Rod McNair

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

Is There Any Way to Find Peace?

We’re living in a troubled world. And our problems have only gotten worse with the coronavirus pandemic. Some experts today say America is going through a mental health crisis. In fact, in October of 2020, the American Psychological Association created the publication Stress in America 2020: A National Mental Health Crisis.

Consider some of the findings:

"Despite several months of acclimating to a new reality and societal upheaval spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans are struggling to cope…. Nearly 2 in 3 adults (65%) say the current amount of uncertainty in our nation causes them stress. Further, 3 in 5 (60%) say the number of issues America faces currently is overwhelming to them…. Issues they are stressed about are not going away, they are piling up" (p. 2).

Think about it. The effect of the virus has had a dramatic impact on many more people than just those touched directly by the disease. The societal disruption it has caused has affected the mental and emotional health of millions of Americans. And it’s the same in many places around the world. On October 5, 2020, the World Health Organization published an article stating this:

"Bereavement, isolation, loss of income and fear are triggering mental health conditions or exacerbating existing ones…. The pandemic is increasing demand for mental health services" ("COVID-19 disrupting mental health services in most countries, WHO survey," October 5, 2020).

How can we survive the trials and difficulties of these troubling times? How do we fight the crushing sense of discouragement many face today? All too often, in our secular world, the most important stress-beating tool is ignored or outright rejected. And yet, it’s something we ALL need to put into practice, to have more peace of mind in a distressing world. What is it? Personal prayer to God.

Direct and Personal: God as a Real Confidant

Welcome to Tomorrow’s World, where we help you make sense of the world through the pages of your Bible.

2020; it’s the year where everything went wrong. But this world’s problems didn’t start with the COVID crisis. Consider the Boston Globe article entitled, "Dear God, Are you out there? The world is falling apart." It’s tempting to think that all our problems just began in February and March of 2020, but life for many was challenging before that time as well.

This world has been on fire for longer than just a few months. Consider the information from the website "Global Protest Tracker." It reports that since 2017:

• There have been about 100 significant anti-government protests worldwide,
• About 30 governments or leaders have fallen as a result,
• 8 out of 12 South American countries have experienced significant protests,
• With some of the most violent government crackdowns against protestors being in Iran, Iraq, and Nicaragua.

Society around the world is convulsing. So, what should we do? The Centers for Disease Control, or CDC, has a website that explains that there are things we should do in difficult times to maintain a positive mental framework. Connecting with loved ones is vital. Not succumbing to isolation and loneliness is crucial.

Avoiding getting caught up in the negative media, and taking care of our physical health, all are good pieces of advice. Even so, there is something else which goes far beyond these factors. What is that something else? Seeking the peace of mind that only comes through personal, private contact with God in prayer.

How can you experience more peace of mind in your life? In this program, we’ll discuss several keys to achieving peace of mind through personal prayer. The first is:

1. Talk to God in a direct and personal way

Do you talk to God in prayer, as if He’s real and is actually listening? Surprisingly, many do not. The Guardian website ran an article in 2018, entitled "Non-believers turn to prayer in a crisis, poll finds." Here is what the author wrote:

"…A new survey has found that one in five adults pray despite saying they are not religious…. Henry, 64, said he prays every night, kneeling by his bed, despite not being religious. ‘I worry about it quite a lot – is it some kind of an insurance policy, is it superstition or is it something more real?’… He said he had no idea if God heard his prayers, and said the act of praying did not make him feel better. ‘I wonder why I don’t stop doing it’" (January 13, 2018).

This is a fascinating survey—20% of non-believing adults in Britain DO PRAY. And as Henry mentioned, some do in spite of doubting that a real God is listening. And it has NO impact on their peace of mind.

Even those who are religious, for many of them, prayer has limited value in really affecting their lives. The article goes on to say this:

"Just over half of all adults in the UK pray… and just under half of those who pray said they believed God hears their prayers… Four in ten… say it makes them feel better."

What a tragedy. Even many religious people who do pray have no confidence that God is listening. So why pray at all if there is no connection and no sense of a Being who’s listening and who really cares?

The first key to effective prayer is to understand WHO we are praying to. We don’t just pray to an idea. We don’t pray to an ambiguous "higher power." We pray to our Father. And our Father sees us and is listening, and wants us to seek Him.

When we do earnestly seek Him, we can have a deep sense of peace of mind that comes no other way.

Let’s turn it over to Matthew chapter 6 and verse 31. Jesus said,

"Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things…" (Matthew 6:31-34).

Notice what He says. Don’t agonize about our daily needs, even when times are tough and budgets are tight. Because the God we serve is the One who provides all those things.

Why is it so important that we go to God in prayer? Because oftentimes the things that stress us the most are the things we can’t control: our worries about our job, our financial situation, our health, or how we’ll put food on the table or pay the mortgage.

I recently heard of a story on a local news program of a woman diagnosed with breast cancer. After her diagnosis, she was not allowed to go to work, because she was now at high risk for getting the coronavirus. And yet she couldn’t work from home, so she was furloughed. Yet, she wasn’t able to move forward with her cancer treatment because of her job situation, so she was left in limbo, and at the publishing of the story was three months behind on her mortgage with no hope in sight.

