"Lakini sisi, kama ahadi yake, tunatazamia mbingu mpya na nchi mpya, ambayo ni makao ya haki." ( 2 Petro 3:13 )
Serikali ya Ulimwengu Mmoja ambayo italeta amani na uadilifu katika dunia hii -- je, inawezekana? Siyo tu kwamba inawezekana, lakini tunaweza kuhakikishiwa kuwa itakuwa ukweli kabisa siku moja katika siku zijazo si mbali sana, kwa kuwa Mungu ameiahidi na ahadi zake hutimia daima. Katika Isaya 55:11 Mungu anasema, “Ndivyo lilivyo neno langu, litokalo katika kinywa Changu;
Serikali hii mpya ya ulimwengu itachukua mahali pa utaratibu wa mambo uliopo sasa, ambao mara nyingi ni wa uovu na usio wa haki. Mtume Petro anatabiri juu ya hili katika 2 Petro 3:7 : “Kwa neno lilo hilo mbingu za sasa na nchi zimewekwa akiba kwa moto, zikilindwa hata Siku ya Hukumu na uharibifu wa wanadamu wasiomcha Mungu.” Kuna unabii mwingi katika Agano la Kale unaotabiri wakati huu ujao wa haki na hukumu. Hapa kuna machache:
“Basi ningojeni mimi, asema BWANA, hata siku ile nitakapoinuka ili kuteka nyara; : kwa maana dunia yote itateketezwa kwa moto wa wivu wangu. Maana ndipo nitakapowarudishia mataifa lugha iliyo safi, wapate kuliitia jina la Bwana, wamtumikie kwa nia moja. - Sefania 3:8-9
“Maana kwa ajili yetu mtoto (Yesu) amezaliwa, tumepewa mtoto mwanamume, na uweza wa kifalme utakuwa begani mwake. Naye ataitwa Mshauri wa Ajabu, Mungu Mwenye Nguvu, Baba wa Milele, Mfalme wa Amani. Kuongezeka kwa serikali yake na amani hakutakuwa na mwisho. Atatawala katika kiti cha enzi cha Daudi na juu ya ufalme wake, akiuthibitisha na kuutegemeza kwa haki na uadilifu tangu wakati huo na hata milele. Wivu wa BWANA Mwenye Nguvu Zote utatimiza hayo.” - Isaya 9:6-7
“Katika maono yangu ya usiku nalitazama, na tazama, mbele yangu mmoja aliye mfano wa mwanadamu, akija na mawingu ya mbinguni. Alimkaribia Mzee wa Siku na akaongozwa mbele yake. Yeye (Yesu) alipewa mamlaka, utukufu na mamlaka kuu; watu wote, mataifa na watu wa kila lugha wakamwabudu. Utawala wake ni mamlaka ya milele ambayo hayatapita kamwe, na ufalme wake ni ufalme ambao hautaangamizwa milele.” - Danieli 7:13-14
“Kisha enzi, nguvu na ukuu wa ufalme chini ya mbingu zote zitakabidhiwa kwa watakatifu (bibi-arusi wa Kristo), watu wake Aliye Juu. Ufalme wake (Yesu) utakuwa ufalme wa milele, na watawala wote watamwabudu na kumtii.” - Danieli 7:27
“Na katika siku za wafalme hao, Mungu wa mbinguni atausimamisha ufalme ambao hautaangamizwa milele, wala watu wengine hawataachiwa ufalme huo; kusimama milele. — Danieli 2:44
Wanafunzi wa Yesu walipomwomba awafundishe jinsi ya kusali, alitia ndani maneno yake katika sala yake ya kielelezo: “Ufalme wako uje, mapenzi yako yafanyike duniani kama huko mbinguni.” Wakristo wengi mara nyingi wameyatamka maneno haya bila kuelewa yale waliyoomba. Ufalme wa Mungu utakuwa zaidi ya matarajio makubwa ya mwanadamu. Sikiliza maneno ya 1 Wakorintho 2:9 : “Lakini kama ilivyoandikwa, Mambo ambayo jicho halijaona, wala sikio halikuyasikia, wala hayakuingia katika moyo wa mwanadamu, mambo ambayo Mungu aliwaandalia wampendao.
