A New World Is Coming!

Is there a "better world" coming? Can you visualize the glorious future just ahead?

There is genuine suffering and agony all over the earth today. Sadly, it will grow much worse over the next several years. But, as they say, "it is always darkest just before the dawn."

And what a glorious "dawn" is surely coming!

But today, we constantly read and hear about hundreds of thousands of people slowly dying in the Sudan and other parts of the world. We hear of countless thousands of women being beaten, raped and utterly humiliated. Often, we read of how the police and other authorities just "look the other way" at these human tragedies.

Regularly, we read and hear of untold thousands in Africa coming down with AIDS. Entire cities and villages are being decimated by this modern plague—spread especially by the loose sexual practices of those infected. Meanwhile, vast areas of our planet are experiencing serious drought. This will soon begin to affect the crops and the food supply of many nations. And the United States is still reeling from last year's devastating Hurricane Katrina—just one of several deadly hurricanes to have wracked the U.S. in the last couple of years. Around the world, the deadly earthquake and tsunami in South Asia is still affecting millions of lives. The full scope of last fall's terrible earthquake in Pakistan, which took more than 80,000 lives, is still not yet known.

And now the "experts" are warning of a potential worldwide pandemic of avian flu, which some experts say could take the lives of anywhere from 150 to 360 million people worldwide!

Our present society is in terminal trouble! After nearly 6,000 years of recorded human history, our civilization is beginning to encounter "unsolvable" problems. These problems range from weather disasters to horrifying wars, large and small, with barbarous acts being perpetrated on untold thousands of men, women and children. Our world is now facing seemingly insurmountable ecological disturbances, economic dislocation and terrible ethnic strife.

What Is the ANSWER?

Many eminent leaders and politicians have for years realized that only a genuine world government can bring true peace and stability to our planet. But humanity's puny efforts in this regard have always failed—and will continue to fail. For human beings do not know the way to world peace and prosperity. This should become increasingly evident to all who truly understand.

As Sir Winston Churchill stated before the U.S. Congress, "There is a great design and purpose being worked out here below." Thankfully, there is a real God who guides the affairs of men and nations—far more than even most religious people realize. If you can prove to yourself that the God of the Bible is real, and that the Bible is His inspired word, this can revolutionize your life. You can begin to understand and see the purpose in the horrific events that are beginning to happen with increasing frequency, and that will continue to worsen over the next decade or two.

The Apostle Peter was inspired to write in his last letter, "And so we have the sure word of prophecy, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:19–21, KJV). The great God who gives us life and breath has not left us without a "witness" of His purpose, and of why world events are working out the way they are. For, throughout the Bible, there are hundreds upon hundreds of specific prophecies revealing what lies ahead—especially at what God calls "the time of the end."

In fact, though most have been very confused about this, the true "gospel" of Jesus Christ is not just about the person of Christ, but is about God's way of life and about preparing for the coming Kingdom of God, which will soon be manifested as a genuine world government to be set up on this earth!

In Mark 1:14–15 we read: "Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.'" The word "kingdom" certainly means government—though this part of the definition is often neglected. Yet, throughout the Bible, we find that this is exactly what is indicated by the "Kingdom of God"—the soon-coming wonderful future under Christ's rule!

This is often described in Jesus' parables. In one such parable, Christ described how He would go to heaven to receive a kingdom, then would return. The first "servant," who had multiplied his money ten times, was then told, "Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities" (Luke 19:17). This shows that Christ's faithful servants will be given rulership over cities on this earth. Later, Jesus tells His apostles: "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).

Can all of this be "spiritualized" away? That is what most so-called "Christian" ministers do—and most churchgoers seem to just "go along" with forgetting about or "doing away with" the scores of verses that tell us of Christ's plain intent—often in very direct language! At the very end of His life, Jesus told His followers: "'Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' Amen" (Matthew 28:19–20). Does that sound like Jesus was "doing away with" all the teaching He gave His disciples about the coming government of God?

A New EDUCATIONAL System

When you read the dozens of passages about Christ's coming government, it is obvious that an entirely different educational system will soon be set up over this entire world! The basis of this educational system will be the true knowledge of God and His way of life! The modern "intelligentsia" of this world may sneer at this, but in Tomorrow's World the schools will disseminate genuine knowledge that will bring about peace and joy. Certainly students will be taught the "three R's"—reading, writing and arithmetic. They will also be taught true science—and we should note that much of "modern science" is absolutely correct and extremely helpful. But they will also come to understand that behind this magnificent and intricate creation is the "Supreme Mind"—the God who is the Creator of heaven and earth, and who created us for a purpose. They will learn not only the physical laws that give order to our world, but also the spiritual laws that regulate human happiness and wellbeing.

It is often more difficult to un-learn untruths and wrong concepts than it is to learn the pure truth in the first place. So it may take a generation or two to help people truly understand the awesome and wonderful ways of God that affect every phase and facet of life. As part of this way of life, people will enjoy the right kind of music, art and literature. There will be no more vile and pornographic scenes in whatever entertainment may be available.

