Nini Mwisho wa Dunia - What Is the End of the World
Nini Mwisho wa Dunia - What Is the End of the World
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Somo la mwisho wa dunia si geni. Imevutia shauku ya kila kizazi kinachofuata, kwa sababu ya matumizi yake ya kushangaza ya ulimwengu wote, ambayo yanatazamia uharibifu wa kila kitu kwenye sayari hii, pamoja na maisha yenyewe. Somo hili limehubiriwa kwa karne nyingi kwa njia ambayo mara nyingi hutia hofu na woga. Kwa kuwa hadi karne iliyopita, watu wengi, hasa wa Ulaya, hawakujua kusoma na kuandika, ilibidi wategemee wale waliokuwa kwenye mimbari kwa taarifa zozote ambazo wangeweza kukusanya kuhusu hili pamoja na mada zote za kidini. Makasisi wengi hawakuwa na ufahamu ufaao, wa kibiblia wa somo hili.
Ili kupata ufahamu sahihi wa mada yetu, mwisho wa dunia, kwanza kabisa, ni muhimu kutambua kwamba Biblia haizungumzi tu juu ya ulimwengu mmoja na mwisho mmoja, lakini juu ya dunia tatu na miisho miwili.
Ulimwengu wa kwanza ambao Biblia inazungumzia ulidumu kutoka kwa Adamu hadi Nuhu, karibu miaka 1656, na ulimalizika kwa gharika ya ulimwengu wote. (Ona Mwa. 7:17-24; 2 Pet. 3:6 .) Ulimwengu wa pili au wa sasa ulianza mara tu baada ya Gharika na utadumu hadi kurudi kwa Kristo, ambako tunaamini kutokana na unabii kutakuwa katika siku zijazo karibu. wakati ulimwengu huu wa pili utaharibiwa kwa moto. ( 2 Petro 3:7 ) Ulimwengu wa tatu ambao maandiko huzungumuzia utaanza wakati Yesu na Kanisa lake watakuja kusimamisha Ufalme wa Mungu wa Mileani, ufalme ambao ‘hautaharibiwa kamwe. Ni miaka elfu ya kwanza tu, na majira kidogo ya kujaribiwa kwa mwisho yanayofuata, ndivyo vinavyofunuliwa katika Biblia. ( Ufu. 20:1-10 )
Mtume Petro aliandika kuhusu dunia hizi tatu katika maandiko yaliyotajwa hapo juu na pia katika 2 Petro 3:10-13 kwa maneno yafuatayo: “Lakini siku ya Bwana itakuja kama mwivi, na hapo mbingu zitatoweka pamoja na kelele kubwa, na viumbe vya asili vitateketezwa kwa moto, na dunia na kila kitu kinachofanywa juu yake kitafichuliwa. Kwa kuwa vitu hivi vyote vitafumuliwa namna hiyo, imewapasa ninyi kuwa watu wa namna gani katika kuishi maisha ya utakatifu na utauwa, mkingojea na kuharakisha ije siku ile ya Mungu, ambayo kwa hiyo mbingu zitateketezwa na kuteketezwa. kufutwa, na vipengele vitayeyuka kwa moto? Lakini sisi, kama ilivyo ahadi yake, tunangojea mbingu mpya na dunia mpya, ambamo uadilifu utakaa.” (NRSV)
Biblia pia hufunua kwamba ulimwengu wa kwanza ulikuwa chini ya utawala wa malaika (Ona Waebrania 2:5; Mwa. 6:1-4; 2 Petro 2:4; Yuda 6) ambao waliacha makao yao ya mbinguni. Ulimwengu wa sasa uko chini ya utawala wa Shetani na kwa hiyo unaitwa “ulimwengu mwovu wa sasa.” (Ona 2 Kor. 4:4; Mt. 4:8, 9; Yoh. 14:30; 16:11 .) Ulimwengu ujao utakuwa chini ya utawala wa moja kwa moja wa Kristo na Kanisa lake. (Ona Zaburi 2:6-9; Danieli 7:13, 14; Isaya 11:1-5; 9:6,7; 1 Kor. 6:2,3; 15:24-26; Ufu. 19:11- 16.)
Tafadhali ona kwamba ingawa Biblia inazungumza kuhusu “ulimwengu uliokuwako,” “ulimwengu mwovu wa sasa” na “ulimwengu ujao,” inazungumzia “ulimwengu” na si dunia. Tofauti hii ni muhimu zaidi katika somo letu la somo letu, kwa maana ikiwa haijulikani au kupuuzwa, itasababisha kuchanganyikiwa. Kwa neno ulimwengu, Biblia inarejelea ulimwengu, ambalo linamaanisha wanadamu wote, waliogawanywa katika mataifa, taasisi, mashirika, jamii, nk. Inamaanisha mpangilio wa kijamii wa mambo kwa ujumla: utamaduni wetu, kidini, kisiasa, kifedha, viwanda. , biashara, kijeshi, ulimwengu wa kitaaluma, nk.
Haya yote kwa pamoja yanaunda ulimwengu wa leo, na ni mwisho wa mambo haya yote, yaani, jamii na mifumo, ambayo inamaanishwa wakati Biblia inazungumza juu ya mwisho wa dunia. Yote yataharibiwa katika wakati mkuu wa taabu unaokuja, kwa sababu utaratibu huu wa ulimwengu wa sasa unategemea udanganyifu, pupa, uonevu na ubinafsi. Mara tu utaratibu huu wa ulimwengu, kama ulivyo leo, utakapoharibiwa, mahali pake patakuwa na aina tofauti kabisa na mpya ya utaratibu, jamii ambayo itategemea upendo, haki, fadhili, usaidizi, uadilifu na amani. Yehova Mungu, kupitia Bwana Yesu Kristo, atawaambia, “Tazama, nafanya mambo yote kuwa mapya ” (Ufu. 21:5). Hii ni ahadi yake isiyobadilika kuhusu ulimwengu mpya ujao wa kesho.
Kwamba huu ndio ufahamu sahihi wa neno ulimwengu unathibitishwa na Maandiko yafuatayo: “Kizazi kimoja kinapita, na kizazi kingine kinakuja, lakini dunia hudumu milele” (Mhu. 1:4); “BWANA asema hivi, Mbingu ni kiti changu cha enzi, na dunia ni mahali pa kuweka miguu yangu;” (Isaya 66:1); “Hakika kama niishivyo, dunia yote itajawa na utukufu wa Bwana” (Hesabu 14:21); “Kwa maana dunia itajawa na kumjua Bwana, kama maji yaifunikavyo bahari” (Isaya 11:9); “Bwana atakuwa mfalme juu ya dunia yote” (Zek. 14:9);
“Heri wenye upole, maana hao watairithi nchi” (Mt. 5:5). Maandiko haya yote na mengine mengi yanathibitisha, bila shaka, kwamba kile kilichoharibiwa katika gharika haikuwa dunia yenyewe, bali ustaarabu uliopotoka wa wakati huo. Vivyo hivyo, kile kitakachoharibiwa hivi karibuni si dunia bali ni utaratibu mwovu wa mambo, ili kutoa nafasi kwa utaratibu mpya chini ya utawala wa Mfalme mkamilifu, Yesu Kristo—Mwana-Mfalme wa Amani—ambaye pamoja na Bibi-arusi wake, yaani, Kanisa. itatawala juu ya “dunia mpya (jamii) ambamo uadilifu utakaa” ( 2 Petro 3:13 ).