Dunia itarudishwa tena kwenye paradiso yake ya awali na ukamilifu wa hapo awali. Isaya 35:1-10 inafafanua hili kwa uzuri kwa ajili yetu: “Nyika na mahali palipo ukiwa patakuwa na furaha; na jangwa litashangilia, na kuchanua maua kama waridi. Litachanua maua mengi, na kufurahi, hata kwa furaha na kuimba; litapewa utukufu wa Lebanoni, utukufu wa Karmeli na Sharoni; watauona utukufu wa BWANA, na ukuu wa Mungu wetu. Itieni nguvu mikono iliyo dhaifu, yafanyeni imara magoti yaliyolegea. Waambieni walio na moyo wa hofu, Jipeni moyo, msiogope; tazama, Mungu wenu atakuja na kisasi, na malipo ya Mungu; atakuja na kukuokoa. Ndipo macho ya vipofu yatafumbuliwa, na masikio ya viziwi yatazibuliwa. Ndipo mtu aliye kilema ataruka-ruka kama kulungu, na ulimi wake aliye bubu utaimba; maana katika nyika maji yatabubujika, na vijito nyikani. Na udongo uliokauka utakuwa ziwa la maji, na nchi yenye kiu itakuwa chemchemi za maji; Na hapo patakuwa na njia kuu, na njia, nayo itaitwa, Njia ya utakatifu; asiye safi hatapita juu yake; lakini itakuwa kwa hao; wasafiri, wajapokuwa wapumbavu, hawatapotea katika njia hiyo. Hatakuwa na simba huko, wala mnyama mkali hatapanda juu yake, hataonekana huko; lakini waliokombolewa watakwenda huko: Na hao waliokombolewa na BWANA watarudi, na kufika Sayuni wakiimba, na furaha ya milele juu ya vichwa vyao; watapata furaha na shangwe, huzuni na kuugua zitakimbia.” Wakati huu wa kurejeshwa na kurejesha vitu vyote vilivyopotea kwa kutotii kwa Adamu pia umetajwa katika Agano Jipya. “Ambaye (Yesu) mbingu lazima zimpokee mpaka nyakati za kufanywa upya vitu vyote, ambazo Mungu alisema kwa kinywa cha manabii wake watakatifu tangu zamani za kale” (Matendo 3:21).
Serikali hii moja ya ulimwengu itatawaliwa na Mfalme wa wafalme na Bwana wa mabwana, Yesu Kristo aliyetukuzwa ( Ufunuo 19:16 ). Mstari wa 15 unasema, “Na upanga mkali hutoka kinywani mwake ili awapige mataifa kwa huo; naye atawachunga kwa fimbo ya chuma; Bibi-arusi wa Kristo (wale ambao ni washindi katika Enzi hii ya sasa ya Injili) watamsaidia Yesu katika kazi hii ya kutawala na kuhukumu. Ufunuo 2:26-27 inasema, “Yeye ashindaye na kufanya mapenzi yangu hata mwisho, nitampa mamlaka juu ya mataifa. Atawachunga kwa fimbo ya chuma; atazivunja-vunja kama vyombo vya udongo kama vile mimi nilivyopokea mamlaka kutoka kwa Baba yangu.”
Mtume Paulo katika 1Kor.6:2 anauliza swali, “Hamjui ya kuwa watakatifu watauhukumu ulimwengu? Katika Ufalme huu haki itakuwa ya haraka lakini ya haki. Hakutakuwa tena na wanasheria waungaji mkono wanaopindisha sheria na kuondoa kesi. Mhu. 8:11 inaeleza jinsi haki inavyotekelezwa leo: “Hukumu ya uhalifu isipotimizwa haraka, mioyo ya watu hujaa njama za kutenda uovu.” Ingawa adhabu zitakuwa za haraka, zitakuwa pia kwa faida ya mkosaji jambo ambalo sivyo leo. “Hukumu zako zikija juu ya dunia, watu wa ulimwengu hujifunza haki” (Isaya 26:9).
