God is in full Control

By Innocent Mwangi

As we came to the close of 1999, there were many predictions that the world will cease to exist, as we knew it. Some went further and painted in our minds doomsday scenarios that had airplanes dropping from the sky and exploding on the defenseless planet earth where we are. Some people, taking nothing to chance, decided to take these doomsday projections seriously. Some stocked up foodstuffs to last them months just in case. There were rumors that others dug up underground abodes ostensibly to escape the imminent apocalypse.

The world, we were told, was to be plunged into total darkness and operational chaos as the computer-operated electricity systems ground to a deadly halt. To sum it all up, many believed that the world would cease to exist beyond year 2000.

Though all these doomsday predictions came unstuck, there are many signs that the end of the world is not very far off. The September 11 terrorist attacks on New York’s twin towers that used to seat the World Trade Center is a shocking reminder of just how fragile and insecure the world still is. The pounding of Afghanistan by American and British forces has given the world a sneak preview of the potential of the lethal weapons that man has come up with. The fact that there are vast biological and chemical weaponry that are believed to be in the hands of people who have no scruples or regard for human life, is shocking. I believe that given the chance, man will ultimately self-destruct. All it will take is a madman with nuclear arsenal to unleash such terror and destruction that no one will be alive – the madman included – to document it. Looking at the number of countries that possess nuclear arsenal, it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out a possible scenario.

And that’s not the end of the story. The simmering crisis in the Middle East is another powder keg that is fast approaching the explosion node. The blood-soaked streets of Jerusalem and the Gaza strip are a constant reminder that what happened in New York on September 11, 2001, is mere routine in the Middle East. News of suicide bombers in Israel have been so intermittent that most of us no longer bother to take in the details – after all it’s just another suicide bomber in the Middle East! Isn’t that part of their daily grind? we ask.

There are a number of lessons that we should learn from recent events. Below are some of the vital lessons we should not forget.

God is still in control

Most of us thought that the world would end on the midnight of 1999. We are still here and the world is still the same old world. If you have never seen a false prophet, look up the doomsday prophets that told us to prepare for the final annihilation of mankind – you would be looking straight into the face of one.

In a world that has put more trust in technology than in God, we have once more been reminded that God, not the computers, is in control. In our efforts to rationalize incidences and accidents, we tend to forget that God created everything (Gen 1:1). None other but God laid the very foundations of the earth. Only God knows the architecture of the earth. He is the one who created it and He is the only one who knows how to destroy it.

Man will not self-destruct

I’m making this statement in the full knowledge that a good number of readers will disagree. Developments in technology and weaponry have led many to believe that man will ultimately destroy himself. If the world and its fullness belongs to God, who gave man the right to destroy it? In our attempts to rationalize issues, we have concluded that the world will be destroyed by nuclear arsenal. I have said above that given the chance, man will ultimately destroy himself. However, I believe that God will not give man that chance. We think we know what it will take to crush the world but we don’t know even the half of it! Only God knows and only He will destroy the world. Prophet Jeremiah (51: 15) leaves no doubt as to who is in control of the earth when he says: ‘He has made the earth by his power; he has established the world by his wisdom, and has stretched out the heavens by his understanding’. David, despite his many victories over the enemies of Israel, was fully aware that the architect of both heaven and earth was none other but God himself (Psalms 102: 25). If God were to destroy the world by nuclear power, He would have said as much in the Bible. We should desist from making deductions based on our understanding but should, rather, take the Word of God as is without attempting to justify it based on what we know or think.

Many times I ask myself why we treat the Bible as a book of riddles. Every time we read a scripture or a verse, we immediately engage our mind in search for a hidden meaning. Must there always be implied meaning in every scripture we read? If God says He will send fire from heaven to destroy the world, must we equate this with proliferation of nuclear weaponry? I believe that if God says He will send fire from heaven, that is exactly what He will do. Isn’t He the same who said ‘let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay nay …’? (Matt. 5: 37)? He is not a God of the abstract. What He says He will do is what He exactly does.

I believe the Bible is the plainest book that was ever written. God knew that if His Word was made too abstract, it would have ended up confusing mankind. When the Old Testament prophets communicated God’s message to the Israelites, it was in the plainest words possible: ‘thus says the Lord..’. When Jesus spoke in parables, He made sure He explained their meaning as plainly as possible. Of course I’m not suggesting that the scriptures should not be explained, as this is crucial for people to understand them. What I’m against is the attempt by some overzealous expositors of the Word to dig for a hidden meaning even where there is none. The dangers of doing this cannot be overemphasized. John the revelator knows this all too well. In Revelation (22:18) Jesus sends out a stern warning to all those that may try – knowingly or unknowingly – to distort the Word of God.

Mankind may conjure up as many lethal weapons as he may deem fit. He may even possess the capability to destroy the world. That’s okay. However, only God will destroy the world for its corruptness and sin. The only consolation is that the saints, the righteous ones, will be spared (1 Cor 15: 51-52).

The end is near – very near!

I have this from an indisputable authority – Jesus. It is Him who said that when we start seeing brother rising against brother, nations against nations, wars and rumors of war, then we should know that the end is near (Mark 13: 7-13 ). The perpetual Middle East crisis, the ongoing war in Afghanistan, civil wars in Africa, famine and pestilences all over the world, the recent terrorist attacks in New York, and many more, are evidences of a world hurtling down to a gruesome end! Let us not seek for predictions from such sayers as Nostradamus. Do we know the hour or the time? No! No one knows, not even the angels (Mark 13: 32). But we know from indisputable authority that it will be soon – very soon. Better get your act together! Get on your knees and pray!

I Will Trust God – No Matter What!

There are many lessons that I have personally learnt from the events of the last couple of years. Most important I have learnt to trust God and His Word. It’s only Him who holds all the answers. All our efforts to explain eternity will fall pitifully short if they are outside the realm of God. The Bible says that the foundation of the Lord stands sure. In a world where everything is shaky and unpredictable, the Word of God still remains. Heaven and earth will surely pass away, but God’s Word will forever stand. With such a buttress to lean on, what can I fear? What can mortal man do to me? I have everything I need as long as I have Jesus on my side. The same goes to you if you are born again. You have a sure foundation. If you are not born again and you are reading this message, then it means you have a few moments. The next section is dedicated especially for you.

Salvation is now – tomorrow is judgment!

If there was ever an appropriate time to get saved, NOW is that time. A delay, even by a minute, to make this all-crucial decision could cost you eternity. The writing, as they say, is already on the wall. You have seen the signs of the end. You know you must be born again of the spirit of God. You know you will burn if you don’t bow and swallow your prejudices and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Eternity stands at the door of your heart. Won’t you open it? Can’t you hear the faint sound of trumpets as the angels embark on the final rehearsal? Where would you rather spend eternity – in hell or with Jesus? You don’t have to say a complicated prayer. Just yell out to God as one about to drown. You are desperately clutching on the last straw.

There is no time to think of what they will say – after all they are themselves drowning in their sins. It’s now or never! Just drop your inhibitions – none matters anyway – and yell: Lord Jesus, I’m a sinner, forgive me and save me NOW! If you have prayed this prayer, you are out of danger. Eternity with Jesus is guaranteed. Send me an email (ssm@ssmk.net) or a letter by mail to let me know so that I can assist you in any way I can. If you are still in the valley of decision, I can only pray for you. Pray that judgment day will find you on the right side of the valley.