Distress Of Nations Foretold
"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 and 26.
Jesus spoke these words in a prophecy relating to the end times. We need not
spend time here trying to relate to you just how distressed and perplexed
the global, national and local governments are, for the news media has been
doing that quite well since the terrorist attack on September 11th. Yet it
is of interest to make note of an Old Testament prophecy written over 2,500
years ago that states:
"Proclaim ye this among the nations, prepare war, wake up the mighty men,
let all the men of war draw near, let them come up, beat your plowshares into
swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong."
Joel 3: 9 and 10.
Yes, the weak are saying they are strong. What an appropriate description
of these seemingly insignificant terrorist groups and the small countries
that seem to support them. They dare to challenge the superpower nation of
earth and even western society itself!
Men and women's hearts are fearful for many different reasons, among them
the realization that financial and psychological devastation is far more sweeping
than the localized physical destruction.
Jesus said the powers of heaven would be shaken. This represents the various
religious leaders and how many are at a loss to try and explain why God has
allowed such tragedy, and what we should expect in the future. What should
we as Jesus' disciples be doing now. Let us offer some Scriptural answers
to these questions.
Why does God permit such tragedies?
God in His infinite wisdom had devised a plan in which all of mankind would
be created with a free will ?- that is, the ability to make conscious choices.
This is more satisfying than making mankind mere robots. God can create only
that which is good, so mankind was created perfect. Yet God foreknew that
before long man would make a choice for evil (sin) and this would bring upon
mankind the death penalty (the loss of life). Man's choice for evil was because
of his lack of experience with it. God had allowed for all of this by also
preplanning to have a Redeemer for mankind, one who would take the place for
father Adam. That Redeemer was Jesus Christ. Please consider the following
verses:
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male
and female created he them. . . . And God saw everything that he had made,
and, behold, it was very good. . . Genesis 1: 27, 31;
And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou
mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou
shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely
die. Genesis 2:16, 17
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was pleasant
to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit
thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did
eat. Genesis 3:6 (see also verses 7 - 24)
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as
silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your
fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish
and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the
world, but was manifest in these last times for you. I Peter 1:18 - 20
. . . the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Rev. 13:8
And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by
whom we have now received the atonement. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered
into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that
all have sinned. Romans 5:11, 12.
Education by experience
In Ecclesiastes 1:13 and 3:10 we read: "And I gave my heart to seek and search
out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore
travail (trouble) hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised
in it."
Travail or trouble humbles us. It helps us to sympathize with others in their
hardships. The contrast between good times and bad times teaches us to appreciate
the good, and helps us to learn the benefits of choosing good rather than
evil.
Education of the World
What about those who lived before Jesus, or who are not Jesus. disciples now?
How has the permission of evil benefited them? The Word of God is clear. Jesus
died a ransom for all and all in their graves shall come forth. All shall
learn the Truth, so that all mankind can have one fair trial to demonstrate
their acceptance of Jesus and their obedience to the principles of God, and
so gain life eternal. Consider the following verses:
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour: who will
have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For
there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 1 Timothy
2:3 - 6
For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the
living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
I Timothy 4:10
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the
graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good,
unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection
of damnation. John 5:28, 29
For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive
abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by
one, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17 -19
And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall
be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. Acts 24:15
With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within
me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants
of the world will learn righteousness. Isaiah 26:9.
This is why all need to be resurrected from the grave, to be able to make
use of this education by their experiences with the trouble God has permitted.
Education for the Christian
"Sorrow is better than laughter, for by the sadness of the countenance the
heart is made better." (Ecclesiastes 7:3.) Yes, the heart or character is
made better if one is rightly exercised by these troubles. This takes effort.
When we realize that this lifetime is for our education, for our hoped for
eternal life, then this becomes much clearer. The Apostle Paul wrote: " For
our light affliction which is but for a moment (this life), worketh for us
a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (the next life)." 2 Corinthians
4:17.
Of Jesus it is written that "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience
by the things which he suffered" (Hebrews 5:8). And for us as Jesus' followers
we have similar experiences as our Master. The Apostle Peter wrote: "Beloved,
think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though
some strange thing happened unto you, but rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers
of Christ' sufferings, that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may be
glad also with exceeding joy." 1 Peter 4:12, 13
What do we expect for the future?