Chini ya serikali hii ya ulimwengu mmoja ya Bwana, kutakuwa na amani na vita vitakuwa jambo la zamani. Isaya 2:2-4 inatuambia, “Na itakuwa katika siku za mwisho, mlima wa nyumba ya BWANA utawekwa imara juu ya milima, nao utainuliwa juu ya vilima; na mataifa yote yatamiminika humo. Na watu wengi watakwenda na kusema, Njoni, twende juu mlimani kwa Bwana, nyumbani kwa Mungu wa Yakobo; naye atatufundisha njia zake, nasi tutakwenda katika mapito yake; kwa maana katika Sayuni itatoka sheria, na neno la Bwana katika Yerusalemu. Naye atafanya hukumu kati ya mataifa, naye atakemea watu wengi; nao watafua panga zao ziwe majembe, na mikuki yao iwe miundu; taifa halitainua upanga juu ya taifa lingine, wala hawatajifunza vita tena kamwe.”
Unabii mwingine unapatikana katika Isaya 65:17 & 25 : “Kwa maana, tazama, mimi naumba mbingu mpya na nchi mpya, na mambo ya kwanza hayatakumbukwa, wala hayataingia moyoni. Mbwa-mwitu na mwana-kondoo watalisha pamoja, na simba atakula majani kama ng'ombe, na mavumbi yatakuwa chakula cha nyoka. Hawatadhuru wala hawataharibu katika mlima wangu wote mtakatifu, asema BWANA.
Chini ya serikali hii inayokuja ya ulimwengu mmoja, Shetani na malaika zake waovu watazuiliwa ( Ufu. 20:1 ).
Hawataruhusiwa tena kudanganya na kuwajaribu wanadamu. Tunasoma katika Ufunuo 21:1-4, “Kisha nikaona mbingu mpya na nchi mpya; kwa maana mbingu ya kwanza na nchi ya kwanza zimekwisha kupita, wala hapana bahari tena. Nikaona Mji Mtakatifu, Yerusalemu mpya, ukishuka kutoka mbinguni kwa Mungu, umewekwa tayari kama bibi-arusi aliyepambwa kwa uzuri kwa mumewe. Kisha nikasikia sauti kuu kutoka kwenye kile kiti cha enzi ikisema.
“Sasa maskani ya Mungu ni pamoja na wanadamu, naye atakaa pamoja nao. Watakuwa watu wake, na Mungu mwenyewe atakuwa pamoja nao na kuwa Mungu wao. Atafuta kila chozi katika macho yao. Mauti hayatakuwapo tena, wala maombolezo, wala kilio, wala maumivu, kwa maana mambo ya kale yamekwisha kupita.” Ndiyo, hakuna ugonjwa na kifo tena, hakuna machozi zaidi - siku hiyo itakuwa nini!
Kila kitu kitaandaliwa ili wanadamu waishi milele chini ya serikali hii mpya ya ulimwengu mmoja. Andiko la Ufunuo 22:1-3 lafafanua hili kwa njia ya kitamathali kwa ajili yetu: “Kisha yule malaika akanionyesha mto wa maji ya uzima, angavu kama bilauri, ukitiririka kutoka katika kiti cha enzi cha Mungu na cha Mwana-Kondoo ukishuka katikati ya barabara kuu ya mji. Kila upande wa ule mto kulikuwa na mti wa uzima wenye kuzaa matunda kumi na mbili, wenye kuzaa matunda yake kila mwezi. Na majani ya mti huo ni ya uponyaji wa mataifa. Hakutakuwa na laana yoyote tena. Kiti cha enzi cha Mungu na cha Mwana-Kondoo kitakuwa katika mji huo, na watumishi wake watamtumikia.” Kisha katika mstari wa 17 inasema, “Roho na bibi-arusi wasema, Njoo! Na yeye asikiaye na aseme, Njoo! Yeyote aliye na kiu na aje; na yeyote anayetaka, na ayatwae maji ya uzima bure.”
