You would have to be living in a cave not to notice that the world is in economic crisis right now. Countries, as well as individuals, are going bankrupt; billions, if not trillions of dollars lost; mortgages being recalled; the rich becoming destitute; it’s all playing out like some “end-time” drama.

Some are saying not to panic, as things will come back around. Others are not so positive, saying that this crisis could last years, and certain harbingers of doom, such as the JW’s and some fundamental Christian groups, are predicting the end of the financial system, and even the world, as we know it.

In the face of all that has happened in the last few weeks, I must admit to thinking a couple of times, “has the end really come?”

Not to be a herald of negativity, but I think we are facing an even greater bankruptcy than our finances, namely spiritual bankruptcy. Every day we are faced with abortion on demand, extreme violence and porn freely available on the internet, rapes, muggings, and murders on our streets, movies and music that at one time would have been deemed “disgusting and depraved” now at #1 in the charts, hate crimes due to color, creed, religion, and lifestyle, and the list goes on. It doesn’t take long to realize that we are not just heading for spiritual bankruptcy, we’ve arrived!

Sure, the world economy gets national exposure on CNN and Sky News, while the spiritual bankruptcy gets overlooked once more. But when a global crisis such as this happens, and we hear of people jumping in front of trains and out of office buildings, which one should we be focusing on more – the worth of our financial assets, or our very souls?

Matthew 24:6-8 says, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” (NIV)

I think it would be safe to say that the world is experiencing birth pains right now, AKA the beginning of the end. How long will the end take? Only God knows, but it would also be safe to say that when all is said and done, something good waits at the other side of all the bankruptcy the world is currently facing. How do I know this? God’s Word tells us!

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Revelation 21:1-5 (NIV)

We live in uncertain times, to be sure. However, now is not the time for us to be timid and run for the hills. We need to stand strong in the Lord during these uncertain times knowing that the best is yet to come!

Christian St John M.Div, BChM, ACS
October, 2008

Image by Billy Alexander

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