Rod McNair

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

A Time of Troubles

The COVID pandemic has wreaked havoc all over the world. Think about how far reaching its effects have been, in a relatively short time. It’s destroyed businesses. It’s weakened whole economies. And stimulus packages have caused national debts to rise higher than ever. COVID’s effects have been seen in the political arena as well. COVID policies have caused controversy in local and national politics. Frustration has erupted into public protests and even riots. And of course, the disease has taken the lives of millions of people. It has caused the suffering of people in virtually every corner of the globe, being especially hard on the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions.

As time goes on, many are putting their hope in vaccines to turn the tide on this crisis. And vaccines are being rolled out and distributed, to the relief of many. Others are resigned to riding it out until populations reach herd immunity, when most people will have been exposed to the disease. In either case, many believe at some point things will get back to normal.

But will they?

What if the COVID pandemic goes on longer than we expect? What if new, more contagious strains develop that are resistant to vaccines? Or, what if this is only the beginning of far worse diseases we have never dreamed of?

This program isn’t going to forecast never-ending doom and gloom. That’s not our belief or our focus. There is a lot of good news to talk about. God has a plan for our world. But we also must be realistic and face the future honestly. Something that is all too rare today.

We tell you the truth at Tomorrow’s World. And that truth involves warnings about perilous times to come, and the hope that springs from the pages of your Bible.

Long Term Effects of COVID-19 on the World

At the beginning of 2020, the COVID pandemic hit with a vengeance. Within a matter of months, nations all over the world were scrambling to react to the crisis. The pandemic has been blamed for a multitude of problems, including a spike in mental illness. Notice what the New York Times magazine reported on January 21, 2021:

“Even before we entered this darkest of winters, when Covid-19 is relentlessly causing more and more sickness and death — not to mention additional stress, isolation and economic pain — there was evidence suggesting that significantly more people have thought about ending their lives during the pandemic than in recent years” (Will the Pandemic Result in More Suicides?” NYTimes.com, January 21, 2021).

Only time will tell how greatly this pandemic has affected the mental health of people all over the world. But early signs are not good.

The COVID pandemic also punched massive holes in economies around the world. How bad is it? Notice what was reported in The Economist magazine on January 9, 2021:

“The economic toll of the covid-19 pandemic is incalculable... The semi-annual Global Economic Prospects report released this week... calculates that the world economy probably shrank by 4.3% in 2020, a setback matched only by the Depression and the two world wars. But this dramatic figure still understates the cost. It measures the world economy’s fall from where it was before the pandemic, not from where it would have been had the virus not spread” (“What is the economic cost of covid-19?” Economist.com, January 7, 2021).

How bad will it get? The article goes on to say the crisis could ultimately be responsible for $10 trillion of lost revenue in economies around the world, in 2020 and 2021. These are not theoretical numbers. Most of us have friends or family who have lost businesses or wages. We’ve seen it first-hand. Or, we’ve experienced it ourselves. It’s a serious crisis.

And, of course, the disease itself has taken the lives of people all over the world. The “Our World in Data” website tracks this. According to their figures, 2.47 million people have died around the world because of COVID, as of February 21, 2021 (“Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19),” Statistics and Research, OurWorldinData.org). Most of us have been touched by this disease to one degree or another. Maybe you’ve watched a friend suffer or even die. Perhaps your own spouse, or a parent. You may have contracted it yourself. We can’t overstate the suffering some have experienced because of this disease.

We can all agree, this crisis has been a crushing blow to millions around the world. The hope is that the worst is behind us. But even if it is, even if new variants don’t arise, what about the future? Will it really be over?

As I said in the beginning, we need to look squarely at reality. Scientists expect more extreme diseases to come, from viruses we’ve never faced. Back in 2018, the Economist ran an article that talked about “disease X.” Disease X was a theoretical pathogen, named by the World Health Organization, to represent a yet unknown disease. The author states:

“By listing Disease X, an undetermined disease, the WHO is acknowledging that outbreaks do not always come from an identified source and that, as it admits, “a serious international epidemic could be caused by a pathogen currently unknown to cause human disease” (“What is Disease X?” Economist.com, May 23, 2018).

What a statement! Who would have known, back in 2018, what we’d be going through today. What the WHO was trying to do was prepare not just for diseases they knew about, but those that are as yet unknown. But what is that saying? What that means is they expected new diseases to arise. And the lesson recent history has taught us is a new virus can plow into the world like a tornado. What about the next one?

In more recent times, other virus hunters have echoed the same thing. Peter Piot (“Pea - Uht”), is a special advisor on the coronavirus to the European Commission President. He’s a well-known micro-biologist from Belgium who has spent much of his life studying viruses. His most notable work was playing a role in discovering the ebola virus. On September 23, 2020 an interview of him was posted by the Politico website. It was entitled, “Belgian virus hunter warns of looming ‘age of pandemics’.” Notice what Mr. Piot said in this interview:

“The frequency of epidemics is ‘really increasing,’ he noted, with many of these viruses — like SARS and Ebola — coming from animals. Viruses that might have remained local could be spreading more easily due to widespread travel, he suggested. ‘But now, something happens in a city that most people never heard of — Wuhan — and boom, goes to the whole world,’ he said... Piot said that he spent the last six years giving speeches titled: ‘Are we ready for the next pandemic?’” (“Belgian virus hunter warns of looming ‘age of pandemics,’” Politico.eu, September 23, 2020).

