There is the possibility of nuclear War in Korea and there is civil unrest in Iran after their elections. Israel is always in danger of attack from any number of nations and America is full of violence. All it takes is a quick view around the world and there is instability in every nation. How are Christians to understand all these things in light of our faith?
Add to those things the persecution of Christians around the world. Most recently a Christian was raped and murdered who refused to convert to Islam.
Jesus said that “in the last days” (Which is the time between Pentecost and His return) there will be wars and rumors of war. But that does NOT mean the end will happen… but just that it is getting closer. Therefore consider the following passages…
Ps 2:1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord… 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.
Ps 46:4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
I believe we are living in a time of tribulation like the world has never before known. At any given moment war of epic proportions could being that would kill more people in 1 day than were killed in months in previous wars.
North versus South Korea. India versus Pakistan. Iran versus Israel. China versus Russia. America versus Venezuela, or Cuba, or Iran, or Korea, or any of 20 other possibilities. Rage seems to be everywhere…
Neo-Nazis and extreme racists are angry at everyone not like them. Radical feminists are angry at anyone not on their side. Democrats and Republicans constantly argue. Racists (Both sides and every kind) play the victim and get in the face of those who they feel marginalize them. Rage is everywhere…
How do we deal with all the anger of so many people that are all around us and not fall prey to it ourselves? Social upheaval is described in Isaiah 6:1, and what gave peace was the knowledge that God is still God… still seated on His throne… and still in control.
Isaiah 6:1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.