The Present Turmoil
As usual, there are many problems in the world. Earthquakes continue to send warning signals to the coastal cities of the world. As I write this article there are plagues of locusts in Africa and the Middle East, the threat of a pandemic from the COVID-19 virus, a plunging stock market, and massive storms throughout the world. Britain just went through massive storms with floods that killed people. Australia had firestorms followed by floods earlier this year. There may be a million and a half refugees in Syria and Turkey freezing in the cold. Forgive me if I have missed anything but from this brief description it can be seen that millions of people are in turmoil in our world.
Many people in the western world consider what is happening and ask, “Can human beings fix the problems of the world?” Their answer may surprise you: “Yes, we can fix the problems of poverty, and war, and the storms and fires caused by global warming. Human beings can fix everything!” However, Jesus said, “For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.” John12:8. Therefore people will not get rid of poverty. “Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:” Luke 21:10. Therefore people will not get rid of war. Jesus said, “And 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;” Luke 21:25. Therefore people will not get rid of the massive hurricanes on the ocean. Also, people will not get rid of over-population, the consumption of the earth’s resources, or of global warming. They do not know how to get rid of any of those problems. They are trying to solve the problems of the world without asking God how to do it.
The answer is in the Bible. The Bible says human beings must be fixed first, and then everything will fall into place. We Christians are God‘s children. We need an adult to show us how to do things properly. That adult is God the Father. Without his guidance we will mess things up. If everyone in the world obeyed God, the world would be transformed into a paradise. The problem is with rebellion against God. The problem is with sin. For Israel Truth believers, our hope is in the return of Jesus Christ. He will bring in the thousand years of peace and prosperity as a declaration of what can be accomplished when people obey God. Jesus Christ will get rid of war. “And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Micah 4:3. Jesus Christ will get rid of poverty. “Save when there shall be no poor among you; for the Lord shall greatly bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it:” Deuteronomy 15:4. This is a kingdom promise, because it was never accomplished in Israel. Jesus Christ can and I believe will get rid of the massive storms that hurt us. “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” Mark 4:39. I do not know if he will get rid of global warming. I cannot find any mention of it in the Bible.
The millennial rule of Jesus Christ will be a time of peace. The six-thousand-year period of turmoil that started when Adam bit into the forbidden fruit will come to an end. The six days of hard labour will end. The day of rest and worship of the Lord will begin. Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30. The rule of men without God is a heavy burden to bear. The rule of God through Jesus Christ will be a light burden, free from turmoil, anxiety, and suffering.
I believe the end is in sight for this time of trouble. Just keep looking up to the Lord.