You might be facing something similar. You might feel like you’re drowning because of the pressures this current crisis is putting on you. Seek God in prayer. He’s YOUR Father, too. His Son DIED for you. He will PROVIDE for you, if you seek Him in heartfelt and persistent prayer. And in the process, you will find peace of mind that passes human understanding.

The key is getting our focus on Him, in personal, private prayer. Jesus also said in Matthew chapter 6 verse 7,

"And when you pray, [not IF you pray, but WHEN you pray] do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:7).

Have you ever noticed that the first half of this model prayer is directed at talking to God, and praising and thanking Him? He is real. He is good, He is holy, loving, caring and compassionate. He has a plan He’s working out. But often our prayers can become just a laundry list of "I need this and I need that." When we pray, the first thing we need to do is get our mind on God, and Who He really is.

The Apostle Paul wrote, in Philippians 4:6,

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

It all starts with thanksgiving. Our attitude toward prayer must begin with acknowledging Who He is and focusing our minds on HIS will…not our own. That’s the starting point for real peace in this troubling world.

Wisdom and Strength: God as the Real Source

And that brings us to the second key in today’s program:

2. Ask God to teach and direct you.

This might seem counterintuitive. When we are under stress, we don’t want MORE burden and guilt. We don’t want to be made to feel like our problems are OUR fault, or that we might be partially responsible for the stress we feel. That’s the LAST thing we want.

But understand what I’m saying. God made us. We are His workmanship. He created our ability to think. He designed us to have human relationships. He put us on this earth. But all too often, in our modern world, we ignore what God says about how to live. And yet He is the One who knows best how to make our life work. Why not ask Him for direction?

The Apostle James wrote, in James 1 and verse 5,

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

Are we asking for God to teach us? Is this something that is part of our prayer? We have to understand where real wisdom comes from. And we need wisdom today. Why is wisdom so important? Well, consider a few examples. How hard is it to stay out of endless political debates that are largely futile, and yet bitterly divide even family members? Wisdom can help us avoid those. When under financial pressures, how easy is it to find ourselves snapping at our mates over money matters? And yet wisdom can help us choose love and unity and work together to find solutions. When facing discouragement and depression, how easy is it to fall into harmful behaviors, such as abuse of alcohol, or drugs, or misuse of sex, or falling into pornography? And yet wisdom from God teaches us how to avoid those harmful traps. It shows us that they only bring misery to us and wreck our relationships.

Wisdom from God is vital to navigating difficult times and having peace of mind. We need it today.

In 2 Timothy 1:6, Paul also wrote:

"Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

Do you want a sound mind? A sound mind is a gift from God. It doesn’t come from psychology books, or self-help magazines about relaxation techniques. Now, those things can help, but in the end, real peace of mind comes only from God. But we must ask for it.

In Hebrews 4:12, Paul wrote:

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

So how does God teach us? Through His Word, which is this Book, the Bible. We must study the Bible for answers to our questions on life. When we pray, we talk to God. When we read and study our Bible, God talks to us. If we’re not diligently reading this Book, it’s as if we are only willing to talk to God, but not listen to His instruction as well.

As a pastor, I’ve worked with people who wanted to improve their lives, but weren’t really willing to look for the answers in the Bible. Their answers came from their own imagination, and what they thought God wanted them to do. But, they failed to realize we must seek for God’s instructions by revering and listening to the Bible.

So, how can you have real peace of mind? By sincerely talking to God in personal prayer, and asking Him to teach you through His Word.

Repent and Obey: God as a Guide

The third key we’ll discuss today is:

3. Act on what God teaches you.

The coronavirus struck in early 2020. By March, it became obvious to many governments around the world, this was going to be a serious public health crisis. The danger was not just from the virus itself, but how people would respond to the virus. There were mental and emotional health dangers associated with the fallout from the pandemic. In response, the Centers for Disease Control issued advice on how to manage stress during the COVID pandemic. These are some of the suggestions that the CDC gave on their website, under the heading, "Healthy Ways to Cope with Stress":

• Take care of your emotional health
• Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including those on social media
• Take care of your body (eat healthy, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep)

And,

• Connect with others

These are all very common-sense pieces of advice. And they are helpful to keep in mind, when facing mental and emotional stress. But think about it. Why is it that we all-too-often listen to experts, and consider their advice as valid, and even change our behavior based on their advice…but we don’t act on the guidance of God?

What do I mean? Let’s turn to what Jesus said in John 13:17,

"If you know these things, blessed (or happy) are you if you do them."

If God made us—if He designed our minds and put together our being, don’t you think He has a thing or two to say about how we should live? For example, look at the whole matter of prayer. We might think, yes, I should really pray. Or, I should pray more consistently, or more earnestly. And, if I did, I’d probably have a better handle on my problems. But life gets busy. We get tired and worn out from the daily battle. The kids need to be put to bed. By the end of the day we’d rather sink into a chair and lose ourselves in a book or in watching TV or YouTube. And the time just slips away. And we let everything and anything keep us from connecting to our Father. In the process, without ever meaning to, we prevent ourselves from getting the mental and emotional peace of mind we really need.

