Article by: John LaBissoniere
Human society is confused, distressed and in disarray. Some fear it is likely on the brink of disaster. The troubles individuals, families and nations experience seem to multiply each day. Many have no real hope of finding genuine peace, prosperity and security. Yet something marvelous and exciting will take place—but not through human strength or effort. The Eternal God offers you and all people this guarantee: He will bring about the most positive, fulfilling and magnificent future you could ever imagine!
With this sure promise on the horizon, Jesus Christ explained that, for the time being, distressing times will persist and even grow worse. He told His disciples that conditions on the earth just prior to His second coming will parallel those of the patriarch Noah’s era: “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matthew 24:37).
What occurred during that period? “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5, emphasis added throughout).
Further describing the age just prior to Christ’s return, the apostle Paul wrote: “There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good” (2 Timothy 3:1-3, New International Version).
Rescuing a remnant of humanity
As the end of the age approaches, relationships between nations will grow exceedingly toxic and vindictive. This will lead to the most savage and devastating firestorm of war, violence and brutality the world has ever seen. It will be so horrible that unless Jesus Christ comes to earth to put an end to the escalating death and destruction, all men, women and children would perish (Matthew 24:9, Matthew 24:21-22; Matthew 24:29).
Besides physically rescuing a small remnant of humanity at that time, Christ will terminate the cruel, depraved influence of Satan the devil. This malicious being and his corrupt demon cohorts will be cast into an abyss where they can no longer corrupt human minds or incite hatred and violence (Revelation 20:1-3).
When Christ brings the warfare and destruction to an end, our planet will still lay in utter ruins. The devastation of civilization will be nearly total—the progress of generations virtually wiped out. If not for His timely and merciful intervention, humanity’s legacy would have amounted to absolutely nothing!
What is God’s blueprint for humankind from that point forward? Building literally on the ashes of a spent, shattered society, Jesus Christ will create an entirely new civilization and infrastructure. He will begin implementing His plan by first comforting and healing the bewildered and terrified survivors of the just-ended period of global catastrophe.
With the assistance of His newly resurrected, immortal saints, He will provide these beleaguered, pitiful individuals with immediate physical needs—including food, shelter, clothing, fresh water and medical care (Ezekiel 34:12-16; Matthew 6:11; Malachi 4:2). He will assure each of these weary, mourning people that they are safe and no longer need to live in fear (Isaiah 44:8).
A divine, benevolent government and world peace
Jesus Christ will also help them understand that genuine peace has finally arrived and a new, divine, benevolent government will serve and support them (Revelation 11:18; Isaiah 9:6; Jeremiah 33:16). Over a period of time these people, who had suffered intense misery and tragedy, will begin rebuilding their physical and mental health and strength. The Lord says, “I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners” (Isaiah 57:18, New International Version).
Significantly, Jesus will provide people the true knowledge of His caring and serving way of life (Isaiah 2:3). “For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9).
God will grant each person repentance and the extraordinary gift of His Holy Spirit (Acts 11:18; Jeremiah 31:33). “I’ll place my spirit within you, empowering you to live according to my regulations and to keep my just decrees” (Ezekiel 36:27, International Standard Version). With the human spirit joined with God’s Holy Spirit, each person will be motivated with a sincere and deep desire to love and obey God and truly care for others (Galatians 5:22-23; Philippians 4:13).
Throughout the 1,000 years of Jesus’ reign as Sovereign over the Kingdom of God on earth, His giving, generous and gracious style of living will set the pattern for all relationships between people (Revelation 20:6; Psalms 111:4; Luke 10:27). With society directly and personally guided and governed by Christ, tremendous peace—previously unknown to humanity—will comfort and cheer everyone (Isaiah 9:7; Psalms 119:165).
Contributing to this heart-stirring condition is the fact that education in warfare and war itself will be utterly abolished (Psalms 46:9-10; Micah 4:3). “Violence will disappear from your land; the desolation and destruction of war will end . Salvation will surround you like city walls, and praise will be on the lips of all who enter there” (Isaiah 60:18, New Living Translation).
