"Unrest and Tragedy in the World"
The last few months have seen an upsurge in trouble and unrest in the world. First, there was an earthquake in New Zealand in February that killed 65. Then unrest spread to Tunisia, Egypt, and other Middle Eastern countries toppling dictators in Tunisa and Egypt, and leaving Libya in the midst of a civil war. Then came Japan’s mega earthquake and tsunami that killed over 14,000, left 12,000 still missing, and forced many to evacuate due to the nuclear crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. According to Scripture, these types of events are an evidence that we are in the last days of this present evil world. “Great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven” (Luke 21:11). The last days do not mean the end of the literal earth, or man’s life upon it, as some suggest. It means the end of the current order of imperfect nations and governments—to be replaced by Christ’s earthly kingdom. That is what the Apostle Peter meant when he wrote in 2 Peter 3:7,10: “The heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. . . . But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” In this passage, Peter uses the terms “heavens” and “earth” symbolically to describe the religious and civil order, respectively. The first heavens and earth, the religious and civil order of Noah’s day, passed away with the flood (2 Pet. 3:5,6). The second religious and civil order passes away in Armageddon (Rev. 16:16-21). The third heavens and earth, wherein dwells righteousness, will be Christ’s earthly kingdom that will last forever (2 Pet. 3:13). Our Lord prophesied of our day, and how fearful men would become at the impending destruction of the present order. “There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken” (Luke 21:25,26). The reason for much of this trouble is man’s selfishness. The Apostle Paul wrote about this in 2 Timothy 3:1-4: “In the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” This description sounds like our day. This selfishness leads to a time of “great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matt. 24:21). Our Lord predicted that if these days were not shortened, “there should no flesh be saved” (vs. 22). Man would destroy himself. However, Jesus promised that “because of the saints those days will be made short” (Matt. 24:22, Darby). Who are the saints, or the elect? They are Christ and his church, the 144,000 who are faithful in following Jesus unto death and, thereby, win the crown of life (Matt. 16:24; Rev. 2:10). They win a spiritual reward, becoming priests of God and Christ, and with our Lord will reign over the earth for 1,000 years (1 Pet. 2:9,10; Rev. 20:6). The purpose of this reign is to bring mankind back from the dead, teach men righteousness and bring the obedient of mankind back to perfection of heart, mind, and body, and to harmony with God (John 5:28,29; Isa. 26:9). The result will be that man will recover all that was lost by Adam’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden—perfection, sonship with God, and everlasting life. Sounds too good to be true? This is what is promised in the Scriptures, and what we should expect from a loving Heavenly Father. For more information, please see our booklet on Armageddon, Then World Peace. If you would like a free copy of the 1-hour DVD "For This Cause" which explains why Jesus came to earth to die, please use the Contact link to your left to send us an e-mail requesting the DVD.
Who are the Orlando Bible Students? Why does God permit evil? - Booklet |