The Bible is filled with advice on how to navigate difficult times. It’s overflowing with stories of real-life people. These were people who really existed, who were not myths, and they faced uncertain times and prevailed, through talking to God, and faithfully responding to Him.

Are we going to take that next step and reach out to our Father in Heaven, and really talk to Him? Are we going to open a Bible—or get a Bible—and let God show us how to survive the stressful times we’re in? Are we going to act on what we learn?

What is putting pressure on you right now? Maybe you were downsized or furloughed because of the pandemic or lost a job. Maybe you have a difficult health trial, Maybe your relationships are a mess, and you and your mate are struggling to maintain a marriage under the weight of family and financial stresses. Maybe you are struggling with an addiction that is eroding your own sense of self, and destroying your life. You want to quit, but you keep falling back into that black hole.

Did you know that God through His Word gives wisdom and real help on all of these issues and many more? We just have to be open to it and ask. And we have to start reading, and then put into practice what we learn.

When ancient King Solomon had dedicated the newly-built Temple in Jerusalem, he led the congregation in prayer to God. He implored God, to listen to his people, even when they would go astray. And, if they would repent, and turn, and seek to honor Him, he asked God to honor their prayer. Here is what God said. It’s found in 2 Chronicles 7:14,

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

If there ever was a time when we need repentance, and forgiveness, and healing for human beings in our nations around the world, it is now. But what if the nations and governments and leaders and people of this world don’t change? Is there anything holding you back from seeking God personally, in your life? If God is opening your heart and mind, you, too, can call on Him with sincerity, and experience the wonderful peace that comes only from knowing, seeking, and obeying Him.

Notice what the prophet Isaiah said, in Isaiah 55:6,

"Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon."

In these stressful times, there is help. And that is through a personal relationship with God. And that starts with private, persistent prayer.

God Is the Giver of Peace!

God will give us peace of mind, as we seek Him, ask for His help, and act on what He says through His word.

God is in control. He created everything. And He will guide us if we really want Him to. We can have real, genuine, peace of mind, through personal prayer with the One who gave us life and breath.

Thanks for watching to the end. At Tomorrow’s World, we help people understand the world by helping them understand the Bible. If you want to learn more about the Bible and understand where this world is headed, be sure to subscribe to our channel and click the notification bell. Also, if you want to get our study guide Twelve Keys to Answered Prayer for free, click here. See you next time.

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

A World Without War

Imagine a perfect world. Not what we see today, but a new world, ideal in every way. What would it be like? If you could remake everything you see, what would you change? Maybe you would erase the political divides that plague our world… Perhaps you would get rid of corruption, scandals, lies, and government propaganda. Maybe you’d reform the criminal justice system, and institute new laws. Fair and just laws that protect the unborn and don’t legalize immorality. You’d close loopholes that benefit the rich and powerful. Everyone would be truly equal before the law, all the time, without fail. Maybe you’d get rid of violence and war… No more men and women learning the art and science of warfare… And no more violence and anarchy in the streets.

Is it possible? Am I only dreaming? You might think so, looking at society today. If you read the headlines and watch the latest videos posted online, you might conclude that this hope for a perfect world is unrealistic.

But stop a moment. This ideal world I just described is what your Bible predicts, in detail. This may be a shock to some, but it’s true.

Let’s take a look at the Bible, and get a glimpse of that future. Yes… there are difficult years ahead. But after that, the future is bright. A better, just, and peaceful world is coming. And it will happen right here on this earth.

So, let’s find out about that world, by looking in the Bible. We’ll examine one specific prophecy in the ancient book of Isaiah. You might be amazed at what we find.

And also, get ready to order our free study guide entitled, The World Ahead: What It Will Be Like. I’ll give you information on how to order, later in the program.

The future is bright… A new world is coming… But how can we be so sure? I’ll be right back with the answer.

One World Government Under God

Welcome to Tomorrow’s World. Many centuries ago, in the ancient land of Judah, there lived a prophet named Isaiah. He lived in the 8th century, B.C. Isaiah began his ministry by having a vision, during the reign of king Uzziah. He recorded his visions in the book called by his name. It forms one of the foundational prophetic books of the Old Testament. What’s fascinating about Isaiah is that much of the book predicts the coming of the Messiah, and His glorious, 1,000-year reign on earth, what we sometimes call “the millennium.”

There’s a particular prophecy we’ll look at on today’s program, which gives us a glimpse of this coming new age. It begins in Isaiah, chapter 2, verse 1:

“The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. Now it shall come to pass in the latter days…” (Isaiah 2:1–2).

What is this phrase “the latter days”? “Latter days” refers to the end-times, the time right around the return of Jesus Christ to earth as King of kings and Lord of lords. If YOU can see we are living in the “latter days” right now, what comes next should cause you to stop and take notice. The events Isaiah speaks of are about to happen, IN OUR TIME.

So, what will the Millennium be like? In the rest of this program, we’ll discuss three wonderful descriptions of the Millennium. The first is, that 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth will be a time of:

1. Good and Righteous Rulers

Let’s read Isaiah 2:2,

“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it” (Isaiah 2:2).

