Head for the Hills?
By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.
10/18/2021
“Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.” (Luke 21:21–22)
It is easy to get discouraged as we watch the world falling apart around us. Lately, I have been so distressed that I am thinking about purchasing an island in the Caribbean. I hear there are dozens of small islands for sale near the Bahamas. You are welcome to come along. We could start our own country—a society built on the biblical foundations of freedom and righteousness.
It will be a wonderful place. It will take work, of course, to build the infrastructure, military, etc. But I know we can do it. We can call our new country “Hixsonland,” named after our country’s founder and first President, me! What could possibly go wrong with that?
Now back to reality… Jesus spoke of a time yet future when things will be so bad, people will flee to the hills for safety. He was speaking from atop the Mount of Olives on the day before He was arrested in the Garden. Referring to the future 7-year period just prior to His return to establish His long-awaited Kingdom on earth, Jesus warned the Jews who will be living during that time to get out of Jerusalem and hide out in the hills around the Holy City.
Jesus added, “Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath” (Matthew 24:17–20).
God’s Word promises that believers from the present Church Age will not have to endure the devastation of the great day of the Lord’s wrath—that final 7-year period following the rapture of the Church. We look forward instead to the Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13). However, God’s Word also promises that believers in this age will face terrible persecution of our own. Jesus told the disciples, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). And Paul warned, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).
When you get discouraged about the direction of our country, remember who is in control. God’s timetable will not be thwarted. Ultimately, God wins in the end! Justice will be served. Evil will be defeated. Righteousness will reign. Until then, resist the urge to head for the hills. It sounds tempting, but God is not through with us yet. Now is not the time to flee. Now is the time to, “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong (1 Corinthians 16:13). We have a job to do, as we “shine like lights in this perverse world” (Philippians 2:15).
By the way, I checked on that island in the Caribbean. It is indeed beautiful. Unfortunately, the bank will not qualify me for a loan. I guess my dream of a utopian “Hixsonland” will have to wait. Something tells me the coming Kingdom of our Lord will be much, much better anyway.
10/18/2021
“Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.” (Luke 21:21–22)
It is easy to get discouraged as we watch the world falling apart around us. Lately, I have been so distressed that I am thinking about purchasing an island in the Caribbean. I hear there are dozens of small islands for sale near the Bahamas. You are welcome to come along. We could start our own country—a society built on the biblical foundations of freedom and righteousness.
It will be a wonderful place. It will take work, of course, to build the infrastructure, military, etc. But I know we can do it. We can call our new country “Hixsonland,” named after our country’s founder and first President, me! What could possibly go wrong with that?
Now back to reality… Jesus spoke of a time yet future when things will be so bad, people will flee to the hills for safety. He was speaking from atop the Mount of Olives on the day before He was arrested in the Garden. Referring to the future 7-year period just prior to His return to establish His long-awaited Kingdom on earth, Jesus warned the Jews who will be living during that time to get out of Jerusalem and hide out in the hills around the Holy City.
Jesus added, “Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath” (Matthew 24:17–20).
God’s Word promises that believers from the present Church Age will not have to endure the devastation of the great day of the Lord’s wrath—that final 7-year period following the rapture of the Church. We look forward instead to the Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13). However, God’s Word also promises that believers in this age will face terrible persecution of our own. Jesus told the disciples, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). And Paul warned, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).
When you get discouraged about the direction of our country, remember who is in control. God’s timetable will not be thwarted. Ultimately, God wins in the end! Justice will be served. Evil will be defeated. Righteousness will reign. Until then, resist the urge to head for the hills. It sounds tempting, but God is not through with us yet. Now is not the time to flee. Now is the time to, “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong (1 Corinthians 16:13). We have a job to do, as we “shine like lights in this perverse world” (Philippians 2:15).
By the way, I checked on that island in the Caribbean. It is indeed beautiful. Unfortunately, the bank will not qualify me for a loan. I guess my dream of a utopian “Hixsonland” will have to wait. Something tells me the coming Kingdom of our Lord will be much, much better anyway.
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