You may recall that our lead presenter Gerald Weston also explained the source of many of these viruses, on a previous telecast. It was entitled, “Why Does God Allow Pandemics?” In that telecast, he explained that many viruses come not just from animals, but from humans eating animals God never intended to be eaten. The Bible calls them “unclean.” If you’d like to review that telecast, you can find it on TomorrowsWorld.org.

Mr. Piot has been warning the world for years. Were we ready for COVID? Is he correct when he says we may be entering an age of pandemics?

This is not the first time we’ve been warned about diseases on the horizon. In the early 1990s, my wife had a microbiology college professor tell his class that he worried about the future. His concern was the overuse of antibiotics, and the growth of viruses resistant to antibiotics. He said, “We may come to a point where we are forced to go back to praying at the bedside of the sick.”

What a statement. Do you realize you don’t have to wait for a deadly illness to ask for God’s merciful healing?

Future Outbreaks Predicted

The experts tell us we should expect unknown diseases in the future. And frankly, they’ve been warning us for years. It’s not if, but when. And because of our modern transportation, it’s very difficult to limit an outbreak to one place. It quickly spreads all over the world.

I quoted from scientific experts in the last segment, but now let’s look at Bible prophecy. What do we learn from the Bible?

Way back at the time of Moses, God issued harsh warnings to the ancient nation of Israel if they would disobey Him. Notice what it says in Deuteronomy 28:58–59:

“If you do not carefully observe all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, THE LORD YOUR GOD, then the Lord will bring upon you and your descendants extraordinary plagues—great and prolonged plagues—and serious and prolonged sicknesses” (Deuteronomy 28:58–59).

Longtime viewers of Tomorrow’s World know the Bible shows many of our Western nations today are actually descendants of the ancient nation of Israel. And much of prophecy is dual. There is an end-time fulfillment, as well.

More and more Western cultures blatantly disregard biblical values of human life and sexuality and morality. Greed, pride, and violence are the norm. As our sins mount, God may allow more diseases to come on us to wake us up!

Now, does this mean every time someone gets sick and even dies, it’s divine judgment? No. We all age and will grow old if we live long enough! And all of us will suffer from SOME health issues at some point in our life. And we will even die—that’s part of life.

At the same time, we’ve got to realize, God in His word says He sometimes uses disease epidemics to get His people’s attention. Notice, going on, in Deuteronomy 28:60:

“Moreover He will bring back on you all the diseases of Egypt, of which you were afraid, and they shall cling to you. Also every sickness and every plague, which is not written in this Book of the Law, will the Lord bring upon you until you are destroyed” (Deuteronomy 28:60–61).

Bible prophecy also shows judgments coming on the whole world, as a result of sin. Toward the end of Jesus’ ministry, His disciples asked Him what would be the sign of His coming. After warning of deception and wars, notice what He said in Matthew 24:7–8:

“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:7–8).

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines pestilence as:

“[A] contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating” (“Pestilence,” Merriam-Webster.com).

Note this carefully. This is not us claiming to know what the future holds; it’s a direct prophecy coming from the words of your Savior, Jesus of Nazareth. These are HIS words, and if we are a believer in Jesus Christ, we need to take note. Disease epidemics will come.

Now, He didn’t say we should be anxious and worried about it. In fact, in verse 6 He said, “See that you are not troubled.” Through Christ, we can have peace—even in difficult times to come. But we also must take His warning seriously.

Toward the end of the first century, the Apostle John saw a vision of the future. He recorded it in the Book of Revelation. After the prophesied seven seals, and the seven trumpet plagues, we read of the “seven last plagues.” Notice how the fifth plague is described, in Revelation 16:10–11:

“Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain. They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds” (Revelation 16:10–11).

We humans can be extremely hard headed. Even when the last plagues come, to wake up a sinning mankind, some will stubbornly refuse to repent of their sins.

Turning to God for Healing—How Strong is Your Faith?

So, what should we do?

Let’s face it, we are all physical. We all are subject to the ravages of time, age and at some point, disease.At some point we will die. It’s the normal cycle of life and death. But because we are physical, and our God is loving, He has also given us the blessing of divine healing.

When Jesus began His ministry, He immediately began preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God. But He also cast out demons and healed the sick. People came from all over to be healed. He saw their suffering and had compassion on them.

Let’s look at one particular case. A ruler came and asked Him to help his young daughter. She was sick and close to death. Jesus agreed to go with him, but on the way, something else happened. This is found in Mark 5:25–26:

“Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse” (Mark 5:25–26).

There are always those who are ready to prey on the vulnerable. That hasn’t changed, has it? At the same time, we know of outstanding examples in the medical field today who use their expertise and training to really serve their fellow man. Many of them have put their lives on the line in this time, fighting infectious diseases; for that, we’re grateful.

