You Can Change the World!

How would you like to put an end to war? To violent crime? What about ending poverty, pollution, divorce, racial prejudice, and thievery? Do you realize you can? It is all spelled out in the Bible—in a way many could never imagine.

We at Tomorrow’s World have long looked forward to fixing the world’s problems. Tomorrow’s World has been in print for more than 25 years as I write this, and this issue marks the 100th of our Spanish-language magazine, El Mundo de Mañana, looking forward to that better world ahead. We all want to put an end to poverty, pollution, divorce, racial prejudice, and juvenile delinquency. We hope you share that desire. But we go beyond merely hoping—we plan to do just that.

We know that individuals and organizations can effect change, but so far, no one has brought universal and lasting peace to planet Earth. Yet that is exactly what we plan to do. So, you may rightfully wonder, is that realistic? Or are we simply disillusioned dreamers? Are such aspirations achievable? The straightforward answer is, yes, we will change the world! Furthermore, you can be a part of that change!

The good news Jesus brought is that you and I can help transform this world from what it is today—but not in the way you may think. You don’t need to join a university student protest movement or lobby for just the right political candidate. For thousands of years, people have sought a messiah figure to solve mankind’s problems, yet the war “to end all wars” has come and gone—and other wars have followed. True, some leaders are better than others, but none know the way to peace, so the world continues down its relentless path to destruction.

Few professing Christians understand the good news that Jesus proclaimed for three-and-a-half years before His crucifixion, but there is nothing mysterious about His message: “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel [good news] of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel’” (Mark 1:14–15). But how does believing Christ’s message make it possible for you to change the world?

Understanding the True Gospel Message

A ruler of the Jews, a Pharisee by the name of Nicodemus, came to Jesus at night and was shocked when Jesus told him that he must be born again to “see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). And what does it mean to be “born again”? Far more than a temporary emotional experience, it involves a change from flesh and blood to spirit (vv. 6, 8). Years later, the Apostle Paul explained that “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption” (1 Corinthians 15:50). For a more complete understanding of this subject, you can order a free copy of our informative resource John 3:16: Hidden Truths of the Golden Verse.

Jesus refers three times to “the ruler of this world,” who opposes Him (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). Paul adds that this ruler is the god of our present age: “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (2 Corinthians 4:3–4). And we read that this ruler, Satan the Devil, has deceived the whole world (Revelation 12:9).

Christ’s Return—Humanity’s Greatest Hope

Dear friends, you and I are not going to change Satan’s world right now—no matter how much we try. We and our supporters at Tomorrow’s World have a larger platform than most of our readers, but we still cannot change the course of this world at this time. Yes, we can change our own lives and, through Tomorrow’s World, help others do the same—but we cannot stop wars, hatred, and violence. So, how is it that, according to the good news Christ brought, you and I can change the world?

Jesus told us that humanity would come to the place where all life would be destroyed were it not for His intervention (Matthew 24:21–22). He will stop our madness and take the place of the current ruler. Do you believe what Jesus said—that He will return to be King of kings and save us from ourselves? It’s right there in the Bible, and this world is heading in exactly the direction Jesus said it would go.

Satan Dethroned as “King” of This World

Zechariah the prophet wrote of a time in the near future when all the nations of the earth will gather to fight against the Jews and take possession of Jerusalem. Can we not see this taking shape even now? Only then will the Savior, Jesus Christ, return to save the Jews and humanity in general. “Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives…. And the Lord shall be King over all the earth” (Zechariah 14:3–4, 9). One of Christ’s first tasks upon His return will be to expel the current ruler, who is deceiving mankind and directing the course of this world (Revelation 20:1–3; 12:9; Ephesians 2:2).

Why is this exciting news not being shouted from the rooftops? Open your Bible and read these passages! Don’t believe anything just because I say it—but don’t dismiss it without opening your Bible and finding out for yourself!

Why do most not understand this? The reason is not hidden: “Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them” (Matthew 13:14–15). I hope that does not describe you!

A Job for the True Saints of God

We cannot at this time change mankind’s overall course. Only Jesus Christ can do that. But He will not be alone when He does—the resurrected servants of God will rule with Him. “I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:4).

Yes, those resurrected to eternal life upon Jesus’ return will also rule with Him for those thousand years—but not in Heaven. Rather, they will be “kings and priests to our God,” and they “shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9–10).

Prepare to Reign with Christ

The Bible tells us—and experience demonstrates—that Satan is the god of this present age. This will change when Jesus Christ returns as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:11–16). One of those kings will be David, who will rule over all twelve Israelite tribes (Jeremiah 30:9; Ezekiel 34:23–24). Assisting David will be the Twelve Apostles, who will each rule over one of the tribes (Matthew 19:28). Other true servants of God will be given rulership over cities and other administrative matters—not in Israel alone, but across the whole world (Luke 19:12–19). But take note of Christ’s parable: The one who is given an opportunity but does nothing during his lifetime loses even what he was given (vv. 20–26).

It is after the return of Jesus Christ that you and I—if we have ears to hear and eyes to see and if we do the Work of God today—can be participants in the greatest transformation of this earth the world has ever known! Yes, you can change the world!