Catastrophe

What is the greatest catastrophe that can befall mankind? Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, droughts and floods are common in today's news, and all of these events cause destruction bringing injury, suffering and death where they occur in populated areas. In the aftermath of these disasters, journalists commonly state as they describe the devastation: "The area looks like a war zone!"

Of all the catastrophes that can afflict mankind, war is the greatest—and it is self-inflicted. In 6,000 years of recorded history, only a few years have been free of war. The first war was launched by the super-archangel Satan when he lead a third of the angelic host in rebellion against his Creator, as described in Isaiah 14:12-15, Revelation 12:3-4 and Ezekiel 28:12-19.

The first recorded human conflict occurred between two sons of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel. Cain became jealous of his brother Abel. We read in Genesis 4:8 that "Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him."

This first act of violence was likely committed with a simple weapon—the hands using a rock or a club made from wood. Weaponry has "progressed" to the point today that nuclear and biological agents could exterminate all life from the face of our planet. Man has never invented tools of destruction that he has not used. Unless saved from ourselves by a power greater, man's history indicates self-annihilation! Concerning our day, Jesus said; (Matthew 24:21-22) "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. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened."

The human family faces a horrendous time of punishment because of disobedience to our Creator. But after a period of great tribulation and intervention by Jesus Christ, there will come a time of unparalleled peace and prosperity to those who willingly come under His loving rule.

The prophet Isaiah proclaimed the good news (Isa. 2:3—4); "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. 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 any more."

Under Christ's rule, mankind will finally be free from of his greatest self-inflected curse-war against himself!

This is Carl McNair with commentary for the Living Church of God.