What is this talking about? Well, the Bible often uses symbolic language to refer to real things. In symbolic terms, “mountains” refer to “governments.” So, the “mountain of the LORD’s house” means “the government of the LORD.” This is a government set up by Jesus Christ, with Him ruling, RIGHT HERE ON EARTH, IN PERSON.

The verse further says, this government of the Eternal will be established on the “top of the mountains.” That means that even the strongest, most powerful nations on earth will be MADE to take direction from this government. Can you think of anything that will fundamentally change our world more, than God’s government directly ruling over the nations? Think about it. Whichever dictator you can imagine today… whichever strongman you can think of… Jesus Christ will personally be here, on earth, to subdue EACH AND EVERY leader of nations. It doesn’t matter how powerful a military they have—the Son of GOD will subdue and rule over them.

When we look at politics today, we are painfully reminded of the limits of human government. Whether it’s corrupt dictatorships ruling by intimidation and fear, or liberal democracies that are all-too-often self-absorbed and ineffectual, we cannot seem to rule ourselves well. We see the frailties of our system in acts of injustice, and in the breakdown of law and order. We just can’t seem to rule ourselves.

But we in this Work, can tell you, without hesitation, WORLD UNITY IS COMING. No, it won’t be brought by a secret international society. And it won’t come about by some political movement sweeping over society. Every election cycle there are millions of well-meaning and sincere people who desperately hope, maybe this time, that things will get better. But lasting peace always seems to be just beyond our grasp. The reason is, there is only one source of true world peace. And that is the PERSONAL, DIRECT RULE ON EARTH by the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

He will govern here on earth. That’s what Isaiah predicted. Can you think of anyone better suited to rule the nations than the Son of God? He’s forgiving, He’s loving, and He’s compassionate to the needs of the weak and helpless. And yet, He will come in strength to subdue those bent on evil and oppression. Not only that, He will have a corps of righteous rulers working under Him, trained to govern just like Him. Notice what Jesus told His disciples in Luke 22:28,

“But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Luke 22:28–30).

Think about what Jesus said. The twelve apostles will reign over the nations of Israel, under Jesus Christ. JUST IMAGINE a world run by righteous governors… REAL LEADERS committed to truth and justice at ALL times. No corruption. No political back-stabbing. No compromising and no back-door deals. ALL leaders dedicated to truth and justice. What would that world be like? Do you want to see this? It’s not here yet… But it IS coming. The Bible declares it.

Not only that, YOU can be a part of that team of righteous leaders Christ will use to bring peace, order, and love to this earth. Jesus did not limit that honor to His twelve disciples only. Notice what He said in the parable of the minas. In this familiar story, He described how a certain nobleman went to a far country to receive a kingdom. This is clearly a reference to Jesus Himself. He called His citizens and gave them an amount of money to work with until He returned. When He came back, He handed out rewards based on their deeds. But notice the specific rewards He gave them. In Luke 19:16 we read:

“Then came the first, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities’” (Luke 19:16–17).

Did you catch that? They were given a chance to rule over cities. That’s talking about the millennium. That 1,000-year period of the Son of God ruling on this earth. What an opportunity! If WE are willing to be trained by Jesus Christ today, you and I can directly impact THOUSANDS or even MILLIONS of people in the future. That hope and future helps us ENDURE the trials and tests of this life... Because we know a better world is coming. And WE can be there, too.

Perfect Laws in the Kingdom of Heaven

In the last segment of this program, we saw that the prophet Isaiah outlined certain hallmarks of the millennium. One of them is good, righteous rulers. This world desperately needs that.

But what else will happen during the 1,000-year reign of Christ? According to Isaiah, the millennium will also be a time of, Number 2:

2. Fair and Just Laws

Let’s go back to Isaiah 2. After describing how God’s government will establish itself over the governments of this world, what happens then? We read in Isaiah 2:3,

“Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:3).

Zion is referring to Christ’s capital in Jerusalem. Jesus, as King of kings, will establish new laws to be taught all over the world. But where will those laws come from? Well, from THIS BOOK, the Bible. From “the word of the LORD,” as Isaiah said. But what laws does the Bible teach?

In Exodus 20 we find a beautifully concise summation of ten basic laws of God. Not thousands of laws taking up reams of paper and volumes of books, but TEN SIMPLE LAW. They’re easy to remember and not hard to understand. Laws like the one found in Exodus 20:12,

“Honor your father and your mother…” (Exodus 20:12).

Imagine what the world would be like, if that commandment was taught as a law, and became a fabric of society. How would it change the world? What if children in every nation and every culture were taught and reminded and encouraged to love and honor their parents? Would that be a positive change? Now, of course, children can be children. They make mistakes and misbehave sometimes… They’re children! But they also respond to loving and kind but firm direction. This world could be so different if just THAT ONE LAW were embraced and taught every level of society. Under Christ’s rule, that WILL HAPPEN.

Another law found in the Ten Commandments is found in verse 15 of Exodus 20:

“You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15).

