Catastrophe

What is the greatest catastrophe that can befall mankind? Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, droughts, and floods are common in today’s news, and all of these events cause destruction, bringing injury, suffering, and death when they occur in populated areas. In the aftermath of these disasters, journalists commonly state as they describe the devastation, “The area looks like a war zone.”

Of all the catastrophes that can afflict mankind, war may be the greatest—and it is self-inflicted. In 6,000 years of recorded history, only a few years have been free of war. The first war was launched by the archangel Lucifer when he led a third of the angelic host in rebellion against his Creator, as described in Isaiah 14:12–15, Revelation 12:3–4, and Ezekiel 28:12–19.

The first recorded human conflict occurred between two sons of Adam and Eve, when Cain became jealous of his brother Abel. We read in Genesis 4:8 that “Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.”

This first act of violence was likely committed with a simple weapon, Cain’s hands using a rock or a wooden club. Weaponry has since “progressed” to the point that nuclear and biological agents could exterminate all life from the face of our planet. Man has never invented tools of destruction that he has not used. Unless saved from ourselves by a greater power, man’s history indicates inevitable self-annihilation! Concerning times that are soon to come, Jesus said that “there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened” (Matthew 24:21–22).

The human family faces a horrendous time of punishment because of disobedience to our Creator. But after a period of great tribulation and intervention by Jesus Christ, there will come a time of unparalleled peace and prosperity to those who willingly come under His loving rule.

The prophet Isaiah proclaimed this good news:

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. 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 2:3–4).

Under Christ’s rule, mankind will finally be free from one of his greatest self-inflicted curses—war against himself!

Do not be caught unprepared for the most astounding events in history. Watch the telecast “Of Swords and Plowshares,” and order your free copy of Armageddon and Beyond.