Much of Christendom is expecting a golden future for this world, fulfilling their wildest dreams. If you're one of them, I'm afraid I've got some bad news for you—the Lord's been revealing something much different to me.
Ask the average Christian to describe, in one word, what the future holds, and you'll likely hear one or more of the following words: "Prosperity!" "Promises!" "Purpose!" "Fulfilment!" "Fullness!" "My cup will run over!"
Now, are these things unbiblical? No, not necessarily. But they aren't the whole story of what's coming—to think so is to believe in a futuristic fairy tale of your own making.
Un-fabled
This product of people's imaginations has come from the preaching and acceptance of what the scripture calls 'fables'. This phenomenon was prophesied long ago:
'For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers; having itching ears; And they shall turn their ears away from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.' (2 Timothy chapter 4, verse 3)
Fables and fairy tales have one thing in common: they're not true. While they often contain elements of earthly realities which make them relatable and engaging, the presence of the fantastical puts them in the same category as myths. They sound wonderful, are creative, exciting, seem supernatural and otherworldly, and even contain a moral, but they're still not true.
Conspiracy by desire
Many preachers and their congregations have colluded—whether intentionally or not—to accept and espouse unbiblical fables masquerading as spiritual teaching.
All this deception has sprung from a spurious belief that we—His people—are the centre of the spiritual universe, and our desires trump any other consideration or reality.
The opposite is true: Christ and His Kingdom, and our obedience, worship and service, should be the centre of all spiritual and present concern. This involves sacrifice and an acceptance that while we're in this world, we must expect to experience trouble and hardship.
The Spirit of God testifies of this fact in the Bible. He's also done this through the ages through the prophetic. The Lord knows that this life often isn't easy, so He gives partial revelations of the future in order to prepare and strengthen our faith.
The coming storm
Many Christians, including myself, have been shown part of the prophetic picture for what's coming. I've received many dreams through the years of a coming storm, and even visions of future worldwide tribulation. As the years have progressed, the storm in my dreams has become worse and worse.
So what will this 'storm' entail you ask?
In short: war, persecution, global terrorism, asteroid appearances and impacts, a massive tsunami, nuclear warfare, an unidentified flying object deception, and an ending to the worldwide political and geographic game of thrones (AKA the Antichrist system).
I'm not the only Christian who's received such revelations from what the Bible calls 'the Valley of Vision'. There are many who have been given similar information from the Lord. This becomes evident from even a quick Internet search.
This is part of the reality of what will soon occur, and, sorry to say folks, this will be far from a fairy tale.
The silver lining
Don't get me wrong here—it's not all bad news. God has also shown me that intercessory prayer can stop—or if not entirely stop—lessen or delay some of these things. He's also revealed to me that an unbelievable outpouring of His Spirit is on the way.
And we don't approach a future without hope. God will still keep, lead and be with us. He'll fulfil His plans and promises, use us for His glory, and fill His people with the nourishment and contentment of His Spirit.
Reality check
However, and this is a big 'however'—the future will be no fable. Even if you don't believe my prophetic report, the signs of the times speak for themselves.
Russia and China are expanding their influence on the world, and growing increasingly hostile toward the West.
In recent times, Russia has invaded part of Ukraine, overtaken Crimea, and exerted its significantly upgraded military might in Syria. It's been frequently buzzing American fighter planes and aircraft carriers, expanding its naval presence across the world, and building up its armed forces along bordering NATO countries.
China has also been flexing its muscles, and continues to create and militarise new island territory in the South China Sea.
North Korea is conducting large nuclear tests, increasingly testing its long-range missile capabilities and ratcheting up its threatening rhetoric towards America. Its various other provocations seem to indicate that it actually wants to start a war.
Terrorism has also become a force to be reckoned with, as the expansion and growing influence of ISIS continues to strike terror in the hearts and lives of people all over the world. Even European countries are beginning to feel the wrath of Islamic extremism.
Christ our life and shield
All these things are the signs of a storm which has already begun to crest the horizon of the future. But none of these things should surprise us. Jesus told us to 'watch' the signs of the times because He knew the approaching end of the age would bring increasingly severe trouble and tribulation.
Even if you don't believe the events I mentioned are signs of things to come, we must still accept the reality that in this life and in our futures, we will have tribulation—although even this is not without hope. Jesus told his disciples that the reason he spoke about coming events of suffering was to bring them peace:
'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 chapter 16, verse 33).
We don't need to believe in fables to be of good cheer when we think of future tribulation. This life is no fairy tale, but it's also not without hope or joy. Jesus' power and His life will be all we need in the coming time, and He Himself will be our peace, shield, and great reward.