No matter how you look at our world, it is clear that we have come to a crossroads that will lead to huge changes in all spheres of human life. The only thing that we can be absolutely certain of, is that normal life as we knew it, will never return. We have gone past a tipping point in the world’s history from which there is no return possible. Nobody likes to be the bearer of bad news, but staying silent about what you see waiting down the road, is much worse.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) recently burst on the scene from relative obscurity with an advertisement campaign on what they call The Great Reset. The idea is to radically transform life on earth to make it more fair with equal chances for everyone. Better health care, a better economy, and a greener earth are some of their promises. “Build Back Better” is their mantra, already being echoed by world leaders everywhere. While the world was wondering what this was all about, another ad appeared with the slogan, “You will own nothing, and be happy.” This had everyone on an edge, and people started looking into the WEF. It appears to be nothing less than the conditioning of the world’s population to accept a communist one world regime.
At the recent G7 Summit at Carbis Bay, England, calls went out for a global approach to the world’s problems such as Covid-19, Climate Change, peace, and other crises. A One World Government, it seems. “Prime Minister Boris Johnson brought the world’s leading democracies together to reach major new agreements to help the world fight, and then build back better from corona virus and create a greener, more prosperous future.” All for the greater good, of course. (Please visit https://www.g7uk.org/)
Professor Klaus Schwab, founder and president of the WEF, in a recent video message, warned the world that there will be a lot of anger by the end of this year. He did not say what the reason for the anger would be, but it would be foolish not to take it to heart, especially against the background of his book Covid-19: The Great Reset. Be prepared for some tough times ahead—these people are not playing games.
Leaving the world’s dreams of a Global Government behind for now, there is much more that needs our attention at this time. Syria’s decade old civil war is getting out of hand, with Iran, Turkey, Russia and the USA also involved. Lebanon fell into anarchy, Iran is teetering on collapse while they execute terrorist attacks against Saudi Arabia, and recently on a British tanker in the Gulf of Oman. China threatens Taiwan and Japan. The Associated Press reports that four vessels near the port of Fujairah are listed as “out of control” in marine identification systems. This means that the vessels cannot operate their engines or steer themselves. After countless lives lost to defend Afghanistan, the West finally withdrew, and the Taliban stepped back in and captured most of the country.
There is simply too much happening at this time to list here. The entire world has become unstable.
How do we know that this is not just another difficult time, such as the world has seen and overcome many times before? The prophecies of the Bible talk of a time like this to come.
Keep an eye on Damascus—the world’s longest continually inhabited city. Abraham lived there, and it has always been inhabited since then. However, Syria’s capital will fall, maybe sooner than later:
The burden against Damascus. “Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap. Isaiah 17:1
Ezekiel 38 also describes how Russia, Iran and Turkey will lead a war against Israel, but God will fight from the heavens, and save the nation that He chose to be His own. It is interesting to note that these nations are already on Israel’s border with Syria where they participate in the “civil” war there.
Israel, the fig tree, is blossoming—the greatest sign that we are approaching the end of the present era. What the Jewish nation has accomplished in 73 years of existence, is a clear sign of God’s blessing upon them. They dwell in safety, especially after the Abraham accords that brought peace between Israel and its neighbors.
God’s word to the nation that will come against Israel in that day: “Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it? Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army. You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes.” Ezekiel 38:14-16
This war has yet to be fought; the coalition mentioned here is already, for the most part, gathered together in Syria today—just north of Israel.
Jesus speaks of the last days like this:
And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Matthew 24:6-8
It is interesting to note that the Greek word translated as nations in this verse, is ethnos, from which we have our English word ethnic. We can therefore read that ethnic group will rise against ethnic group—as we indeed see these days; all day long we hear how racist the world has become.
We hear indeed of wars and rumors of wars; pestilence (Covid?), and food shortages are being forecast for the latter part of this year, and great earthquakes are happening every single day around the world. Today, August 3rd, as I am writing the draft for this article, there were 22 earthquakes ranging from 4.5 to 5.8 on the Richter scale, hitting Japan, Greece, Indonesia, Chile, Iran, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Fiji Islands, Africa, and India. (Source: earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes)
What are we to do about this? Nothing, quite frankly; we cannot stop what is coming, and it will get gradually worse. It is simply God bringing His plans for humanity to a close. We find ourselves at the beginning of sorrows—the transition from the church age to the tribulation period of 7 years.
We cannot stop God’s plans from being fulfilled, but there is much that we can do to prepare for the days ahead of us. While we do not know the day of the rapture, we do recognize that we are in the season when all of these things will happen.
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4
Note the two groups of people in the passage above: you and they/them—and make sure you find yourself in the right group! Above all, make sure that your relationship with the Lord is intact, and not strained by anything mentioned in the Lord’s letters to the seven churches in Revelation chapters 2 & 3. Nothing that the world has to offer is worthy of missing eternity with the Lord. Invest your time and energy to draw close to the Lord and restoring your first love for Him.
Secondly, reach out to those around you—family members, friends, colleagues, etc., pointing them to the realities of the time that we live in, and how things will develop in the near future. This can be a very effective way of evangelism if shared with confidence in the Word of God. And don’t forget social media; humanity lives on the internet, and that is where you will reach them. With that said, be ready for resistance to the gospel message, and even some persecution; it is part of the Christian life, but do not allow hateful comments to stop you from sharing the message of salvation to the lost.
Take a fresh look at the priorities of your life, and make sure that they are aligned with the season that we live in. This world is passing away, and any attachment to its pleasures is futile.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17
This world is not our home! As things deteriorate, and life becomes unbearable, more and more people will begin to call on the Lord to come, just as we see in the last verses of Revelation. Can your voice be heard in that chorus?
And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17