What would it be like if that law was taught and reinforced, to every member of society, from little on? What if that was a value continually reinforced by every governor and judge and mayor? What if no leaders were EVER accused of embezzling public funds or skimming corporate profits? Just think: If every time a thief was caught for stealing, he was dealt with real justice, evenly administered, and with the real opportunity to make it right, what a change it would make. Well, that will be a law of the land in Isaiah’s picture of the Millennium.

Another law found in Exodus 20:8 is:

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8).

What if the whole world was taught that every seven days, you get a day off? Guaranteed. Your work is done, you get to rest. It’s a time to be refreshed and renewed. So many people today are stressed out by the frenetic pace of life. They work non-stop and can’t stop. They’re trapped in life, and are discouraged and depressed and feel like they are DROWNING. The seventh-day Sabbath is the remedy. God created the Sabbath by resting on the seventh day, after six days of creation. And He wants us to enjoy one day a week when WE rest in body, mind, and spirit. On that day, He wants us to fill our minds with the higher thoughts of His ways and His words. Imagine if the whole world was practicing this wonderful principle and law.

By the way, in case you doubt the whole world will ever be keeping the seventh-day Sabbath together, let me quickly refer you to another prophecy of Isaiah, in chapter 66 verse 23:

“‘And it shall come to pass that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me,’ says the LORD” (Isaiah 66:23).

How could it be any clearer? We haven’t even talked about the law against murder, and adultery, and lying, and profanity. These Laws and others will be used to teach EVERYONE to love God and love their neighbor. And upon repentance and baptism, they’ll be forgiven of past sin, through the precious blood of Jesus Christ. They will come to know just how much He loves them, and cares for them. He will give them His Spirit, which will enable them to understand His truth, and grow to walk in His ways.

That’s the wonderful world to come. That’s the society of the 1,000-year reign of Son of God. And you and I can start preparing NOW by committing our life to Christ and living this way now! And we can even be numbered in the saints who will help establish that world of tomorrow.

A Paradise With No More War

There’s one more aspect of the millennium that we’ll talk about in this program. In addition to good and righteous government, and fair and just laws, it will be a time of:

3. Real and Lasting Peace

Is that possible? Could we really see the cessation of war? For the past 100 years, the world has been desperately trying to stop the scourge of war. World War I was the costliest war in human history, until that time. It’s estimated there were over 20 million military and civilian deaths in World War I. In 1920, after the war, the League of Nations was formed. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the League of Nations was envisioned to be the place where international disputes could be resolved.

But that didn’t happen. World War II erupted 19 years later. It was fought all over the world: from the jungles of Burma to the deserts of North Africa and the beaches of Normandy. World War II caused the deaths of another estimated 40 to 50 million people. After that bloody war, another international body was formed, called the United Nations. According to the UN website, it was formed with one central mission: “the maintenance of international peace and security” (“What We Do,” UN.org/en/sections/what-we-do/). And the United Nations has sent peacekeeping forces all over the world, on 70 different missions. But sadly, the UN has NOT been able to stop war. From 1945 to 2017, there have been over 160 different armed conflicts around the world, resulting in more than 13 million deaths.

Will things ever change? The Bible says yes. The Book of Isaiah says there IS a coming time when the guns and bombs and rockets WILL CEASE. Well how will that happen?

After describing the government of God teaching and enforcing the righteous laws of God, Isaiah then says, in chapter 2 verse 4:

“He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (Isaiah 2:4).

Nation shall not lift up sword against nation. What a difference from our day. In 2019, the total amount of military expenditures worldwide was $1.9 trillion (“India third largest military spender in world, after US and China,” The Economic Times, April 27, 2020).

That’s almost 2 trillion dollars. To put it into perspective, if ONE trillion dollar bills were stacked one on top of each other, you could build a tower 1/3 of the way to the moon (“BRAIN TWISTER: What does 1 trillion look like?” The Dispatch, August 3, 2019). And this figure is DOUBLE that.

Put another way, the globalgiving.org website estimates that for $265 billion a year, world hunger could be eliminated (“How Much Would It Cost To End World Hunger?” GlobalGiving.org, December 2, 2019). And that’s a high end estimate—other estimates show it could be ended for much, much less. But even at that amount—$265 billion—just imagine: That’s what it would take to make sure that no one, on planet earth, would go hungry FOR A WHOLE YEAR. And yet we spend about EIGHT TIMES that on guns and tanks and airplanes. What a day that will be, when this prophecy comes to pass.

Outside of the UN headquarters in New York City, there is a famous statue. It’s of a man beating a sword into a farming tool. At the base of that statue is THIS SCRIPTURE we’ve been reading from Isaiah chapter 2. Has the United Nations ended war? CAN the UN end war? The answer is an emphatic NO. But Isaiah 2 gives us an inspiring and encouraging glimpse into the future… When God’s word assures us, that under the direction of the Son of God, WAR WILL END. He will make it happen.

Now, will some nations resist? Sure, that’s why it says He will “rebuke many people.” Some will have to learn the hard way. But over time, most will surely see the value of submitting to Jesus Christ and enjoying the blessings of living in peace.

The Gospel of the Kingdom—News for Our Time!

As we close, let’s look at some of Jesus’ own words. When He began His ministry, He had a message to give. What was that message? In Mark 1:14 we read:

“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God” (Mark 1:14).