Kama vile kulikuwa na upotevu mkubwa na wa kutisha wa maisha mwishoni mwa ulimwengu au umri wa kwanza, ni watu wanane tu waliookolewa (Ona Mwa. 7:7; 1 Petro 3:20), kutakuwa na hasara kubwa ya maisha kwenye mwisho wa ulimwengu huu wa sasa, wakati ambao Biblia huitaja siku ya ghadhabu ya Mungu. Mtume Petro anaelezea wakati huu katika 2 Petro 3:10-12.
Ijapokuwa kuna ahadi ya uharibifu mkubwa kabla ya Ufalme wa Bwana kuingizwa, haipaswi kuwa na nafasi ya hofu katika mioyo ya wale wanaompenda Bwana, kwa maana tuna uhakikisho wake wa kututunza na ulinzi katika wakati wote wa taabu ambayo itafunika ulimwengu. dunia nzima. Tusiwe na wasiwasi, hofu au kukata tamaa kwa ajili yetu wenyewe au wapendwa wetu, kwa kuwa, hai au wafu, tutakuwa salama kabisa katika Mikono yenye Nguvu ya Mungu wetu mkuu na mtukufu hadi ahadi itakapokuwa ukweli wa Ufufuo huo wa ajabu wa wote. wafu, kufuatia tu Kuja kwa Pili kwa Bwana wetu.
Kwa kuwa tumeona hivyo kutoka katika Maandiko ni nini hasa kitakachoharibiwa kwenye mwisho wa ulimwengu huu mwovu wa sasa, na tuendelee zaidi na kujifunza kile ambacho Biblia inasema kuhusu uharibifu huu mkuu unaokuja. Lugha nyingi zinazotumiwa katika somo hili zinaweza kuwa za ishara au zisiwe za mfano, lakini pia ni za kuelimisha na kuelimisha mwanafunzi na mwamini wa Mungu na Neno Lake.
Hebu na turudi nyuma sasa kwenye 2 Petro 3:10: “Lakini siku ya Bwana itakuja kama mwivi; katika hiyo mbingu zitatoweka kwa mshindo mkuu, na viumbe vya asili vitaunguzwa na kuyeyuka, na nchi na kazi zilizomo ndani yake zitateketea. Labda hii ni kuonyesha uharibifu wa nyuklia, ambayo ni uwezekano tofauti. Tunaposoma magazeti yetu ya kila siku, tunapata mataifa katika mshangao mkubwa, bila kujua jinsi ya kutatua matatizo yao yasiyohesabika au njia gani ya kugeukia. Kuwa na hofu ya mtu mwingine kwa sababu ya kutoaminiana, matokeo ya mwisho ni kuundwa kwa silaha kubwa za makombora ya bara na hifadhi ya zana za vita.
Imesemwa kwamba kati ya mataifa yetu mawili makubwa na yenye nguvu zaidi duniani leo, kuna mabomu ya kutosha kuharibu ulimwengu mara saba. Ndiyo, karibu miaka 2,000 iliyopita, Mtume Petro, akiongozwa na Roho Mtakatifu wa Bwana, aliandika ukweli kuhusu hali za ulimwengu wa leo na mambo yaliyo mbele yetu. Bwana mwenyewe alisema karibu jambo lile lile katika Mt. 24:21, 22 na Luka 21:25, 26 (ambazo tunaamini hazikuwa tu na matumizi katika siku za Mitume bali hata kubwa zaidi katika siku ya ghadhabu ya Bwana).
Kando na dhiki kubwa duniani, Bwana alitaja ishara ambazo zitakuwa kwenye mwezi, jua na nyota kabla tu ya kurudi kwake. Ishara hizi zinaeleweka kuwa za asili ya mfano, lakini pia inawezekana kukawa na utimizo fulani halisi kwa wanadamu wote kutazama. Tukiwa na unabii, lazima tungoje na kutazama ili kuona utimizo wao kamili.
Maandiko mengine yanayostahili kuzingatiwa yako kwenye Danieli 2:31-35. Hapa nabii Danieli anaeleza kwanza ndoto ya Mfalme Nebukadneza, kisha katika mistari 36-44 anatoa tafsiri. Angalia katika mistari ya 34 na 35 vidole kumi vya sanamu, vinavyowakilisha mataifa ya siku hizi, pamoja na jiwe lililochongwa mlimani na kuziharibu falme hizi, likizivunja vipande vipande, likizisaga kuwa mavumbi, na kuzipeperusha na upepo—a. picha ya uharibifu kamili. Kisha jiwe hili hukua na kukua mpaka kuijaza dunia nzima. Huu ni kielelezo cha ajabu cha Ufalme wa Mungu wa ulimwengu wote mzima ambao Bwana alisema tuuombee, “Ufalme wako uje, Mapenzi yako yatimizwe hapa duniani, kama inavyofanywa mbinguni” ( Mathayo 6:10 ). Mara nyingi katika unabii wa Biblia tunasoma kuhusu siku mbalimbali, yaani, “siku ya ghadhabu ya Mungu,” “siku ya Bwana,” “siku ya hukumu,” “siku ya kisasi,” n.k. Siku hizi hazirejelei siku ya hukumu. Muda wa saa 24, lakini badala ya muda mfupi au mrefu, kama inavyoonyeshwa na muktadha.
Kipindi cha wakati ambacho Biblia inakitaja kuwa mwisho wa ulimwengu, ambapo ghadhabu ya Mungu inadhihirishwa katika kuadhibu kizazi chenye dhambi na kisichomcha Mungu, kinaitwa “siku ya ghadhabu” au “siku ya Bwana.” kisasi,” na kwa ujumla hurejelea kipindi cha wakati ambapo ulimwengu wa sasa unapitilia mbali na ulimwengu mpya na wa ajabu sana kutokezwa.
Tunapata usemi kama huo katika unabii wa Malaki 4:1 : “Kwa maana tazama, siku ile inakuja, inawaka kama tanuru; na wote wenye kiburi, naam, na wote watendao uovu, watakuwa kama makapi; na siku ile inayokuja itawateketeza, asema Bwana wa majeshi, hata haitawaachia shina wala tawi.” Hiki kitakuwa kipindi cha uharibifu kinachoonyeshwa hapa na tanuri ya moto inayowaka, ambayo inakubaliana na unabii wa Mtume Petro ulioandikwa karne nyingi baadaye. Bila shaka, wale wanaompenda Bwana hawataogopa chochote, kwa sababu mstari unaofuata unatangaza, “Bali kwenu ninyi mnaolicha jina langu, jua la haki litawazukia, lenye kuponya katika mbawa zake.” Hii inaonyesha kurudi kwa Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo na baraka za maisha na afya kwa watiifu wote wa wanadamu.
