Three current headlines read: Iran declares win for Ahmadinejad in disputed vote; N Korea says it will ‘weaponize’ its plutonium; and the World Health Organization declares a swine flu pandemic.
Ahmadinejad is the current president of Iran and has been reelected for four more years. He’s the guy that believes that Israel has no right to exist and has a similar view toward the United States. Iran has also been dabbling with nuclear energy and possibly more.
North Korea is basically run by a dictator and continues to try to perfect weapons with greater and greater capabilities as well. In addition to all this, the swine flu is spreading to all areas of the world. There is certainly plenty to be fearful about.
Jesus spoke of a similar time. “But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately...Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; …" (Luke 21:9-11) The time Jesus was speaking about is yet in the future. It will be a time that is many times worse that the time we are living in now. His concern in relating all these details was first of all that “no one mislead you”. (Mark 13:5)
Yet we see elements of that future Day of the Lord in our world today. It can be a scary time for those who do not know the Lord and His faithfulness. Do the things happening in our world worry you? Do not be misled. The Lord is in control! He has given us the details of the future. “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling.” (PS 46:1-3)… He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. …Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!. (v.8, 10)