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

An Infamous Mark That Will Affect Your Future

The Mark of the Beast is a subject that fascinates people and generates many speculations—most of them totally wrong.

Yet, this special mark will, one way or another, affect your life and that of your loved ones. In fact, unbeknowst to you, you may have already accepted it.

I’ll show you what that Mark is on today’s Tomorrow’s World program. Today’s program is for the courageous, but it carries with it great reward.

Not A Barcode, Chip, or Implant…

A warm welcome to all of you from those of us here at Tomorrow’s World. On today’s program, I’ll be discussing the famous Mark of the Beast. Exactly what is that misunderstood Mark?

Erroneous ideas abound. Some think the number 666 will be tattooed on the forehead or the back of the hand. Others once thought the U.S. Social Security Number was that mark, but that speculation has faded with time. Could it be Canada’s Social Insurance Number, the acronym of which is S I N (or SIN)? What about bar and quick response codes?

Most of these have fallen out of favor and been replaced by a more up-to-date computer chip, the size of a grain of rice, that can be inserted in the hand between the thumb and forefinger. Such computer chips are indeed being used to track lost animals and also for worker identification. Is it possible that everyone will be forced to accept an implanted chip as a mark of identification?

Could this, or any of the other discarded ideas, be the mark?

The answer is, no—none of them! And here’s why.

Let’s read about this Mark from the biblical book of Revelation 13:16:

He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666 (Revelation 13:16–18).

Above all else, the mark of the Beast is, “the mark of… the Beast!” And that brings us to a more fundamental question: Who or what is the Beast?

The Beast spoken of in these verses has a long history with several revivals. The final revival will be in Europe, as with previous revivals. It will be made up of ten nations or groups of nations that do not naturally cling to one another, but they will be allied for a short time, and become a great military and economic power. Furthermore, we learn that the Beast is ridden by a great false church. Notice briefly, Revelation 17:12:

The ten horns [on the Beast] which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast (Revelation 17:12–13).

I won’t take time to cover more about that on this program, as we’ve covered this many times here on Tomorrow’s World telecasts and also in our literature. If you would like to learn more, just go to our website (TomorrowsWorld.org) and in the search bar, type in “Beast” or “Mark of the Beast.”

Whatever the mark of the beast is, it must be his mark, not that which arises from some other source. Now notice once again the importance of his mark:

He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name (Revelation 13:16–17).

The Mark of the Beast—A Form of Worship

The Mark of the Beast is first and foremost a biblical doctrine. That source tells us that you will not be able to buy or sell without this mark. So why would you not take that mark if it means carrying on business, and maybe even feeding your family?

What is different about this form of identification from a driver’s license, a passport, a national insurance number, a fingerprint, or an eye scan? Why should you not receive it?

The Bible, which predicts this mark, gives a very good reason NOT to receive it. Revelation 14:9–10:

Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.”

The “wrath of God”—why? Why is God so angry? Revelation 16:1 and 2 describe how God will pour out His wrath in seven last plagues at the time of Christ’s return. Notice the first of these seven plagues.

Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.” So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. (Revelation 16:1–2)

That shows God’s attitude toward those who receive the mark, but it doesn’t explain WHY. What’s the problem? Why is God so angry with those who receive this mark?

Other scriptures explain to whom God’s wrath is directed—the disobedient. Notice it in Romans 2:5:

But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.

This is clearly a reference to a time in the future.

Colossians 3:5–6 also indicate God’s coming wrath in the future. Notice the words, “is coming”:

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience.

But there is a flip side to this. Those true Christians who reject the mark are rewarded. They are seen standing before the throne of God;

And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God (Revelation 15:2).

After Christ returns, He is going to give out rewards to His servants who put it all on the line. These are willing to obey God no matter the consequences, but the reward is rulership with Christ to bring peace on this troubled planet. We read of that in Revelation 20:4:

And 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.

Whatever this mark is, it is nothing to take lightly. Everyone is forced to take a stand one way or the other. Without it, one will be prohibited from buying and selling. Yet, taking it brings upon you the wrath of God. Whatever it is, it is a mark of disobedience to God, and it is associated with the Beast and a religious system that “rides” the Beast.

The Symbol of an Unholy Empire?

The book of Daniel pictures four great Gentile empires that rise up. The story of these empires begins in Babylon and ends with the return of Christ to set up His Kingdom on earth. The book of Daniel describes a dream King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had, where he saw a giant image of a man. It’s described in Daniel 2:32–33:

This image’s head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay.

But what does this mean? Speculations abound, but most biblical scholars agree with what the Bible clearly says, and history confirms. The answer is found beginning in verse 37:

You, O king [that is, Nebuchadnezzar], are a king of kings…. you are this head of gold. But after you shall arise another kingdom inferior to yours; then another, a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron, inasmuch as iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything; and like iron that crushes, that kingdom will break in pieces and crush all the others (Daniel 2:37–40).

The Chaldean Empire of Nebuchadnezzar was the first. The Medo-Persian Empire was next, followed by the Greco-Macedonian Empire—and the Roman Empire being the fourth. Daniel 7 and 8 give amazingly accurate details regarding these empires. And then, Revelation 13, which was written during the time of Rome, gives details for the future of the Roman Empire. Revelation 17 sees the Empire during the time it is ruled by a great religious system—hence the term, the Holy Roman Empire.

Revelation 17 also shows this Roman system will have seven revivals while ridden by an immoral woman. And prophetically a woman refers to a church. This union between church and state will continue all the way to the Second Coming—even fighting against Christ at His return. We read about the seventh and final revival of this Beast in Revelation 17:12–14:

[The] ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings.

The reference to “the Beast” applies to both a man and a kingdom. When one reads from Daniel 2, 7, and 8, along with Revelation 13 and 17, can there be any doubt as to its identity?

It’s none other than the Roman Empire.

Some become confused, however, because in Revelation 13, there is a reference to another Beast. Notice it in verses 11–12:

Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

This Beast looks like the Lamb of God, but speaks like a dragon, or Satan the Devil. It is a counterfeit Christian religious system.

The next few verses corroborate this as a Beast that performs miracles, it is also this image of (or a beast patterned after) the Roman system, and it commands people to worship itself or be killed. Speaking of this second Beast, we read in verses 13–15,

He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down on the earth in the sight of men. And he decieves those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.

It’s this image of the Beast, this false religious system, that causes people to receive this famous mark, as shown in verse 16:

He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads (Revelation 13:16).

The Sabbath Will Divide True Christians from the Marked

Now that we have identified the Beast as the Roman Empire with a great false church riding, or directing it, it is now time to identify its Mark. This Mark is not just any sign of identity.

It is not the Social Security System. It is not a barcode, quick response code, or a computer chip. It is above all, #1:

1. It is the Mark “of the Beast.”
2. This Beast began with Rome and ends at the return of Christ (Revelation 13 and 17)
3. At the end of the age, ten nations or kings give their power to the Beast (Revelation 17:12)
4. An immoral Church rides this Beast (Rev 17:1–7)
5. This Beast has a Mark or identifying sign (Revelation 13:16–17)
6. This Mark will be forced on the world (Revelation 13:16)
7. You cannot buy or sell without the Mark (Revelation 13:17)
8. God’s wrath will be poured out on any who take the Mark (Revelation 16:2)
9. True Christians who refuse the Mark, because they follow Christ, will be greatly rewarded (Revelation 20:4)
10. It’s the violation of God’s commandments that bring about God’s wrath, as we saw in Colossians 3:5–6

This last point is the key. Those who accept the Mark violate the commandments of God in some way. To understand the Beast’s Mark, we must understand that God also has a sign that identifies His people, just as the Beast’s mark identifies those who are his. Don’t believe me just because I say it, but because you read it in your own Bible.

If you have your Bible, turn to Exodus 31, or write this down and read it for yourself. I’ll begin in Exodus 31:13:

Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: “Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you [or “sets you apart”]…. Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed” (Exodus 31:13, 16–17).