But think about it. No matter how dedicated physicians may be, they are still limited. There are times when they have done all they can do, and can do no more. They cannot heal in the ultimate sense. Only God can heal. And Jesus did heal this woman. Mark 5:27:

“When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well”” (Mark 5:27–28).

And He did make her well. That’s the power Jesus had. That’s the power of your and my Savior. And He still does heal—I’ve personally witnessed that in my life. And maybe you have, too. That needs to be real to us. Because He is real.

Jesus proceeded to the house of the ruler who had requested His help. When He got there, He heard the sad news: the little girl had already died. In fact, there were already mourners in the house. We pick up the story in Mark 5:36:

“As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, ‘Do not be afraid; only believe.’… Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly.… But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying” (Mark 5:36, 38, 40).

Notice, when Jesus healed, He didn’t make a big show of it. There was no fanfare, no spotlight, no sleight-of-hand. In fact, as we see here, He made all those who were wailing and carrying on leave the house. Then, those remaining were just a few, with the parents. It was a quiet, private matter. And this is what He did, as told in Mark 5:41:

“Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, ‘Talitha, cumi,’ which is translated, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise.’ Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat” (Mark 5:41–43).

He healed her. Actually, He raised her from the dead! Not with a lot of noise and production. In fact, He told them, don’t make a big deal of this to others! He wasn’t seeking a crowd. Healing was a part of His MINISTRY, as a sign of Who He was. And, He did it simply out of compassion for these desperate people.

Does God heal today? Absolutely. Notice what James 5:14–15 says:

“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up” (James 5:14–15).

The Living Church of God has dedicated ministers around the globe. One of their duties is to pray over the sick and anoint them with oil. It’s not a strange or unusual ritual. It’s just a simple, quiet prayer with the one who is sick and the anointing of the person with a tiny bit of olive oil. It’s done just as it says here in James 5:14. God does heal. I’ve seen it myself, with my own eyes.

Now, are there times when we ask for God’s healing and we don’t get better immediately? Absolutely. We must understand, God has a plan for us. And His ultimate priority is to get us into His kingdom. And that means He sometimes allows us to suffer, to learn about trusting Him and having faith in Him. Paul learned that when He asked God for deliverance from a trial and was not delivered. Notice the answer from God to Paul, in 2 Corinthians 12:9:

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness’” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

We sometimes learn the most by learning to wait and be patient. Even so, God does want us to ask when we need help.

And notice something else. As it describes in Acts 19:11, there were times when Paul could not pray over someone in person, and in those cases he would pray over and anoint a cloth that would then be sent to that person, who would then apply the cloth to themselves in prayer. Let’s read it together:

“Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them” (Acts 19:11–12).

The Living Church of God follows that practice as well, sending out anointed cloths to those who ask, in genuine faith, to be healed.

Jesus Christ Cares About Your Health and Future

Earlier in today’s program, I mentioned the micro-biology professor saying there would come a time when we would again have to pray at the bedside of the sick. But think about it; Are we only going to do that when we are absolutely forced to? Or, can we begin to seek God now, every day, to guide us and teach us—and heal us—when we’re sick? The answer is obvious; God wants us to seek Him now.

In John 10:10, notice what Jesus Christ said, as recorded by the apostle John:

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

God wants to give us eternal life, through the resurrection. But He also wants us to enjoy the blessings of life now—and that includes divine healing.

Look to God. Realize that COVID may just be a blip on the radar. But we can be prepared for whatever comes next, if we have faith and trust in God.

Hey, it’s me again! Thank you for watching and remember to subscribe so you don’t miss another Tomorrow’s World video, and if you’d like a copy of our free booklet Does God Heal Today? go to TWtv.org/heal or click the link in the description. See you next time.

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

Is There Any Way to Find Peace?

We’re living in a troubled world. And our problems have only gotten worse with the coronavirus pandemic. Some experts today say America is going through a mental health crisis. In fact, in October of 2020, the American Psychological Association created the publication Stress in America 2020: A National Mental Health Crisis.

Consider some of the findings:

"Despite several months of acclimating to a new reality and societal upheaval spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans are struggling to cope…. Nearly 2 in 3 adults (65%) say the current amount of uncertainty in our nation causes them stress. Further, 3 in 5 (60%) say the number of issues America faces currently is overwhelming to them…. Issues they are stressed about are not going away, they are piling up" (p. 2).

Think about it. The effect of the virus has had a dramatic impact on many more people than just those touched directly by the disease. The societal disruption it has caused has affected the mental and emotional health of millions of Americans. And it’s the same in many places around the world. On October 5, 2020, the World Health Organization published an article stating this:

"Bereavement, isolation, loss of income and fear are triggering mental health conditions or exacerbating existing ones…. The pandemic is increasing demand for mental health services" ("COVID-19 disrupting mental health services in most countries, WHO survey," October 5, 2020).

How can we survive the trials and difficulties of these troubling times? How do we fight the crushing sense of discouragement many face today? All too often, in our secular world, the most important stress-beating tool is ignored or outright rejected. And yet, it’s something we ALL need to put into practice, to have more peace of mind in a distressing world. What is it? Personal prayer to God.

