Assume that Jesus took a follower on a crystal ball trip into the future and it was clearly seen with indubitable certainty — despite all of the doom and gloom scenarios discussed so far on this thread, even if any or all of them came to pass — that His followers could freely have, just for the asking, their heart's deepest desire: eternal joy in the presence of God for eternity.
Would that follower not return fearless and with a completely different and bolstered confidence and perspective…? What could anything on earth really do to that follower if they are guaranteed eternal joy in the presence of their Creator for eternity…?
Jesus said to “fear not”. And it wasn’t a suggestion. For Jesus’ followers to fear the doom and gloom scenarios discussed on this thread so far — even if any or all of them came to pass — could be likened to a billionaire fearing the loss of a penny. Or more likely a scratch on that penny.