Yes, the seventh day Sabbath is a sign between God and His people. Some would argue that this only applies to the Jews, failing to remember some key New Testament verses, such as the statement that Jesus made to the Gentile woman at the well, found in John 4:22:

You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.

Or Paul’s statement to the Romans, as found in [Romans] 2:28–29:

For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

Does God have one standard, one day of worship for the Jews and another for Gentiles? Think about that! Is Christ divided? So why do most Christians meet on Sunday instead of the only day the Bible sanctifies?

Some say it’s because Sunday is the “Lord’s day” taken totally out of context in Revelation 1:10. There, it is referring to the Day of the Lord, the time of God’s wrath upon rebellious mankind, as seen from the context of the entire book of Revelation.

But if someone wants to argue that the expression “the Lord’s day” refers to a day of the week, let’s see which day Jesus tells us is His day. Mark 2:27–28:

And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”

Could anything be clearer than that? This is repeated in Matthew 12:8 and Luke 6:5. Three times we are told that Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. How many times do we read that He is Lord of the first day of the week?

Zero, nada, never! It just isn’t there.

Now what about the fact that it is to be placed on the forehead or on the hand? Let’s not speculate, but let’s let the Bible answer that question. Regarding God’s commandments, including the Sabbath command, we read in Deuteronomy 6:8,

You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

And referring to one of God’s annual Sabbaths, we read in Exodus 13,

It shall be as a sign to you on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the LORD’s law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand the LORD has brought you out of Egypt (v. 9).

Yes, God’s law, and specifically His Sabbaths are to be written on our foreheads—symbolic of thought and decision making—and on our hands—symbolic of our actions).

The same is true of the Beast’s Mark.

So who changed the day? The answer is found in history.

Many sources record that it was Emperor Constantine who enforced Sunday as a day of rest and worship, and Rome commanded punishment for any who observed the biblical seventh day Sabbath. That mark has continued down to our time, but not always so strongly enforced. Constantine was Emperor of Rome and the religious system that patterned itself after Rome followed suit. The Mark of the secular Beast, and the spiritual image of the Beast, that substitutes their day over God’s day, is none other than a counterfeit of God’s sign identifying His people.

Millions of professing Christians are taking that mark, without realizing it, even as I speak. But when the final restoration of the Beast soon rises, in cooperation with that same religious system, it will no longer be voluntary. It may be enforced by a passport, chip or other means, but this would only be the means of enforcement, not the Mark itself.

Even now there is a push to bring into being Central Bank Digital Currencies (or CBDCs). These government controlled digital currencies would give power to governments around the world to control the behavior of their citizens. Will this be the means of enforcement? Time will tell, but the means of enforcement are not as important for us as what the actual mark is.

Thank you for watching. If you found this video helpful and want to learn more, be sure to get your free copy of our study guide Which Day is the Christian Sabbath? All you need to do is click the link in the description to order. It’s that easy. And remember to like and subscribe to our channel so you can watch more videos on different Bible topics.

We here at Tomorrow’s World want to help you understand this world, through the pages of the Bible. Thank you for watching! See you next time.

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

“Welcome to the Millennium!”

Life After Christ Returns

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is the loudly declared hope of many people all over the world!

Yet how many think of what the world will be like after His return? In fact, how many even understand that there will BE a world here on earth after His return?

Yet, the Bible gives many astonishing details concerning just what that future world under Jesus Christ will be like!

And in today’s world of sin, concern, and despair, understanding what tomorrow’s world will bring is a beautiful source of hope, confidence, and inspiration. Join us here on Tomorrow’s World as we open the Bible to look into tomorrow’s world—a time when Christ will be able to finally say, “Welcome to the Millennium!” Stay tuned!

The Saints Will Rule With Christ for 1,000 Years

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

The name of our program and our magazine is “Tomorrow’s World” because Jesus Christ has commissioned us to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and His promise to bring a NEW world under His rulership—doing away with the sins and corruptions of today’s world and replacing them with the glorious, hope-filled wonders of tomorrow’s world.

That message does include warnings concerning the world today and concerning what Christ says must take place between now and then. But it also includes many details about tomorrow’s world and the joys that await mankind when that world arrives.

Today we are going to discuss a relative handful of those details, and we pray they will fill you with hope for the future and a yearning desire to be a LIVING PART of that world to come—and possibly a desire to be a part of proclaiming that message today.

Now at the beginning of the biblical book of Acts, the inspired author, Luke, tells us of the last moment Jesus’ disciples saw Him on earth, after He had spent 40 days after His resurrection teaching them about the coming Kingdom of God.

It says that He then rose out of their sight and disappeared into the clouds, at which point two angels told them that He would be returning to this earth from heaven in the exact same fashion.

And since then, the Church He founded and those who have believed His message of the Kingdom of God have longed to see that day! But what will happen after He returns? After the Second Coming of Jesus Christ… what happens next?

As we will see shortly, the Bible describes the time following Jesus’ return as a 1,000-year period in which the world is transformed. Because it lasts for 1,000 years, we often call this period “The Millennium.” And while many may wonder about the details of that time, God’s word, in fact, provides copius details!

Prophecies and descriptions about people and life during that time that are all there waiting to be read by those who have eyes to see and a heart to believe.

On the rest of today’s program, we are going to discuss seven facts about life in the Millennium. And it’s our hope that this small preview will help you to imagine yourself there—and stir your desire to be a part of helping Jesus Christ build that world.

The first fact we’ll discuss about the Millennium is that the world will be ruled by [1] A DIVINE WORLD GOVERNMENT.

While few associate Jesus Christ with literal world government in the future, in reality Jesus’ Gospel is very much about government!

Let’s turn to Isaiah 9:6. Now while this passage is familiar to many, how many truly take it seriously?

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this (vv. 6–7).

Jesus Christ is KING OF KINGS, and He is coming back to literally rule the world! The Bible describes the return of Jesus Christ and the resurrection of His saints at the end of this age in Revelation 11:15,

Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

And this is crucial: He will not rule alone! Revelation chapter 20 speaks of those who have struggled to overcome sin in this age who will rule alongside Jesus Christ in that age! In verse 4, the Apostle John says that in his vision of that time He saw thrones and that those who followed Christ in this age, now resurrected and transformed, were given judgment and authority. Verse 6 says,

Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Now note: There’s that mention of a thousand years. And note, too, this is NOT a metaphor! When asked directly by Peter what he and the rest of the twelve disciples would receive for leaving everything behind and following Him, Jesus Christ told him directly:

Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28).

As many places in the Bible teach, in tomorrow’s world those who have followed Christ today will have, under Christ, power and authority over the nations as kings and priests with Him.

Jesus explains that those who have loved Him and obeyed Him in this life will be resurrected as full Children of God in power and majesty, just as He is right now! Those who OVERCOME with Christ in THIS age will RULE with Christ in THAT age—as glorified SONS OF THE ALMIGHTY, helping to transform this world with God’s laws of love, mercy, and righteousness!

With Satan Bound for a Thousand Years, God’s Law Will Be Taught in the Millennium

Yet a key task awaits Jesus Christ before His rulership of the world begins in earnest. Before the NEW ruler of this world can begin His transforming work, the OLD ruler of the world must be dealt with!

In today’s free offer, The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like?, author and evangelist Roderick C. Meredith explains:

“However, during this present age, Satan the devil is ‘broadcasting’ wrong attitudes and he influences people to take wrong actions continually. The Apostle Paul reminded the Christians of Ephesus that they had ‘once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience’ (Ephesians 2:2). So, Satan the devil is busy. He ‘works’ continually—turning mankind away from God and God’s true ways. He is the source of much of the suffering and evil—the wars, rapes, tortures, and various other abominations—occurring in today’s world” (p. 13).

How can tomorrow’s world become all God would have it to be while the great deceiver and corrupter of mankind, the Devil, is allowed to continue operating on the minds and hearts of mankind? It can’t!