Direct and Personal: God as a Real Confidant

Welcome to Tomorrow’s World, where we help you make sense of the world through the pages of your Bible.

2020; it’s the year where everything went wrong. But this world’s problems didn’t start with the COVID crisis. Consider the Boston Globe article entitled, "Dear God, Are you out there? The world is falling apart." It’s tempting to think that all our problems just began in February and March of 2020, but life for many was challenging before that time as well.

This world has been on fire for longer than just a few months. Consider the information from the website "Global Protest Tracker." It reports that since 2017:

• There have been about 100 significant anti-government protests worldwide,
• About 30 governments or leaders have fallen as a result,
• 8 out of 12 South American countries have experienced significant protests,
• With some of the most violent government crackdowns against protestors being in Iran, Iraq, and Nicaragua.

Society around the world is convulsing. So, what should we do? The Centers for Disease Control, or CDC, has a website that explains that there are things we should do in difficult times to maintain a positive mental framework. Connecting with loved ones is vital. Not succumbing to isolation and loneliness is crucial.

Avoiding getting caught up in the negative media, and taking care of our physical health, all are good pieces of advice. Even so, there is something else which goes far beyond these factors. What is that something else? Seeking the peace of mind that only comes through personal, private contact with God in prayer.

How can you experience more peace of mind in your life? In this program, we’ll discuss several keys to achieving peace of mind through personal prayer. The first is:

1. Talk to God in a direct and personal way

Do you talk to God in prayer, as if He’s real and is actually listening? Surprisingly, many do not. The Guardian website ran an article in 2018, entitled "Non-believers turn to prayer in a crisis, poll finds." Here is what the author wrote:

"…A new survey has found that one in five adults pray despite saying they are not religious…. Henry, 64, said he prays every night, kneeling by his bed, despite not being religious. ‘I worry about it quite a lot – is it some kind of an insurance policy, is it superstition or is it something more real?’… He said he had no idea if God heard his prayers, and said the act of praying did not make him feel better. ‘I wonder why I don’t stop doing it’" (January 13, 2018).

This is a fascinating survey—20% of non-believing adults in Britain DO PRAY. And as Henry mentioned, some do in spite of doubting that a real God is listening. And it has NO impact on their peace of mind.

Even those who are religious, for many of them, prayer has limited value in really affecting their lives. The article goes on to say this:

"Just over half of all adults in the UK pray… and just under half of those who pray said they believed God hears their prayers… Four in ten… say it makes them feel better."

What a tragedy. Even many religious people who do pray have no confidence that God is listening. So why pray at all if there is no connection and no sense of a Being who’s listening and who really cares?

The first key to effective prayer is to understand WHO we are praying to. We don’t just pray to an idea. We don’t pray to an ambiguous "higher power." We pray to our Father. And our Father sees us and is listening, and wants us to seek Him.

When we do earnestly seek Him, we can have a deep sense of peace of mind that comes no other way.

Let’s turn it over to Matthew chapter 6 and verse 31. Jesus said,

"Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things…" (Matthew 6:31-34).

Notice what He says. Don’t agonize about our daily needs, even when times are tough and budgets are tight. Because the God we serve is the One who provides all those things.

Why is it so important that we go to God in prayer? Because oftentimes the things that stress us the most are the things we can’t control: our worries about our job, our financial situation, our health, or how we’ll put food on the table or pay the mortgage.

I recently heard of a story on a local news program of a woman diagnosed with breast cancer. After her diagnosis, she was not allowed to go to work, because she was now at high risk for getting the coronavirus. And yet she couldn’t work from home, so she was furloughed. Yet, she wasn’t able to move forward with her cancer treatment because of her job situation, so she was left in limbo, and at the publishing of the story was three months behind on her mortgage with no hope in sight.

You might be facing something similar. You might feel like you’re drowning because of the pressures this current crisis is putting on you. Seek God in prayer. He’s YOUR Father, too. His Son DIED for you. He will PROVIDE for you, if you seek Him in heartfelt and persistent prayer. And in the process, you will find peace of mind that passes human understanding.

The key is getting our focus on Him, in personal, private prayer. Jesus also said in Matthew chapter 6 verse 7,

"And when you pray, [not IF you pray, but WHEN you pray] do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 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 6:7).

Have you ever noticed that the first half of this model prayer is directed at talking to God, and praising and thanking Him? He is real. He is good, He is holy, loving, caring and compassionate. He has a plan He’s working out. But often our prayers can become just a laundry list of "I need this and I need that." When we pray, the first thing we need to do is get our mind on God, and Who He really is.

The Apostle Paul wrote, in Philippians 4:6,

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

It all starts with thanksgiving. Our attitude toward prayer must begin with acknowledging Who He is and focusing our minds on HIS will…not our own. That’s the starting point for real peace in this troubling world.

Wisdom and Strength: God as the Real Source

And that brings us to the second key in today’s program:

2. Ask God to teach and direct you.

This might seem counterintuitive. When we are under stress, we don’t want MORE burden and guilt. We don’t want to be made to feel like our problems are OUR fault, or that we might be partially responsible for the stress we feel. That’s the LAST thing we want.

