When will God's Kingdom reign over the earth?
Some faithful followers of Jesus wanted to know when God's kingdom will come into power. However, Jesus did not give them an exact time (Acts 1:6, 7). However, he had given them clues earlier: He had spoken of certain events that would all occur together. (Luke 21:31) This would help his followers realize that "God's kingdom is near" and will soon reign over the earth.
WHAT EVENTS DID JESUS ANNOUNCE?
Jesus said: "One nation will rise against another and one country against another. There will be great earthquakes, and in one region after another, food shortages and epidemics" (Luke 21:10, 11). Similar to the lines of a fingerprint, these features together form a distinctive sign. They clearly mark the time when "God's kingdom is near. Did the events mentioned above occur together and can they be observed worldwide?
1. WARS
Jets, a tank and rockets.
In 1914 a war broke out such as never before in human history - the First World War. Historians therefore often describe the year 1914 as a turning point in history. For the first time, tanks, aerial bombs, machine guns, poison gas and other deadly weapons were used on a large scale. The Second World War followed shortly after, during which the first atomic bombs were used. Since 1914 there has always been war somewhere on earth. These wars have claimed millions of lives.
2. EARTHQUAKE
An earthquake causes buildings to collapse.
Every year, according to Britannica Academic, there are about 100 earthquakes large enough to cause devastating damage. The US Earthquake Surveyor USGS writes: "According to long-term records (since about 190, 16 major earthquakes are expected each year. Some scientists attribute the rising number of earthquakes to better detection technologies. However, the fact is that major earthquakes cause suffering and death worldwide on an unprecedented scale.
3. FOOD SHORTAGE
A graph shows a decline in grain production.
As a result of war, corruption, economic crises, mismanagement in agriculture or lack of preparation for extreme weather conditions, food shortages are occurring worldwide. According to a 2018 report by the World Food Programme, 821 million people worldwide are starving, 124 million of whom are threatened with starvation. Malnutrition contributes to the death of over 3 million children every year. In 2011, this was about 45 percent of all deaths among children worldwide.
4. DISEASES AND EPIDEMICS
Symbols for biochemical hazards and bacteria.
A publication of the World Health Organization (WHO) states: "The 21st century is already characterized by devastating epidemics. Old diseases like cholera, plague and yellow fever are on the rise again and new ones are appearing: SARS, pandemic influenza, MERS, Ebola and Zika". Although medicine has made enormous progress, it cannot cure many diseases.
5. A WORLDWIDE WORK OF PREACHING
Jesus pointed out another feature of the sign: "The good news of the kingdom will be made known throughout the inhabited earth as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14). In the midst of today's chaotic world, about 8 million people of various origins proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God. They preach in 240 countries and territories in over 1,000 languages. This is unique in the history of mankind.
WHAT DOES THE SIGN MEAN FOR US?
The characteristics that form the sign can be observed today. Why should we be interested? Because Jesus said: "So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that God's Kingdom is near" (Luke 21:31).
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
