Secrets

Many people in the USA are deeply concerned about the admission by the National Security Agency (NSA) of eavesdropping on private, personal telephone calls and the monitoring of e-mail. “Leaks” or revelations made by Julian Assange of WikiLeaks, who is reportedly taking refuge in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, and more recently, Edward Snowden, who has sought asylum in The Russian Federation, have set the diplomatic community on edge. Their revelations of spying activity have elicited strong pushback on both sides of the Atlantic from the many allies of the USA such as the United Kingdom, Germany and Russia. The reaction of those being tracked by the government has been anger, alarm and a feeling of betrayal of trust.

The collection and analysis of “metadata” (loosely defined as data about data) is not new, but advances in technology and the pressures of international security in a troubled world have caused an explosion in its use. Proponents of the collection of this private information believe that the constant threat of terrorism drives the need to learn the secrets of other countries, their leaders and citizens. Modern nations seem unable to survive politically without inside or secret information on their allies and their enemies. The President of the United States has scrambled to apologize in an attempt to repair relations as much as possible. Yet the intense surveillance apparently continues unabated as the Justice Department and the Homeland Security Administration take the stand that it is legal and essential.

The result is strained, acrimonious relationships, which contribute to instability. Truly Isaiah was correct when he was inspired to write, “The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace” (Isaiah 59:8).

While in a different context, the subject of “secrets” is prominently featured in the Bible. For example, Moses wrote, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29). Not everyone would understand what God was doing, but He revealed it to a few. David, a man after God’s own heart, understood this. In Psalm 25:14 he wrote, “The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.” God has done this with a few called out ones down through time. Solomon wrote, “For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, but His secret counsel is with the upright” (Proverbs 3:32). The prophet Amos wrote in about 755bc that, “Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).

As chaotic conditions unfold on the international scene, many people in all strata of society become unsettled and stressed by the seriousness and uncertainty of the times. Yet those few who are focused on the things revealed in the Bible can have peace of mind, knowing that God has assured His people that He will guide them and provide for them. In explaining His parables to His disciples, Jesus said, “For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light” (Luke 8:17).

The specific admonition of Jesus Christ to his disciples was, “…See that you are not troubled…” (Matthew 24:6).

Religion is big business today with many television and internet ministries that promote a “prosperity gospel,” or who misuse prophecy in an attempt to make merchandise out of the Gospel (2 Peter 2:3). However, at Tomorrow’s World, our mission is to clearly explain the Good Message of Jesus Christ and the prophecies of God’s coming kingdom on earth, all without charge to our viewers and subscribers.

Our programs, booklets and articles on these subjects will make plain to you these wonderful “secrets” that have been hidden from this world for millennia—why not order Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ’s Return today and see for yourself?