But understand what I’m saying. God made us. We are His workmanship. He created our ability to think. He designed us to have human relationships. He put us on this earth. But all too often, in our modern world, we ignore what God says about how to live. And yet He is the One who knows best how to make our life work. Why not ask Him for direction?

The Apostle James wrote, in James 1 and verse 5,

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

Are we asking for God to teach us? Is this something that is part of our prayer? We have to understand where real wisdom comes from. And we need wisdom today. Why is wisdom so important? Well, consider a few examples. How hard is it to stay out of endless political debates that are largely futile, and yet bitterly divide even family members? Wisdom can help us avoid those. When under financial pressures, how easy is it to find ourselves snapping at our mates over money matters? And yet wisdom can help us choose love and unity and work together to find solutions. When facing discouragement and depression, how easy is it to fall into harmful behaviors, such as abuse of alcohol, or drugs, or misuse of sex, or falling into pornography? And yet wisdom from God teaches us how to avoid those harmful traps. It shows us that they only bring misery to us and wreck our relationships.

Wisdom from God is vital to navigating difficult times and having peace of mind. We need it today.

In 2 Timothy 1:6, Paul also wrote:

"Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

Do you want a sound mind? A sound mind is a gift from God. It doesn’t come from psychology books, or self-help magazines about relaxation techniques. Now, those things can help, but in the end, real peace of mind comes only from God. But we must ask for it.

In Hebrews 4:12, Paul wrote:

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

So how does God teach us? Through His Word, which is this Book, the Bible. We must study the Bible for answers to our questions on life. When we pray, we talk to God. When we read and study our Bible, God talks to us. If we’re not diligently reading this Book, it’s as if we are only willing to talk to God, but not listen to His instruction as well.

As a pastor, I’ve worked with people who wanted to improve their lives, but weren’t really willing to look for the answers in the Bible. Their answers came from their own imagination, and what they thought God wanted them to do. But, they failed to realize we must seek for God’s instructions by revering and listening to the Bible.

So, how can you have real peace of mind? By sincerely talking to God in personal prayer, and asking Him to teach you through His Word.

Repent and Obey: God as a Guide

The third key we’ll discuss today is:

3. Act on what God teaches you.

The coronavirus struck in early 2020. By March, it became obvious to many governments around the world, this was going to be a serious public health crisis. The danger was not just from the virus itself, but how people would respond to the virus. There were mental and emotional health dangers associated with the fallout from the pandemic. In response, the Centers for Disease Control issued advice on how to manage stress during the COVID pandemic. These are some of the suggestions that the CDC gave on their website, under the heading, "Healthy Ways to Cope with Stress":

• Take care of your emotional health
• Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including those on social media
• Take care of your body (eat healthy, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep)

And,

• Connect with others

These are all very common-sense pieces of advice. And they are helpful to keep in mind, when facing mental and emotional stress. But think about it. Why is it that we all-too-often listen to experts, and consider their advice as valid, and even change our behavior based on their advice…but we don’t act on the guidance of God?

What do I mean? Let’s turn to what Jesus said in John 13:17,

"If you know these things, blessed (or happy) are you if you do them."

If God made us—if He designed our minds and put together our being, don’t you think He has a thing or two to say about how we should live? For example, look at the whole matter of prayer. We might think, yes, I should really pray. Or, I should pray more consistently, or more earnestly. And, if I did, I’d probably have a better handle on my problems. But life gets busy. We get tired and worn out from the daily battle. The kids need to be put to bed. By the end of the day we’d rather sink into a chair and lose ourselves in a book or in watching TV or YouTube. And the time just slips away. And we let everything and anything keep us from connecting to our Father. In the process, without ever meaning to, we prevent ourselves from getting the mental and emotional peace of mind we really need.

The Bible is filled with advice on how to navigate difficult times. It’s overflowing with stories of real-life people. These were people who really existed, who were not myths, and they faced uncertain times and prevailed, through talking to God, and faithfully responding to Him.

Are we going to take that next step and reach out to our Father in Heaven, and really talk to Him? Are we going to open a Bible—or get a Bible—and let God show us how to survive the stressful times we’re in? Are we going to act on what we learn?

What is putting pressure on you right now? Maybe you were downsized or furloughed because of the pandemic or lost a job. Maybe you have a difficult health trial, Maybe your relationships are a mess, and you and your mate are struggling to maintain a marriage under the weight of family and financial stresses. Maybe you are struggling with an addiction that is eroding your own sense of self, and destroying your life. You want to quit, but you keep falling back into that black hole.

Did you know that God through His Word gives wisdom and real help on all of these issues and many more? We just have to be open to it and ask. And we have to start reading, and then put into practice what we learn.

When ancient King Solomon had dedicated the newly-built Temple in Jerusalem, he led the congregation in prayer to God. He implored God, to listen to his people, even when they would go astray. And, if they would repent, and turn, and seek to honor Him, he asked God to honor their prayer. Here is what God said. It’s found in 2 Chronicles 7:14,

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

If there ever was a time when we need repentance, and forgiveness, and healing for human beings in our nations around the world, it is now. But what if the nations and governments and leaders and people of this world don’t change? Is there anything holding you back from seeking God personally, in your life? If God is opening your heart and mind, you, too, can call on Him with sincerity, and experience the wonderful peace that comes only from knowing, seeking, and obeying Him.