This leads us to the second fact about life in the Millennium. Immediately after His return, Christ will oversee [2] THE BANISHMENT OF SATAN THE DEVIL.

In vision, the Apostle John saw this glorious event take place immediately upon Jesus’ return. He recorded what he saw in Revelation 20, beginning in verse 1.

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished” (vv. 1–3).

Yes, the great deceiver of mankind, the serpent of old whom the Bible calls “the ruler or god of this world” will be removed for 1,000 years, unable to influence humanity in his ways of competition, envy, strife, hatred, lust, and brutality.

Can you IMAGINE what will become possible on earth over the course of the next 1,000 years, with Jesus Christ, Himself, reigning and ruling in the affairs of men from Jerusalem, with His glorified brothers and sisters aiding Him in the Family of God, ruling the Kingdom of God, and with the influence of Satan the devil completely removed from this world? For those who have lived through the Great Tribulation and the calamities at the end of this age on into this glorious time—what sorts of things will they see? What sort of world will be created around them?

We begin to see the possibilities when we consider the next fact about life in the Millennium. With Satan banished, the world will see [3] GOD’S LAWS AND WAY OF LIFE TAUGHT TO ALL HUMANITY for 1,000 years.

That teaching will begin in Jerusalem. We see this in many places in Scripture, including here in Isaiah 2 and verse 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.

With the clouds of the devil’s deceptions gone, and seeing the fruit of the way of life God offers, people will HUNGER for the laws and principles of righteousness that Jesus Christ and his glorified saints will be ready to teach!

Look at this moving description in Zechariah chapter 8, and imagine this being said in TODAY’S world, in which so many seem so antagonistic against the nation of Israel:

Thus says the LORD of hosts: “In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you’” (v. 23).

In today’s world? Not going to happen. But in tomorrow’s world during the Millennium? Every nation in the world will want the true, biblical laws of God.

And the glorified saints, themselves, will have a role in teaching those laws.

Chapter 30 of Isaiah gives us an intriguing peak into that world, where true Christians—now glorified like their Savior and empowered—help serve those in the Millennium seeking to live God’s ways. Beginning in verse 20:

And though the LORD gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, but your eyes shall see your teachers. Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left (vv. 20–21).

The servants of Christ will be working with people, teaching them—helping them understand God’s way and live it every day. As a result, Isaiah 11 and verse 9 says, “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.”

And where the law of God goes, and hearts are willing to keep it, beautiful things follow.

Is World Peace Possible? Jesus Christ Will Show the Way

With these NEW foundations in place in the Millennium, what sort of world will Christ build?

In TODAY’S world, the terrors and brutality of war have left many lame, crippled, and broken, and the degeneration of our bodies in this sinful world and our ignorance of God’s laws of health has brought illness, disease, and calamity to the human race. But Christ and His Glorified Family will bring an end to such suffering!

For instance, in the Millennium, there will finally be [4] GLOBAL PEACE FOR ALL NATIONS.

The great statue at the United Nations of a man beating his sword into a plowshare as described in Isaiah 2:4 will no longer be a symbol of man’s impotence at achieving real peace, because the King of Kings will make it so! Let’s read that passage, but let’s begin with what we read earlier in verse 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. 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.

This world will no longer ultimately be run by impotent, inept, and corrupt governments, incapable of producing the peace they preach—but it will be run by the Ever-Living One, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, who will enforce His laws in this world in a way no human can and with a wisdom no human has! And more than bringing an end to war, He shall teach peace! Our nations and peoples war because they do not know the way of peace—yet Luke 1:79 proclaims that Christ will give light to those who sit in darkness and will guide our feet into the way of peace!

In addition, the Millennium will see [5] AN END TO SICKNESS AND DISEASE.

Turn a few chapters over to the beautiful verses of Isaiah 35. We read there of this time to come,

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing (Isaiah 35:5–6).

Imagine a world with no more blindness, no more disease—no more suffering! Not only will divine and miraculous healing be available to the sick, but the very Designer of life and health will teach the LAWS of life and health to a world finally open to learning those laws.

But Scripture says that Jesus Christ will do more than heal people… He will heal the land and teach the peoples of the earth how to farm the land and care for the earth as only the Creator of that earth could know!

As a result, the Millennium will see [6] A RESTORED AND BEAUTIFUL PLANET for all to enjoy.

We read of the healing of the land in Isaiah 35, which we read from earlier:

The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose… For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. The parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water… (vv. 1, 6–7).

In such a restored and vibrant land, crops will be abundant, [and] food will be overflowing!

Amos 9:13 describes this wonderful aspect of that time in beautiful terms:

“Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “When the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who sows seed; the mountains shall drip with sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it.”

In a world where there is true peace, no more disease, and a restored and beautiful planet, want for food and lack of necessities shall become a thing of the past.

Over 1,000 years, they will become increasingly distant memories of a world long gone—replaced by new memories of a world the way God wants it to be… a world ruled and cared for by Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

And After the Millennium…?

So far, we’ve seen that the Millennium will feature A DIVINE WORLD GOVERNMENT, and it will begin with THE BANISHMENT OF SATAN THE DEVIL. During that time, GOD’S LAWS AND WAY OF LIFE WILL BE TAUGHT TO ALL HUMANITY. This will help bring GLOBAL PEACE FOR ALL NATIONS—as well as bringing AN END TO SICKNESS AND DISEASE and A RESTORED AND BEAUTIFIED PLANET.

And finally, Jesus Christ will bring THE RESTORATION OF BIBLICAL WORSHIP.

After all, the new leader of the world will not be merely a president, or prime minister—or even merely a human king. He will be the living Creator, and He will restore true faith in God and true, biblical worship practices to the whole earth. For instance, Isaiah 66:23 speaks of the Millennium and says that “‘from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before me,’ says the LORD.”

Similarly, Zechariah 14 and verse 16 clearly says “it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.”

Yes, mankind will no longer wander in ignorance, inventing his own religions and worship practices. In the Millennium the entire world will finally be turned to worship the true God of the Bible, and His glorious Son who will be reigning in Jerusalem!

Of course, the Millennium is not the end of God’s plan! There is more—much more—beyond the Millennium… And the Bible discusses details about that time, as well, from the Millennium, on into eternity!

But that discussion will have to be for another time, since our time is just about up.

But before we go, let me say that you don’t have to wait until the Millennium arrives to begin living according to the principles that will make it everything it is.

You can live according to those principles right now… and begin tasting tomorrow’s world today.

Tomorrow’s World has representatives all across the globe, ready to help you as you begin to act on the things you are learning on this program.

In fact, all over the world, members of the Living Church of God, the sponsor of this telecast, meet together on the seventh-day Sabbath every week to learn about the word of God together, to worship, to edify, encourage, and support each other, to fellowship with others of like mind, and to point one another to this remarkable world to come.

If there is anything that Tomorrow’s World or the Living Church of God can do to help you begin living the principles, laws, and way of life of the coming Millennium in your life today, we stand ready to help.

So, until next time, take care.

Thanks so much for watching our video today! We do work very hard here at Tomorrow’s World to put these videos together to help you make sense of your world through the pages of your Bible.

If you enjoyed this video and it was helpful to you, please click subscribe, and you might click on that bell so you’re notified when new videos come out, and if you want todays offer, by all means take a look at the description and you’ll find the link there. Thanks so much!

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

Have Men Just Become Obstacles?

Not long ago, I attended the college commencement exercises for my daughter. It was an exciting day for the students who had worked so hard to finish their studies. As I watched, it was gratifying to think about the hard work and determination it took for each of those graduates just to be there. One of the top students in the class gave the valedictorian address. He was a young man, probably in his early 30s, who had distinguished himself as an outstanding student. He told his story and gave a really remarkable speech. He spoke of challenges and obstacles—some very personal—that he had overcome. It was quite touching. He was there with his wife and his young daughter, and I couldn’t help but feel admiration for this man and what he was already making of his life.