Unabii mwingine wa mwisho wa dunia unapatikana katika Yoeli 2:11: “.... kwa maana siku ya Bwana ni kuu, inatisha sana; ni nani awezaye kustahimili?” Unabii huu wa Yoeli unafungamana na ule ulio katika Malaki, kwa maana zote mbili zinarejelea tukio lilelile. Wakati huo dhahabu, fedha na utajiri wote wa dunia hautakuwa na thamani wala kutumika kumsaidia yeyote. Utajiri huu, ambao watu wameuibia na kuua kwa karne nyingi, hautakuwa na thamani kabisa, na kuwashusha matajiri katika kiwango sawa na maskini. Maandiko mawili ya kinabii yanaleta haya. Ya kwanza iko katika Yakobo 5:1-3 : “Njoni sasa enyi matajiri, lieni na kuomboleza kwa ajili ya taabu zinazowajia. Utajiri wenu umeoza na nguo zenu zimeliwa na nondo. Dhahabu yenu na fedha zenu zimeshika kutu na kutu yake itakuwa ushahidi dhidi yenu na itakula miili yenu kama moto. Mmejiwekea hazina kwa siku za mwisho …”
Andiko lingine linapatikana katika Ezekieli 7:19 : “Wanatupa fedha zao katika njia kuu, na dhahabu yao ni kama kitu najisi; fedha yao na dhahabu yao haviwezi kuwaokoa katika siku ya ghadhabu ya Bwana; hawawezi kushibisha njaa zao au kujaza matumbo yao nayo. Kwa maana ilikuwa ni kikwazo cha uovu wao.”
Ndiyo, kupenda fedha na dhahabu kumekuwa, na kungali leo, kikwazo kwa mamilioni ya watu kwa sababu ya pupa na mamlaka. Utajiri wote wa dunia hautakuwa na thamani katika nyakati za mwisho, na hakuna mtu atakayeweza kuokoa maisha yake kwa sababu ya mali yake. Ulinzi wa Mungu pekee ndio utakaookoa. Cheo, madaraka na mali vitakuwa bure kama majivu. Hofu na hofu itaikumba dunia, hasa miongoni mwa wale waliomwacha Mungu na sheria zake. Hili linasawiriwa na nabii Isaya kwa maneno yafuatayo: “Na kiburi cha mwanadamu kitashushwa, na kiburi cha wanadamu kitashushwa; na Bwana peke yake ndiye atakayetukuzwa siku hiyo...na watu wataingia katika mapango ya miamba na mashimo ya nchi, mbele ya utisho wa Bwana, na utukufu wa enzi yake, atakapoinuka ili kutikisika sana. nchi...” ( Isaya 2:17-21 ).
Ona sasa jinsi matukio yanayoelezwa na Yakobo, Ezekieli na Isaya yanapatana na yale yanayoelezwa katika Ufunuo 6:15-17 : “Kisha wafalme (viongozi) wa dunia na wakuu na matajiri na maakida watu hodari, na kila mtumwa, na kila mtu huru, wakajificha katika mapango na katika miamba ya milima, wakaiambia milima na miamba, Tuangukieni, mkatufiche mbali na uso wake aketiye juu ya kiti cha enzi. , na katika ghadhabu ya mwana-kondoo, kwa maana siku ya ghadhabu yake imekuja; na ni nani atakayeweza kusimama?’” Hivyo, ushuhuda wenye upatanifu wa wanadamu wa Mungu ulitenganishwa na karne nyingi, lakini ukiongozwa na kuvuviwa na Roho Mtakatifu yule yule wa Mungu. Ushuhuda wao ni wa kweli na maandishi yao ya kiunabii yatatimizwa na Mtungaji na Mvuvio wao—Mungu Mweza Yote!
Ufafanuzi wa upotevu wa kutisha wa maisha kuwa unatoka kwa Mungu katika adhabu dhidi ya uovu duniani unapatikana katika Yeremia 25:30-33: “BWANA atanguruma toka juu, na atatoa sauti yake kutoka katika maskani yake takatifu; Atanguruma kwa nguvu juu ya zizi lake, na kupiga kelele kama hao wakanyagao zabibu, juu ya wakaao wote wa dunia. Makelele yatasikika hata miisho ya dunia, kwa maana Bwana ana hatia juu ya mataifa; Anaingia katika hukumu pamoja na wote wenye mwili, na waovu atawaua kwa upanga, asema Bwana. Tazama, uovu unaenda kutoka taifa hadi taifa, na tufani kuu inavuma kutoka sehemu za mbali zaidi za dunia! Na wale waliouawa na Mwenyezi-Mungu siku hiyo wataenea toka mwisho mmoja wa dunia hadi mwisho huu. Hawataombolezwa, wala kukusanywa, wala kuzikwa; watakuwa samadi juu ya uso wa nchi.
Unabii mwingine muhimu wa mwisho wa ulimwengu huu unapatikana katika Isaya 34:1-4 : “Karibuni, enyi mataifa, msikie, sikilizeni, enyi kabila za watu; Nchi na isikie, na vyote viijazavyo; dunia na vyote vitokavyo humo. Kwa maana Bwana ana ghadhabu juu ya mataifa yote, na hasira juu ya jeshi lao lote. Amewahukumu; Amewatoa kwa kuchinja. Waliouawa watatupwa nje na uvundo wa mizoga yao utapanda; milima itatiririka kwa damu yao. Jeshi lote la mbinguni litaoza, na anga kukunjwa kama gombo. Jeshi lao lote litaanguka, kama majani ya mzabibu, kama majani ya mtini yaangukayo." Kumbuka hapa kwamba mbingu imejumuishwa, pia, katika mwisho huu wa mandhari ya dunia, na kwamba jeshi la mbinguni litaanguka chini duniani na kuoza (kuharibiwa). Je, unabii huu unarejelea mbingu halisi za Mungu na jeshi la malaika Wake watakatifu? Hapana! Inarejelea Shetani na jeshi lake la malaika walioanguka (mashetani na mashetani) ambao kwa sasa wamezuiliwa katika angahewa la dunia na ambao wanaweza na kufanya ushawishi na kupotosha watu kufanya mapenzi yao kwa njia mbalimbali mbaya kinyume na mapenzi ya Mungu. Wakati wa Majilio ya kwanza ya Bwana wetu, wengi wa pepo hawa wachafu walikuwa wamekaa katika miili ya watu na Yesu aliwafukuza kila wakati. Wengi bado wanaingia kwa wahasiriwa wao leo, na kuwaongoza kufanya mambo yasiyo ya asili na ya ajabu zaidi ya akili au kuelewa. Kabla ya mwisho wa ulimwengu, jeshi hilo la roho waovu litatupwa chini, pamoja na kiongozi wao, Shetani, kutoka angahewa la dunia hadi kwenye “shimo lisilo na mwisho.” Tazama Ufu. 12:7-9, 20:1-2. Kisha mahali pao pa uvutano na mamlaka na mamlaka yatachukuliwa na Kristo na Kanisa lake lililotukuzwa likiwa Watawala wa ulimwengu mpya. Kisha zitaanza “mbingu mpya (utawala wa kiroho) na dunia mpya, ambamo uadilifu ukaa ndani yake.”