Ni tumaini lenye baraka kama nini ambalo neno la Mungu linawawekea wanadamu wote. Yale ambayo mwanadamu amejaribu kutimiza kwa maelfu ya miaka, Mungu, kupitia Mwana Wake, atasimamisha serikali ya kitheokrasi ya ulimwengu mmoja na kutimiza jambo linaloonekana kuwa lisilowezekana. Amani na ufanisi vitasitawi kwa wote kwa kuwa “Mfalme wa amani” ( Isaya 9:6 ) atatawazwa. Ndiyo, kama vile Ufunuo 11:15 hutangaza, “Kukawa na sauti kuu mbinguni, zikisema, Ufalme wa ulimwengu umekuwa ufalme wa Bwana wetu na wa Kristo wake, naye atamiliki hata milele na milele.
Tuombe kwa bidii zaidi ufalme huu uje upesi wakati mapenzi ya Mungu yatakapofanywa duniani kama yanavyofanywa mbinguni, na tumwimbie Mungu wetu sifa ambaye kwa hekima yake kuu alitayarisha mpango huo mkuu kwa ajili ya urejesho wa wanadamu wote.
“But in keeping with His promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:13)
A One-World government that will bring about peace and righteousness on this earth -- is it possible? Not only possible, but we can be assured it will be an absolute reality one day in the not too distant future, for God has promised it and His promises always come true. In Isaiah 55:11 God says, “So is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
This new world government will replace the present, often evil and unjust order of things on the earth. The Apostle Peter prophecies about this in 2 Peter 3:7: “By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the Day of Judgment and destruction of ungodly men.” There are many prophecies in the Old Testament that predict this future time of justice and judgment. Here are a few:
“Therefore wait ye upon me, says the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them my indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.” - Zephaniah 3:8-9
“For to us a child (Jesus) is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” - Isaiah 9:6-7
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He (Jesus) was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” - Daniel 7:13-14
“Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints (the bride of Christ), the people of the Most High. His (Jesus’) kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.” - Daniel 7:27
“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. “ - Daniel 2:44
When Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray, He included in His model prayer the words “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Many Christians have oftenverbalized these words without understanding that for which they prayed. God’s Kingdom will be beyond man’s wildest expectations. Listen to the words of 1 Corinthians 2:9: “But as it is written, eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.”
Earth will once again be restored to its original paradise and former perfection. Isaiah 35:1-10 describes this beautifully for us: “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon; they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the Excellency of our God. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” This time of restitution and restoring of all things lost by Adam’s disobedience is also mentioned in the New Testament. “Whom (Jesus) the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21).
This one world government will be ruled by the King of kings and Lord of lords, the glorified Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:16). Verse 15 says, “And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” The bride of Christ (those who are overcomers in this present Gospel Age) will assist Jesus in this task of ruling and judging. Revelation 2:26-27 states, “To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery just as I have received authority from my Father.”
The Apostle Paul in 1 Cor.6:2 asks a question, “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?” In this Kingdom justice will be swift but fair. There will be no longer any conniving lawyers that twist the law and drag out cases. Eccl. 8:11 describes the way justice is carried out today: “When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong.” Though punishments will be swift, they will also be for the benefit of the offender which is not the case today. “When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness” (Isaiah 26:9).
Under this one-world government of the Lord, there will be peace and wars will be a thing of the past. Isaiah 2:2-4 tells us, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
Another prophecy is found in Isaiah 65:17 & 25: “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, says the LORD.”
Under this coming one-world government, Satan and his evil angels will be restrained (Rev. 20:1).
They will no longer be allowed to deceive and tempt mankind. We read in Revelation 21:1-4, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Yes, no more sickness and death, no more tears – what a day that will be!
Everything will be provided for mankind to live forever under this new one-world government. Revelation 22:1-3 figuratively describes this for us: “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.” Then in verse 17 it says, “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.”
What a blessed hope the word of God holds out to all mankind. What man has tried to accomplish for thousands of years, God will, through His Son, establish a theocratic one-world government and accomplish the seemingly impossible. Peace and prosperity will flourish for all for the “Prince of peace” (Isaiah 9:6) will be enthroned. Yes, as Revelation 11:15 declares, “There were loud voices in heaven, which said, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.’”
Let us pray more fervently for this kingdom to come soon when God’s will shall be done on earth as it is done in heaven, and sing praises to our God who in His great wisdom formulated such a grand plan for the restoration of all mankind.