Scripture tells us to always be  watching the signs of the times, and to be longing for Jesus' return  to rapture us home to heaven. And Scripture tells us there's a crown of reward for those who long for His return. And we're told that when we SEE these signs beginning, that we're to LOOK UP, because our redemption is near. So, while we're watching the signs and doing as the Bible says...encouraging each other in His coming...enjoy the life the Lord gives us. This life He gave us, is not to be lived in fear, but we're told to encourage each other by the signs as the Day of His return draws near, and to be  His light to the world, wherever He put us in our life with the gifts He gave us after we were saved through faith in Jesus. And when we see the signs all around us, we're to wake  up and be ready. Read on .... 
 

• 1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. 
• Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our LORD.
• 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 
• Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. 
• Psalm 118:6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? 
• Heb 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

  God shows us that man can only affect the outward physical body, but he CANNOT touch our soul that forever rests in the security and safety of the LORD. And that's the key, the most important part of our life...our eternal soul.
 

• John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." 
• John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. 
• 2 Corinthians 5:1-3 Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling. 

       So, why live in constant worry or panic about what's going on? That's only a waste of valuable time.
 

• Ecclesiastes 8:7-8 Since no man knows the future, who can tell him what is to come? No man has power over the wind to contain it; so no one has power over the day of his death. 
• Psalm 4:8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. 
• Matthew 6:34a "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.".. 
• Psalm 16:8 I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 

 Remember, the Lord gives  strength to those Christians being persecuted and/or martyred for their faith in Jesus around the world. Just in case it happens where we are, read on and have great faith that the Lord will be with you and carry you through. 
 

• 2Ti 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
• Dan 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

Remember, His Holy Spirit that is eternally sealed in us will give us the confidence and strength we need. God promises to be the One who makes us stand firm to the end. Just keep our eyes, our heart, and our prayers focussed on Him and His peace and His joy that only He can give.
 

• Philippians 1:20-21 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 
• 1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result  in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. 
• Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints. 

In the next set of verses, we shall be encouraged at how  Stephen, a Christian martyr through his greatest trial. Stephen was witnessing and speaking out against they who were persecuting the ones God sent to them, and Jesus, "the Righteous One" as well. 
 Stephen told them they always resist the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit is the One who convicts us of our need to repent and give our hearts to Jesus as Lord. 
 

 Ac 7:54  When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 
  55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 
  56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 
  57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 
  58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 
  59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 
  60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. 

• James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 
• Matthew 5:11-12 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 
• Hebrews 11:25-26 He (Moses) chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 
• Hebrews 10:34-36 You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew  that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 
• Philippians 1:5-6 being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 
• 1 Corinthians 1:7-9 ...... as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into  fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. 
• Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing. 
• Revelation 22:12 "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with  me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.