Njozi ya kumalizia ya uharibifu mkuu utakaomaliza ulimwengu wa sasa inaelezwa katika Ezekieli 38 na 39 ambapo mataifa ya ulimwengu huu yanakusanyika kufanya vita dhidi ya Mungu Mweza Yote na taifa la Israeli. Kulingana na unabii huo, itachukua miezi saba kuwazika wote waliokufa vitani na kuharibu silaha zao zote. Vita hivi vikali vya majeshi ya uovu na kutomcha Mungu dhidi ya Bwana pia vimeelezewa katika Zek. 14:1-5 na katika Ufunuo 19:11-21. Uharibifu huu wa uovu wote duniani utakapotimizwa, na Shetani mwenyewe amefungwa kwa miaka elfu moja ( Ufu. 20:1-3 ), ndipo tangazo tukufu la ulimwengu litatolewa kama lilivyoandikwa katika Ufu. 11:15-18 : “ Ufalme wa ulimwengu huu umekuwa ufalme wa Bwana wetu na wa Kristo wake naye atatawala milele na milele. Na wale wazee ishirini na wanne walioketi katika viti vyao vya enzi mbele za Mungu wakaanguka kifudifudi, wakamsujudia Mungu, wakisema,
‘Tunakushukuru wewe, Bwana Mungu Mwenyezi, uliyeko na uliyekuwako, kwa kuwa umetwaa uwezo wako mkuu na kuanza kutawala. Mataifa walikuwa na ghadhabu, lakini ghadhabu yako ilikuja, na wakati wa wafu kuhukumiwa, kwa kuwalipa watumishi wako, manabii na watakatifu, na wale wanaolicha jina lako, wadogo kwa wakubwa, na kwa kuwaangamiza waangamizaji wa dunia. '”
Ni nini kitakachowapata watu wapole na wanaomcha Mungu wakati huu wa ulimwengu mzima wenye machafuko na matatizo? Je, watalindwa na Mungu? Je, watakuwa salama? Tuna unabii kadhaa akilini ambao unaonekana kubeba wazo hili. Katika Zaburi 46:1-5 tunasoma: “Mungu kwetu sisi ni kimbilio na nguvu... kwa hiyo, hatutaogopa, ijapobadilika dunia (jamii); ijapokuwa milima (mataifa) imefagiliwa katikati ya bahari (imemezwa na makundi ya watu wenye misukosuko), maji yake yanapovuma na kufadhaika, milima (falme) inatikisika kwa ghasia zake. Mungu atalisaidia (Kanisa, waaminifu) na hilo mapema sana, katika mapambazuko.”
Tena katika Zaburi ya 46, mistari 6-10 , hadithi iyo hiyo inarudiwa katika mifano mingine: “Mataifa wanafanya ghasia, falme zinatikisika; Akatoa sauti yake, ardhi (jamii) ikayeyuka. Bwana wa majeshi yu pamoja nasi; Mungu wa Yakobo ndiye kimbilio letu.” Kisha, akitazama matokeo ya wakati huo wa taabu kutoka zaidi yake, anaongeza,
“Njoni mtazame kazi za Bwana, jinsi alivyofanya ukiwa katika nchi. Avikomesha vita hata miisho ya dunia; avunja upinde, na kuuvunja mkuki, anachoma magari ya vita kwa moto. Nyamazeni, na mjue ya kuwa mimi ni Mungu (nikiri mimi kama Mwenye Enzi Kuu). Nitatukuzwa kati ya mataifa; nitatukuzwa duniani.” Katika dunia mpya au utaratibu wa jamii, Mungu ataabudiwa na kuinuliwa kama juu ya wote, na kutawala wote.
Katika Sefania 1:2, 3 tuna unabii wa kuangamizwa kabisa kwa ulimwengu huu mwovu, unaotawaliwa na Shetani, kwa maneno yasiyo na shaka: “Nitafagilia mbali kila kitu, kiwe juu ya uso wa nchi, asema Bwana; nitafagilia mbali mwanadamu na mnyama; nitafagilia mbali ndege wa angani na samaki wa baharini. Nitawaangusha waovu; nitakatilia mbali wanadamu juu ya uso wa dunia, asema Bwana.
Lakini basi katika Sefania. 2:3 kuna onyo la fadhili kwa wale wanaompenda Mungu na wanaotamani kumtumikia: “Mtafuteni Bwana, ninyi nyote wanyenyekevu wa nchi, ninyi mtendao maagizo yake; tafuteni haki, tafuteni unyenyekevu; mtafichwa katika siku ya ghadhabu ya BWANA.”
Andiko lingine lenye kuahidi la usalama na ulinzi wakati huo linapatikana katika Isaya 26:20, 21 : “Njoni, watu wangu, ingia vyumbani mwako, ukafunge mlango wako nyuma yako; jifiche kwa muda kidogo mpaka ghadhabu itakapokwisha. Kwa maana, tazama, Bwana anakuja kutoka mahali pake ili kuwaadhibu wakaao duniani kwa ajili ya uovu wao, na dunia itaonyesha damu iliyomwagika juu yake, wala haitawafunika tena watu wake waliouawa.”
Kwa hiyo inaonekana hakika, kulingana na maandiko hapo juu, kwamba Bwana atawalinda watu wake wote duniani wakati huo wa kutisha wa taabu. Yeye kamwe havunji ahadi zake.
Unabii mmoja wa mwisho kuhusu jambo hili la ulinzi unapatikana katika Zek. 13:8, 9 : “Katika nchi yote, asema Bwana, theluthi mbili watakatiliwa mbali na kuangamia, na theluthi moja wataachwa hai. Nami hii ya tatu nitaitia motoni, na kuwasafisha kama asafishavyo fedha, na kuwajaribu kama dhahabu ijaribiwavyo. Wataliitia jina langu (kwa ajili ya ulinzi) nami nitawajibu. Nitasema, hao ni watu wangu; nao watasema, Bwana ndiye Mungu wangu .” Kwa kutegemeza mawazo yetu juu ya unabii ulio hapo juu, yaonekana yaelekea sana kwamba theluthi moja ya watu wa ulimwengu wataachwa hai ili wasafishwe na kutakaswa na Mungu na kufundishwa kufanya mambo yote. maandalizi ya lazima kwa ajili ya utunzaji na faraja ya mabilioni ya watu ambao watarudi polepole kutoka kaburini.
Kulingana na Biblia, dhiki kuu, na siku ya kisasi cha Mungu wetu vitatangulia mara moja Ujio wa Pili wa Bwana. Wakati huu wa ghadhabu ya Mungu utatimiza kazi ya uharibifu wa mifumo ya sasa ya uovu. Maandiko fulani ya Biblia (ambayo baadhi yake yametajwa tayari) kuhusu jambo hili ni kama ifuatavyo: Mt. 24:21; Dan. 12:1; Isa. 34:4, 8; Mal. 4:1; 2 Pet. 3:12; Yoeli 2:2-11; Sef. 1:14-18; 3:8,9; Yak. 5:1-6; Eze. 7:17-19; Isa. 2:12-21; Mt. 24:21; Ufu. 14:18-20; 19:15.
Tunajuaje kwa hakika kwamba mwisho wa ulimwengu huu wa sasa umekaribia? Je, imani kama hiyo inategemea matamanio au mambo ya hakika ya kinabii? Hapa kuna ushahidi uliowasilishwa kwa kuzingatia kwako kwa uangalifu na bila upendeleo. 2 Timotheo 3:1-5 “Lakini ufahamu neno hili, ya kuwa siku za mwisho (za wakati huu mwovu) kutakuwako nyakati za taabu. Kwa maana watu watakuwa wenye kujipenda wenyewe, wenye kupenda fedha, wenye kiburi, wenye kiburi, wenye kutukana, wasiotii wazazi wao, wasio na shukrani, wasio watakatifu, wasio na utu, wasiopenda huruma, wasingiziaji, wafedhuli, wakali, wanaochukia mema, wasaliti, wazembe, wenye kiburi, wenye kupenda mambo. anasa kuliko kumpenda Mungu, wakishikilia namna ya dini lakini wakikana nguvu yake . Epuka watu kama hao."
