Anticipatory Anxiety. It’s the fear of what might happen in the future. Many people suffer from this. “While some level of concern about the future is quite common and may be acceptable to help us make better decisions, anticipatory anxiety involves an excessive or debilitating level of worry that tends to focus on negative outcomes.” There is a Christian antidote to this found in Philippians 4:6-8.
Christ’s disciples were filled with confusion and fear when He told them that He was going to be leaving them, and that He would die on a cross instead of setting up His universal kingdom on/over the earth at that time (Matthew 16:20 ff).
The Olivet Discourse. Toward the end of His earthly ministry, after most of the Jews had rejected Him (John 1:11; 18:40; 19:15), Jesus told His disciples what they should expect to happen in the future (Matthew 24; 25).
The Upper Room Discourse. And then on the night just before He was to be betrayed by Judas, and then hung on a cross the next day to die for the sins of mankind, He told His disciples not to be troubled. Why? He said that He would go away for awhile but He would come back for them after preparing a place for them (John 14:1 ff; Revelation 21:9 ff). Had we been there, we would have been worried and fearful of dying too.
Thanatophobia. Most people fear death and what might lead up to it, and what might happen after they die. Are you curious and possibly fearful? The Scriptures tell us that “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). This is a “general rule” rather than an “absolute statement.”
Secular Humanists. Many “atheists” are anti-God “globalists.” They believe that they are “the captains of their own ships, and the masters of their own fate.” They are trying desperately to live forever on earth in perfect health without God (Psalm 2).
An Impossibility. Jesus said, “Without Me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5). The Apostle Paul wrote, “for in Him [God] we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). And yet, these people believe that with their advanced technologies and AI they will be able to accomplish these things in the very new future in their New World Order by placing brain chips and machines in people.
A Cyborg. It is a living being whose powers are enhanced by computer implants or mechanical body parts. This is happening more and more in our day. (Example: “The Six Million Dollar Man” TV series.)
Genetic Modifications. Believe it or not, this happened before the universal flood of Noah’s day (about 4,500 years ago), when the devil tried to pollute the human race, from which God’s Deliverer, the Messiah was to come (Genesis 3:15).
Mutations. He directed some of the fallen angels (demons) to take on humanoid form and cohabit with women. This union produced giants in the earth (Genesis 6:1-7). For doing this, these fallen angels/demons were/are confined in “Tartarus” (2 Peter 2:4). Other fallen angels/demons are free to roam the earth and possess the bodies of unbelievers, and afflict, and periodically tempt Christians to sin – act lawlessly (Mark 5:1-13; 1 Samuel 16:23; 1 Kings 22:22, 23; Ephesians 6:12-17).
Victorious Living. Thankfully, God has made it possible so that Christians don’t have to keep on habitually sinning (1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 John 2:1). Those Christians who keep on sinning can expect severe discipline from God and possibly a premature physical death (1 Corinthians 11:30; Hebrews 10:31; 12:5 ff).
Wickedness. We’re told that before the flood of Noah’s day “…the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually…So [God] said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them…But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:5-8).
A Universal Flood. It took place when God wiped out all mankind except Noah and his family who survived it. They were in the ark for about one year (Genesis 6-8).
The Rainbow. Then God placed a rainbow in the sky as His way of saying to mankind that He would never again destroy the earth with a universal flood (Genesis 9). But, at the end of time, He will destroy and dissolve the present, polluted heavens and the earth with fire and will create new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness will finally settle down and feel at ease for all eternity (2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21:1). Where will you spend eternity? Are you absolutely sure?
Lawlessness. Today it reigns on the earth and it will get worse and worse until Christ returns to reign on/over the whole earth for 1,000 years after the seven year tribulation (1 Timothy 4:1 ff; 2 Timothy 3:1 ff; Revelation 11:15; 20:1-7; 22:5). The unsaved people of this world are in revolt against God (Psalm 2). This is why He will have to come back and take it back by force in the future (Revelation 19). Are you a friend or an enemy of God?
Scatter. God told the survivors of the flood (Noah and his three sons) to reproduce themselves and scatter out over the whole earth (Genesis 9:1). Defiantly, their descendants chose to disobey God and gathered together. Nimrod and others started building the “Tower of Babel” on a plain in the land of Shinar (Genesis 11:2).
