1. What is wrong with our world?

If you don’t agree that we have problems, you have been living on another planet! A police chief in the USA said: “There is no self-discipline. It’s total indulgence. There is lack of respect for law and values.”

That’s a fair summary.

• From lack of discipline has come cor- ruption, immorality, violence, drug and

alcohol abuse, hijacking, kidnapping,

theft, child abuse, homosexuality, rape and murder.

• Moral decline has also led to discon- tent, escapism, selfishness and an

increase in suicides.

Societies and economies are falling apart. While the world population is grow- ing by over fifty million people a year, more than 10,000 children under the age of five are dying each day from starvation and disease. Mankind, left to itself, has a bleak future. It is a very sad story.

2. Why is the world in such a mess?

Lack of faith in God and obedience to His laws have brought these great evils. From the beginning, man chose his own way, instead of God’s way. Adam sinned, he disobeyed God, and we, his ‘children’, have sinned ever since.

Jesus Christ, God’s Son, was sinless. Listen to what he says: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander” (Matthew 15:19, New International Version). That’s a terri- ble, but accurate, list. The apostle James adds: “What causes fights and quar- rels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” (James 4:1).

Let’s face it. Man, without God, is in a hopeless, desperate condition. Human nature needs changing. But don’t despair: when God sends Jesus Christ back to the earth, things are going to get better—much better.

3. Does God really have a plan for the world?

He certainly does! The Bible, His book, tells us all about it. Ask yourself: “What does the world need?” Compare your ideas with these: a world ruler—peace— no starvation—good health—no corrupt leaders—freedom from fear and oppres- sion—a common language—no arms race—just laws—help for the poor and homeless—no pollution. And, most importantly, the world needs God’s laws to be known, understood and obeyed.

God has promised to achieve all of these ideals, through Jesus Christ and his faithful, immortal helpers. The Bible has a phrase for such a time of blessing:

“THE KINGDOM OF GOD”.

This is God’s plan. At a time of great trouble, soon to come on the earth, people “will see the Son of man (Jesus) coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:27). He is coming to fulfil the promise made to Mary at his birth: “The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:33).

Yes, Jesus is coming to be the King of the Jews. But, not of the Jews only. He is to be King of the whole world. God never breaks His promises. He promised Jesus: “I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession” (Psalm 2:8). “All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him” (Psalm 72:11). No,

there’s no getting away from it: Jesus will be “King of kings, and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16).

It will be a time of great blessing for the people who survive God’s judgement of the world and live in the Kingdom age. They will enjoy good health, a peaceful life and will learn of God’s ways (Isaiah 35). “At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the LORD, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honour the name of the LORD” (Jeremiah 3:17).

There are two other wonderful facts about God’s choice of His Son, Jesus, as king.

• First, he is the perfect man for the job. Think of his character: he was sinless,

uncorruptible, loving, gracious, com- passionate and sensitive to the needs of the weak. He was also brave, men- tally strong and just. He had the power and authority of God at his command. As king of the world, he will need all of those qualities to rule the nations.

• Second, because he lived a perfect life on earth, always doing his Father’s

will, after his death, “God raised him from the dead” (Acts 2:24) and made him immortal. The world will never need another ruler! He will rule until all God’s enemies are destroyed. Finally, he will destroy the curse of death itself (1 Corinthians 15:25,26).

4. Does God have a plan for you?

Yes, He does! No doubt you have a plan for this life. Perhaps it includes 

(1) getting married and having a family;

(2) holding a good job;

(3) enjoying security and

(4) early retirement.

For many people, these are desirable goals. However, they do not compare with the plan that God has for those who faith- fully believe, trust and obey Him now. These are some of God’s promises:

(a) When Jesus comes to raise the dead and judge the world, he will give everlasting life to those who have loved and obeyed God. As Paul says, Jesus “will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:21).

(b) Those who are blessed with everlast- ing life will reign with Jesus over God’s Kingdom and help him estab- lish God’s laws throughout the earth.

(c) The redeemed will help Jesus to rule the nations for the whole of the Kingdom period, for “they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:4).

(d) God’s faithful ones (the redeemed) will never die. After the second resur- rection at the end of the thousand years, all God’s chosen will live for ever in His Kingdom. God will be “all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:28).

GOD’S CONDITIONS

How does God’s plan for His servants compare with your own? Is it bigger and greater? Surely, it is! And, it is ever- lasting. Even if your plan is successful,

it won’t last long. You must face the unpleasant fact that you are mortal.

God has a plan for you. Do you want to live for ever, in God’s new world? You can do; but you need to do something about it. Are you willing to obey Him now? Jesus says, “Follow me”, and, “If you love me, you will obey what I com- mand” (John 14:15).

God has promised: “Whosoever believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). Jesus says that when he comes in his Father’s glory, he will “reward each person according to what he has done” (Matthew 16:27).

For God’s loved ones, the day is com- ing when “the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people … 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” (Revelation 21:3,4).

God does not want you to miss that great day!