Jesus was preaching the GOOD NEWS of the Kingdom of God. And what we’ve seen today, through the eyes of the prophet Isaiah, is a glimpse into that glorious kingdom ON THIS EARTH. Not up in Heaven, but right here ON THIS EARTH. And truly, when we comprehend what a change Jesus Christ will bring to this suffering and troubled world, that message IS “good news.”

That age of Christ’s reign on earth is coming… It’s not far off. He will be the King of kings, and Lord of lords. He will bring integrity and righteousness to the administration of the earth. He will stop the chaos and confusion in our streets. He will teach laws which promote a way of life of love and harmony. And He will put to end the cycle of war and violence that plagues this world.

Humanity cannot solve its problems. But JESUS CHRIST CAN. And He WILL. And because He is our Savior, Who loves us, and cares for us, He will rule the right way. He has our best interests at heart. After all, hasn’t He proven that by GIVING HIS LIFE FOR US?

We yearn for the day when our Savior, the Son of God, is here with us on this earth… And this vision of the future will be REALITY.

So don’t forget our free offer on today’s program, The World Ahead: What It Will Be Like? It will open your eyes to the soon-coming return of Jesus Christ, and how His reign will change the world.

And keep watching for more Tomorrow’s World episodes. As Gerald Weston, Richard Ames, Wallace Smith, and I make sense of today’s news, through the prophecies of Tomorrow’s World. See you next week!

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

A World Wide Dictatorship Coming?

In the Book of Revelation, John saw two beasts in a vision. One rose up from the sea and the other from the earth. Bible students understand these to be human leaders wielding power over the nations. Their power reaches its climax in the latter days, when this unholy alliance seizes far-reaching control over people’s lives. They even force people to take a mysterious mark, without which they are virtually cut off from society.

The Book of Revelation predicts this will happen. But how could such a thing occur in our enlightened age? Will people really give up this control over their lives?

We’ll explore that today on Tomorrow’s World. And we’ll get a glimpse into the coming society these beasts will shape. And we’ll see how you and your family can escape the terrible trap set by these two powerful figures.

During this program, I’ll be offering our free study guide, The Beast of Revelation: Myth, Metaphor, or Soon-coming Reality? So get ready, you won’t want to miss requesting your own copy of this hard-hitting booklet.

So, is Big Brother coming? I’ll be right back with the answers.

A Society Under Total Surveillance

In 1948, George Orwell wrote the book, “1984.” In the novel, he imagined a world governed by a totalitarian dictatorship bent on controlling the population. By cameras and spies everywhere, Big Brother dictates their movements, their behaviors, and even their words. The author coined the phrase, “Big Brother is watching you,” to describe this suffocating level of personal surveillance. George Orwell was an insightful critic of his time, and what he envisioned was government becoming more oppressive, until it controls virtually every movement of every person held under its sway.

The Book of Revelation does describe such a time. It tells of two ruthless leaders who share an alliance and oppress their people like no time in history. Let’s read about it, in Revelation 13, verse 1.

“Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.”

When compared with Daniel chapter 7 in the Old Testament, we can see this beast is a combination of four world-ruling powers culminating in the Roman Empire. This empire collapsed in 476 AD. That’s the mortal wound described in verse 3. Also in verse 3, his deadly wound is healed. That is the reconstitution of the empire under Justinian in 554 AD, with the aid of the Pope in Rome. This revived Roman Empire would have successive revivals, with the final appearance in the time of the end.

The Beast out of the earth is the second beast, described in verse 11.

“Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.”

This beast is also powerful, and it represents a religious leader. He does great wonders to deceive the masses. He appears to be an emissary of Christ, but speaks with a very different message, the words of the dragon, who is Satan the Devil.

In verse 16, we find how these two dark forces team up to coerce the population into taking a mysterious mark:

“He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name” (vv. 16–17).

Is this Big Brother? This sounds a lot like Orwell’s society of “1984.” Think of the suffocating repression of personal rights this is describing. It sounds shocking to us who live in liberty-loving, open societies of the Western world. But Revelation 13 shows this is coming.

These two beasts will not last long. But they will arise in the last days, just before Christ’s return. How do we know this? Because we also read, in Revelation 19:20, that Jesus will destroy these two individuals, at His coming. So, it’s yet to happen in the future.

COVID-19 Monitoring a Disturbing Precursor of Privacy Invasion

Some people feel we already have Big Brother now. They point to restrictions made by our governments because of the coronavirus, for example. When COVID-19 hit, governments around the world moved to get the spread of the virus under control. Restrictions on travel, employment, recreation, and groups meeting together were instituted in many places.

And through this time, some of these measures have been rather unusual. One company, called Draganfly, has developed drones that can be used to detect sick people even from above. Here is how the CEO of Draganfly describes his company’s product:

“What these cameras can do is actually detect fever, which is very different than detecting just temperature…. They can detect sneezing. They can detect your heart rate, your respiratory rate, and they can also detect social distancing” (“Coronavirus News: Pandemic drones to monitor fever, Crowds from above,” WABC-TV, ABC7NY.com, April 15, 2020).