Notice what the prophet Isaiah said, in Isaiah 55:6,

"Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon."

In these stressful times, there is help. And that is through a personal relationship with God. And that starts with private, persistent prayer.

God Is the Giver of Peace!

God will give us peace of mind, as we seek Him, ask for His help, and act on what He says through His word.

God is in control. He created everything. And He will guide us if we really want Him to. We can have real, genuine, peace of mind, through personal prayer with the One who gave us life and breath.

Thanks for watching to the end. At Tomorrow’s World, we help people understand the world by helping them understand the Bible. If you want to learn more about the Bible and understand where this world is headed, be sure to subscribe to our channel and click the notification bell. Also, if you want to get our study guide Twelve Keys to Answered Prayer for free, click here. See you next time.

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

A World Without War

Imagine a perfect world. Not what we see today, but a new world, ideal in every way. What would it be like? If you could remake everything you see, what would you change? Maybe you would erase the political divides that plague our world… Perhaps you would get rid of corruption, scandals, lies, and government propaganda. Maybe you’d reform the criminal justice system, and institute new laws. Fair and just laws that protect the unborn and don’t legalize immorality. You’d close loopholes that benefit the rich and powerful. Everyone would be truly equal before the law, all the time, without fail. Maybe you’d get rid of violence and war… No more men and women learning the art and science of warfare… And no more violence and anarchy in the streets.

Is it possible? Am I only dreaming? You might think so, looking at society today. If you read the headlines and watch the latest videos posted online, you might conclude that this hope for a perfect world is unrealistic.

But stop a moment. This ideal world I just described is what your Bible predicts, in detail. This may be a shock to some, but it’s true.

Let’s take a look at the Bible, and get a glimpse of that future. Yes… there are difficult years ahead. But after that, the future is bright. A better, just, and peaceful world is coming. And it will happen right here on this earth.

So, let’s find out about that world, by looking in the Bible. We’ll examine one specific prophecy in the ancient book of Isaiah. You might be amazed at what we find.

And also, get ready to order our free study guide entitled, The World Ahead: What It Will Be Like. I’ll give you information on how to order, later in the program.

The future is bright… A new world is coming… But how can we be so sure? I’ll be right back with the answer.

One World Government Under God

Welcome to Tomorrow’s World. Many centuries ago, in the ancient land of Judah, there lived a prophet named Isaiah. He lived in the 8th century, B.C. Isaiah began his ministry by having a vision, during the reign of king Uzziah. He recorded his visions in the book called by his name. It forms one of the foundational prophetic books of the Old Testament. What’s fascinating about Isaiah is that much of the book predicts the coming of the Messiah, and His glorious, 1,000-year reign on earth, what we sometimes call “the millennium.”

There’s a particular prophecy we’ll look at on today’s program, which gives us a glimpse of this coming new age. It begins in Isaiah, chapter 2, verse 1:

“The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. Now it shall come to pass in the latter days…” (Isaiah 2:1–2).

What is this phrase “the latter days”? “Latter days” refers to the end-times, the time right around the return of Jesus Christ to earth as King of kings and Lord of lords. If YOU can see we are living in the “latter days” right now, what comes next should cause you to stop and take notice. The events Isaiah speaks of are about to happen, IN OUR TIME.

So, what will the Millennium be like? In the rest of this program, we’ll discuss three wonderful descriptions of the Millennium. The first is, that 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth will be a time of:

1. Good and Righteous Rulers

Let’s read Isaiah 2:2,

“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” (Isaiah 2:2).

What is this talking about? Well, the Bible often uses symbolic language to refer to real things. In symbolic terms, “mountains” refer to “governments.” So, the “mountain of the LORD’s house” means “the government of the LORD.” This is a government set up by Jesus Christ, with Him ruling, RIGHT HERE ON EARTH, IN PERSON.

The verse further says, this government of the Eternal will be established on the “top of the mountains.” That means that even the strongest, most powerful nations on earth will be MADE to take direction from this government. Can you think of anything that will fundamentally change our world more, than God’s government directly ruling over the nations? Think about it. Whichever dictator you can imagine today… whichever strongman you can think of… Jesus Christ will personally be here, on earth, to subdue EACH AND EVERY leader of nations. It doesn’t matter how powerful a military they have—the Son of GOD will subdue and rule over them.

When we look at politics today, we are painfully reminded of the limits of human government. Whether it’s corrupt dictatorships ruling by intimidation and fear, or liberal democracies that are all-too-often self-absorbed and ineffectual, we cannot seem to rule ourselves well. We see the frailties of our system in acts of injustice, and in the breakdown of law and order. We just can’t seem to rule ourselves.

