Kidnapped Nigerian School Girls Found

"Almost six weeks after nearly 300 girls were kidnapped by the terrorist group Boko Haram in Nigeria, the Nigerian defense chief believes the girls have been located. Despite this breakthrough, the Nigerian government seems reluctant to use military force to free the girls" (Yahoo.com, May 26, 2014). "Boko Haram has attempted to use the girls as leverage for a prisoner exchange. The terrorist cell’s leaders have threatened to sell their victims abroad if authorities refuse to meet their demands" (Deutsche Welle, May 26, 2014). This kidnapping atrocity may be long from over, as the Islamic group defiantly pursues its goals. Sadly, the plight of these teenage girls is just one story among millions of young girls around the globe who are kidnapped and exploited.

However, the message of the Gospel is that Jesus Christ will return to this earth to establish the Kingdom of God where it will be safe for all children, and God gives us a glimpse of that peaceful world in Zechariah 8:4-5, "Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each one with his staff in his hand because of great age. The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets." Imagine a world where parents feel safe enough to allow their children to freely play in the streets.

For more about the Kingdom of God, see our booklet The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like?