Njia za hatari: hatari; uwezekano wa kusababisha jeraha; maumivu; mahali au wakati usio salama. Hakika tunapotazama karibu nasi leo, kwa hakika kuna kila aina ya hatari. Hebu tuchunguze machache. Watu zaidi na zaidi wanatumia dawa za kulevya, vijana kwa wazee, kwa kiwango ambacho hakijawahi kujulikana. Ulevi ni njia inayokubalika ya maisha, ingawa inawajibika kwa nusu ya vifo vyote vya wale wanaouawa kwenye barabara zetu kuu. Ponografia imeenea sana na inaungwa mkono na umma mwingi, katika picha zenye mwendo, fasihi, mtandao n.k. Aina hii ya takataka ina athari dhahiri kwa maadili ya watu. Uasherati wa kila aina umekithiri. Tuna janga la UKIMWI, na kusababisha watu kuogopa maisha yao.
Wanaume hujisifu na kujivunia na kujivunia faida waliyopata kwa njia isiyo sahihi. Hawana heshima na ni wachafu; wakiwa wenye nia mbaya, wanalaani na kumchukia mwenye haki. Maadili yote na kanuni za Kikristo zinapingwa katika mfumo wa elimu, na historia inaandikwa upya ili kuondoa yale ambayo nchi hii iliasisiwa kwayo. Watoto, wakiwa na mwongozo mdogo wa kimungu au hawana kabisa, wanazidi kutotii wazazi, wakikosea kibali cha uhuru. "Watu watakuwa wenye kujipenda wenyewe." Hii ina maana kwamba mwanadamu anakuwa mbinafsi zaidi na zaidi; mtazamo wao ni kujiangalia wao wenyewe, fika hapo kabla mwenzao hajakupiga! Vitabu kama vile Looking out for # One na How to Intimidate vinajaza rafu za maduka ya vitabu. Malengo yanapaswa kufikiwa iwe kwa njia za haki au chafu; dunia inatambua uwezo na mafanikio na utajiri ingawaje mtu ni mhuni au dhalimu katika kufikia lengo hilo. Tamaa imekithiri.
Wanadamu na mataifa hufanya makubaliano ili tu kuyavunja. Kuna wakati neno la mtu lilikuwa kifungo chake na lingeweza kutegemewa. Si hivyo leo! Mashtaka ya uwongo, yanayolenga kuwaumiza au kuwadharau wengine, hufanywa ili mwongo apate malengo yake mwenyewe. Wanadamu hukasirika kwa kiasi kidogo au kutojizuia kabisa, huwa wakali na waharibifu, wakiwachukia watendao mema. Leo, wanadamu hutanguliza raha kuliko kitu kingine chochote, hata mbele za Mungu. Wana namna ya utauwa, ilhali hawamwamini kabisa wala kumwamini Mungu kwa ajili ya ukombozi au mwongozo. Soma Wagalatia 5:19, 20 uone jinsi kila uovu ni kazi ya mwili.
"Kugeuka kutoka kwa Mungu."
"Kugeuka kutoka kwa Mungu."
Sasa Roho wa Bwana anena kupitia Mtume Paulo, akituambia kwamba siku hizi wengine watajitenga na imani kwa Mungu. Yesu aliuliza swali hilo, atakapokuja tena, “je, atapata imani duniani?”
( Luka 18:8 ). Kisha anajibu swali lake mwenyewe, akisema, “kama ilivyokuwa katika siku za Nuhu, ndivyo kutakavyokuwa kuja kwake Mwana wa Adamu. Kwa maana kama ilivyokuwa katika siku zilizokuwa kabla ya gharika, walikuwa wakila na kunywa, wakioa na kuolewa, mpaka siku ile Noa alipoingia ndani ya safina. Na hawakujua hata gharika ikaja na kuwachukua wote; ndivyo itakavyokuwa wakati wa kuja kwake Mwana wa Adamu.” Mt. 24:37-39. Tunajua katika siku za Nuhu Biblia inatuambia “mioyo ya watu ilikuwa mibaya sikuzote” (Mwa. 6:5).
Watu watakuwa wakizingatia roho zidanganyazo na mafundisho ya mashetani. Kwa kuzingatia elimu ya kisasa, tunaona watu wengi wakigeukia ulimwengu wa uchawi, uchawi, kuwasiliana na pepo, kuwasiliana na roho waovu, unajimu, na ibada ya wazi ya Shetani. Ndiyo, Ibilisi anawadanganya watu wengi sana duniani leo. (Ona 2 Timotheo 3:13.) “Adui yenu Ibilisi huzunguka-zunguka kama simba angurumaye akitafuta mtu ammeze...mpingeni” (1 Petro 5:8). Tunaonywa tusiiamini kila roho, bali tuzijaribu hizo roho, kwamba zimetokana na Mungu, kwa sababu manabii wa uongo wengi wametokea duniani (1 Yohana 4:1).
Tunawezaje kujaribu roho? “Na watakapowaambia, tafutani kwa hao wenye pepo na wachawi... je! Je! wawaulize wafu kwa niaba ya walio hai? waende kwa sheria na ushuhuda, ikiwa hawasemi sawasawa na neno hili, bila shaka ndani yao hamna nuru ” (Isaya 8:19, 20).
1 Kor. 2:12, 13 : “Sasa sisi hatukuipokea roho ya ulimwengu, bali Roho inayotoka kwa Mungu, ili tupate kuelewa zawadi ambazo Mungu ametujalia. Nasi twafundisha hayo kwa maneno yasiyofundishwa kwa hekima ya kibinadamu, bali yanayofundishwa na Roho, tukifafanua kweli za rohoni kwa wale walio na Roho.”
Paulo anaendelea katika 1 Timotheo 4:1-3 : “Wakisikiliza roho zidanganyazo, na mafundisho ya mashetani, kwa masingizio ya waongo, ambao dhamiri zao zimechomwa moto.” Ni hali ya kutisha kama nini—kuwa baridi, mshituko, kuhesabu, kutokuwa na huruma, uelewaji au rehema, wala ufikirio wowote wa wengine—jinsi watu hao hawana kabisa roho ya upendo na akili timamu.
Namna gani uchafuzi wa dunia yetu na angahewa lake? Tunasoma juu ya uchafuzi wa hewa, maji, na udongo; maliasili zetu zinapungua kwa sababu ya unyanyasaji na tamaa. Kuna uhaba wa chakula na hofu ya kuongezeka kwa idadi ya watu. Hali hizo pia zilitabiriwa katika Biblia. “Dunia inaomboleza na kunyauka, ulimwengu unazimia na kunyauka. Dunia imetiwa unajisi kwa watu wanaoikaa, kwa maana wameziasi sheria (za asili), wamezivunja amri... kwa hiyo laana imeila dunia, na wakazi wake watateseka kwa hatia yao” (Isa. 24:4-6). . Ndiyo, ulimwengu huu umechafuliwa kiadili na katika mazingira yake pia. Mungu alijua kimbele kile ambacho mwanadamu angefanya na aliongoza maandiko yaliyo juu yaandikwe kama onyo kwa wakati wa mwisho. Lakini mwanadamu hamsikilizi Mungu.