God created us male and female. Notice His first command to Adam and Eve, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it" (Genesis 1:28, KJV). So God is not against sex! Rather He created it as a wonderful and beautiful thing to draw a young man and woman together and to help solidify their relationship in marriage and also, obviously, bring about the begettal of children. For God is a family—and wants the human family to learn lessons of giving, sharing and serving so we can later serve in His Family throughout all eternity. So, in Tomorrow's World, there will be none of the vile emphasis on sex as merely a mechanical thing apart from genuine love and outflowing concern in marriage.

You may be thinking, "That sounds old-fashioned." Maybe it does in our present circumstances. But the result of this pure teaching, pure entertainment and a pure way of life permeating our entire culture will be happy families, happy children and a depth of joy and peace—and even financial prosperity—beyond what humanity has ever before known.

Throughout our present society, in America and elsewhere, we constantly behold the spectacle of dishonest politicians, businessmen and other leaders. But in Tomorrow's World, there will be no such thing as a "WorldCom scandal" or an "Enron scandal." People will not be taken advantage of by corrupt leaders in government, business, or our vain and corrupt educational system. Rather, as we have seen, Christ will set up a Kingdom and decide with equity for the benefit of the meek of the earth!

Part of this new teaching will also involve racial relations. For God commanded His people to be fair and equitable to the "stranger" in ancient Israel—and how much more under the New Covenant! God told His people in Israel: "And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him. The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. 'You shall do no injustice in judgment, in measurement of length, weight, or volume" (Leviticus 19:33–35). Racial and ethnic "minorities" will no longer be oppressed by the majority in any part of the world under Christ's coming government!

After His resurrection, the disciples asked Jesus, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6). Here was Jesus' perfect opportunity to let them know that all of His teaching about a coming government was only spiritual, and not to be taken literally!

Instead, Jesus answered them: "It is not for you to know the times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:7–8). Jesus did not want to discourage His apostles by telling them it would be another 2,000 years before His earthly kingdom would be set up. But He certainly did not disabuse them of the idea that there will be a real kingdom here on earth!

Indeed, Christ tells genuine Christians: "And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—'He shall rule them with a rod of iron; they shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels'—as I also have received from My Father" (Revelation 2:26–27). And notice: "Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!'" (Revelation 11:15). Since Christ will rule over the "kingdoms of this world," how can we "spiritualize\ this away and say that we will \float off to heaven" with nothing to do?

Rather, as Jesus tells His faithful servants: "Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years" (Revelation 20:6).

These are only a very few of the scores of verses throughout your Bible indicating clearly that a literal government, under Christ, will be set up on this earth, and that His government will bring about genuine peace, prosperity and lasting joy beyond anything our world has ever experienced.

That is the real answer to the overwhelming problems faced by a confused humanity that has been deceived by a very real Satan the Devil! Can we believe what God's word clearly says? Can we be inspired and encouraged by the tremendous revelation from our Creator given clearly and repeatedly in His inspired word?

What Will It Be Like?

Prophecy after prophecy describes the real Jesus of the Bible as a coming King who will set up a world government. Although this is generally "spiritualized away" by most mainstream religionists, it is, in fact, the focus of most of the prophecies of the Bible. Isaiah tells us: "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this" (Isaiah 9:6–7) If you read your Bible carefully, you will notice that God does indeed mean "government" when He talks about a coming "Kingdom." Most Bible scholars understand this, but apparently most "mainstream" believers think very little about it.

In the book of Isaiah, God specifically describes end-time events that will soon occur—likely within your lifetime in the next ten to 25 years: "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. 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 anymore" (Isaiah 2:2–4).

Notice that the coming Messiah was prophesied to "teach" the people of "His ways." Throughout the Bible, God shows us that His true saints are now in training to become kings and priests in the coming Kingdom of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:6). Throughout the Old Testament, God's priests were shown to be the "teachers" as well as those who offered sacrifices. Certainly the primary duty you and I ought to be focusing on right now, if we plan to be in Christ's Kingdom, is to learn His ways, knowing that we are to become the "priests"—the teachers—in Tomorrow's World! Notice what the Apostle Paul was inspired to tell us in the New Testament: \Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?\ (1 Corinthians 6:2–3).

One TRUE Religion

In Tomorrow's World, there will be one true religion—the religion Jesus Christ explained during His ministry. Jesus told the Gentile woman: "Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:22–24, KJV).

People today have all kinds of feelings and emotions about their concept of God. However, the God of the Bible—and the true Christ revealed in the Bible—taught a specific way of life. That way is based squarely on the Ten Commandments. As Christ inspired John to write, "Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus" (Revelation 14:12).

The Apostle James, Jesus' physical brother, was inspired to tell us: "For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, 'Do not commit adultery,' also said, 'Do not murder.' Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty" (James 2:10–12). It is the Ten Commandments that tell us about murder and adultery—that should be clear, for that is the law James is describing! And he calls it the "Law of Liberty."

