davidbowerkingwood

Is the World as we Know it Falling Apart?

It seems as if everywhere I look there are stories of calamity and disaster threatening someone somewhere. The emails I get are often filled with news of events which threaten to bring down civilization or at least bring down the United States. It seems as if we have always lived in turbulent times.

I, for example, was born during the Great Depression and grew up during the Second World War. This was followed shortly thereafter by the Korean War of which I am a Navy veteran. Then there was the Cold War with Russia, the Vietnam War, a number of recessions and many natural disasters, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Desert Storm, etcetera, etcetera. I know I’ve skipped a lot but I think you get the idea.

So, you might ask, what is new? It seems as if we are always either hearing of or in the midst of some crisis or other. Since that seems to be the pattern of life that is our portion, what should we, as Christians, do and how should we react to all these calamities?

All is Proceeding as Planned

We are indeed fortunate to have an authoritative guide to world events which also includes clear advice on what we should expect and how we are to respond. This authoritative guide is called the Holy Bible and is your lifeline to love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (See Galatians 5:22-25)

It is one thing to read the prophecies concerning the end times in the Bible and learn about the events that will be taking place; it is something else entirely to begin to see them playing out in the world around us. Can it be that these are the end times in which we live today? As the world situation continues to develop it keeps coming ever more closely into alignment with the world situation described in Bible prophecy and designated as the end times.

Although I know the United States is completely absent from Bible prophecy; I am nevertheless pained as I see it slip with increasing speed from a place of global significance. I have no doubt in my mind that this will continue but it still hurts to watch the process in action. Is it possible to feel hurt as one watches events unfold but to also experience inner peace as one focuses on God’s plan as it is revealed. I believe the answer to that question is yes, it is possible.

God is in Complete Control of Everything!

This is where the Bible offers significant help; the principle is established in scripture how important it is to evaluate events on the basis of knowledge, not feelings. Knowledge, based on the Bible, is sound and dependable, feelings are ephemeral. The Bible tells us that God is in complete control of everything, He is working all things after the counsel of His own will. Ephesians 1:11.

Talk about a comprehensive statement; could anything be excluded from all things? I think not, all things include everything. Can I understand the enormity of that statement, most assuredly not, I am just a tiny spec of a creation of that mighty God who works all things after the counsel of His own will.

All National Leaders are Servants of God

By God’s grace I have been given the faith to believe all that God has said about nations and national leaders. For example I believe Daniel 4:17 where it is written, “‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’ Then again in Romans 13:1 it is written, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”

Just as Nebuchadnezzar was a servant of the most high God so is every world leader today; they are all servants of the most high God whether they realize it or not! Their actions and decisions have been determined in eternity past by our omnipotent, omniscient, creator God. God’s plan for the end will take place exactly as has been determined beforehand by God alone!

What Then Should Christians do and How Should They Think?

As the end time events begin to unfold they will become ever more intense and disruptive. The next event on God’s prophetic calendar is the “Rapture of the Church.” This can happen at any time and I believe it will happen in my lifetime and considering I am 81 years old I don’t have too many years left.

While I am clearly speculating when I make this statement I believe the removal of all Christians from the United States will be a final nail in the national coffin; while nationally we are turning our collective backs on God, there is still a massive number of Christians in this country including many in the government and the military.

God has always known this time would come and has provided a lot of guidance on the attitude we, as God’s children, should have as these times take place. I will mention just a few of them:

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

¹⁰ So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” Romans 8:28-30

I know that these verses are familiar to most of you; this, however, is a very good time to assimilate them and make sure they are a part of your daily life.

“For we live by faith, not by sight.”

2 Corinthians 5:7