Global Troubles, Biblical Peace

The tragedy in Myanmar defies imagination. The cyclone’s wind and water have killed 22,000 by rough current estimates, and countless more are missing. Compounding the disaster was the leftist government’s inaction to alert citizens of the impending catastrophe and refusing merciful aid in post-storm days because of political paranoia. Starvation and ravaging disease wait closely in the wings to potentially decimate thousands of survivors.

There is always a tendency to over react prophetically and assign some natural disaster to a particular end-time fulfillment, but several recent developments make the serious Bible student wonder whether the weather is an ally of the onset of predicted global disorders.

Both the Lord Jesus and the apostles forecast tortured times for planet earth in the end times. End times began from the coming of Christ according to Hebrews 1:2, but the end of the end times must be now with global indicators apparent.

There is a modern restored Israel (Ezekiel 38), now celebrating it’s 60th anniversary, Europe is conjoined by currency, passports and manufacturing standards (Revelation 13 & 17) and the kings of the east are troubling the world (Rev. 16:12), to name a few.

Natural phenomena focus additional attention on prophecy. Christ spoke of ethnic strife, earthquakes, famines and disease in Matthew 24:7. Revelation predicts the greatest earthquake ever (Rev. 16:18). Evidently tsunamis and howling winds will impact coastal areas as Luke 21:25 says and Rev. 7:1 implies. Peter predicts earth’s end will be with a torrid heat and huge explosion (II Peter 3:10-12).

Presently, there are clusters of earthquakes in America’s midsection and off the coast of Oregon. A terrible cyclone has ravaged Myanmar. Southern Chile has suffered a violent volcanic eruption. Starvation and disease are constant collateral threats. AIDS ravages Africa, and a recent epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease has sickened 2,000 children in China and killed 28. Health officials warn we are running out of antibiotics to control news viruses. Global economies face wrenching fuel and food prices.

As their character of concern and compassion should always dictate, Christians will pray and seek effective solutions. Should things spin beyond human control through natural or manmade disasters, spiritual safe harbor presently and eternal deliverance eventually is always available in Christ who said, "In the world you will have tribulation (meaning pressure); but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

In a world of often-failed peace plans, I resort to a verse I discovered early in my Christian life. "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27).

To a world grown weary with tension and pressure, Christ still calls, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matt 11:28-30).

Dave Virkler