Toward the end of his talk, he spoke of the women in his life—his mother, his daughter, his wife—and how important they were to him. But then his speech went down a perplexing path. He addressed the men in the audience and said, “Really the best thing we can do for the women in our lives, is just get out of the way.”

I thought to myself, Wow, what a shocking statement! Out of all the things that we could say to a generation of young men, that’s the best we can expect? At that moment, there were thousands of men in the audience. I thought of them. I asked myself, Is this going to inspire them to dream great dreams, to be builders of society, and to strive to serve and give of themselves to their families? When the best we expect of them is just “Get out of the way”?

I walked away shaking my head. Not because I’m against men learning to honor and respect and admire the women in their lives. No, quite the contrary. Rather, I thought, what a shame for the opportunity missed to show both men and women they can help each other. See, life is made up of relationships, the most important being marriage. And a marriage partnership between a man and a woman takes teamwork and sacrifice on both sides.

What is the best a man can do? How can he be successful in marriage and in life? The answer doesn’t come from the woke agenda of our modern world that believes masculinity is toxic. Rather, the answer lies in understanding a man’s real purpose. And that purpose is revealed in the Bible.

The modern, secular, radical agenda is not giving our young men and boys the true perspective they need.

Three Keys to the Potential of Men

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

Is the highest ideal we can expect from a man, just to “get out of the way” of women? Or were men and women designed to work TOGETHER to succeed? If you’ve been watching this program for any length of time, you know we hold the Bible to be the source of wisdom for life. It was inspired by God, and it gives us advice about how to make our relationships work.

God made men to be men. He made women to be women. He put us in marriages and in families. And not surprisingly, He has instructions for men on what we can do to make our relationships work. So, what’s the best a man can do to achieve his God-given potential? We’ll identify three things in today’s program.

#1: Love and honor your wife

Now, that’s simple, you might say. Everyone does that. If you’re married, you love your wife—otherwise why would you get married? But stop and think for a moment. Maybe we DON’T fully understand what it means to love and honor your wife, since so many marriages end in divorce.

Look at the statistics. In the United States, if you were married in the 1950s, 25 years later you have about a 25% chance of being divorced. If you were married in the 1970s, 25 years later you have almost a 50% chance of being divorced. That’s an American tragedy (“Marriages and Divorces,” OurWorldInData.org, 2020).

But it’s not just in the United States where so many marriages are failing. In England and Wales, a similar trend is occurring. In England and Wales, if you take all the marriages entered into in the year 2000, 17 years later, almost 35% of them had failed. This is not just an American problem, nor is it just in the British Isles.

A Psychology Today article written in 2019 reports, “Globally, in the nearly four decades between 1970 and 2008, the divorce rate has more than doubled…” (“Divorce Rates Around the World: A Love Story,” PsychologyToday.com, February 3, 2019).

The title of the article was “Divorce Rates Around the World: A Love Story.” I wouldn’t call that a love story. I’d call that a painful and heartrending disaster.

So, what is wrong with marriage today? Maybe we don’t know what “love your wife” really means. Now, of course, we can’t lay all the blame for divorces on men—both men and women have a part to play. But in the context of our topic today, shouldn’t we be looking at what men contribute to their side of the marriage, so they can be better at truly loving their wives?

Many have overlooked the fact that the Bible gives practical and direct advice to men about love and marriage, so notice what the Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 5:28:

“So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it…” (Ephesians 5:28–29).

So, think about this, men. Do you take care of yourself? Do you look after your health, your well-being, your needs? Of course you do. We all do. Paul is saying, if you’re married, treat your wife like you would treat yourself. Talk with her. Be aware of her needs. Be patient and thoughtful even when she’s down or upset. That’s what love is. It’s not just a passing feeling or romantic notion. It’s a commitment to care for another human being as you’d care for yourself in good times or bad.

Now, think about it. Would men AND WOMEN be happier if real LOVE was emphasized in our culture? I think the answer is obvious. The Apostle Peter echoed the same instruction to men in 1 Peter 3:7:

“Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7).

The Bible tells men to honor women. Not to demean them. Not to put them down. Not to insult them or abuse them. But to honor them.

Now, some will take issue with Paul for saying women are the weaker vessel. But it’s really not hard to understand. In fact, in the article, “What Science Tells Us About Transgender Women Athletes,” the authors put it succinctly: “Men are, on average, bigger, faster, stronger and have greater endurance than women…” (Quoted from “Experts Cite Data and Research For Why Transgender Participation Should Be Outlawed in Female Sports,” Swimming World Magazine, May 12, 2022).

There are exceptions of course. But by and large, this is true. So why did God create men to be bigger and stronger? To dominate women? To crush them physically or emotionally? No. Rather, it was God’s intention that a man learns to care for, nourish, and protect the woman he’s committed himself to.

There was a time in naval history when the unwritten rule was, if a ship went down, the women and children would get the lifeboats first. This code of conduct was popularized in 1852 at the sinking and evacuation of the Royal Navy ship HMS Birkenhead. It was thereafter called the “Birkenhead drill” because of the ship captain’s insistence that the men give up their lives for the protection of the women and children that were on that ship. The same standard was applied at the sinking of the Titanic. Many men gave up their spot on lifeboats to their wives and children. And they themselves died in the icy waters of the north Atlantic. One has to wonder, have we come to the point in our history where men today would feel no sense of responsibility to protect women in an emergency such as that? Is that who we are?

Men were designed to stand up for and cherish and protect their wives to their last breath.

A Godly Standard for Male Behavior

Husbands and wives are to work as a team, not as competitors. And men need to be inspired and challenged to care for and care about their wives. Loving and honoring wives is vital. But that’s not all there is. In this segment we’ll examine a second challenge for men to be their best.

About 3,000 years ago there lived a very wise king. In fact, his reputation spread far and wide. We have many of his teachings preserved in the Bible. His name was Solomon. And from Solomon we get our second challenge to men:

#2: Fear God and keep His commandments

What does this have to do with a man’s relationship with his wife? Let me explain. This phrase is actually taken straight out of the Bible. Let’s read it together. It’s found in Ecclesiastes 12:13:

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

When Solomon summed up the purpose of life, the meaning of life, and why we’re here. This is what he said. Fear God. Keep His Commandments. This is man’s all. Now, we understand “man” here to be “mankind,” or “humanity.” But let’s step back and apply this scripture to the half of humanity that are called men. What if every last man on this earth would be doing this today? How would it change the world? How would it change the world for women?

Well, first of all, if all men feared God, there would be no crime. There would be no domestic abuse. There would be no fear for women walking down a dark, abandoned alley late at night.

Now, what does “fear God” mean? God doesn’t want us to be frightened or terrified of Him. It just means He wants our attention, our focus, and our obedience. He wants us to deeply respect Him and hold Him in awe. Why is that? Because He’s in Heaven and we’re on earth. He made us, He controls everything around us. And He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows what we need to do that will really make us happy in the long run.

What about the commandments? They simply are the Ten Commandments, as found in the book of Exodus, in the Old Testament. You know, the Ten Commandments often get a bad rap today. They’re seen as harsh, demanding dictates from an unloving and uncaring God. But have you ever actually looked at them to see what they say? Many of them actually teach us how to love our neighbor. Let’s look at the command against adultery. This is found in Exodus 20:14:

“You shall not commit adultery.”

What’s adultery? That’s an old word that means having sexual relations with someone who is not your wife. Now, how out of fashion is that? And yet, imagine all of the broken marriages torn apart because of infidelity. Certainly, infidelity can be the cause of actions of either the husband or the wife. But let’s focus on the men right now. What if men, from little on, were taught to be faithful to their wives, till death? That sex is a precious gift that only belongs in a lifelong, committed marriage relationship.

Do we see how keeping this and other of the Ten Commandments would make the world a safer and more secure world for women? Women don’t need men to get out of the way. Women need men to fear God and keep His commandments. That would make a radical and monumental change for the better.

