Spreading Ethnic Violence

Religious and racial violence continues to erupt around the world. In Nigeria, Islamic militants have killed or kidnapped hundreds of men, women and children and torched homes of people of different faiths. In Syria and Iraq, Shiites and Sunni Moslems are killing and beheading each other. In Canada, Australia and East Africa, Moslem fanatics have mounted attacks on non-believers. Just this past week, an angry young man assassinated two New York policemen in apparent revenge for the killing of two black men that led to days of riots and demonstrations in dozens of American cities (The Wall Street Journal, December 22, 2014). Also last week, terrorists shouting Islamic slogans drove their vehicles into pedestrians in several cities in France, causing the French government to disperse armed military personnel in the streets of Paris (The New York Times, December 23, 2014). 

Long ago, Jesus warned that a major sign that would precede His return would be “nation would rise against nation” (Matthew 24:3-8). The Greek word for “nation” is ethnos—indicating that ethnic strife would erupt at the end of the age. The Apostle Paul wrote, “in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be “unloving, unforgiving…brutal” (2 Timothy 3:1-4). The book of Revelation states that at the end of the age peace will vanish from the earth and people would “kill one another.” We are watching these ancient prophecies come alive—right before our eyes.

For more details about the end of the age read our informative booklet “Fourteen Signs of Christ’s Return.”