The Scriptures are clear, there will be more birthpangs as the new order of
Christ's kingdom is established in the earth. In 1 Thessalonians 5:2 and 3
we read: "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh
as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, peace and safety, then sudden
destruction cometh upon them as travail (birthpangs) upon a woman with child,
and they shall not escape." Yes, the trouble will increase in severity and
come with greater rapidity until the present governments of earth shall fail
and mankind will be more than ready for the peaceable kingdom of our Lord
and of His Christ.
See Revelation 11: 15 - 18; 2 Peter 3:10 - 13; Matthew 24:21, 22
We might liken mankind to a very sick and dying patient. The disease (dis-ease)
is sin. The symptoms are suffering and death. The great physician is God and
the operation involves many painful incisions and cuttings. This is the time
of trouble. The recuperation and healing process for mankind will be during
the peaceable part of the Millennial reign of Jesus with his Bride, the Church.
God wounds to heal, man's extremity will be God's opportunity. Revelation
20:6; Revelation 22:1 - 5, Psalm 38:3
What should we be doing?
What should we as Jesus' disciples be doing? We should be sympathetic to our
fellowman, especially remembering that they do not have the faith and hope
that we do. "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning
them which are asleep (dead), that you sorrow not, even as others which have
no hope." (1 Thessalonians 4:13) "Weep with those who weep." (Romans 12:15)
"For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together
until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits
of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves…" (Romans 8:22 and
23) Jesus wept at the grief of others. John 11:35
We should rejoice because as we see the trouble increasing around us we also
recognize the nearness of our deliverance and the deliverance of all mankind.
We quote Jesus from Luke 21:28, 31 and 36: "And when these things begin to
come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads for your redemption draweth
nigh. . . So likewise you, when you see these things come to pass, you know
that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. . . Watch you therefore, and pray
always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall
come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."
These troubles should draw us nearer to the Lord and help us to get our priorities
straight. Paul writes in respect to our day that, "Whose voice then shook
the earth (at Mount Sinai), but now he hath promised, saying, yet once more
I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, yet once more,
signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that
are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we
receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may
serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear,." (Hebrews 12:26 - 28)
Only the kingdom of God shall remain and thank God that it shall be so. The
intended effect upon us shall be a greater desire and striving for grace,
holiness, godlikeness and reverence. They will help us to realize that all
the temporal things of this life are of very little value and will not give
us true peace of heart. It is true that we must provide the things necessary
for our loved ones, and ourselves, but perhaps we can be better at "redeeming
the time for the days are evil" Ephesians 5:16.
We can be bright and shining lights to those around us. "You are the light
of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light
a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it gives light
unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they
may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew
5:14 - 16
It is a wonderful privilege to take advantage of this psychological moment
of fearful mankind and give them first and foremost a living example of a
faithful, hopeful and rejoicing Christian. As well let us give them hope by
either our words or the printed page. They need direction now more than ever.
My Kingdom is NOT of this World
While we recognize the right of nations to defend themselves in a just manner
(Romans 13:1 - 7), yet we remember that Jesus our Master said before Pontius
Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world, if my kingdom were of this world,
then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews,
but now is my kingdom not from hence." John 18:36
We are "ambassadors for Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:20) "Here have we no continuing
city, but we seek one to come." (Hebrews 13:14) We belong to"the New Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven." (Revelation 21:2,10). Our allegiance is to the
King of Kings, and our home is in heaven. We are to be peacemakers and leave
the nations to their own devices. We are thankful , very thankful, to live
in this land of liberty, but we have learned from the Word of God that even
here liberties will be rescinded because of security fears.
Nostradamus?
Mention must be made regarding an unfortunate development. since September
11th, a book on the so-called prophecies of Nostradamus has been on the current
best-sellers list. Nostradamus was a Frenchman who lived in France from 1503
- 1566. He was a noted physician as well as an astrologer. He penned rhymed
prophecies that are so obscure and symbolic that many different applications
can and have been applied. His writings are not inspired by God, nor do they
have a practical application. It is disappointing that so many people would
turn to such a far-fetched resource as this. Peter tells us that, " knowing
this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of
God spake as they were moved by the holy spirit." (2 Peter 1:20,21) And from
Paul, "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are
able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man
of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy
3:15 - 17
Dear Readers, may we have a laser-like focus on serving first the Kingdom
of heaven, trusting that all our needs will be met. Let us take advantage
of these unique opportunities to give praise, honor and glory to our triumphant
King of Kings, who is still marching on!
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And God Cried
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