But we can take this one step further. Because Jesus explained in Matthew 5:27 that there is physical adultery, and then there is adultery of the heart;

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27–28).

Pornography is a curse in our Western nations. It’s not just a curse for men—women get hooked, too. In fact, according to a 2016 working paper by researchers for the University of Oklahoma,

“Men who started watching pornography partway through a 2-year period doubled their chances of divorce. For women, that number tripled” (“Divorce rates double when people start watching porn,” Science.org, August 26, 2016).

At a 2002 meeting of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, attorneys gathered were surveyed about the effects of porn on divorce. What were the results of the survey?

“‘An obsessive interest in Internet pornography’ was a significant factor in 56 percent of their divorce cases the prior year” (Opinion: “National Review: Getting Serious On Pornography,” NPR.org, March 31, 2010).

So, stop and think this through. What if men were taught, from a young age, that it’s not only wrong to commit fornication and adultery, but it’s wrong to even harbor lustful thoughts toward a woman? What if our culture would support parents’ efforts to protect their children from inappropriate images in the media, in movies, and on the Internet? What a different world this would be.

If you are a man and watching this now, think about your life. Think about your relationships. If you have a porn problem, get help. Get past it. Overcome it. Porn is sin. And sin destroys trust. Sin tears apart marriages. Yes, God can forgive, and He WILL forgive, if we repent. But we first must admit we’ve sinned and must have a DEEP desire to overcome it with God’s help.

Jesus Christ—The Ultimate Male Role Model

A few years ago, a well-known men’s skin-care products company set off a firestorm by a commercial they ran. The commercial not-so-subtly suggested that we should accept the progressive media view that men in general are toxic bullies and need to improve. The slogan of the commercial was, “The Best Men Can Be.”

We’ve already seen that God intended for men to care for their wives, to cherish them and protect them. So, yes, men should not be bullies. But the commercial didn’t tell the whole story. It didn’t finish the narrative of what men should attain to.

How can a man be “the best that he can be?” Let’s talk about that now.

#3: Become like Jesus Christ

Almost 2,000 years ago, there was a man who walked this earth, whose name was Jesus Christ. Many in our secular, humanistic culture of today don’t want to hear about Him, but He was the ultimate man. He was the standard. In fact, He was God in the flesh. He had been at the throne of the Father for all eternity past, and He emptied Himself of His divine privileges.* We read of that in Philippians 2:6. Referring to Jesus Christ, Paul writes,

“… who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6–8, English Standard Version).

He had been at the throne of God, with the Father. He gave that up for us. To become flesh and blood. To walk with us. He humbled Himself.

But He wasn’t a weakling. There is a common misconception of Jesus Christ as being a sort of effeminate individual who was soft and weak. Perhaps it’s because many pictures portray Him that way. But think about it. He was a carpenter. He was a builder. And back then there were no power tools. His hands were strong and used to work.

Again, it doesn’t mean He was weak because He cared for the interests of others. In fact, here’s an example of the type of man He was, in Matthew 21:12,

“Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves” (Matthew 21:12).

Jesus Christ wasn’t a bully. But He also wasn’t afraid of taking strong action when it was required. The Temple was the house of God, and when He found crooks there taking advantage of and cheating the people, He stopped them, and threw them out. Notice what Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, in Ephesians 4:13,

“Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).

If you’re a man who cares about your family and your wife, commit to becoming like Christ. If you want to make a difference in your world and build something worthwhile, become like Christ. If you want to set a strong and solid example for others to follow, become like Christ.

He’s the standard. He is the measure. He set the pace. And that’s what this world needs more of. And that’s what women need. Men like Christ.

I think one of the most touching and powerful passages in the Bible is at the end of Christ’s life, when He’s hanging on the stake, and He speaks to John, the disciple He was closest to. Let’s read it together:

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home” (John 19:25–27).

Jesus loved the whole world. Every human being. That’s why He gave His life. That’s why He allowed men to kill Him. So you and I could have a way out of sin. But even as He was hanging there, in his last moments, He did not forget the woman who had bore Him and raised Him. He ensured His mother would be cared for, just before He died—the last act of a dynamic, powerful, caring man.

Don’t give in to the cynical view of today, the idea that the Bible puts down women and tells men to do so. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Bible holds men accountable for treating women well, and challenges them to do so, with God’s help.

God Made Men to Be Strong Leaders—For the Good of All

If you are a man, think about your life. Think about how you treat others. Think about how you interact with women, especially your wife. Are you living up to the standard of Jesus Christ? If you have young boys, it’s your responsibility to teach them how to be a real man. Not just a macho reflection of a movie hero, but a real man. Like Jesus Christ. To honor and respect women. Not just to “get out of their way.”

What if you’re a woman? What about the men in your life? If you have a husband, respect him. Value him. Appreciate what he does for you. Tell him you are thankful for how he sacrifices for you. And raise your boys to be valiant and faithful men themselves who respect women and value their own masculinity.

We are living in difficult times. But God is looking for men—and women—who can rise to the challenge.

In 2 Chronicles 16:9 we read this:

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Men, it’s not enough just to get out of the way. For the sake of the women in our lives, we must become what God wants us to be.

If you found this video helpful and want to learn more, be sure to order your free copy of our study guide, God’s Plan for Happy Marriage. Just click the link in the description to order, it’s that easy. And remember to like and subscribe to our channel so you can watch more videos on biblical topics.

Thanks for watching. See you next time!

* Editor’s Note: The telecast originally said “emptied Himself of His divinity,” which was a mistake on our part. Rather, Jesus emptied Himself of His divine power and prerogatives when He became flesh, as we have long taught and published and as explained here. We apologize for the error.

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

You Can Understand Bible Prophecy

Many professing Christians consider Bible prophecy a curious subject and in no way associated with the gospel of salvation. But is that true? When you read in your Bible the very words of Jesus Christ, you find a totally different approach to salvation and a more glorious future and eternity than traditional preachers tell you. What gospel or “good news” did Jesus preach? Mark 1:14,

“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel 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).

My friends, the coming Kingdom of God that Jesus preached is yet future. It is the foundation of Bible prophecy! You need to understand the plain and powerful prophecies of your Bible!

Key 1: The Bible Explains Its Own Prophetic Symbols

Bible prophecy reveals the future of the world, and frankly, the future of the universe. Your Bible has proven the power of prophecy. I hope you’ve been able to see our telecast, “Amazing Prophecies Fulfilled!” From Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a statue in the Old Testament book of Daniel to John’s New Testament visions in the book of Revelation, your Bible reveals major end-time events, with mysterious prophetic symbols such as the Beast of Revelation 13 with seven heads and ten horns rising up out of the sea; and the harlot woman of Revelation 17 sitting on a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns. How can you understand the meaning of these symbols?

On today’s program, we’ll discuss seven keys to understanding Bible prophecy.

My friends, these seven keys to understanding prophecy will help you understand the most amazing future and events that relatively few people on earth even come close to understanding.

Key Number One to understanding prophecy is: The Bible interprets its own symbols.

As we saw earlier in the program, the book of Revelation contains symbolic language. If you have your Bible, turn to the book of Revelation, or “Apocalypse.” Revelation the first chapter gives a description of the glorified Messiah, the Son of Man standing in the midst of seven lampstands. And verse 16 of the same chapter describes Him as holding seven stars. What do these stars and lampstands symbolize? You don’t need to guess! I don’t need to guess. The Bible itself tells us the meaning, Revelation 1:16,

“He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.”

Verse 20 gives us the answer,

“The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the ANGELS of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the SEVEN CHURCHES.”

In Bible symbolism, stars are angels—and lampstands are churches. The writer of the book of Revelation, or the Apocalypse, continues in the next two chapters writing God’s message and admonition to the seven churches in Asia Minor—or modern-day Turkey. Of course, the Apostle John was writing this book near the end of the 1st century AD.

