African Blood Flows Again.

Africa’s newest nation, South Sudan, is on the verge of civil war as two factions fight for power (Agence France-Presse [AFP], December 19, 2013). “Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands more terrified civilians have fled their homes” (ibid.). Many, including the Sudanese government, fear that the fighting could compromise oil production in the very poor nation (AFP, December 20, 2013).

In the Central African Republic, bloody Muslim-Christian violence is spreading and has displaced over 700,000 people—with 40,000 huddling for safety near the national airport (most with no beds, blankets, shelter, or mosquito nets (Voice of America, December 26, 2013). Many refugees have crossed the border into neighboring Congo and Chad to avoid being stabbed or hacked to death with machetes (ibid.).

Jesus Christ prophesied that “rumors of wars” and “nation [rising] against nation [ethnic groups fighting ethnic groups]” would be just “the beginning of sorrows” at the time of the end (Matthew 24:6-8). The bloodshed in central Africa is due to selfish leaders seeking power, while caring less about the people of their nations. According to the Gospel, Jesus Christ will return to the earth to establish peace and justice and use a rod of iron when necessary (Isaiah 9:6-7; Revelation 19:15). This will be a time when the alien, the poor, the widow and the fatherless will no longer be oppressed (Zechariah 7:8-10).

For more about life after Christ’s return, read our exciting booklet, The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like?