To me, one of the most surprising things in the news recently was that an American had been chosen to be the next Pope. I thought about it, and it struck me that in the light of prophecy, it may be that a logical thing. Revelation 13 describes two world powers: one from the sea and the other from dry land. Seventh-day Adventists have long understood these powers as being the Roman Church (the sea beast) and the United States (the land beast). According to chapter 13, the land beast is going to cause the entire world to form an image of the sea beast. In other words, “My country tis of thee” is going to influence, in one way or another, all nations on planet earth to connect with the Roman Church and bow the knee to it. An American Pope could fit right into this. If so, then we’re literally at the end of human history. Are we ready? If you’re wondering about all this, pick up a copy of The Great Controversy and read chapter 35: “Liberty of Conscience Threatened.” You can draw your own conclusions. 

That last question seems to be the most relevant of any question that can be asked. A related question would be, if we’re not ready, what would it take for us to actually become and remain ready for the “time of trouble”? When I was a kid, the minister we had delighted in preaching about the “time of trouble”. For me, his sermons became just that: a “time of trouble”. I was frightened almost out of my wits, and truth be told, I didn’t want Jesus to come back because of all the ugly stuff that would be happening prior to that. Well, God is really good to all of us. It took a while, but gradually my focus went from trouble to Him. I’m not as afraid now because I know my God will take care of me when the time comes. 

One of the things that has helped me come to this is the simple thing of locating something I’ve lost—like my church key. I pray and remind God that it’s not lost, because He knows exactly where it is: will He assist me in locating it? Sure enough: usually it gets found in short order. This has happened every time I need another dose of faith. And when I’m facing trouble, all I need to do is seek Him, and He provides.

A few nights ago, we had a blow come through that wiped out a lot of trees—including one of the two on my front lawn. Before I could get to it, one of my neighbors and her grandson came and cut it up. I piled the pieces on a tarp, and then when I found I couldn’t move the tarp, the same neighbor showed up again and told me her family would be there shortly. They were, too. I piled the pieces down by the road and found another neighbor piling them in the back of her truck. I think God provided those dear people. Right now, I have the rest of the tree lying on a tarp, too heavy to move, and the big pieces piled by the road with a sign that says “Free.” Surely God will again provide.

So now I don’t dread the small times of trouble that come my way, because God is going to handle them for me, and when the end times arrive, He will handle it again.

I want to encourage you to, rather than focusing on coming trouble, focus on the God who loves you and already has figured out what He needs to do in order to get you through victoriously. As Ellen White once put it, “God has a thousand ways of providing for us that we don’t know of, even one.” the Scriptures put it: “My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4.19) Or, as Abraham put it to Isaac: “Yes, Son, we have the wood and fire, but God, Himself, will provide the lamb.” (Gen. 22.8) Let Him have the delight of providing for you. And while you’re at it, pray for the new Pope that God will bless him with truth.