Citizens of God’s earthly government will live serenely and be relieved of all anxiety. Conflict between races and peoples will be entirely eliminated as former enemies work together in complete accord (Isaiah 19:24-25). Peacefulness will not only be the way of life for all people but it will also govern the animal world: “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them” (Isaiah 11:6).
Parents will be freed from all apprehension in knowing that their children are safe in every situation. “The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole, and the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain” (Isaiah 11:9).
The desert will blossom like a rose
Deserts and former wastelands will turn green and lush as rainfall reaches them regularly and in the right amount (Leviticus 26:4). “The wilderness and the dry land will be glad. The desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose” (Isaiah 35:1, World English Bible).
Rain showers at the proper time will make it possible for this new, fertile, productive land to become available for eventual human habitation (Isaiah 54:3). Besides suitable precipitation, springs of water will also bubble up from the ground creating clear, sparkling streams and gracefully flowing rivers (Isaiah 41:18).
Many desolate, ruined cities and towns will be renovated as young families journey there to build homes and farms (Ezekiel 36:9-10; Ezekiel 36:34-36). Moreover, Jesus Christ will give people their own land to cultivate and enjoy. “Everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken” (Micah 4:4).
Farms and gardens will flourish as never before: “The Lord says, ‘the time is coming when there will be all kinds of food. People will still be harvesting crops when it’s time to plow again. People will still be taking the juice from grapes when it’s time to plant again. Wine will drip from the mountains and pour from the hills’” (Amos 9:13, New Century Version).
Families will experience blessing after blessing as they raise abundant crops, fruit trees and healthy livestock (Isaiah 30:23). As a result of God’s perfect master plan, each person will live in good health, be prosperous, have plenty to eat and feel comfortable and deeply fulfilled (Jeremiah 31:12).
Spiritual, moral and ethical guidance and instruction
Not only will Jesus Christ make it possible for people to live in peace, safety and enjoy great physical abundance, but He will give them indispensable spiritual, moral and ethical guidance and instruction. Assisting Christ in this crucial task will be God’s resurrected, faithful and wise divine sons and daughters who will serve as teachers, administrators, judges and leaders (2 Corinthians 6:18; Isaiah 30:20).
They will diligently coach each person in God’s way of life—the foundation of which is the Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 10:4). If anyone drifts away from following these vital guidelines they will be quietly, yet firmly corrected. “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left” (Isaiah 30:21).
By obeying God’s teachings, individuals and nations will have a solid foundation for cooperation as they work at harmoniously serving one another.
Then, after 1,000 years of phenomenal peace and prosperity, the next phase of God’s plan will commence (Revelation 5:10). All people who had lived in past ages, having not known the truth of God, will be resurrected from their graves to physical life. They will be given their very first opportunity to obtain divine salvation (Ezekiel 37; Revelation 20:11).
Jesus Christ will offer each of them the gift of His Holy Spirit so that they will not only fully comprehend spiritual knowledge and be able to follow God’s ways, but will have the prospect of obtaining eternal life (Acts 2:38; Isaiah 65:20-24).
The best news you could ever hear
As these individuals look back on their former physical existence, they will realize their previous way of living simply didn’t work compared to the prosperity, tranquility and joy they experience in God’s bright and exciting new age. As a result, the vast majority will choose to worship Him, obey His commandments and later be transformed into immortal spirit beings in His divine family (Ephesians 3:15; Hebrews 2:10).
Finally, the Eternal God has designed the most positive, exciting and marvelous future for you, your family and all humanity. Built literally on the ashes of a shattered, failed human society, Jesus Christ will initiate an entirely new civilization and infrastructure. Indeed, it’s the best news anyone could ever hear!
Reprinted with permission. Published by United Church of God, an International Association, P.O. Box 541027, Cincinnati, OH 45254-1027. © 2015 United Church of God.
www.ucg.org/good-news-magazine
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