What is coming for the world? The signs are there and a person would have to be pretty blind not to see them. As events unfold we can see the march of world history toward another world war, but what most people do not realize is that the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is also approaching. Most people do not see the hand of God in the destiny of this planet. He will only allow evil to go so far, and is preparing to bring relief to this poor oppressed planet.

After the recent great recession many people were without jobs, could not pay their bills, and began a series of protests, especially in the Middle East. They started blaming their governments for fattening their own bank accounts while the people suffered. Governments were overthrown in Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, and the Ivory Coast, but protests continue in other countries. Syria is the most volatile, but there have been protests in Yemen, Oman, Bahrain, and Jordan. Nigeria has had violent riots. Greece has seen protests as Europe has suffered from the debt crisis, which was also brought about by the great recession. Even in our Israel countries we have seen the “occupy” movement in our major cities. Many of the people in the occupy movement were unemployed and blaming the rich, and especially the banks, for their hardship. Is this blaming justified?

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I have always been intrigued by the story of Hezekiah’s sickness wherein his prayers and exemplary devotion to God added fifteen years to his life. Let’s review verses 5 & 6 of 2 Kings 20.

“…. Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord.” (Verse 5)

“And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria ….” (Verse 6)

These verses remind me of Hosea 6:1-2.

“Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.” (Verse 1)

“After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.” (Verse 2)

Now, the Lord is not going to simply come to our aid without repentance. He states this in Hosea 5: 15, “I will go and return to my place till they acknowledge their offence …. “ 2 Chronicles 7:14 basically says the same thing. So, question 1 is, “What would possess us to collectively go to our knees in repentance?”

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