“THIS DISTRESSED WORLD IN PROPHECY”
(Being an address of the Arch-minister of God’s Kingdom Mission (GKM), Brother Roland E. OGENE on the occasion of the Last and Great Day of the Christian Feast of Tabernacles, Sunday, Dec., 22nd, 2019.)
Before I dwell on my message, I want to on behalf of myself and God’s children everywhere, express our profound gratitude and thanks to God Almighty and His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ for sparing us till this day in spite of the alarming rate at which the devil is killing people in various ways all over the world in his last-minute wicked effort to depopulate the earth of God’s sincere worshipers. But to God be the glory he will not succeed because the time of his own destruction is just a matter of few days in God’s own calculation.
God created Man upright and just to live perpetually in this world in perfect peace, joy, happiness and prosperity subject, however to man being obedient to His laws and commandments. Painfully, man fell short of God’s expectation by violating the just law of God in the Garden of Eden, when Adam ate the fruit of the tree God commanded him not to eat. Distress and death were the consequences of man’s fall from grace to grass. Read Gen. 2:7-25; 3:1-19; Rom. 6:23; 8:22, etc.
The operative or key word in this address is “distress” which means according to the dictionary, a state of extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain. Distress aptly describes the current state of the world civilly, naturally, economically, politically, socially and religiously. Almost everyone will admit that mankind, in this last day or days, is passing through the most turbulent times in human history, which are fulfillment of Bible prophecies as foretold by the prophets of old, Jesus Christ and the Apostles.
There is no Country or Nation in any part of the world that can boast of enjoying an uninterrupted peace. Crimes of every kind are increasing everywhere on daily basis and it is now evidently clear to everyone that there are no human solutions to these and other many problems of the world.
It is in order that man may have a second chance, repent and be saved that God Almighty sent Jesus Christ to this sinful world so that man can be reconciled with Him to regain his lost glories. Having a clear understanding of why His heavenly Father sent him on a mission to the earth, Jesus Christ told Nicodemus that, “as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life”. He further gave reason for such a grand arrangement made by His Heavenly Father when he said: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. – John 3:14-16.
The only hope of man therefore, is God Almighty and His Kingdom under the sovereignty of Jesus Christ fully established on earth, that all the hopes and aspirations lost by man at the Garden of Eden will be fully and permanently restored. Read Jer.17:5,7; Ps. 145:10-13; 2:6; Isa.6,7; John 18:36-38; Isa. 65:17-25; 2 Pet.3:13; Rev. 21:1-5, etc.
THE INFLUENCE OF SATAN IN WORLD’S DISTRESS
The Bible makes it clear that the devil is at the root of all the problems, agonies, distress and perplexities of the human race. He was the one who deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden to eat of the fruit God forbade them to eat. (Gen. 3:1-6) Through subtleties, deceit and wickedness, like he misled Eve, he negatively influences the hearts of men to commit and perpetuate all kinds of evil and crimes in our world of today. – 2 Cor. 11:3.
He has influencing and controlling powers over men particularly those who choose to walk and live in disobedience of the commandments of God. “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience”, stated St. Paul. – Eph. 2:2
Jesus Christ told the Jews of his time that they were of their father the devil, and his lusts they love to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and never was in the truth, as there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks as the author of it, for he is a liar and the father of lies. – John 8:44.
The coronation of Jesus Christ in Heaven as the King of God’s Kingdom and the command given him by the Father, Jehovah the Almighty God, “rule thou in the midst of thine enemies”, provoked war in Heaven between the angelic forces of God headed by Jesus Christ against the devil and his gang of rebellious angels. The outcome of that war was the utter defeat and expulsion from heaven of the devil and all his wicked angels, who were hurled down to the earth. Then an angel declared: “…Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” – Dan. 7: 13,14; Psalm 110:1, 2; Rev. 12:7-12.
This declaration by the angel clearly expresses the temperament and state of mind of the devil. The devastating defeat and humiliation he suffered made him to become angrier, more fierce, aggressive, wicked and destructive towards mankind. The event marked a turning point in the activities of the devil to cause mayhem, distress, disasters of all kinds, crimes, evil, wars, sickness, diseases, epidemics, plagues, accidents, devious and depraved behaviors of men, deaths, etc. According to St. Peter he is going about as a roaring lion seeking whom to devour. – 2 Pet. 3:8
The expression of his anger plunged the nations of the earth into a world war, referred to by Historians as “World War 1”. The ulterior and ultimate intention of the devil was to destroy all flesh, but Jesus Christ for the sake of the remnant of the Apostles class whom he would choose to propagate the saving gospel and set up the Kingdom of God in this last day, stopped the war. “And except those days should be shortened”, said Jesus Christ,“there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” – Matt. 24:22, 31.
THE PROPHECIES OF DISTRESS
Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior spoke clearly about the signs or events that will mark the end of the world or the last day. On a certain occasion when he sat upon Mount Olives, the disciples went alone to meet him. They demanded to know when and what shall be the sign of his coming and of the end of the world? As to the relevant sign that will herald the last day, Christ told them: “…For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of SORROWS.” – Matthew 24:3-8.
This prediction of Jesus Christ fulfilled in and after the World War I of 1914-1918, when the nations of the world were engulfed in a global battle in which millions of lives were lost and great quantity of properties were destroyed. This was followed by famine, an epidemic called “the Spanish Influenza” that claimed more lives than those lost at the battle-field and earthquakes in different parts of the world. These events signaled the beginning of the most turbulent, distressful and disastrous era ever in the annals of the human race.