Let’s look at a couple of other biblical symbols. Prophetic literature uses the word mountain as a symbol of a kingdom, empire, or government. Turn in your Bible to Jeremiah 51:24. Your Bible probably has a heading to chapter 51 such as “God’s judgment (or vengeance) upon Babylon.” God is declaring his punishment on the great empire of Babylon. Jeremiah 51:24,

“‘And I will repay Babylon and all the inhabitants of Chaldea for all the evil they have done in Zion in your sight,’ says the LORD. ‘Behold, I am against you, O DESTROYING MOUNTAIN, who destroys all the earth,’ says the LORD. ‘And I will stretch out My hand against you, roll you down from the rocks, and make you a burnt MOUNTAIN.’” (Jeremiah 51:24–25)

Yes, God will judge rebellious nations, symbolized here as mountains. What mountain or kingdom will rule the whole earth? As so many prophecies explain, that Kingdom will be the Kingdom of God ruled by the King of kings, the Savior, Jesus Christ! Bible students are familiar with the prophecy in Isaiah 2. 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. 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 2:2–4).

A mountain in Bible prophecy can symbolize a Kingdom, empire, or nation. Here we see the good news of God’s Kingdom which will establish world peace! We’ve explored a couple examples of symbolism: stars are symbolic of angels; a mountain can be symbolic of a kingdom or government. So key number one to understand Bible prophecy is: The Bible Interprets Its Own Symbols.

Key #2: Fulfilled Bible Prophecy

The second key to understanding biblical prophecy is the proof of fulfilled prophecy.

Dozens of Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled in the New Testament in the person of Jesus Christ. Another example of fulfilled prophecy, and there are many, is the dream God gave ancient king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Turn to the Book of Daniel, chapter two. Here the prophet Daniel tells the king his dream. Nebuchadnezzar’s famous image reveals four world-ruling empires. King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled him. Daniel was called before the king, and proceeded to describe the great image in the king’s dream. Daniel 2:31,

“You, O king, were watching; and behold, a great image! This great image, whose splendor was excellent, stood before you; and its form was awesome. This image's head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces” (Daniel 2:31–34).

Daniel told King Nebuchadnezzar that he was the head of gold represented in the image. Daniel said in verse 38, “YOU are this head of gold” (Daniel 2:38). History confirms Daniel’s prophecy of the subsequent empires symbolized by the statue. What world ruling empires followed after Nebuchadnezzar?

The head of gold represented the Babylonian Empire from 625–539 BC.

It was replaced by the Medo-Persian Empire from 558–330 BC, represented by the chest and arms of silver.

The belly and thighs of bronze represented the Greco-Macedonian Empire of Alexander the Great from 333–31 BC.

The legs of iron represented the Roman Empire, from 31 BC to 476 AD.

And finally, the ten toes on two feet of iron mixed with ceramic clay represent a future revival of the Roman Empire.

The prophecies of Daniel are genuine! The predictions of these four empires did come to pass!

Key number 2 was: Consider the Proof of Fulfilled Prophecy.

Key #3: Time Gaps in Bible Prophecy

Key number 3 for understanding Bible prophecy is: Understand prophetic time gaps.

Let’s look at Luke 4:16. Jesus was visiting [His] hometown of Nazareth and was invited to read from the scriptures on the Sabbath. He was given the scroll of Isaiah. Luke 4:16,

“So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. [LUKE 4:17] And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.’ [Now notice this] Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, ‘Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing’” (Luke 4:16–21).

Yes, the Messiah had come to preach the gospel to the poor, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD. Jesus told them that this very prophecy of Isaiah was now being fulfilled through Him. But was that ALL of the prophecy? Turn back to the prophecy Jesus read. Notice the two mission statements here. ISAIAH 61:2, “To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God.” Jesus closed the book He was reading, right in the middle of a verse. He omitted the second part of the verse referring to the day of vengeance. Why? Because the remainder of Isaiah’s prophecy applies to Jesus’ SECOND COMING—when the Day of the Lord, the day of God’s vengeance and wrath takes place. There is a TIME GAP of about 2,000 years between the fulfillment of the first part of the verse and the second part of the verse.

Key number 3 for understanding Bible prophecy was to Understand Prophetic Time Gaps.

Key #4: Recognize Dual Fulfillment in Bible Prophecy

Key number 4 for understanding Bible prophecy is to recognize prophetic duality. Turn in your Bible to 1 Corinthians 15:45 for example.

“And so it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being.’ The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” Who was the last Adam? Verse 47 gives us the answer, “The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven” (1 Corinthians 15:47).

Yes, the second Adam was Jesus Christ.

Jesus’ Olivet prophecy in Matthew 24 is also an example of duality. Some of the terrible conditions Jesus described did take place when Jerusalem was destroyed. But that was just a type or forerunner of the final climactic fulfillment. Jesus warned us in Matthew 24:21,

“For then 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.”

Yes, prophecy is dual—and we ought to learn the lessons of history. The destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman armies in 70 AD was just a type of the great tribulation that lies yet ahead. Key number 4 for understanding Bible prophecy is to Recognize Prophetic Duality.

Where is the United States mentioned in the Bible? Or under what names can we locate it? Where can we find Great Britain in the Bible? Obviously, the modern names do not appear, but the ancestors of those nations ARE prominently named in the Bible.

Key #5: Recognize Who Modern Nations Are Called in Bible Prophecy

We call the next key, the “Master Key” to understanding prophecy. Key number 5 for understanding Bible prophecy is to know the biblical origin of nations. My friends, can you find the United States, Canada, Great Britain and the other English-speaking nations in Bible prophecy? If you can, you will understand major parts of vital prophecies that very few today can even begin to comprehend. The Bible mentions by name such nations as Egypt, Libya, and Ethiopia. And it may surprise you that Assyria will eventually be one of the prominent nations in tomorrow’s world along with Egypt and Israel. You can read about that in Isaiah 19:23. Also read the tenth and eleventh chapters of Isaiah. But who is modern Assyria? In our Tomorrow’s World magazine, we previously published a full article on this subject entitled, “A Fourth Reich?” Here is what Dr. Douglas Winnail wrote in the article, page 17:

“While most historians are reluctant, or fail, to make any connection between the disappearance of the Assyrians and the appearance of the Germanic tribes, the fact remains that no other nation’s history and national character resembles Germany more than does that of Assyria.”

The simple knowledge of the origin of nations in the Bible gives us a clearer understanding of Bible prophecy. One final quote from the article, on page 30, quote:

“When the Bible speaks of Assyria in the end-times, it is speaking of Germany.”

Key number 5 for understanding Bible prophecy is: Know the Biblical Origin of Nations.

Key #6: Understand the Purpose of Bible Prophecy

Key number 6 for understanding Bible prophecy is: Understand the purposes for Bible prophecy.

My friends, Bible prophecy can sustain hope and inspire confidence. As we saw in Isaiah chapter two, Scripture prophesies a peaceful and prosperous world under the future Kingdom of God on earth. But Bible prophecy also warns people and nations to repent, so they can avoid punishment. John the Baptist was baptizing massive crowds of people who were moved by his preaching. The Gospel writer Matthew describes what happened. Matthew 3:1,

“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!’” (Matthew 3:1–2).

Later, Jesus Christ preached the same message. You can read that in Mark 1:14–15. And what was the response to John’s preaching? Verse 5,

“Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins” (Matthew 3:5–6).

We all need to listen to Bible prophecy and the warning of judgment upon those who do not repent. Matthew continues, verse 7: “But when he [John] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, ‘Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:7–8).

Another purpose of prophecy is to give opportunity to those in future captivity to repent and come under God’s deliverance as God promises in Deuteronomy 4:27–31. My friends, are you preparing for the Second Coming of Christ? Understanding Bible prophecy and facing reality, will help you prepare! On the day of Pentecost, in 31 AD, the Apostle Peter exhorted the thousands in his audience to repent and be baptized. You can read that in Acts 2:38. Peter motivated the crowd to change their lives. He said in Acts 2:40,

“‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’ Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them” (Acts 2:40–41).

