“For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.” Matthew 24:21

In the present time we are realizing the fulfillment of the predictions of this text and Daniel 12:1—“there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation” (King James). But it gives us comfort to know that this will be the last of the troublous times coming upon the earth.

The lessons are severe for all who are living in this time because the people need to learn that God is in control of all of earth’s affairs, and always shall be. He will not allow the literal earth or mankind to be destroyed but in the kingdom he will destroy any who persist in destroying or corrupting the earth. Revelation 11:18; Psalm 37:9, 11

When the time is right for Christ and his church to take over the rulership of the earth, Satan and his followers will be restrained from their deceitful and wicked works (Revelation 20:2, 3). There will be a resurrection of all the dead (Acts 24:15) and peace and righteousness will predominate everywhere. What wonderful blessings! And because these things were promised by God, we can be sure they will happen.

We do not like to hear about wars and rumors of wars, or of the terrible ways in which some people treat others. We do not like to think about the building and use of machines of war which have been produced to destroy others. Nor do we like to think about plagues of diseases, widespread starvation, strikes and layoffs, huge corporations merging and increasing their control of wealth and power, and the excessive greed and selfishness among people of all nations.

These are things that will be made right in the coming age so that all mankind will live together in peace and harmony. Even the religious institutions will experience great upheavals so they also will eventually come together in peace and harmony.

These upheavals in all realms of earth’s society are called anarchy (complete disorder and lawlessness) which cause a time of trouble such as never was! While we do not look forward to such a terrible time in the world, yet we rejoice that a better time is coming afterwards and that this “better time” will be for everyone—all who have ever lived upon this earth. Luke 21:25, 26, 28

The present “time of trouble” will be the last troublous time for the people of earth.