Languages. Consequently, God came down and changed their common language into many languages. This caused them to halt their building project and scatter out over the whole earth (Genesis 11:5-9).
People Groups. “After the scattering of people from the Tower of Babel, genetic information was sorted and isolated into many geographic areas.” [1] The Scriptures teach us that we all came from Adam and Eve, and then from Noah and his family (Genesis 10). There is only one human race (Acts 17:26). Evolution is a “Big Lie” that the devil promotes. [2]
Evolution. Consider the full title of Charles Darwin’s book. It is “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life.” He introduced the theory that populations evolve over the course of generations through a process of natural selection. He was a eugenicist as are many people today who want to reduce the human population down to about 500 million. (See Georgia Guidestones) Are you a eugenicist yourself without actually knowing it? Do you think that some “races” are inferior to others?
Continents. Not long after the universal flood, the single continent began to split apart into several continents during the days of a man named Peleg (Genesis 10:25). Continental shifts are still going on today, but at a much slower rate. This is why we have earthquakes. (BTW – Two of our children were living in Japan when the 9.0 earthquake occurred there in 2011. I watched the tsunami happening on TV.)
Death. God had told Adam that if he ate the fruit from “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,” he would die physically and spiritually (Genesis 2:17). Deceived by the devil, Eve and then Adam ate it. This is why there is so much suffering and death in the world today (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12). The people living before the flood of Noah’s day lived much longer than we do today (See Genesis 5.). This may have been due to the atmospheric conditions on earth, but eventually they died too (Genesis 5).
Exceptions. There were two men in the Old Testament times who didn’t die physically: Enoch (Genesis 5:24), and Elijah (2 Kings 2:11). They were transferred into another realm, and placed in the Paradise section of Sheol/Hades, which was located, at that time, in the heart of the earth (Luke 16:19-31; 23:43; Matthew 12:40).
Intermediate Bodies. The bodies they had on earth were changed temporarily to accommodate their new environment. [3] Not until Christ’s bodily resurrection from the dead, and His ascension back into heaven, were Old Testament believers allowed into the Paradise section of the third heaven where God resides (John 3:13; Ephesians 4:8-10; 2 Corinthians 12:4).
Another Exception. There will be another group of people who won’t die physically: The New Testament Christians who will be alive at the time of Christ’s return for them in the Rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51, 52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). If you are an unbeliever at the time this takes place, you will be left behind to enter “The Seven Years Of Tribulation” (Revelation 6-19; See Daniel 9:27).
The First Resurrection. While there are several resuscitations back to life which are recorded for us in the Bible, and they even happen today, Jesus Christ is the only One thus far Who has risen from the dead with a glorified body never to die again. His bodily resurrection guarantees the bodily resurrection of all human beings who have died. There will be several other resurrections that will take place at different times in the future (1 Corinthians 15:20-24, 51, 52; Daniel 12:1-3, 12; Jeremiah 30:9; Revelation 11:11, 12). In which one will you participate? [4]
The Rapture. It will occur after “all whom the Father has given to the Son” have come to Him and been saved (John 6:37), by believing in/on the Lord Jesus Christ through the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Acts 16:31). They will also need to do some praiseworthy works which Jesus, the righteous Judge can/will reward (1 Corinthians 4:5; 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10). If you’re saved, are you doing the good works that God planned for you to do (Ephesians 2:10: 1 Peter 4:10)?
Good Works. There are no good works that an unsaved person can do to be saved (Ephesians 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5). Salvation is a free gift from God that Christ purchased for us by dying for our sins…and rising from the dead (1 Peter 1:19). Have you received by faith the gift of eternal life yet (John 3:16, 18, 36)? If not, why not now?
The Body & Bride Of Christ. The spiritual “Body Of Christ – The True Church” (1 Corinthians 12:12, 13) is made up of true believers from the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) until the Rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51, 52). It becomes the “Bride of Christ” at the time of the Rapture (Ephesians 5:32).
Crowns. While salvation and eternal life are given to all believers freely at Christ’s expense, each of the five crowns must be earned by Christians. (1) The “Incorruptible Crown” will be given out to those Christians who discipline themselves properly (1 Corinthians 9:25-27). (2) The “Crown of Rejoicing” will be given to believers who have had a part in the salvation of other people (1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20). (3) The “Crown of Righteousness” will be given to Christians who love Christ’s imminent return (2 Timothy 4:8). (4) The “Crown of Life” will be given out to Christians who resist temptations even if it means physical death (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10). (5) The “Crown of Glory” will be given to faithful under-shepherds (not false shepherds) who cared for the Lord’s sheep (1 Peter 5:4). If you’re saved, how many of these crowns do you anticipate receiving?
