News articles discuss the deep divides in societies the world over. Whether the division occurs in politics, education, religion, or culture, every side has strong proponents and equally strong opponents. Why are people so deeply divided? And is there a solution?

Divisions are as old as mankind. Disagreements about who the leader should be, who has water and grazing rights, on whose property is the well, where the property boundary line is, and which god should be worshipped, all go back to antiquity.

Researchers have long known that marriage has many emotional and physical benefits. Now, it seems that marriage can even protect your heart-health. Recent research conducted in the UK suggests that for people with risk factors for heart disease (high cholesterol and high blood pressure), being married provides a “survival advantage… ‘[T]here’s something about being married that is protective’” (BBC, June 7, 2017).

Last week French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa May met to discuss a new, joint counter-terrorism effort aimed at online hate speech and encrypted messaging. A key focus of the effort will be to “make sure internet operators ‘delete any content promoting hatred and terrorism in any way’” (EU Observer, June 14, 2017). Their project will also target tech companies (primarily social media sites) that allow “unacceptable content” to remain on their websites.

Many are watching Germany’s newfound zeal to lead Europe (Politico, June 12, 2017).

When you hear of prophecy, it immediately makes you think of the future. Those of us who believe the Bible is the inspired word of God often look towards the prophecies of God’s future intervention in world affairs to take heart in a troubled world. Reviewing scriptures about the return of Jesus Christ (Revelation 7), the resurrection of the saints (1 Corinthians 15), and the establishment of God’s peaceful kingdom on earth (Isaiah 2) is an encouraging study about the real hope for mankind.