The Diminishing Sense of Hope in Today’s World

“Now FAITH is the substance of things HOPED for, the evidence of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1.

The Apostle Paul often tied faith and love with hope ──

“Therefore, having been justified by FAITH, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2) through whom also we have access by FAITH into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in HOPE of the glory of God. 3) And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, 4) and perseverance, character, and character, HOPE. 5) Now HOPE does not disappoint, because THE LOVE of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit [that] was given to us.” – Romans 5:1-5, NKJV unless otherwise noted. 

“For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for THE HOPE of righteousness by FAITH. 6) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but FAITH working through LOVE.” – Galatians 5:5-6. 

“And now abide FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, these three; but the greatest of these is LOVE.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13.

“But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of FAITH AND LOVE, and as a helmet THE HOPE of salvation.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:8. 

Back in 2018, TED spoke about how we, as humans, can be more hopeful ──

How to Be More Hopeful 

We all go through times when we see the world through cloudy-colored glasses. …

Shift your expectations. 

At times, it can seem impossible to stay optimistic in the face of the day’s headlines. However, you can gradually start to change your brain by leaning into what cognitive neuroscientist Tali Sharot calls our “optimism bias.” 

As she explains, “Optimism changes subjective reality. The way we expect the world to be changes the way we see it. But it also changes objective reality. It acts as a self-fulfilling prophecy.” 

Recognize that you can change your life at any point. 

Do you feel like it’s hard to be look forward to the future because it seems all too predictable? Choice #1: resign yourself to the inevitable (and while you’re at it, why not pick out the inscription for your tombstone?). Choice #2: open yourself up to the possibilities that exist for everyone, at every age. 

(https://ideas.ted.com/how-to-be-more-hopeful/). 

Indeed, anyone can change!

We, as true Christians, have THE HOPE OF SALVATION. The King James Version (also known as the Authorized Version) contains the word “hope” 61 times in the New Testament of God’s living word. The Apostle Paul speaks of the word HOPE 6 different times in the following ── 

“For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in HOPE; … 24) For we were saved in this HOPE, but HOPE that is seen is not HOPE; for why does one still HOPE for what he sees? 25) But if we HOPE for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” – Romans 8:20, 24-25.   

Again, TED  ──  

Look for meaning in the most challenging moments.

For some, pessimism is not a passing inclination but a near-constant outlook shaped by difficult, maybe brutal times. Even negative events can end up having positive effects, according to writer Andrew Solomon.

“Avoidance and endurance can be the entryway to forging meaning,” he says. Solomon transformed a childhood marked by bullying and emotional torment into a life of helping others communicate their own stories of growth.

We, as true Christians, MUST ENDURE ── 

“’ And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.’” – Matthew 10:22; 24:13.

Yes, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said, “’ In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.’” – John 16:33b. We must endure and have hope ── hope for the things we cannot see. Because our Lord Jesus says that we are to FIRST AND FOREMOST ── “’ seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, …’” – Matthew 6:33a.

As our glorious Savior and Elder Brother teaches us ──

“ … ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul [body], and with all your mind.’ 38) This is the FIRST and GREAT commandment. 39) And the SECOND is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” – Matthew 22:37-39. 

We are also not to worry about mundane things in life ── 

“’ Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. …’”   

Sadly, many people around the world obsess about being a “prepper,” or are vain about their appearance, or are overly concerned about their attire. 

“ … ‘ Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26) Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27) Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28) So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29) and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 

30) Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little FAITH? 

31) Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32) For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33) But SEEK FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 

34) THEREFORE do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.’” – Matthew 6:25-34. 

Truly, truly, the great HOPE for all of humanity, this planet, and His universe as a whole, is the glorious and wonderful establishment of the Kingdom of God! 

Notice that our Lord Jesus says to us, “’ THEREFORE do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.’” We are to face the reality that this life is temporary, and that we have the glorious hope of the resurrection unto life ── for the few that Father God has called out of this present evil age, and for those after His Millennial Reign! 

“But I DO NOT WANT YOU TO BE IGNORANT, BRETHREN, concerning those who have fallen asleep [those who have died in Christ], lest you sorrow as others who have no hope [hope of the resurrection]. 14) For IF WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS DIED [Sadly, there are millions of people that actually don’t believe that He died; see: Revelation 1:18] and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.  

15) For this we say to you BY THE WORD OF THE LORD, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16) For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven [the upper atmosphere] with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God [THE SEVENTH TRUMPET BLAST]. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 

17) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them IN THE CLOUDS to meet the Lord IN THE AIR. …” – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17.

Verse 18 – “Therefore, comfort one another with these words.”   

Our beloved Apostle John was inspired and encouraged to record for us ──

“Now I saw a new heaven [a new atmosphere] and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea [speaking of the Mediterranean Sea]. 2) Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven [the atmosphere] from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3) And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God [Ho Theos, meaning, God the Father] is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.” – Revelation 22:1-3.

Brethren, it will be so awesome and fantastic that even the Apostle Paul could not completely describe it! ──

“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8) which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE CRUCIFIED THE LORD OF GLORY. 

9) But as it is written: 

‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’”

10) But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. …” – 1 Corinthians 2:7-10.

Truly, the LORD God’s love, glory, mercy, awesome MASTER PLAN for the redemption of all mankind, along with His glorious soon-coming Kingdom, our minds cannot fully fathom! 

This GREAT AND AWESOME MASTER PLAN… FROM THE BEGINNING is a mystery to the majority of humanity (past and present), irrespective of their religion or belief.

We created an online booklet of great interest ── 

      

Here is a direct link to our free no no-obligation online PDF booklet: “What Is the Kingdom of God?” □