Worthy Is The Lamb. Believers who receive these crowns can/will show their gratitude to the Lord Jesus Christ for working in and through them (Philippians 2:13; 4:13). We will cast our crowns before His throne while we’re saying, “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for You created all things, and for Your pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:10, 11; 5:12).
Motives. At the “Bema Seat Judgment” for New Testament Christians, Jesus, the righteous and omniscient Judge (John 5:22; 2 Timothy 4:8), will evaluate not only our works, but also our motives and reveal why we did what we did (1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:10). (1) Were they done in keeping with the Holy Spirit’s leading in our lives (Romans 8:14), (2) and with His power (Philippians 3:10; 4:13)? (3) Were they done according to the rules that God set forth in His Word (2 Timothy 2:5; See Romans 3:8; 6:1)? (4) Were they done according to the will of God (Acts 21:4-14)? (5) Did they bring glory to God or to us (1 Corinthians 10:31)? Review these often?
Anticipation. If you’re a true Christian, are eagerly waiting for the Lord’s imminent return? Perhaps Today! Are you living a life that is well pleasing to Him (2 Corinthians 5:9)? Consider the possibility that you might be among those Christians who won’t die physically.
Degrees. We may or may not experience death, but everyone, believers and non-believers will stand one day before Judge Jesus to have our works evaluated to determine our degree of pleasure throughout eternity, or our degree of suffering in the next life in the lake of fire (Matthew 10:15; 11:22; 25:21, 23, 41, 46). There is no annihilation of the wicked dead, or reincarnation mentioned in the holy Scriptures.
Help. We’re here to assist those who are teachable, willing to study, and who want to grow spiritually, and reproduce themselves (2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 3:18). If you’re not sure that you will go to heaven immediately when you die (2 Corinthians 5:8), and would like to settle the matter once and for all (Romans 8:16; 1 John 5:13), contact us through our website: www.kelseypeach.com or through our FB page. We welcome your questions and/or comments about this article. If this has helped you, please SHARE it with others. To receive future articles as they come out in the future, click on “Follow.”
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[1] Noah, a Global Flood, and the Case Against Racism
https://answersingenesis.org/racism/noah-a-global-flood-and-the-case-against-racism
[2] Evolution – The Big Lie – (videos)
Dr. Adrian Rogers – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXdKio_Ogd8
Ray Comfort: – https://livingwaters.com/movie/evolution-vs-god/
[3] The Comforting Hope Of An Intermediate Body, by Richard L. Schafer
http://bartimaeus.us/pub_dom/intermediate_body.html
[4] The Resurrections – https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2023/03/17/good-news-we-shall-rise/
[5] Gospel Presentations: https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2022/02/16/gospel-presentations/
Other Helpful Articles
What’s Free, What’s Not? – https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2018/07/12/whats-free-whats-earned/
Salvation vs. Rewards – http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/salvatio/rewards.htm
Lehman Strauss – https://bible.org/seriespage/6-future-judgment-believer
Hampton Keathley III – https://bible.org/article/doctrine-rewards-judgment-seat-bema-christ
Jack Kelley – https://www.raptureforums.com/spiritual-life/how-to-win-your-crowns-2/
The Order Of Coming Events – https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2016/02/20/the-order-of-coming-events-2/
FREE Bible Study Book Marker with Dispensations Chart – https://www.kelseypeach.com/_files/ugd/08892a_ce5bb78881fa4f50a6c866dd9ab0adfe.pdf
Genetic Engineering? – https://www.gotquestions.org/genetic-engineering.html
Biblical Boundaries – https://answersingenesis.org/genetics/biblical-boundaries-human-gene-editing
12 Biblical Facts About Death & Life – https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2024/04/17/12-biblical-facts-about-death-life/
The Gospel Mandate
Friend, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ alone, Who died for all our sins (once and for all) …and rose again bodily on the third day, and you will be saved from hell to heaven (Acts 16:31; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4).
If you’ve never done this before, do it NOW! Once you’ve done this, contact us for more information so we can help you grow spiritually.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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