk (political and many other kinds), and that everything decent we hold dear is now turned upside down. What used to be called good is now being called bad and what used to be called bad is now being called good. It makes you want to run and hide from it all!
The Bible talks about it
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.” (2 Tim. 3:1). It tells how everything will go from bad to worse and from much of what we are observing all around us, it certainly looks that way.
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim. 3:12-15)
And, Jesus had this to say about the last days!
“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 26:33)
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:28)
Therefore…
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” (Heb. 10:23 ESV)
“Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3 ESV)
“Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” (Titus 2:13 ESV)
“…for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2 Tim. 1:12 KJV)