WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON?

Have you ever wondered what is really going on in our world? What does the future hold? Is there any hope for our planet? How can you face the future with greater confidence?

World conditions are alarming and uncertain. The Middle East is a hotspot, where regional conflicts can erupt without notice. The tensions between the world’s superpowers have escalated with the nuclear arms race. As one nuclear scientist soberly declared, “With thermonuclear warheads, we can make a bonfire of all our cities and turn earth into a spinning globe of ash. I am frightened for my life.”

And with political unrest comes tens of thousands of refugees who are seeking a sanctuary from violence, poverty and oppression.

But this is not all. The interdependent world economy is on very shaky ground, and a global economic collapse is not out of the question.

Moral values are rapidly deteriorating, too. Ethical principles that were once commonplace are now relics of the past, and it seems there are no absolutes or moral guidelines. Along with this, school violence continues to rise. School violence continues to rise. In the United States, mass shootings have dramatically increased in the last few years.In 2023, the United States has already had more mass shootings than there are days of the year.

Think about world weather patterns for a moment. The weather seems out of control with hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, floods, tornados and typhoons. World hunger is rapidly increasing with over 20% of the world’s population going hungry each evening.

People everywhere are asking, “What do these things mean?” They sense our world is in trouble. The cries of millions rise up: “What in the world is going on? Are we a forgotten cinder on the edge of a forgotten galaxy—a world that doesn’t matter?”

There Are Answers

The Bible presents clear, concise, convincing answers to these pain-filled questions. Its last book, Revelation, lets us look behind the scenes into a great controversy between good and evil. Understanding this cosmic conflict helps us to make sense of the chaos. The Bible’s ultimate solution gives us hope for today, tomorrow and the future.

So, what does the Bible have to say about this conflict? Revelation 12 pulls the curtain aside:

“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:7-9).

The reason for the strife on earth is a war that began in heaven. Before this war, the entire universe was completely harmonious. Love reigned in every corner, and tens of millions of heavenly beings worshiped their Creator in perfect happiness. God created each of these beings with freedom of choice because He wanted beings who truly loved Him—not robots programmed to serve Him. Love can never be forced. It must flow from a heart that appreciates, values and admires the one it loves.

Unfortunately, one of these perfect heavenly beings, Lucifer, became jealous of God and chose to lead one third of the angels in rebellion against Him (Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:12-17). As a result, war broke out, and Lucifer and his evil angels were cast out of heaven (Revelation 12:9).

So, how did the earth get involved in this conflict? When God created our first parents, Adam and Eve, and placed them in the perfect Garden of Eden, He gave them the same power of choice that He gave all heavenly beings. When they yielded to Satan’s temptations and disobeyed God, they opened a door of sickness, suffering and death (Genesis 3:1-6). Separated from God, they were separated from the source of life, health and happiness (Isaiah 59:1, 2). Our planet entered the rebellion.

God’s Answer to the Sin Problem

Though you may think God hasn’t done anything about this sin problem, He actually has. Right there in the garden, He gave Adam and Eve a glimpse of hope. He promised to send the Messiah to reveal God’s self-sacrificing love and save them from the clutches of the evil one (Genesis 3:15). Centuries passed, and Jesus came to this rebellious planet. He lived the perfect life we should have lived, faced Satan’s temptations head on, and was victorious. Jesus experienced every temptation we would ever experience. He understands our weaknesses and struggles. He even took upon Himself the penalty of sin we deserved and died on the cross to provide us with eternal life (Romans 3:23; 6:23).

Because of that gift, we know we’ll live eternally one day. But, meanwhile, the controversy still wages on earth as we enter the final hours of earth’s history. A severe time of trouble will soon break upon this world. The devil will unleash all of his hellish fury upon the people of God because he hates Jesus and those who stand faithful to Him (Revelation 12:17). No one faithful to God will be able to buy or sell, and eventually, they will be threatened with death (Revelation 13:15-17; 17:13, 14).

But Jesus’ people will triumph in the end because He will be with them (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5). Filled with His Holy Spirit, they will share the gospel. When every person on earth has had the opportunity to respond to His love, Jesus will come as He promised. The entire universe will sing, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Revelation 11:15)

The great controversy will end. Sin and sinners will be no more. There will be no disease, disaster or death, and no pollution, pestilence or poverty. Wars, worry and want will be banished forever. God will wipe away every tear from our eyes and make all things new (Revelation 21:4, 5). The entire universe will once again live in the light of Christ’s love.

If you would like to know more about the great controversy and the coming climatic events, scan the QR code on this tract or call the phone number on the back, and we will provide you a free copy of the bestselling book, The Great Controversy. Millions of people have found new hope for the future and a clearer understanding of last-day events in this book, and you will, too. You can have God’s guidance and face the future with confidence. Request your free copy today.