THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - Continue with Hope

THE STORM BEFORE THE CALM

Jesus foretold that the last days would be marked, not only by peace and security, but by the very opposite!   His composite sign of  the "conclusion of the system of things" includes international warfare, food shortages, pestilences,, and great earthquakes.  (Matthew 24:2, 7; Luke 21:10, 11; Revelation 6:3, 8) Jesus also said:  "Because of the increasing of lawlessness, the love of the greater number grow cold." -Matthew 24:12.

That coldness is evident in many ways, which another Bible writer specifically foretold. At 2 Timothy 3:1-5, we read that in "the last days,"  people in general will be obsessed with self, money, and pleasures.  They would be arrogant and fierce. Families would lack general affection, and children would be disobedient to parents. Religious hypocrisy would be commonplace.

Those storm-like conditions confirm that this world is in its last days.  They also confirm that the calm of the Kingdom rule is near.  Indeed, Jesus included the following assurance in his prophecy in the last days:  "This good new of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabitant earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. 

That good news gives fair warning to wrongdoers and hope to the righteous assuring the latter that the promised blessings will soon become reality.   

Next time: THE WAY OF HAPPINESS -Conclusion of Hope

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