The Lord speaks these words in the Bible 63 times—either directly to someone or through someone to another person.
There are only three places we find Jesus telling the disciples to “have faith.”
It’s not that Jesus doesn’t focus on faith in the Word of God. In fact, He tells us in Hebrews 11:6 that “without faith it is impossible to please God.” But Jesus speaks more on not fearing than faith because He knew the hearts of people have a tendency to see or hear something and respond out of fear.
The opposite of faith is fear, and when we operate in fear, we cannot be in faith.
A while ago, I sent out a CD on what the Lord has shown me about future. In that CD, I covered the first four things He revealed to me. And in a second one, I covered the other eight things that are coming. All of them are conditional on how the church responds, but even more on how we perceive.
Jesus told asked disciples, “Do you not yet perceive nor understand?”
In both Matthew 24 and John 16, when Jesus told His disciples all the terrible things that could await them, he finalizes it by making sure they have the right perception of what is coming. However, He also made sure they understood that He had overcome the world.
When many Christians hear of the bad things coming, they immediately begin to worry and get caught up in the cares of this world. Jesus said if that happens, the Word is choked out of their lives, and it becomes unfruitful (Mk. 4).
Yes, the world is going to get worse. It was prophesied by the Lord in Scripture. However, we are not to fear. In fact, when all the things that are happening in the last days begin, our command is to do the following:
- “But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice.” —Psalm 5:11
- “For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.” —Psalm 33:21
- “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33
Paul declares in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.”
Then in Revelation 19:6-7, all the saints in heaven are saying, “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.”
Those who stay ready will come through as victors!
So, I want to encourage you to get intimate with the Lord and prepare for all that is to come so you can be found standing in faith and not fear.
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws nigh.” —Luke 21:28