The Unknown

the unknown

“The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.”
—H.P.Lovecraft

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”
—Corrie Ten Boom

So, of the two competing quotes at the top of this article, who is one to believe: a hero of World War II (who was much exalted by the world) OR a writer who was largely poor and unknown during his lifetime?

However, even today, Lovecraft has NO END of those who support his point of view.

“There is nothing that man fears more than the touch of the unknown. He wants to see what is reaching towards him, and to be able to recognize or at least classify it. Man always tends to avoid physical contact with anything strange.”
—Elias Canetti

“We are only puppets, our strings are being pulled by unknown forces.”
—Georg Buchner

(Buchner–like most who are immersed in the world–got PART of this right.  Men ARE puppets, BUT their strings are pulled either by the One who dwells in the heavens OR the one who walks the earth.)

“We all have fear of the unknown.  What one does with that fear will make all the difference in the world.”
—Lillian Russell

“A fear of the unknown is what keeps a lot of people in bad situations.”
—Kathy Lee Gifford

“The one permanent emotion of the inferior man is fear – fear of the unknown, the complex, the inexplicable. What he wants above everything else is safety.”
—H. L. Mencken

“When you say ‘fear of the unknown’, that is the definition of fear; fear is the unknown, fear is what you do not know”
—M. Night Shyamalan

 “You don’t fear change. You fear the unknown. If you knew the future would be great, you’d welcome the change to get there. Well, the future is great. Proceed.”
—Joe Vitale

“Today Americans would be outraged if UN troops entered Los Angeles to restore order; tomorrow they will be grateful! This is especially true if they were told there was an outside threat from beyond, whether real or promulgated, that threatened our very existence. It is then that all peoples of the world will plead with world leaders to deliver them from this evil. The one thing every man fears is the unknown.”
–Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, 1991

A thousand writers of horror stories and those whose livelihoods depend on horror movies and TV shows fervently hope that a ‘fear of the unknown’ is HARDWIRED into humans.

IF true, this means that such folk will NEVER run out of an audience.  It also means that EVERYONE in the world is a potential customer for their merchandise.

But IS IT TRUE?

Is a fear of the unknown a feeling that is a natural part of the human experience?

It is suspected that the answer depends on WHO is being asked.

1- Ask a man of the world and the answer–given with a nervous look over the shoulder–would almost have to be “YES.”

2- Ask a follower of Jesus Christ and the answer would have to be an emphatic “NO!”

There are a few reasons for this view.

ONE, God’s Word instructs believers to NOT be afraid, that their God is WITH THEM.

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
–Deuteronomy 31:6

TWO, God’s Word instructs believers that ‘fear’ is to be overcome; the believer has been given OTHER tools besides FEAR.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
–2TIMOTHY 1:7

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
–1JOHN 4:18

And, THREE, maybe the believer understands that there is NO ‘unknown’ to a God who knows ALL; there is no ‘fear’ to an all-powerful God who is the most powerful entity in existence.

Understanding that God is the CREATOR of ALL THINGS and loves those who fear Him is a great relief in times of stress and chaos.

“The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”
–Psalm 34:7

AN ASSURED FUTURE is one reason believers have such an overwhelming peace.

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
–Philippians 4:7

KNOWING that God Almighty is with them as they face the unknown is another.

DOES the reader have a fear of the unknown?

WHEN did the reader first notice this type of fear?

It is not YET too late: there is still a little time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.

DOES the reader believe he is saved?

Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival

DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?

Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16

A Reminder: The Gospel is Simple

MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report

[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: September 15, 2021.]

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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier

image: Photo by Joshua Sortino on Unsplash.com

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