A World of Refugees

Numerous individuals in the news media seemed appalled by what has turned out to be a refugee-like situation in the Gulf States because of hurricane Katrina. A large portion of the population of the city of New Orleans and other gulf coast cities that have fled the area will be displaced for some time, and some even permanently.

One cable news anchor, standing amid the devastation of New Orleans, outside the Superdome, repeated over and over his disbelief that a refugee situation was taking place right before his eyes, "right here" in the United States.

While news media is aghast at the thought of this occurring in the United States, scant mention is made of the fact that millions upon millions of people have been, and are being, displaced from their homes, their lands, their countries around the world each and every day of the year.

According to United Nations statistics, at the start of 2005, "the number of people 'of concern' to UNHCR rose to 19.2 million from 17 million the previous year, an increase of 13 percent. The increase reflected differing patterns of movement among the various groups assisted by the agency, including refugees, civilians who have returned home but still need help, persons displaced internally within their own countries, asylum seekers and stateless people" (United Nations High Commission for Refugees, www.unhcr.org.uk).

The report indicates these figures included 9.2 million refugees (48%), 839,200 asylum seekers (4%), 1.5 million returned refugees (8%), 5.6 million internally displaced persons (29%) and 2 million others of concern (11%).

Each day Bible prophecy comes alive in the pages of your newspapers and on your TV screens. As Jesus Christ said in the Olivet prophecy of Matthew 24:7: "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places." These events have caused a massive movement of people fleeing hunger and disease, brutal warfare and even genocide in their own nations. But these are only the beginning of the sorrows coming upon this earth (v. 8).

Christ further warns that even more dire events will cause another refugee crisis resulting in a "great tribulation" (v. 21) that will impact directly on even those who are God-fearing people.

But what will be the cause behind this coming refugee exodus? Christ warns: "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be" (vv. 15-21).

Experts dealing with natural disasters report that those who are preparing and have prepared for catastrophic events that may occur at a future time, are best able to cope with the massive disruptions and displacements involved when they become reality.

You need to know what Christ's warning signs really mean, and how they will impact directly on you and your loved ones in the months and years ahead. Send for our free booklets The Beast of Revelation Myth, Metaphor or Soon-Coming Reality? and Revelation: The Mystery Unveiled. Or read them here on our website; just click on "Booklets." They will show you that the Bible is God's plan for you to be prepared and to survive world-shaking events yet ahead.