Furthermore, Jesus Christ prophetically warned God’s children to be watchful and vigilant as to the occurrence of certain events pointing to his second presence. He stated: “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and UPON THE EARTH DISTRESS OF NATIONS, WITH PERPLEXITY; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken…And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” – Luke 21: 25, 26, 28
The fulfillment of these prophecies of Jesus Christ in our world of today is glaringly apparent. Even a fool or stupid person is not ignorant of the distress and perplexities in the world presently. There is no peace anywhere. The Middle-East is perpetually at war. The world itself is under the threat of a nuclear warfare as the super powers wantonly continue to amass weapons of mass destruction, raising fears of a third World war. Within nations there are civil strife, insurrection by militia groups and other internal conflicts that have made the world totally unstable.
Natural disasters like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, tsunami, typhoon, wildfire, severe storm, tidal waves, etc continue to devastate the peace and stability of the world. The fulfillment of these prophecies of Jesus Christ in our world of today is glaringly apparent. Even a fool or stupid person is not ignorant of the distress and perplexities in the world presently. There is no peace anywhere. The Middle-East is perpetually at war. The world itself is under the threat of a nuclear warfare as the super powers wantonly continue to amass weapons of mass destruction, raising fears of a third World war. Within nations there are civil strife, insurrection by militia groups and other internal conflicts that have made the world totally unstable.
Natural disasters like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, tsunami, typhoon, wildfire, severe storm, tidal waves, etc continue to devastate the peace and stability of the world. There is loud lamentation in the land with regards to security and safety of lives and properties here in Nigeria and other parts of the world. Kidnapping, terrorism by the Boko Haram sect, armed banditry and robbery, etc. are all on the increase, instilling fear in the minds of the citizens.
Look at the recent elections held in Nigeria at Bayelsa and Kogi States for the Governorship position in those states. It was a bloody shame to the so-called democracy we claim to be practicing in Nigeria. In a political rally at Nembe in Bayelsa State before the elections, political thugs armed with deadly weapons were reportedly shown shooting randomly at the crowd in the presence of law enforcement agents. At the end, not less than seven persons were officially recorded dead.
It was the same gory tales at Kogi where there were alleged shootings, looting of ballot papers and boxes and other electoral violence. A prominent women leader in one of the political parties, it was also reported, got her house set ablaze and she in it burnt to death. Nigeria and the world at large is plunging headlong in a swift manner for the rocks unless there is a change of heart by the citizenry especially the leaders.
Long before Jesus Christ first advent to the world, the Prophet Daniel predicted the increasing wave of wickedness that will pervade the world in this last day. It is these acts of wickedness that have made the world so distressful and disgustful. Daniel wrote: “And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand but the wise shall understand.” – Daniel 12:8-10
St. Paul’s prediction about the last day gives support to that of Daniel. He wrote: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness but denying the powers thereof…”. “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” – 2 Tim. 3:1-5,13
All these events and evils in the world today are fulfillment of the prophetic warnings of the prophets, Jesus Christ and his Apostles concerning the last day period. The so called wise men of the world, Diplomats, Scientists, Philosophers, Politicians and certain Religious leaders are all in a state of confusion. As long as men deny or reject the truth and wisdom of God and arrogate to themselves what God alone can do they will continue to be in confusion. “The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord; and what wisdom is in them?” – Jer. 8:9; 1 Cor. 1:18-21; 3:18-20
On the religious angle, false prophets and visionaries inspired by Satan are actively engaged in world outreach preachment with miracles, signs and wonders to deceive people including Presidents and Heads of States and Governments – Rev. 16:13,14
REMEDY
God’s perfect universal Kingdom of righteousness and peace, which men of all ages have been praying for, is The only remedy for the “distress nations with perplexity” of the world, is the universal, perfect Kingdom of God of righteousness and peace, which men of all ages have been praying for. (Matt. 6:9,19,25-33) This present evil distressed world will not continue perpetually. God Almighty, Jehovah who is the Owner of the world will intervene someday.
Preceding the full establishment of the Kingdom, Christ said, there shall be Great Tribulation leading to The Battle of The Great Day of God Almighty, one of its kind which will destroy the devil, his agents (visible and invisible) and all his works. The land will mourn when God shall rebuke the nations, for all the evil that is being committed in the world today. And “…they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” – Isa. 2:4; Micah 4:3; Hosea 4:2.3; Matt. 24:21; Rev. 16:15
He will at that time plead the cause of the oppressed and down-trodden. To this end the Psalmist prayed: “…Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man…judge the fatherless and the oppressed, THAT THE MAN OF THE EARTH MAY NO MORE OPPRESS.” – Psa. 10:13-18
When God’s Kingdom is fully set-up there will be no more distress, sorrow, crying, anguish, pain and even death, for the distress of this present order or world system would be a thing of the past. Rather peace, joy, tranquility, bliss, righteousness would reign supreme at that time. “And the inhabitants shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity”. – Rev. 21:1-5; John 16:33; Rom. 14:17; Isa.33:24.
We as Christians should endeavor to practice the righteousness of God and flee from sinful lusts, (Rom. 13:14) so that we may be partakers of His glorious Kingdom. Righteousness is the key. (Prov. 14:34; Zeph. 2:1-3) The distress in the world, the increasing wave of crimes and calamities is as a result of the godlessness of men sweeping through the nations. They are all proofs of the reality of the prophecy of Jesus Christ and others in the Scripture.
Those who are still pursuing sin, should repent and take warning, so that they would not be destroyed with the world. Jesus Christ in the prophecies of the end time forewarned: “And take heed to yourselves, lest at anytime your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come upon all those who dwell upon the earth. Watch ye therefore and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” – Luke 21:34-36
Finally, I will like to close this address with the admonition of St. Peter to wit: “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” – 1 Pet. 4:7.
May God help us His children to do His will at all times so that we, by His grace, would be counted worthy among those to inherit His Kingdom when fully established.
Amen.