My friends, if you have studied biblical baptism, and if you have come to the place in your life where you have repented and have accepted Christ’s sacrifice and His authority over your life, we invite you to counsel with one of our ministers.

Key number 6 for understanding Bible prophecy is: Understand the Purposes for Bible Prophecy. Bible prophecy demonstrates the awesome sovereignty of God as it tells us in Isaiah 46:9–10.

Key #7: Learn the Order of Events in Bible Prophecy

Bible prophecy reveals the future and the good news of God’s coming Kingdom. It also warns of dangers to come so that we can take action and seek God’s protection. You need to understand what lies ahead. Key number seven to understanding Bible prophecy is: Learn God’s prophetic framework.

Some wrongly believe that Jesus Christ will return after the prophesied Millennium. But your Bible shows clearly that Christ will return to set up a literal kingdom here on earth for a literal period of one thousand years. The book of Revelation describes a period of three and one half years leading up to the return of Christ. The first five seals of Revelation, outlined in chapter six, cover a period of two and a half years of the Great Tribulation Jesus spoke about in Matthew 24. The Sixth seal is the heavenly signs. The whole world will be put on notice when this event occurs. Let’s read that in Revelation 6:12,

“I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, [listen to this] and every mountain and island was moved out of its place” (Revelation 6:12–14).

The whole world will be shocked and terrorized. The world will then realize that the time of God’s judgment has come! Revelation 6:15,

“And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?’” (Revelation 6:15–17).

What follows the Heavenly Signs? The Heavenly signs introduce the one-year prophetic time period known as the Day of the Lord. The famous Day of the Lord is mentioned in some 30 prophecies in your Bible. This is the year of God’s punishment on the nations. And it culminates with the well-known announcement of Christ’s return and the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. That’s the exciting good news of prophecy! Revelation 11:15,

“Then the seventh angel sounded: and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’”

As you can see, the Bible gives us an overall framework for prophecy. Key number 7 for understanding Bible prophecy is to Learn God’s Prophetic Framework.

Bible Prophecy Reveals God’s Plan

My friends, Bible prophecy is God’s revelation to human beings about His plan for all humanity. You can begin to truly understand biblical prophecy, if you choose to seek God wholeheartedly. The Bible clearly outlines the judgment that will be upon the Western nations if we persist in our immoral, anti-God lifestyles. But YOU can escape that judgment, if you turn to God and obey Him.

Thank you for watching!

My friends, you can understand much more about end-time prophecy when you understand who the modern descendants of ancient biblical nations are. So click the link in the description to order a free copy of our booklet The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy. It will give you the master key to identify major nations in Bible prophecy.

And remember to subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss another Tomorrow’s World video.

See you next time!

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

Introduction: A God-Fearing Society No More?

Western culture is changing radically and rapidly. Collective belief in the God of the Bible is clearly waning, as shown in numerous surveys.

Don Feder, in a March 29, 2022 Washington Times opinion piece, wrote:

The study by the prestigious American Enterprise Institute—[titled] “Generation Z and the future of faith in America” (released on March 24)—shows a steady erosion of religious affiliation and the corresponding rise of atheism and agnosticism (“The fatal fall of religion in America will affect everything,” The Washington Times, March 29, 2022).

Some may question whether this trend is harmful to our modern nations, but Feder warned:

[This] just-published survey of the decline of religion in America should set off alarm bells in our heads. The growth of secularism is one more cause for anxiety about the future of our republic.

What happens when nations forget God? There have always been what we call “natural disasters,” but it seems that in the last few years we have experienced more than normal. The western United States has been in what is called “exceptional drought” for several years. The town of Lytton, British Columbia in Canada saw an unbelievably high temperature of 49.6 Celsius—that’s 121.3 degrees Fahrenheit—in June 2021, and that’s in Canada. And Australia has suffered through alternating droughts and floods for several years. Is this all a matter of coincidence? Or is there more to it? Is God perhaps trying to get our attention?

Acts of God: Why Natural Disasters? brings clarity to this question, and it can be yours free of charge.

The decline of Christianity in the United States, Britain, Canada, Australia, Europe, and elsewhere should, as Feder warned, set off alarm bells and I’ll show you why, so stay with me.

The Rise of the Irreligious—and the Fall of Everything Else

A warm welcome to all of you from Tomorrow’s World, where today I’m discussing what happens when nations forget God. That our Western nations have become less religious, and more secular is without doubt. As Don Feder pointed out in the Washington Times:

Generation Z (those born between 1997 to 2012) is the least religious in our history….

And it’s not only the United States. The United Kingdom has been on a long slide away from God for decades. A Religious Media Center online briefing discussed the early findings of the 2021 Census:

In the UK, the panellists expected that the results of the 2021 Census, which are due to be published in the spring, would show “significant changes” (“Religion in 2022: What can we expect?” ReligionMediaCentre.org.uk, January 5, 2022).

Those significant changes include a decline in religious interest, but panelists pointed out that the decline is not even across the board. According to Bishop Mike Royal:

In many communities, he said, religion was more important than ever. Sixty per cent of people in church in London, on any given Sunday, were black. There was a “huge explosion” of black-majority black-led churches and the Nigerian-led Redeemed Christian Church of God was the fastest growing denomination in the UK.

According to this same source, the census is expected to show the following changes over the last decade.

In 2011, the census showed 59 per cent said they were Christian, 25 per cent no religion and 5 per cent Muslim.

But in 2021,

It is widely expected that the number identifying as Christian may dip below 50 per cent and the number ticking the non-religion box will rise.

Overall, whether the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, Canada, or the United States, secularism is on the rise and religion, especially organized “Christian” religion, is in decline.

Some think this is a good thing, and the idea is not new.

Remember “Imagine,” the popular John Lennon song which is now over more than 50 years old? Lists vary, but according to RateYourMusic.com, “Imagine” was the number one song of the 20^th century.

Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Well, we hardly have to imagine anymore as each generation seems to outdo the last when it comes to casting off belief in God, and living only for today.

Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

John Lennon and Yoko Ono, “Imagine,” Track #1 on Imagine, Apple Records, 1971.

Again, it’s not hard to imagine, because this is becoming more the normal, except for the part about “living life in peace.”

There is more sentimental foolishness in John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “Imagine,” but I think we get the point.

While dreamers imagine no religion, the ultimate target of many is the God of the Bible—no God, no afterlife, no hope beyond the grave—just live for today and somehow that will bring peace and happiness to all.

And don’t you just love that line in the song about “imagine no possessions” coming from one whose net worth, according to CelebrityNetWorth.com, was estimated to be 200 million dollars at the time of his death in 1980. And apparently, Yoko Ono, whose net worth exceeds 700 million, co-wrote Imagine. Neither were hardly “without possessions”!

While others dream about a world without God, thinking individuals might well ask, “Is our world getting better or worse as we cast aside our Creator?” The answer is all around us. Crime is skyrocketing in major cities, freedoms are being infringed upon, there is a major war in continental Europe—one that some fear could once again engulf the continent and the world. China and the West are increasingly at odds, Iran is working on a nuclear weapon. Governments are falling.

Economies are in shambles. Inflation, broken supply chains, empty store shelves, and electrical blackouts are becoming a way of life in some parts of the world. Do you feel safer and more prosperous today than you did five years ago?

We’ll look at the answer to that question in a moment, but first I want to tell you about a resource that can be yours free for the asking—Acts of God: Why Natural Disasters? Much of the western United States has suffered multiple years of exceptional drought, Europe saw record high temperatures this past summer, and parts of America and Australia have suffered record breaking floods. Is this the result of manmade climate change? Or is there something else at work?

Disastrous Consequences for Marriages and Families

Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament of the Bible, is an interesting study in self-deception. When confronted about their behaviors, the people responded cynically. For example, He charged them with despising His name.

And their response?

“In what way have we despised Your name?” (Malachi 1:6).

God’s answer is direct. They were not showing Him proper honor and respect—kind of like today where people go to church services “just as they are.” Even in dress, they show less respect for God than they do in the presence of human dignitaries and celebrities.