Quite a remarkable device. But some ask, is this technology a little alarming? When a drone, without your consent, determines if you have a fever? Is Big Brother here now?

Let’s get a little perspective. It’s not a great sacrifice to stay six feet away from others, or wear a mask. And it’s a good idea to wash our hands. Christians should do what we can to protect our neighbors and our families. Jesus explained that in Matthew 22:39, when He said, “…love your neighbor as yourself.” Paul also exhorted Christians to obey the government, as long as it doesn’t cause us to disobey God. As stated in Romans 13:1, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities….”

And yet, some of these COVID-19 restrictions seem to be going further than anything we’ve ever seen. Perhaps that’s why some evangelicals make a direct connection between the recent government actions and the biblical mark of the beast. Notice this article from Yahoo.com on May 14, 2020. The author says that some evangelical pastors have claimed that the government is creating…

“…implantable microchips that could be used to control the population under the guise of tracking COVID-19 infections and immunity…” (Some evangelicals fear the ‘mark of the beast’ from a coronavirus vaccine,” News.Yahoo.com, May 14, 2020).

Are we seeing the mark of the beast? Is it being introduced now, under the guise of COVID-19 monitoring? Has Big Brother arrived?

Let’s be clear. There will always be evil actors who seek to gain power through any means. But Revelation 13’s description of the mark of the beast is something on a totally different level. COVID-19 treatments or policies are not the mark of the beast.

With that said, it is a little unnerving that health officials are using technology that is ever-more intrusive. For example, a crucial element of fighting any contagious disease is contact tracing. That means, when someone gets sick, health officials interview the sick person to find out who they have been in contact with. They then can track down others who might be infected. Knowing who’s been infected allows you to know who to quarantine. And quarantine is not a bad word—it’s a biblical principle used to contain contagious diseases.

But new technology even available on a cell phone takes this tracking process to a totally new level. It’s something that George Orwell might have envisioned in his novel. Consider this report from Amnesty International:

“Media reports suggest that Ecuador’s government has authorized GPS tracking to enforce compliance to quarantine. The Israeli authorities’ move to permit the security service to use cell phone data of infected persons has already raised privacy concerns…. In South Korea, authorities have been sending health advisory texts which have been accompanied with personal details of infected patients…” (“COVID-19, surveillance and the threat to your rights,” Amnesty.org, April 3, 2020).

In other words, some governments are controlling and even distributing very personal, private information, such as health records. As the website goes on:

“Once personal data is collected, there is a real danger of it being shared and used for purposes other than health tracking.”

COVID-19 tracking efforts are not the mark of the beast. Social Security numbers or implanted chips are not the mark of the beast. However, it’s not hard to imagine the beast power deploying technology similar to what’s being developed today. Today it’s used to save lives. Tomorrow, it may be used to take lives.

Have We Willingly Brought “Big Data” Into Our Lives?

So, maybe a Big Brother type of society is starting to develop. The COVID-19 crisis does seem to show technology being developed and used in more invasive ways than ever before. But before we sound the alarm, let’s take a step back and ask ourselves, what was our tech like before the coronavirus?

In December of 2019, a New York Times opinion piece appeared, entitled “Total Surveillance Is Not What America Signed Up For.”

“Your smartphone can broadcast your exact location thousands of times per day, through hundreds of apps, instantaneously to dozens of different companies. Each of those companies has the power to follow individual mobile phones wherever they go, in near-real time. That’s not a glitch in the system. It is the system. If the government ordered Americans to continuously provide such precise, real-time information about themselves, there would be a revolt…. Yet, as a society, without ever focusing on this profound choice, we’ve reached a tacit consensus to hand this data over voluntarily, even though we don’t really know who’s getting it or what they’re doing with it…” (NYTimes.com, December 21, 2019).

The article concludes that maybe this decade, that began roughly around the time when the App Store was founded, in 2008, will be remembered as the decade in which we were brainwashed into surveilling ourselves.

If you have a Smartphone, this tiny computer you carry around in your pocket is sending all kinds of information about you to people you don’t even know. Information about your private emails, your buying patterns, photos of you and children, and even your health information, if you have a device that collects it. We would never consent to this much private information about us going out, if it weren’t so convenient for our lifestyle.

In January of 2019, Fox Business host Stuart Varney made this assessment:

“You’ve heard the expression, ‘Big Brother.’ It’s taken from George Orwell’s book ‘1984’…. News flash, Big Brother has arrived. Big Brother is already watching you. On our program recently, China watcher Michael Pillsbury described a global surveillance system, using facial recognition, which allows the Chinese government to watch anyone, anywhere, in real time. If that’s not a modern day Big Brother, I don’t know what is!” “Big Brother is already watching us: Varney,” FoxBusiness.com, January 30, 2019).

Maybe Big Brother was already beginning to take shape in our society before COVID-19 arrived. In one of the great ironies of our time, maybe we are welcoming him into our lives in exchange for the conveniences of tech. Consider some more examples of our labor-saving smart devices today.