But we in this Work, can tell you, without hesitation, WORLD UNITY IS COMING. No, it won’t be brought by a secret international society. And it won’t come about by some political movement sweeping over society. Every election cycle there are millions of well-meaning and sincere people who desperately hope, maybe this time, that things will get better. But lasting peace always seems to be just beyond our grasp. The reason is, there is only one source of true world peace. And that is the PERSONAL, DIRECT RULE ON EARTH by the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

He will govern here on earth. That’s what Isaiah predicted. Can you think of anyone better suited to rule the nations than the Son of God? He’s forgiving, He’s loving, and He’s compassionate to the needs of the weak and helpless. And yet, He will come in strength to subdue those bent on evil and oppression. Not only that, He will have a corps of righteous rulers working under Him, trained to govern just like Him. Notice what Jesus told His disciples in Luke 22:28,

“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).

Think about what Jesus said. The twelve apostles will reign over the nations of Israel, under Jesus Christ. JUST IMAGINE a world run by righteous governors… REAL LEADERS committed to truth and justice at ALL times. No corruption. No political back-stabbing. No compromising and no back-door deals. ALL leaders dedicated to truth and justice. What would that world be like? Do you want to see this? It’s not here yet… But it IS coming. The Bible declares it.

Not only that, YOU can be a part of that team of righteous leaders Christ will use to bring peace, order, and love to this earth. Jesus did not limit that honor to His twelve disciples only. Notice what He said in the parable of the minas. In this familiar story, He described how a certain nobleman went to a far country to receive a kingdom. This is clearly a reference to Jesus Himself. He called His citizens and gave them an amount of money to work with until He returned. When He came back, He handed out rewards based on their deeds. But notice the specific rewards He gave them. In Luke 19:16 we read:

“Then came the first, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities’” (Luke 19:16–17).

Did you catch that? They were given a chance to rule over cities. That’s talking about the millennium. That 1,000-year period of the Son of God ruling on this earth. What an opportunity! If WE are willing to be trained by Jesus Christ today, you and I can directly impact THOUSANDS or even MILLIONS of people in the future. That hope and future helps us ENDURE the trials and tests of this life... Because we know a better world is coming. And WE can be there, too.

Perfect Laws in the Kingdom of Heaven

In the last segment of this program, we saw that the prophet Isaiah outlined certain hallmarks of the millennium. One of them is good, righteous rulers. This world desperately needs that.

But what else will happen during the 1,000-year reign of Christ? According to Isaiah, the millennium will also be a time of, Number 2:

2. Fair and Just Laws

Let’s go back to Isaiah 2. After describing how God’s government will establish itself over the governments of this world, what happens then? We read in Isaiah 2:3,

“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” (Isaiah 2:3).

Zion is referring to Christ’s capital in Jerusalem. Jesus, as King of kings, will establish new laws to be taught all over the world. But where will those laws come from? Well, from THIS BOOK, the Bible. From “the word of the LORD,” as Isaiah said. But what laws does the Bible teach?

In Exodus 20 we find a beautifully concise summation of ten basic laws of God. Not thousands of laws taking up reams of paper and volumes of books, but TEN SIMPLE LAW. They’re easy to remember and not hard to understand. Laws like the one found in Exodus 20:12,

“Honor your father and your mother…” (Exodus 20:12).

Imagine what the world would be like, if that commandment was taught as a law, and became a fabric of society. How would it change the world? What if children in every nation and every culture were taught and reminded and encouraged to love and honor their parents? Would that be a positive change? Now, of course, children can be children. They make mistakes and misbehave sometimes… They’re children! But they also respond to loving and kind but firm direction. This world could be so different if just THAT ONE LAW were embraced and taught every level of society. Under Christ’s rule, that WILL HAPPEN.

Another law found in the Ten Commandments is found in verse 15 of Exodus 20:

“You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15).

What would it be like if that law was taught and reinforced, to every member of society, from little on? What if that was a value continually reinforced by every governor and judge and mayor? What if no leaders were EVER accused of embezzling public funds or skimming corporate profits? Just think: If every time a thief was caught for stealing, he was dealt with real justice, evenly administered, and with the real opportunity to make it right, what a change it would make. Well, that will be a law of the land in Isaiah’s picture of the Millennium.

Another law found in Exodus 20:8 is:

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8).

What if the whole world was taught that every seven days, you get a day off? Guaranteed. Your work is done, you get to rest. It’s a time to be refreshed and renewed. So many people today are stressed out by the frenetic pace of life. They work non-stop and can’t stop. They’re trapped in life, and are discouraged and depressed and feel like they are DROWNING. The seventh-day Sabbath is the remedy. God created the Sabbath by resting on the seventh day, after six days of creation. And He wants us to enjoy one day a week when WE rest in body, mind, and spirit. On that day, He wants us to fill our minds with the higher thoughts of His ways and His words. Imagine if the whole world was practicing this wonderful principle and law.

By the way, in case you doubt the whole world will ever be keeping the seventh-day Sabbath together, let me quickly refer you to another prophecy of Isaiah, in chapter 66 verse 23:

“‘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,’ says the LORD” (Isaiah 66:23).

How could it be any clearer? We haven’t even talked about the law against murder, and adultery, and lying, and profanity. These Laws and others will be used to teach EVERYONE to love God and love their neighbor. And upon repentance and baptism, they’ll be forgiven of past sin, through the precious blood of Jesus Christ. They will come to know just how much He loves them, and cares for them. He will give them His Spirit, which will enable them to understand His truth, and grow to walk in His ways.

