Just recently in our news we are seeing an increasing problem with mass shootings, terrorist acts and unpredictable natural disasters that are quickly decreasing our population. I understand that for the most part we have felt kinda immune to these calamities, but no longer are we feeling safe in America, Why? First John 2:17 reads, “and the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever”, this scripture was written by John, who has been described as "the disciple whom Jesus loved". This "loved disciple" wrote the most important prophetic book in the bible: Revelations. John was showed the ending of this world that we live in and what tragedies would present themselves preceding that end. Let me ask this question, Was this world already doomed for destruction upon its creation? In the beginning when God created Adam he gave him dominion over all things. In the beginning when creating heaven, earth, oceans, birds, fish, plants and etc, God looked and said these things are good. The physical world that God created is breathtaking, awesome and splendid, and he made it for us. It is the fall mentioned in Genesis 3 that turned mankind's dream into a nightmare, where we see the devil aka the serpent coax our first parents (Adam and Eve) into indulging into the fruit from the tree of knowledge. The devil had them believe that it would make them as wise as God, but instead it left them entangle with their sinful nature and drew them away from God's protection. We as the children of Adam and Eve have inherited that same sinful nature and just like with them, God refuses to tolerate it. Let us not forget when God destroyed this world before as spoken in Genesis 6, 1 Then the people began to multiply on the earth, and daughters were born to them. 2 The sons of God saw the beautiful women and took any they wanted as their wives. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not put up with humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh. In the future, their normal lifespan will be no more than 120 years.” 4 In those days, and for some time after, giant Nephilites lived on the earth, for whenever the sons of God had intercourse with women, they gave birth to children who became the heroes and famous warriors of ancient times. 5 The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. 6 So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart. 7 And the Lord said, “I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing—all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them.” 8 But Noah found favor with the Lord. (New Living Translation)
God did not have a problem with the world per se, but with the sinful nature of the inhabitants in it, for their ways were continuously evil. In the bible when we hear the word “world” it is speaking of the people in it, for the most part those who don’t believe in him or follow his laws. If you are a believer in God and his Son Jesus Christ and a follower of his laws then you do not belong to this "world" to begin with for the book of Hebrews states in chapter 13 verse 14,
“For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” (New Living Translation)
As we see all the awful things around us like natural disasters, the killing of hundreds in mass shootings in schools, churches and workplaces, we must remember that this is not our permanent home and God has a better place for us (with him). If you are a born again Christian reading this you should not hesitate but be busy getting closer to God during these tumultuous and trying times while separating yourself from this world and it's ways. We can no longer live for the acceptance of this world, because it is temporary and it's ways always leads to destruction and separation from God. Romans 12:2 reads,
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (New Living Translation)
But if you are a unbeliever let us remember you have an intelligent creator who cares for you and your family and chooses for you and me to live with Him for all of eternity. But also all believers must remain proactively praying for all unbelievers in spite of their sins and opposing beliefs (sanctifying ourselves but remaining prayerful for others) , read 1 Timothy 2:1-5,
“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 5 For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. (New Living Translation)
With that said power the devil is defeated along with the strongholds he has over our flesh. It is the blood of Jesus that washes away our sinful nature and allows us to turn completely from it. The kingdom of God will never pass away like this physical world we live in now along with temporary kings, governments and rulers, in the book of Daniel chapter 2 verse 44, we hear about the duration of God’s kingdom,
Now for this reason we believers must be steadfast in having a holy and sanctify life, for ...44 In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. And this kingdom will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it alone will stand forever, (New Living Translation)
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals,[a] nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
For all readers who are unbelievers or believers who have fallen away from God and his laws...LOOK, OBSERVE, WITNESS...the horrific and depressing ways of this world we live in, if not in your own life, look at those around you (community, nation, entire world). Gods grace and mercy is the very thin, fragile and stretching thread this world hangs by and soon it will...SNAP!! So where will be this worlds destination...
Matthew 49-50 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”Let us ask God for forgiveness of our sins and truly repent (turn from and never go back) from them. TIME IS TICKING and the thread is stretching thinner and thinner...REPENT TODAY!!!
(to be continued in Part 2)