Uthibitisho mmoja wa mwisho kwamba tunakaribia kwa kasi mwisho wa dunia ni taifa la Israeli. ( Soma Yeremia sura ya 24 ) Israeli inafananishwa na tini katika Biblia ( Yeremia 29:17, 18 ). Wakati fulani walikuwa tini mbovu na Mungu akawatupa nje ya nchi yao na kuwatawanya kati ya mataifa ya dunia kwa ajili ya adhabu. Hata hivyo, Mungu alisema angewarudisha katika nchi yao tena katika siku za mwisho, na hawatatawanywa tena. (Ona Ezekieli 11:16-21; 20:41-44; 34:12-16; Amosi 9:15)
Tunapaswa kusadikishwa tunaposoma na kutafakari mambo haya yote kwamba tunakaribia kwa kasi wakati wa mwisho wa dunia hii, kwani kama ilivyoahidiwa, mawasiliano na usafiri vimeongezeka sana hata kuona wanaanga wakizungumza na dunia kutoka mwezini na sayari nyinginezo. , na maarifa katika matawi yote ya sayansi yamekua kwa viwango vya ajabu (Danieli 12:4). Katika maisha ya mtu mmoja, ametoka wakati wa farasi na gari hadi kwa mtu anayetembea kwenye Mwezi! Kwa hakika, huu ndio wakati wa mwisho ambapo wanadamu wangekuwa wakikimbia huku na huku na ujuzi ungeongezeka. Ijapokuwa hivyo, watu wako katika fadhaa kuu, mioyo ya watu inazimia kwa woga, na kutazamia yale yatakayoupata nchi; Lakini sisi, kulingana na ahadi yake, tunatazamia (tunangojea) mbingu mpya na dunia mpya (utawala mpya wa kiroho na wa kidunia) ambamo uadilifu ukaa. (Ona 2 Petro 3:13; Isaya 65:17; Ufunuo 21:1.) MSIFU MUNGU!
The subject of the end of the world is not a new one. It has drawn the interest of each succeeding generation, due mostly to its awesome universal application, which envisions the destruction of everything on this planet, including life itself. This subject has been preached over the centuries in a way that often instills fear and dread. Since up to the last century, the majority of people, especially in Europe, were illiterate, they had to depend on those in the pulpit for whatever information they could gather concerning this as well as all religious topics. Many clergymen had not a proper, biblical understanding of this subject.
To get a correct understanding of our topic, the end of the world, first of all, it is necessary to recognize that the Bible speaks not only of one world and one end, but of three worlds and two endings.
The first world the Bible speaks of lasted from Adam to Noah, around 1656 years, and it ended with a universal flood. (See Gen. 7:17-24; 2 Pet. 3:6.) The second or present world began immediately after the Flood and will last until the return of Christ, which we believe from prophesy is in the near future, at which time this second world will be destroyed by fire. (2 Peter 3:7) The third world the scriptures speak of will begin at the time Jesus and his Church will come to establish God’s Millennial Kingdom, a kingdom that will “never be destroyed.” Only its first thousand years, and the little season of final testing which follows, are revealed in the Bible. (Rev. 20:1-10)
The Apostle Peter wrote about these three worlds in the scriptures cited above and also in 2 Peter 3:10-13 in the following words: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.” (NRSV)
The Bible also reveals that the first world was under the rule of angels (See Hebrews 2:5; Gen. 6:1-4; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6) that left their heavenly home. The present world is under the rule of Satan and hence it is called “the present evil world.” (See 2 Cor. 4:4; Matt. 4:8, 9; John 14:30; 16:11.) The world to come will be under the direct rule of Christ and his Church. (See Psalm 2:6-9; Daniel 7:13, 14; Isaiah 11:1-5; 9:6,7; 1 Cor. 6: 2,3; 15:24-26; Rev. 19:11-16.)
Please notice that while the Bible speaks of the “world that was,” the “present evil world” and the “world to come,” it speaks of “worlds” and not earth. This distinction is most important in our study of our subject, for if it is not known or is ignored, it will lead to confusion. By the term world, the Bible refers to the cosmos, which means all mankind, divided into nations, institutions, organizations, societies, etc. It means the social order of things in general: our culture, the religious, political, financial, industrial, business, military, professional world, etc.
All of these together form the world of today, and it is the end of all these things, i.e., societies and systems, that is meant when the Bible speaks of the end of the world. It will all be destroyed in the coming great time of trouble, because this present world order is based on deceit, greed, oppression and selfishness. Once this world order, as it exists today, is destroyed, it will be replaced by a totally different and new form of order, a society which will be based on love, justice, kindness, helpfulness, righteousness and peace. Jehovah God, through the Lord Jesus Christ, will say to them, “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev. 21:5). This is His unchangeable promise con-cerning the coming new world of tomorrow.
That this is the correct understanding of the term world is proved by the following Scriptures: “One generation passes away, and another generation comes, but the earth abideth forever” (Eccl. 1:4); “Thus saith the Lord, ‘The heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool;’” (Isaiah 66:1); “Truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord” (Numbers 14:21); “For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9); “The Lord shall be King over all the earth” (Zech. 14:9);
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5). All of these texts and many others prove, indisputably, that what was destroyed in the flood was not the earth itself, but the corrupted civilization of that time. Likewise, what shortly will be destroyed will not be the earth but the evil order of things, to give place to a new order under the rule of a perfect King, Jesus Christ—the Prince of Peace—who with his Bride, the Church, will rule over “a new earth (society) wherein righteousness will dwell” ( 2 Peter 3:13).
As there was a great and terrible loss of life at the end of the first world or age, only eight people being saved (See Gen. 7:7; 1 Peter 3:20), there will be a great loss of life at the end of this present world, during what the Bible terms the day of God’s wrath. The Apostle Peter describes this time in 2 Peter 3:10-12.
Though there is promised great destruction before the Lord’s Kingdom is ushered in, there should be no room for fear in the hearts of those who love the Lord, for we have His assurance of care and protection throughout the great time of trouble which will envelop the whole earth. Let us not worry, fear or become discouraged for ourselves or our loved ones, for, alive or dead, we will be perfectly safe in the Mighty Hands of our great and glorious God until the promise becomes a reality of that wonderful Resurrection of all the dead, just following our Lord’s Second Advent.
Having thus seen from Scripture just what it is that will be destroyed at the end of this present evil world, let us proceed further and learn what the Bible has to say about this great coming destruction. Most of the language used on this subject may or may not be symbolic, but it is also quite informative and enlightening to the student and believer of God and His Word.
Let us turn back now to 2 Peter 3:10: “But the day of the Lord shall come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” Perhaps this is portraying nuclear destruction, which is a distinct possibility. As we read our daily papers, we find the nations in great perplexity, not knowing how to solve their innumerable problems or which way to turn. Having fear of one another because of mutual distrust, the end result is the creation of large arsenals of intercontinental missiles and stockpiles of implements of war.
It has been said that between just two of our greatest and most powerful nations on the earth today, there are enough bombs to destroy the world seven times over. Yes, almost 2,000 years ago, the Apostle Peter, inspired by the Lord’s Holy Spirit, wrote the truth about today’s world conditions and what lies before us. The Lord himself said almost the same thing in Matt. 24:21, 22 and Luke 21:25, 26 (which we believe had not only an application in the Apostles’ day but an even greater one in the day of the Lord’s wrath).