“We’ve also learned that Amazon’s home helper, Alexa, can listen in to what you’re saying, even when Alexa has not been asked a question: She’s always listening. Google operates Gmail, the very widely used email service. Google reads those emails…. Apple’s FaceTime has a bug that allows people to eavesdrop. Facebook knows everything about everyone. They’re following you. I wish I could say there’s a way out of all this, but I don’t think there is. We’ve opened the surveillance box and we can’t close it up….”

No, Google is not the beast and the App Store is not where you get the mark. However, could the technology we’re using daily, which we become dependent on, be preparing us to be manipulated when the dark days do come? What if it’s not Google that’s scanning our emails for marketing purposes, but censorship officials ordered to keep our messages politically correct? Could this happen?

In the book of Daniel, the prophet was given a glimpse of the world of the end-times. Among other things, this is what he recorded:

Daniel 12:4 “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

“Data” is the buzzword today. Companies are in a race to find ways to mine data and use data, to get consumers what they want before their competitors do. And we as consumers are happy to oblige them with ever more reams of data. All in the name of tech with newer, smarter functions. Knowledge is increasing.

Now is technology bad? Not necessarily. We use technology in this Work, and it helps us in our efforts. To a certain degree, if we live in this world, we have to use the technology of this world. When Jesus prayed for His disciples, before His crucifixion, notice what He said:

John 17:15 “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.”

We live and function in this world. But we should be bond slaves of God, not slaves of our devices. We should be careful to protect our personal information, educating ourselves in how to do so. We should be wary of scam artists, and protect our passwords. We should remember that for every new feature that requires more information, we’re making a tradeoff. We’re allowing a growing presence of invasive technology into our lives. Where will that take us in the future?

No, the beast has not yet arrived. But it is coming. And our society is being conditioned for its coming, and the stripping of personal freedoms that will be a part of society, when the mark of the beast is enforced.

The Beast Has Not Arrived Yet. What Can YOU Do to Prepare?

So, what should you do? At the beginning of this program, we saw that the Bible shows that the two beasts of Revelation 13 will arise, and unsuspecting masses will be coerced to taking the mark of the beast. That’s a mark that will identify a person as belonging to that system. But the prophet Ezekiel gives us some helpful clues on how to be identified with God’s mark, instead.

In Ezekiel chapter 9, God gave Ezekiel a sobering look at the destruction of Jerusalem that was coming in his time. Let’s read it in Ezekiel 9:4:

“And the LORD said to him, ‘Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it. To the others He said in my hearing, ‘Go after him through the city and kill… but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark…’” (Ezekiel 9:4–6).

As our society descends into immorality and corruption, we need to take Ezekiel’s vision as a warning as well. When God allows the Big Brother society of the beasts of Revelation to descend on this world, He will provide a shield for His faithful and zealous people. What should Christians do? We need to take sin seriously. It’s because of sin that God will allow our lands to be punished. If you can see the writing on the wall, get on your knees and pray to God about it. Ask Him to intervene. Ask Him to guide our leaders. But most of all, ask God for help to not be deceived. Because these coming world dictators are going to deceive many, if not most.

The beast of Revelation has a mark. But God has a mark that He marks His people with. What is it? If we want to be protected in the coming years, we must accept the shed blood of Christ for our sins, we must be led by God’s Spirit, and we must keep His commandments. We find that one of God’s commandments is specifically mentioned as a sign between God and His people.

Turn to Ezekiel 20:15, where we find a description of the sins of the nation of Israel before it collapsed. Can we learn the lessons of judgment that came upon that land? Read it with me in Ezekiel 20:15:

“So I also raised My hand in an oath to them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, ‘flowing with milk and honey,’ the glory of all lands, because they despised My judgments and did not walk in My statutes, but profaned My Sabbaths; for their heart went after their idols” (Ezekiel 20:15–16).

Have we in the Western world come to the point where many of us despise the laws of God? These commandments that God gave, saying this is how you will live, and thrive, and prosper? Do we now hold these words in contempt? Ezekiel 20:18:

“But I said to their children in the wilderness, ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers, nor observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols. I am the Lord your God: Walk in My statutes, keep My judgments, and do them; hallow My Sabbaths, and they will be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the Lord your God’” (Ezekiel 20:18–20).

Did you catch that? God told His people to love Him, to love their neighbors, to obey His commandments, including His sabbaths. And His sabbaths—which means the seventh day sabbath, and the annual holy days—would be a marker between God and His people. How is it that we take on the mark of God? We walk with God, we accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we repent of our sins, and we commit to keeping His holy sabbaths.

The Big Brother society of George Orwell’s “1984” is not here yet. But there are signs that it is coming. Now’s the time to show our loyalty and faithfulness to God. Now’s the time to turn to Him with all of our hearts. In the dark days ahead, we want God to mark us as His people, His children, who have His Spirit, and His protection. Today’s intrusive tech is nothing compared to what is coming as Big Brother arrives. What do we do? We put our faith and our trust in God. He is our shield and our great reward in times of trouble.

Hey it’s me again! Thanks for watching this Tomorrow’s World program. If you would like to see other videos like this be sure to subscribe and click on the notification bell. We post several videos every single week. And if you’d like a free booklet about the beast, be sure to click the link in the description. We’ll see you next time.