What are the odds...

This gathering was unusual in that there was a guest present; a young Japanese student who had, only a few days before, arrived in the USA on a cultural exchange program. Everyone had welcomed him and he quietly observed the family interact with one another.

The doorbell rang and an elderly neighbor, also 88 years old, stopped by because he saw a car parked there with a license plate that said, "WWII Veteran."

The two old-timers shook hands warmly and visited for a moment.

"What was your service?" the visitor exclaimed.

"United States Air Force" the Colonel replied.

"Well," the visitor said, "I spent 24 months in the South Pacific in the United States Navy."

Here were two men who had done their part to defend their nation and who had lived to enjoy the freedoms we are blessed with in this country.

What made this scene poignant and very unusual was the presence of the young Japanese student, whose grandparents were undoubtedly the enemy in the conflict about which these two veterans reminisced. He sat quietly as the two men chatted, then he was introduced as a guest of the family. The grizzled veteran of the South Pacific theater of WWII, who had spent two years of his life fighting against this young man's homeland, graciously shook his hand before leaving to resume his afternoon walk.

What are the odds of meeting a child of your old enemy in your own neighborhood?

As I observed this scene unfold, it impressed upon me how things can change in a generation. Our nation's old enemy is now an international business partner and valued ally. And, men who laid their lives on the line in war with that enemy can move on and let old hatreds and animosities die, without carrying a grudge or continuing the battle.

Even now, as our nation is locked in an intractable conflict on many fronts in the War on Terrorism, we look forward to a time described in the Bible when war will be no more. Many clear prophesies explain how it will be when Jesus Christ returns in power to bring the Kingdom of God to the earth and with it universal peace and prosperity: "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).

In Isaiah 9:7 you will find this prophecy: "Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end."

The Apostle John wrote: "God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:3-4).

What are the odds that this wonderful scenario described in your Bible will come to pass?

If you understand that the Bible is the true revelation from the Eternal God who is working out His Plan on the earth, and has been down through the millennia since thebeginning of time, you can count on it. By the way, it doesn't depend upon you. It is going to come to pass even if you don't believe it.

God speed that day!

You can know that what the Bible says is true. We offer, free of charge, many booklets and articles. I particularly recommend, The Bible: Fact or Fiction.