I know you have been watching the news on television and wondered, ‘What is this world coming to?’ Tragic things happen so suddenly and unexpectedly that no human can predict what tomorrow will bring. The Corona Virus pandemic, Ebola, which have now given rise to food shortages, hunger. In turn resulted to crime, robbery etc.
However, Jehovah knows what the future holds. Long ago his Word, the Bible, foretold not only the bad things happening in our day but also the wonderful things that will occur soon. (Isaiah 46:10)
Jesus Christ spoke about the Kingdom of God, which is the only thing that will bring an end to sickness of every sort, including Corona Virus, wickedness and make the earth a paradise. Jesus came to the world not only to die for our sins but also to declare the good news of the kingdom of God (Luke 4:43)
People wanted to know when the Kingdom would come or when the end will come. In fact, Jesus’ disciples asked him: “What will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” (Matthew 24:3) In reply Jesus told them that only Jehovah God knew exactly when the end of this system of things would come. (Matthew 24:36) But Jesus did foretell things that would take place on earth just before the Kingdom would bring true peace and security to mankind. What he foretold is now taking place!
MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS OF THE LAST DAYS
Read Matthew 24:3-8
Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom (tribes, ethnic groups etc).” Millions of people have been killed in wars during the past century. One British historian wrote: “The 20th century was the most murderous in recorded history. . . . It was a century of almost unbroken war, with few and brief periods without organized armed conflict somewhere.” A report from the Worldwatch Institute states: “Three times as many people fell victim to war in [the 20th] century as in all the wars from the first century AD to 1899.” More than 100 million people have died as a result of wars since 1914. Even if we know the sorrow of losing one loved one in warfare, we can only imagine such misery and pain multiplied millions of times over.
There will be food shortages.” (Matthew 24:7) Researchers say that food production has increased greatly during the past 30 years. Nevertheless, food shortages continue because many people do not have enough money to buy food or land on which to raise crops. In developing countries, well over a billion people have to live on an income of a dollar or less a day. The majority of these suffer from chronic hunger. The World Health Organization estimates that malnutrition plays a major role in the deaths of more than five million children each year.
There will be great earthquakes.” (Luke 21:11) According to the U.S. Geological Survey, an average of 19 major earthquakes are expected per year. These are powerful enough to damage buildings and crack the ground. And on an average, earthquakes strong enough to cause total destruction of buildings have occurred yearly. Available records show that earthquakes have claimed over two million lives since 1900. One source states: “Improvements in technology have only slightly reduced the death toll.”
There will be . . . pestilences.” (Luke 21:11) Despite medical advances, old and new diseases plague mankind & currentlyCORONAVIRUS. One report says that 20 well-known diseases—including tuberculosis, malaria, and cholera—have become more common in recent decades, and some types of disease are increasingly difficult to cure by means of drugs. In fact, at least 30 new diseases have appeared. Some of them have no known cure and are fatal. These are words from Jesus Christ while on earth and we have been experiencing exactly all that he mentioned.
WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE OF THE LAST DAYS
READ 2TIMOTHY 3:1-5
1Aside from identifying certain world developments, the Bible foretold that the last days would be marked by a change in human society. The apostle Paul described what people in general would be like. We are told: “in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here.” (Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5.)Paul said that people would be
- lovers of themselves – selfishness, men first syndrome
- lovers of money – people doing everything possible no matter what to be rich
- disobedient to parents – Every parent can attest to this.
- Disloyal – in marriages, in businesses etc.
- having no natural affection – as above too
- without self-control – results in so many broken homes today.
- lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God – there so many entertainment/hotels etc.
- having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power – Some religious leaders who actions/lifestyles has become questionable.
Have people become like that in your community? No doubt they have. There are people everywhere who have bad traits. This shows that God will soon act, for the Bible says: “When the wicked sprout like weeds and all the wrongdoers flourish, it is that they may be annihilated forever.”—Psalm 92:7.
POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS!
This good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth,” said Jesus Christ in his prophecy about “the conclusion of the system of things.” (Read Matthew 24:3, 14.)Throughout the earth, the good news of the Kingdom—what the Kingdom is, what it will do, and how we can receive its blessings—is being preached in over 230 lands and in hundreds of languages. Millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses zealously preach the Kingdom good news. They come from “all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues.” (Revelation 7:9) The Witnesses conduct free home Bible studies with millions of people who want to know what the Bible really teaches. What an impressive fulfillment of prophecy, especially since Jesus foretold that true Christians would be “hated by all people”!—Luke 21:17.
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
16. What would it be wise for you to do?
16 Since the end of Satan’s system is near, we need to ask ourselves, ‘What should I be doing?’ It is wise to continue to learn more about Jehovah and his requirements for us. (John 17:3) Be a serious student of the Bible. Make it your habit to associate regularly with others who seek to do Jehovah’s will.(Read Hebrews 10:24, 25.) Come to know Jehovah God through a study of his Word, and make necessary changes in your life so that you may enjoy God’s favor.—James 4:8.
Hence, Jesus told his listeners: “Pay attention to yourselves that your hearts never become weighed down with overeating and heavy drinking and anxieties of life, and suddenly that day be instantly upon you as a snare. For it will come upon all those dwelling on the face of the whole earth. Keep awake, then, all the time making supplication that you may succeed in escaping all these things that must occur and in standing [with approval] before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:34-36) It is wise to take Jesus’ words to heart. Why? Because those having the approval of Jehovah God and “the Son of man,” Jesus Christ, have the prospect of surviving the end of Satan’s system of things and of living forever in the marvelous new world that is so close at hand!—John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:13.
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