Your Hope for the Future

HTS President, Dr. Maynard. Koerner

It is very easy for serious minded believers to become rather skeptical about things, in particular understanding the direction of the world in which we live, and the part which the Church has in it. There is fear concerning the current pandemic and all of its implications. We see lawlessness on the streets. We see the terrible suffering brought on people at the hands of fellow man. Most distressing is the condition of Christianity in general.

Why should we have hope in the midst of such a world and why do we think that we will be able to make a difference?

There is a great picture in Revelation chapter 7 which speaks of a multitude so great that it cannot be numbered. This multitude is worshipping God. Of this multitude the question is asked, “who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” The answer given is this, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the “God can wash blood of the Lamb”, Rev. 7:13-14.

What this tells us is that what we need to know about this great multitude who worship God is what God has done with them through the Lamb. There is nothing special about them, they were in rebellion to God as every other person having received a heart of rebellion from Adam.

Here is the important thing to remember, when you look at the people who live on the streets, those participating in lawless rioting, debauchery, steeped in the wisdom of this world, what really is the differ ence between them and you and I?

It is just one thing, we have been washed in the blood of the Lamb and dressed in white robes. That is it. We are not smarter, we are not more moral, we are not a people who are less easily influenced by the world. However, we are washed by the blood of the lamb and dressed in white robes.

The basis for being optimistic or pessimistic about the future and the world we live in must not be based on what we observe about life around us. Rather it needs to be based on our trust that God can wash anyone with any level of sin, and change them into part of the multi tude which worships God.

This picture energizes God’s people to give of themselves to God for His work of calling the lost unto Himself.

We do not know what God has in mind regarding the situation we find ourselves in right now. But we must have confidence in what God can do. Whether it is the church in general, or the seminary or the student or just
seeking to live the life of faith, God has called you to trust in Him that your service will not be in vain.
Indeed we can be as optimistic and hopeful for the future as God is sovereign, and of course there is no limit to His sovereignty.