That’s the wonderful world to come. That’s the society of the 1,000-year reign of Son of God. And you and I can start preparing NOW by committing our life to Christ and living this way now! And we can even be numbered in the saints who will help establish that world of tomorrow.

A Paradise With No More War

There’s one more aspect of the millennium that we’ll talk about in this program. In addition to good and righteous government, and fair and just laws, it will be a time of:

3. Real and Lasting Peace

Is that possible? Could we really see the cessation of war? For the past 100 years, the world has been desperately trying to stop the scourge of war. World War I was the costliest war in human history, until that time. It’s estimated there were over 20 million military and civilian deaths in World War I. In 1920, after the war, the League of Nations was formed. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the League of Nations was envisioned to be the place where international disputes could be resolved.

But that didn’t happen. World War II erupted 19 years later. It was fought all over the world: from the jungles of Burma to the deserts of North Africa and the beaches of Normandy. World War II caused the deaths of another estimated 40 to 50 million people. After that bloody war, another international body was formed, called the United Nations. According to the UN website, it was formed with one central mission: “the maintenance of international peace and security” (“What We Do,” UN.org/en/sections/what-we-do/). And the United Nations has sent peacekeeping forces all over the world, on 70 different missions. But sadly, the UN has NOT been able to stop war. From 1945 to 2017, there have been over 160 different armed conflicts around the world, resulting in more than 13 million deaths.

Will things ever change? The Bible says yes. The Book of Isaiah says there IS a coming time when the guns and bombs and rockets WILL CEASE. Well how will that happen?

After describing the government of God teaching and enforcing the righteous laws of God, Isaiah then says, in chapter 2 verse 4:

“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 2:4).

Nation shall not lift up sword against nation. What a difference from our day. In 2019, the total amount of military expenditures worldwide was $1.9 trillion (“India third largest military spender in world, after US and China,” The Economic Times, April 27, 2020).

That’s almost 2 trillion dollars. To put it into perspective, if ONE trillion dollar bills were stacked one on top of each other, you could build a tower 1/3 of the way to the moon (“BRAIN TWISTER: What does 1 trillion look like?” The Dispatch, August 3, 2019). And this figure is DOUBLE that.

Put another way, the globalgiving.org website estimates that for $265 billion a year, world hunger could be eliminated (“How Much Would It Cost To End World Hunger?” GlobalGiving.org, December 2, 2019). And that’s a high end estimate—other estimates show it could be ended for much, much less. But even at that amount—$265 billion—just imagine: That’s what it would take to make sure that no one, on planet earth, would go hungry FOR A WHOLE YEAR. And yet we spend about EIGHT TIMES that on guns and tanks and airplanes. What a day that will be, when this prophecy comes to pass.

Outside of the UN headquarters in New York City, there is a famous statue. It’s of a man beating a sword into a farming tool. At the base of that statue is THIS SCRIPTURE we’ve been reading from Isaiah chapter 2. Has the United Nations ended war? CAN the UN end war? The answer is an emphatic NO. But Isaiah 2 gives us an inspiring and encouraging glimpse into the future… When God’s word assures us, that under the direction of the Son of God, WAR WILL END. He will make it happen.

Now, will some nations resist? Sure, that’s why it says He will “rebuke many people.” Some will have to learn the hard way. But over time, most will surely see the value of submitting to Jesus Christ and enjoying the blessings of living in peace.

The Gospel of the Kingdom—News for Our Time!

As we close, let’s look at some of Jesus’ own words. When He began His ministry, He had a message to give. What was that message? In Mark 1:14 we read:

“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God” (Mark 1:14).

Jesus was preaching the GOOD NEWS of the Kingdom of God. And what we’ve seen today, through the eyes of the prophet Isaiah, is a glimpse into that glorious kingdom ON THIS EARTH. Not up in Heaven, but right here ON THIS EARTH. And truly, when we comprehend what a change Jesus Christ will bring to this suffering and troubled world, that message IS “good news.”

That age of Christ’s reign on earth is coming… It’s not far off. He will be the King of kings, and Lord of lords. He will bring integrity and righteousness to the administration of the earth. He will stop the chaos and confusion in our streets. He will teach laws which promote a way of life of love and harmony. And He will put to end the cycle of war and violence that plagues this world.

Humanity cannot solve its problems. But JESUS CHRIST CAN. And He WILL. And because He is our Savior, Who loves us, and cares for us, He will rule the right way. He has our best interests at heart. After all, hasn’t He proven that by GIVING HIS LIFE FOR US?

We yearn for the day when our Savior, the Son of God, is here with us on this earth… And this vision of the future will be REALITY.

So don’t forget our free offer on today’s program, The World Ahead: What It Will Be Like? It will open your eyes to the soon-coming return of Jesus Christ, and how His reign will change the world.

And keep watching for more Tomorrow’s World episodes. As Gerald Weston, Richard Ames, Wallace Smith, and I make sense of today’s news, through the prophecies of Tomorrow’s World. See you next week!