Q: I can’t help but wonder if we’re living in the last days. Are we? There’s so much conflict and turmoil in the world, and I don’t see any answer unless God intervenes and brings it all to an end. Am I being too pessimistic?
A: You’re right; we do live in a world that is constantly torn by conflict and chaos and fear. And because of the development of nuclear and biochemical weapons of mass destruction, the world is arguably the most dangerous it has ever been. Jesus warned that as the end of the present age approaches, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. … Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Matthew 24:6-7).
Jesus, however, cautioned us against trying to predict exactly when He would come again, or when the present age would come to an end. (From time to time people have ignored His warning, claiming they knew exactly when Christ was coming—only to be discredited.) At the same time, Christ repeatedly promised that someday God will intervene and Christ will come again to rule in perfect justice and peace. No wonder the Bible calls this “the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
In the midst of our chaotic world, take comfort in the fact that evil will not win, and some day Christ’s victory over evil and injustice will be complete. Take comfort especially in the fact that when we know Christ and have committed our lives to Him, we have hope—hope for our lives right now, and hope for all eternity.
In the meantime, make it your goal to live for Christ, and to point others to the peace and hope we have in Him.
