Connection, Covid-19, Coronavirus, Virus, China

News reports bring us the bleak news of the Covid-19 pandemic. In a matter of weeks, the virus has globalised and claimed the lives of thousands upon thousands. The possibility of catching the virus is a concern. Social distancing and lockdown is depressing. At this point, there is no end in view. Global economic depression is threatening.

This terrible virus adds to the constant threats of terrorist bombings, political unrest, devastating Australian bushfires, destructive earthquakes, tsunamis, riots, and threats of nuclear, biological and chemical war. Drug abuse is increasing. Crime is escalating in our suburbs. Divorce and broken homes are the norm. The depressing news goes on and on.

What does the future hold? Does anyone have the answers?

Millions turn to astrology, psychics, tarot cards and the like, seeking answers to their questions about the future. Others cross their fingers and hope for the best. All the while answers to many questions about the future are available within the pages of the Bible—God’s message to the human race.

The Bible Gives Answers

If you are like many today, you may know nothing about the Bible. You may consider it to be nothing but an old religious book. If so, consider just a few facts about the Bible. The opening words in the Bible are “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” God is the only eternal being. He by His great wisdom designed all that exists. The last verse of that first chapter in the Bible states, “And God saw every thing that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” God created all that exists fully functional and very good. Meadow, Green Meadow, Flower Meadow, Grass, NatureWhen you consider the incredible detail, design, and variety of every living substance, creation makes much more sense than having it all evolve from a single cell through trillions of accidents over billions of years. In the third chapter of the Bible, we read that Adam and Eve, the first humans created by God, chose to rebel against their Creator and plunged the human race into sin and heartache. That is the root cause behind all the terrible things we see in our world today.

Among the prophecies of the Bible, we find this description of society just prior to the end of the world. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5). Sounds like we are living in the last days, doesn’t it?

If we are living in the last days, what is coming next?

Judgment is on the horizon. The Bible tells us that just prior to the coming judgment, the Lord is going to take all true Christians out of this world. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

If you are not among the true Christians, you will experience the worst global catastrophes the world has ever known. “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matthew 24:21). During that terrible Tribulation, much of the world’s population will be wiped out. Details can be read in Revelation, the last book of the Bible, chapters 5-19.

Temporary Peace Will Follow

Following this Tribulation, peace will be restored to the earth for 1,000 years. However, instead of learning from history, men will once again rebel against God and face another judgment (Revelation 20:1-9). Thunder, Lightning, Storm, Sky, NightWith this, life on this earth will be brought to a close and the earth will be destroyed. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:10).

The day of reckoning will come at last. Those, from all ages, who rejected God’s plan for their salvation, will be resurrected to stand before their Judge. “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; . . . And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:12, 15).

Why would God do such a thing?

God is holy and we are sinful people. We have rebelled against him. Even good people are sinners. God says, “. . . there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). The penalty for sin is eternal death. “For the wages of sin is death; . . .” (Romans 6:23).

Isn’t God loving?

Yes, He is loving, but His holiness demands justice. Therefore, in love, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to die to pay for our sin. “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). Jesus Christ, God’s Son, died to pay our debt and offer us the gift of eternal life. “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God . . .” (1 Peter 3:18). Yes, “. . . the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).

This gift cannot be earned by leading a good life or merited through religion. It is only received through Christ. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). Christ alone can forgive our sin and give us eternal life. “In whom [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1:7).

Here is how you can receive God’s gift of eternal life.

Girl, Praying, Hands, EyelashesFirst, you must admit that you have sinned against God, your Creator. You have disobeyed God in many ways. No amount of good deeds can undo or erase the wrong you have done. Admit that you deserve God’s judgment of eternal punishment in hell. Acknowledge that you cannot save yourself. Then, by believing that Christ died for you and asking Him to save you, He will wash you clean (Colossians 1:14). He will also make you His child and a true Christian. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (John 1:12).

Is receiving eternal life that simple?

Yes! “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1 John 5:12). By trusting Christ to save your soul from hell, your future can be bright! You can have your sins forgiven and receive an eternal home in heaven. You can then look beyond the troublesome conditions of our world to a happy and bright eternal future with God.

For more information, see Resources on this website or contact Pastor Scott Childs.