Just as in Malachi’s day, people today worship God half-heartedly.

God also indicted them for covering His altar with tears and sorrow, but they responded,

For what reason? (Malachi 2:14).

God’s answer?

Because the Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously…. For the Lord God of Israel says that He hates divorce (Malachi 2:14, 16).

God commanded them to return to Him, but they responded…

In what way shall we return? (Malachi 3:7).

His answer was in a simple question and an explanation:

Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, “In what way have we robbed You?” In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation (Malachi 3:8–9).

Tragically, our Western so-called Christian nations are no different.

Rather than “man up” for forgetting our Creator, we reject His existence. Even those who profess to know Him have ready excuses why they don’t need to obey Him. As it was in Jesus’ day, so it is today.

But why do you call Me “Lord, Lord,” and do not do the things which I say? (Luke 6:46).

Let’s forget the excuses and take a hard look at our Western nations.

We can start with the indictment God gave through Malachi—treachery against one’s married partner. The state of marriage today is disgraceful.

Whether it’s the United States, Canada, the U.K., or other British descended nations, the overall picture of marriage is one of betrayal.

According to Finances Online, the three leading causes of divorce in the United States are:

Lack of commitment 75%

Infidelity/extramarital affairs 59.6%

Too much conflict or arguing 57.5%

(“106 Divorce Statistics You Can’t Ignore: 2022 Divorce Rates and Impact on Children,” FinancesOnline.com).

According to usafacts.org, the following behaviors also play into the demise of marriages.

Almost 50% of couples with one alcoholic partner end up divorcing (McDowell, 2020).

Couples who have been living together prior to marriage face a 40% increase in the likelihood of divorce (GillespieShields, 2020).

and

56% of couples cited addiction to pornography as a contributor to divorce (Wilkinson & Finkbeiner, 2020).

What is the common denominator in all these causes for failure? The violation of God’s laws. And what’s the effect?

Pain, heartache, confused and hurting children.

The American and British descended peoples have come to prominence in the last two centuries, and there is far more to this story than most realize. But here’s the point. Consider where we were 150 years ago and where we are today. Our nations have come to enjoy unparalleled prosperity.

We once were nations that professed belief in God, the God of the Bible—not that we were ever truly righteous nations, but we at least had a consciousness of God. Whatever our relationship was before with Him, it has fallen dramatically. In this light, is not the warning God gave ancient Israel appropriate for the American and the British descended people?

When you have eaten and are full…. Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage (Deuteronomy 8:10–14).

Godlessness Leading to More Confusion and Immorality

America, Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand were once considered Christian nations; not that they ever truly followed the God of the Bible, but there was at least a token effort on the part of most, and there were, and still are, many very sincere people, even if deceived, who strive to live in harmony with God.

But our world has changed dramatically in the last several years. What a sad state of affairs when a nominee to the United States Supreme Court could not answer a simple question during her confirmation hearing. Here’s the short exchange between Senator [Marsha] Blackburn and Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. Blackburn asked:

Can you provide a definition for the word “woman”?

After a short back-and-forth, Jackson ultimately said: “No, I can’t.”

“You can’t?” Blackburn asked.

“Not in this context. I’m not a biologist,” Jackson said.

(“Judge Jackson declines to define ‘woman,’ says she’s ‘not a biologist,’” New York Post, March 23, 2022)

That, dear friends, is how far we have strayed from reality. Why? Many fail to realize that it is biblical values that are under attack. I must agree with the outspoken Piers Morgan who called Judge Jackson’s response, “ridiculous.” How can you have “women’s rights” when you cannot determine what is a woman? I’m personally at a loss for words to describe the insanity afflicting our nations. Women (whatever they are) must compete in sports against men (whatever they are) who think they are …well I think you get the point) and they use the same locker rooms.

Mothers take their toddlers to libraries where drag queens read stories to them. Man, woman, mother, father, husband, wife—all these terms are under attack. Universities and businesses require students and employees to refer to others by a list of preferred pronouns, the length of which is so long that only a memory expert could remember them all.

Cancel culture is reserved for any who refuse to enter a person’s delusions and fantasy world. The insensitive are sometimes required to go to the corporate gulags for sensitivity training. This is America, Canada, and Australia—countries whose citizens are increasingly rejecting the God who created them.

The degree to which biblical norms of male and female are being rejected is shocking, but this was predicted long ago. Jesus tells us in Luke 17, beginning in verse 26:

And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed (Luke 17:26–30).

The days of Noah are summed up in Genesis 6. Notice what it says in verse 5:

Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (Genesis 6:5).

We read in verse 11 the result of man’s wickedness;

… and the earth was filled with violence (Genesis 6:11).

The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were known for gross sexual immorality. God inspired the Apostle Paul to record for all time the consequences of man rejecting his Creator.

After explaining this rejection and the suppression of truth, he explains.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness (Romans 1:28–29).

Paul also warns [pf] those who

… approve of those who practice them [that is, these ungodly behaviors] (Romans 1:32).

These are the ones who cowardly go along with this foolishness.

Sadly, corporations and individuals are only too eager to “jump on the bandwagon,” but the consequences of forgetting our Creator will be catastrophic. Jesus warned that the world would come to the brink of universal destruction. Note it in Matthew 24:21–22:

For then 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.

We’ve read this passage many times on this program, but do we really get it? Do we understand what it is saying? Do we understand the consequences of our behaviors?

I’m going to take a short break to give you an opportunity to take down our contact information to order our free resource, Acts of God: Why Natural Disasters?, before giving you more specifics from the Bible of what is ahead because our nations are rejecting our Creator. Some of those consequences involve weather, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other natural disasters on a scale and frequency never known by man. All of this is recorded in the Bible for the end of the age.

The warnings have been there for anyone willing to open the Bible and read it.

Biblical Warnings for Our Time

When people no longer understand the difference between male and female, and when every intent of the thoughts of their hearts are only evil continually, disaster is on the way.

Life for those of us living today in Western nations is better physically than at any time in the history of man, but God gave this warning to ancient Israel when they would experience a similar time.

Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage (Deuteronomy 8:11–14).

He goes on to warn against thinking we have all these blessings because of our own doing.

[When] you say in your heart, “My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.” And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish (Deuteronomy 8:17–19).

God promised His people good weather, power against their enemies, the fruitful womb, and so much more if they would obey Him; but notice the flip side to this in Leviticus 26, beginning in verse 19:

I will break the pride of your power; I will make your heavens like iron and your earth like bronze. And your strength shall be spent in vain; for your land shall not yield its produce, nor shall the trees of the land yield their fruit (Leviticus 26:19–21).

Yes, among other consequences, natural disasters such as severe, exceptional drought would be the result. And as the prophet Amos explained in how God dealt with His people at an earlier time, rainfall would not be equal, just as we see some areas today suffering massive flooding while other areas have no rain.

I also withheld rain from you, when there were still three months to the harvest. I made it rain on one city, I withheld rain from another city. One part was rained upon, and where it did not rain the part withered (Amos 4:7).

God gives us a choice, and we will live by the consequences of our choices. Sadly, only after we suffer the results of our bad choices, will we turn to God. This is spelled out in Deuteronomy 4, but notice that it is not for ancient Israel alone, but for the nations God has blessed “in the latter days”—at the end of the age. Begin with verse 26:

I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that you will soon utterly perish from the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess; you will not prolong your days in it, but will be utterly destroyed…. But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the Lord your God and obey His voice… He will not [utterly] forsake you nor destroy you… (Deuteronomy 4:26, 29–31).

If you found this video helpful and want to learn more, be sure to get your free copy of our study guide Acts of God: Why Natural Disasters? Just click the link in the description to order. It’s that easy.

And remember to like and subscribe to our channel so you can watch more videos on different Bible topics. We here at Tomorrow’s World want to help you understand this world, through the pages of the Bible. Thanks for watching!

See you next time.