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Like many of you, I have been watching closely the events in the Middle East as Israel and the U.S. wage war against Iran. My heart breaks for all those who are suffering in every country. While most Southern Baptists unequivocally support Israel and the U.S., that does not mean we are against people in other countries. I pray for new leadership in countries like Gaza, Iran, and Russia. But there is coming a day when Jesus returns and all wars will cease. No more suffering, invasions, genocides, hunger, etc.
I love the doctrine of eschatology, which means a study of last things. My great-grandfather, Samuel Isaacs, was an evangelist who lived to be 99 years old. His passion in ministry was the return of Christ and the study of last days. I visited him when I was 17 years old while he was in a nursing home in Oklahoma. He was so passionate about Jesus, and when he began to speak about the Lord’s return, I was thinking the Lord might come back that moment and get him!
For years I have studied end times prophecy, especially as it is revealed in the book of Revelation. I have preached verse by verse twice through this entire book. There is much mystery regarding the Lord’s return and vigorous debate on important doctrines like the rapture of the church, the great tribulation, and the millennial kingdom. But there is no doubt over the fact Jesus will indeed come back. He promised to do so in John 14:3: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
"The best thing we can do as followers of Jesus is pray, stay ready, and help as many people as possible come to know Jesus Christ before it is too late."
Scripture teaches repeatedly that Jesus will indeed come back. For example, Acts 1:11 states, “Who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’” First Thessalonians 4:16-18 says, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
There will be wars and rumors of wars until Jesus comes. The best thing we can do as followers of Jesus is pray, stay ready, and help as many people as possible come to know Jesus Christ before it is too late.
As I approach the end of my time as the president of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, it has been a privilege to serve the Lord and our convention. I hope to see you at our annual meeting Oct. 27-28 at Southcrest Baptist Church in Lubbock.
