“The advance of God’s kingdom, while inevitable, does not guarantee that evil in society will abate as the kingdom advances. In fact, the presence of God’s kingdom guarantees conflict with the forces of evil.” (Riddlebarger, 2013, "A Case for Amillennialism: Understanding the End Times", pg. 125)
History appears to be cyclical. There are peaceful times, but there are also dark times, and we are not guaranteed either. We are not promised worldwide Christian revival nor are we promised the antichrist fanfiction of dispensational futurists. Our only hope is the salvation of our souls if we are so blessed.
"...I came not to judge the world, but to save the world" -John 12:47
Christ is our redeemer in this life and it is not through a secret escape hatch in which he redeems us. He will save this physical world because it belongs to Him and he ordained his saints to endure on this earth in each of our own unique capacities. Therefore we should expect suffering and tribulation, even great tribulation, with the understanding that we have eternal life in Jesus Christ.
"These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace: in the world ye shall have affliction, but be of good comfort: I have overcome the world. -John 16:33
This is that blessed hope, which stands in clear contrast to the anti-Christian teaching of the secret rapture.
"I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou keep them from evil.
-John 17:15
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