1. PREAMBLE

So much evil in the world as we approach the end of the age. Evil is everywhere: From East to West, from North to South, it is the same. No country is spared; there is evil in both the rich and poor nations. The enemy is doing overtime in this generation.

But evil is not new in the world. Evil, uploaded into the universes as a result of Lucifer's rebellion, was downloaded to the world by the disobedience (rebellion) of Adam and Eve. God destroyed the first world because evil was so much; He spared only Noah and his family. When evil reached its zenith in Sodom and Gomorrah, God destroyed those two nations. Despite these examples, evil continues to increase; in fact, the evil in our generation is worse than previous generations before it. Therefore, destruction is the next logical (biblically foretold) step.

2. CHILDREN OF GOD DO SUFFER

Satan and the world hate true followers of Christ. The spirit of the world is against God and those who follow in the steps of Christ. Satan has resorted to subterfuge to deceive Christians using fallen pastors and general overseers.

These false pastors teach that poverty and suffering do not have a place in the life of faithful Christians: For them, faithful Christians are those that pay tithes and give large offerings to them and their programs.

Such teachings are false; they contradict God's word. The Bible and Church history show that many followers of Christ were poor and that many suffered greatly as they preached the gospel of Christ. Many were killed for their faith. Let the following Scriptures speak to you:

"Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground"
— Heb. 11:36-38 (NLT)

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God".
— Rom 8:18-19

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or       persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?"
— Rom 8:35

"And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory,
we must also share his suffering"
— Rom 8:17 (NLT)

3. GOD'S CHILDREN SHOULD REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS (PHIL. 4:4)

Knowing that the world and many who claim to be Christians (pastors and general overseers included) are under the sway of Satan, what should be the attitude of God's children as falsehood abound (with few contending for the gospel of Christ once for all delivered to the saints) and the world continuing its descent into chaos?

Children of God should rejoice in the Lord always, no matter the circumstances, for the following reasons:

• Our Redeemer lives (Job 19:25-27)
• Christ has wiped out our sins and associated curses (Col 2:14)
• Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Rom 8:9; 8:35)
• God has "raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus" (Eph 2:6, NIV)
• We have the peace of God, which is beyond human imagination (Phil 4:7)
• We will inherit eternal life (Mark 10:29-30)
• Jesus is coming soon (Phil 4:5)

4.0 GOD'S CHILDREN SHOULD PRAY FERVENTLY FOR THEIR UNBELIEVING FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Rather than engaging in fruitless political and social discussions with unbelieving family members and friends, children of God should use that time to pray even more fervently for them to repent and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

It is important to note that unbelief (not accepting Christ as Lord and Savior) is what leads to condemnation and to eternal death:

"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in
the name of the only begotten Son of God"
— John 3:18

If your loved ones do not believe, condemnation awaits them. So rather than spending your time engaging in meaningless pursuits (those will pass away) with them, preach to them using God's word and through your exemplary living. Don't give up on them but don't compromise your beliefs by living like them and hesitating to proclaim your faith because you want their approval and you are afraid they would shun you.

Remember this Scripture:

"But whoever denies Me before men,
him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven"
— Matt 10:33