Besides great tribulation in the earth, the Lord mentioned signs that shall be on the moon, sun and stars just before his return. These signs are understood to be of a symbolic nature, but it is also possible there may be some literal fulfillment for all mankind to behold. With prophecies, we must wait and watch to see their complete fulfillment.
Other Scriptures worthy of consideration are in Daniel 2:31-35. Here the prophet Daniel first describes King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, then in verses 36-44 he gives the interpretation. Note in verses 34 and 35 the ten toes of the statue, representing present-day nations, with the stone cut out of the mountain destroying these kingdoms, breaking them to pieces, grinding them to dust, and blowing them away with the wind—a picture of total destruction. Then this stone grows and grows until it fills the entire earth. This is a wonderful illustration of God’s universal Kingdom for which the Lord said we should pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is done in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Often in Bible prophecy we read of various days, i.e., “the day of God’s wrath,” “the day of the Lord,” “the day of judgment,” “the day of vengeance,” etc. These days do not refer to 24-hour periods of time, but rather to short or long periods of time, as is shown by the context.
The period of time which the Bible refers to as the end of the world, in which the wrath of God is made manifest in the punishing of a sinful and godless generation, is called “the day of wrath” or “the day of the Lord’s vengeance,” and generally refers to a period of time when the present world passes away and a new and wonderful world is brought forth.
We find such an expression in the prophecy of Malachi 4:1: “For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea and all that do wickedly, shall be as stubble: and the day that comes shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.” This will be a period of destruction pictured here by a hot burning oven, which agrees with the prophecy of the Apostle Peter written many centuries later. Of course, those who love the Lord will have nothing to fear, because the verse that follows declares, “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings.” This portrays the return of our Lord Jesus Christ with blessings of life and health to all the obedient of mankind.
Another prophecy of the end of the world is found in Joel 2:11: “....for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; who can abide it?” This prophecy of Joel ties in with the one in Malachi, for both refer to the same event. At that time the gold, silver and all the wealth of the world will be of no value or use to help anyone. This wealth, for which men have robbed and killed for centuries, will be utterly worthless, bringing down the rich to the same level as the poor. Two prophetic texts bring this out. The first is in James 5:1-3: “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and your silver have rusted and their rust will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid a treasure for the last days....”
The other text is found in Ezekiel 7:19: “They cast their silver into the streets, and their gold is like an unclean thing; their silver and gold are not able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord; they cannot satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs with it. For it was the stumbling block of their iniquity.”
Yes, the love of silver and gold has been, and still is today, a stumbling block to millions of people because of greed and power. The entire world’s wealth will be worthless at the end times, and no one will be able to save his life because of his wealth. Only God’s protection will save. Position, power and wealth will be as worthless as ashes. Fear and terror will stalk the earth, especially among those who have forsaken God and His laws. This is portrayed by the prophet Isaiah in the following words: “and the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the pride of men shall be brought low; and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day...and men shall enter the caves of the rocks and the holes of the ground, from before the terror of the Lord and from the glory of his majesty, when he rises to shake terribly the earth...” (Isaiah 2:17-21).
Notice now how the events described by James, Ezekiel and Isaiah match with those described in Revelation 6:15-17: “Then the kings (leaders) of the earth and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondsman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the lamb: for the day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?’” Thus, the harmonious testimony of men of God was separated by centuries, but moved and inspired by the same Holy Spirit of God. Their testimony is true and their prophetic writings will be fulfilled by their Author and Inspirer—Almighty God!
A description of the terrible loss of life as coming from God in punishment against the wickedness on earth is found in Jeremiah 25:30-33: “The Lord will roar from on high, and from His holy habitation utter His voice; He will roar mightily against His fold, and shout like those who tread grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth. The clamor will resound to the ends of the earth, for the Lord has an indictment against the nations; He is entering into judgment with all flesh, and the wicked He will put to the sword, says the Lord. Behold, evil is going from nation to nation, and a great tempest is stirring from the farthest parts of the earth! And those slain by the Lord on that day shall extend from one end of the earth to the other. They shall not be lamented, or gathered, or buried; they shall be dung on the surface of the ground.”
Another important prophecy of the end of this world is found in Isaiah 34:1-4: “Draw near, O nations, to hear, and harken, O peoples! Let the earth listen, and all that fills it; the world and all that comes from it. For the Lord is enraged against all the nations, and furious against all their host. He has doomed them; He has given them over for slaughter. Their slain shall be cast out and the stench of their corpses shall rise; the mountains shall flow with their blood. All the host of heaven shall rot away, and the skies roll up like a scroll. All their host shall fall, as leaves from the vine, like leaves falling from the fig tree.” Note here that heaven is included, too, in this end of the world scene, and that the host of heaven shall fall down to earth and rot away (be dissolved). Does this prophecy refer to God’s literal heavens and the host of His holy angels? No! It refers to Satan and his host of fallen angels (devils and demons) who at present are restrained in the atmosphere of the earth and who can and do influence and corrupt people to do their bidding in various evil ways contrary to the will of God. At the time of our Lord’s first Advent, many of these evil spirits had taken abode in the bodies of people and Jesus always expelled them. Many still enter into their victims today, leading them to do unnatural and strange things beyond reason or understanding. Before the end of the world, this host of demons will be cast down, with their leader, Satan, from the earth’s atmosphere into the “bottomless pit.” See Rev. 12:7-9, 20:1-2. Then their place of influence and authority and power will be taken over by Christ and his glorified Church as the Rulers of a new world. Then will begin the promised “new heavens (spiritual control) and new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.”
A concluding vision of the great destruction that will end the present world is described in Ezekiel 38 and 39 where the nations of this world are gathered to do battle against Almighty God and the nation of Israel. According to this prophecy, it will take seven months to bury all who have died in battle and to destroy all their weapons. This mighty battle of the forces of evil and godlessness against the Lord is also described in Zech. 14:1-5 and in Revelation 19:11-21. When this destruction of all evil on earth is accomplished, and Satan himself is imprisoned for a thousand years (Rev. 20:1-3), then a glorious world proclamation will be made as recorded in Rev. 11:15-18: “The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign forever and ever. And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshipped God, saying,
‘We give thanks to thee, Lord God Almighty, who art and who was, that thou hast taken thy great power and begun to reign. The nations raged, but thy wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, for rewarding thy servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear thy name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.’”
What will happen to the meek and God-fearing people during this world-wide time of anarchy and trouble? Will they be protected by God? Will they be safe? We have a few prophecies in mind which seem to bear on this thought. In Psalm 46:1-5 we read: “God is our refuge and strength...therefore, we will not fear, though the earth (society) should change; though the mountains (nations) are swept into the midst of the sea (swallowed up by the turbulent masses of peoples), when the waters thereof roar and are troubled (infuriated), when the mountains (kingdoms) shake with its tumult. God will help her (the Church, the faithful) and that right early, at the dawning of the morning.”
Again in Psalm 46, verses 6-10, the same story is restated in other symbols: “The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; He uttered His voice, the earth (society) melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” Then, viewing the results of that time of trouble from beyond it, he adds,
“Come, behold the works of the Lord, how He has wrought desolations in the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, He burns the chariots with fire. Be still, and know that I am God (acknowledge me as Sovereign). I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.” In the new earth or order of society, God will be worshipped and exalted as over all, and controlling all.