Yet many modern ministers have tried to somehow twist the Bible around completely and imply to people that it is a "harsh" way of life and need not be kept. That terrible fundamental error is going to be completely obliterated in Christ's Kingdom. God's wonderful "Law"—the Ten Commandments—will be the basis of life at that time.

Speaking of Tomorrow's World, the Bible tells us, "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" (Isaiah 66:23). So "all flesh" will learn to observe God's true Sabbath—not the ancient pagan "day of the sun." We read in Zechariah 14 that Christ will return with great power and "in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives" (v. 4). In that day, Christ will not simply rule in heaven. "The Lord shall be King over all the earth" (v. 9)!

Then God's inspired word continues: "And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, on them there will be no rain. If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the Lord strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles" (Zechariah 14:16–19).

Representatives of the entire world—all nations—will soon be coming up to Jerusalem, world headquarters, to observe God's wonderful festivals. There will be magnificent processions, awesome beauty, beautiful music with huge choirs and other instruments in these processions. The eyes of men and women will glisten with tears, as they behold their Creator, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:9), right there in person to lead some of the awesome religious services during God's festivals. There will be a wave of peace and joy beyond anything humanity has ever experienced. For there will be one true world religion and one King and High Priest, Jesus Christ! At that time, people will not "mess around" with His clear teachings and His way of life, trying to "sentimentalize away" His Law, His Holy Days and His entire way of life by substituting their pagan ideas and pagan traditions instead.

Are you now, personally, learning to properly "teach" God's ways and to properly "judge" vast numbers of people according to God's laws? Please be honest with yourself and think about it! What kind of "Christianity" have you been practicing?

As we have seen, Jesus Christ will be the coming King over a literal government to be set up on this earth. Under Him, as noted above, the Twelve Apostles will also be judging or ruling over the twelve nations of Israel. Directly under Christ, supervising the Twelve Apostles, will be King David of Israel, the "beloved" servant of God who will be restored to his old position as king over the entire twelve nations of Israel. "David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them" (Ezekiel 37:24).

Note also that under Christ's and David's direction, the people will walk in God's judgments and observe His "statutes." Are you familiar with God's statutes? They reveal the "way of life" that the saints will be teaching the entire world in a few years. These "statutes"—as magnified by Christ and the apostles in the New Testament—will be the basic laws of the government of God that will be set up under Jesus Christ. They are all based upon, and magnify in detail, the Ten Commandments. In this way, as we have seen, the "law" will go forth from Jerusalem—where Jesus Christ will have His world headquarters in the coming government!

The prophet Micah basically repeats this point: "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 peoples shall flow to it. Many nations 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 the law shall go forth, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and rebuke strong nations afar off; 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" (Micah 4:1–3).

A WAY of Life

So an entire way of life will be taught and practiced in Tomorrow's World. It will certainly be based squarely upon the Ten Commandments—God's great spiritual law. Nation will not be fighting nation anymore, for people will no longer "learn" war—nor even the attitude of harming or killing one another.

Eventually, as Christ's Kingdom comes fully into force over the rebellious nations, world peace will break out in a way that has never been experienced in human history! No more war! No more huge government taxes to support immense military and police establishments, for people will not be robbing, raping or killing one another anymore! Under His rule, after the suffering endured through the coming Tribulation, God will give His people "teachers" who will help them and guide them in person to learn His ways: "And though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, but your eyes shall see your teachers. Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left" (Isaiah 30:20–21).

Will you be among these divine teachers—a resurrected "saint"—in the coming Family of God, assisting Jesus Christ in ruling this world and bringing peace and joy?

The blessings of Christ's coming government are described in some detail in Isaiah 11: "There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord…. But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked" (vv. 1–2, 4). Later in this passage, God describes how "the wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them" (v. 6). Here we find described a magnificent society where the great God has intervened to put a peaceful nature even into the animals! So God tells us, "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" (v. 9).

God will modify the earth's "natural laws" at that time so that good weather prevails, so that people are able to prosper and so that a sense of deep inner peace and security will prevail. Isaiah 35:1 tells us, "The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose." Later: "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer and the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert" (vv. 5–6). At that time, God will supernaturally heal all kinds of sickness and disease. Therefore, the billions of dollars spent—and the constant worry, suffering and quiet agony suffered by the peoples of the world because of continuing sickness and disease—will come to an end.

God will even change the "wild" nature of the animals. "No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; it shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk there, and the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away" (vv. 9–10).

Will you be willing to understand these scores of verses making clear the way of life and the truth about God's coming Kingdom? When Jesus Christ instructed us how to pray, He said: "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 6:9–10).

In Tomorrow's World, all people on the earth will finally begin to learn God's true religion. For it is a way of life they will need to understand. And it will bring, as we have seen, "everlasting joy" when it is finally and truly established.

When you get down on your knees, and pray, "Your Kingdom come," you need to understand the meaning of that Kingdom—Christ's coming government and its reality. Then you can begin to do your part to prepare yourself to enter that Kingdom, become a full son of God, and in doing so fulfill the purpose for which you were born!