How the Story Ends ... and Begins (Revelation 20:1–22:21)

It seems there’s a lot of bad news lately. A sample of recent news headlines report and warn of disconcerting realities that range from escalating humanitarian crises to fatal school shootings, from potential radiation leaks to continued civil unrest, from soaring gas prices to spreading wildfires. Add to the mix a combination of health concerns, growing fatigue, financial strain, relational tensions, feelings of purposelessness, and spiritual apathy and it’s difficult to avoid being overwhelmed with fear and uncertainty.

However, times like these should prompt God’s people to be reminded of how the story ends, what the future holds, and how God wins. This isn’t to bury our heads in the sand and ignore the fallenness of the world but, instead, to behold afresh the good news of the hope we’ve been given that can energize, give endurance, restore joy, inspire thanksgiving, and spark true anticipation in spite of all the bad news.