In Zephaniah 1:2, 3 we have a prophecy of the utter destruction of this evil world, ruled by Satan, in unmistakable terms: “I will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth, says the Lord. I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the air and the fish of the sea. I will overthrow the wicked; I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth, says the Lord.”
But then in Zephaniah. 2:3 there is a kindly admonition to those who love God and desire to serve Him: “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his commands; seek righteousness, seek humility; you may be hidden in the day of the wrath of the Lord.”
Another promising text of safety and protection at that time is found in Isaiah 26:20, 21: “Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your door behind you; hide yourself for a little while until the wrath is past. For behold, the Lord is coming forth out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth will disclose the blood shed upon her, and will no more cover her slain.”
So it seems certain, according to the above texts, that the Lord will protect all His people on the earth during that awful time of trouble. He never breaks His promises.
One last prophecy on this matter of protection is found in Zech., 13:8, 9: “In the whole land, says the Lord, two thirds shall be cut off and perish and one third shall be left alive. And I will put this third to the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on my name (for protection) and I will answer them. I will say, they are my people; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” Basing our thoughts on the above prophecy, it seems very likely that one third of the world’s population will be left alive to be refined and purified by God and taught to make all the necessary preparation for the care and comfort of the billions who will gradually return from the grave.
According to the Bible, the great tribulation, and day of vengeance of our God will immediately precede the Lord’s Second Coming. This time of God’s wrath will accomplish the work of destruction of the present evil systems. Some Bible texts (some of which have already been cited) on this subject are as follows: Matt. 24:21; Dan. 12:1; Isa. 34:4, 8; Mal. 4:1; 2 Pet. 3:12; Joel 2:2-11; Zeph. 1:14-18; 3:8,9; Jas. 5:1-6; Ezek. 7:17-19; Isa. 2:12-21; Matt. 24:21; Rev. 14:18-20; 19:15.
How do we know for sure that the end of this present world is close at hand? Is such a belief based on wishful thinking or on prophetic facts? Here is presented evidence for your careful and unbiased consideration. 2 Timothy 3:1-5: “But understand this, that in the last days (of this evil age) there will come times of stress. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, fierce, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, holding the form of religion but denying the power of it. Avoid such people.”
Perilous means: dangerous; likely to cause injury; pain; an unsafe place or time. Surely as we look around us today, there are indeed all kinds of dangers. Let us examine a few. More and more people are taking drugs, both young and old, on a scale never before known. Alcoholism is an accepted way of life, even though it is responsible for half of all the deaths of those who are killed on our highways. Pornography is rampant and is supported by much of the public, both in motion pictures, literature, the internet etc. This type of trash has a definite effect on the morals of the people. Immorality of every kind is rampant. We have an epidemic of AIDS, causing people to fear for their very lives.
Men brag and boast and are proud of their ill-gotten gains. They are irreverent and profane; being evil-minded, they curse and hate the righteous. All morality and Christian principles are being challenged in the educational system, and history is being rewritten to remove that upon which this country was founded. Children, having little or no godly guidance, are more and more disobedient to parents, mistaking license for freedom. “Men shall be lovers of their own selves.” This means mankind is becoming more and more selfish; their attitude is to look out for themselves, get there before the other fellow beats you to it! Books such as Looking out for # One and How to Intimidate are filling the shelves of the bookstores. Goals are to be reached whether by fair or foul means; the world recognizes power and success and wealth even though one is a scoundrel or tyrant in reaching that goal. Covetousness is rampant.
Men and nations make agreements only to break them. There was a time when a man’s word was his bond and could be relied upon. Not so today! False accusations, aiming at injuring or belittling others, are made in order that the falsifier might gain his own ends. Men become angry with little or no self- control, becoming fierce and destructive, hating those who do good. Today, mankind puts pleasure before anything else, even before God. They have a form of godliness, yet do not really believe nor trust God for deliverance or guidance. Read Galatians 5:19, 20 and see how every evil is the work of the flesh.
“Turning away from God.”
“Turning away from God.”
Now the Spirit of the Lord speaks through the Apostle Paul, telling us that in these days some will depart from faith in God. Jesus raised the question, when he comes again, “will he find faith on the earth?”
(Luke 18:8). Then he answers his own question, saying, “as it was in the days of Noah, so also shall the coming of the Son of man be. For as it was in the days that were before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered into the ark. And knew not until the flood came and took them all; so shall it also be at the coming of the Son of man.” Matt. 24:37-39. We know in Noah’s day the Bible tells us “men’s hearts were evil continually” (Gen. 6:5).
The people will be giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. In view of present-day enlightenment, we find many people turning to the occult world, necromancy, spiritism, demonism, astrology, and open worship of Satan. Yes, the devil is deceiving the vast majority of people on the earth today. (See 2 Timothy 3:13.) “Your Adversary the Devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour...resist him” (1 Peter 5:8). We are cautioned not to believe every spirit, but to try the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1).
How can we try the spirits? “And when they shall say unto you, seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards...should not a people seek unto their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:19, 20).
1 Cor. 2:12, 13: “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who possess the Spirit.”
Paul continues in 1 Timothy 4:1-3: “Giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, through the pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared.” What a horrible condition to fall into—to be cold, callused, calculating, no feeling of compassion, understanding or mercy, nor any consideration of others—how completely devoid of the spirit of love and a sound mind are such.
What about the pollution of our earth and its atmosphere? We read of air, water, and soil pollution; our natural resources are being depleted because of abuse and greed. There is a scarcity of food and fear of over-population. These conditions were also foretold in the Bible. “The earth mourns and withers, the world languishes and withers. The earth lies polluted under its inhabitants, for they have transgressed the laws (of nature), violated the statutes...therefore, a curse devours the earth, and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt” (Isa. 24:4-6). Yes, this world is polluted both morally and in its environment. God foreknew what man would do and inspired the above texts to be written as a warning for the time of the end. But man does not listen to God.
One final proof that we are fast approaching the end of the world is the nation of Israel. (Read Jeremiah chapter 24) Israel is likened to figs in the Bible (Jeremiah 29:17, 18). At one time they were vile figs and God cast them out of their land and scattered them among the Gentile nations of the earth for punishment. Nevertheless, God said He would restore them to their land again in the latter days, and they would never again be scattered. (See Ezekiel 11:16-21; 20:41-44; 34:12-16; Amos 9:15)
We should be convinced as we read and meditate on all these things that we are rapidly approaching the time of the end of this world, for as promised, communications and transportation have increasedtremendously even to seeing astronauts talking to the earth from the moon and other planets, and knowledge in all branches of science have developed to fantastic proportions (Daniel 12:4). In one man’s lifetime, he has gone from the time of the horse and carriage to a man walking on the Moon! Indeed, this is the time of the end when mankind would be running to and fro and knowledge would be increased. Nevertheless, people are in great perplexity, men’s hearts failing them for fear, and looking for those things that are coming upon the earth, for the powers of heaven (the evil spiritual ones) shall be shaken and destroyed (Luke 21:26). Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for (are waitingfor) a new heavens and a new earth (new spiritual and earthly rule) wherein dwells righteousness. (See 2 Peter 3:13; Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:l.) PRAISE GOD!
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