While this time of fear and distress came upon the world unexpectedly and despite  the claims of an  ever-advancing  civilization, it was not a surprise to careful students of the Bible; for throughout its pages God’s inspired prophets had predicted it. The Prophet Daniel, for example, foretold this very era in human experience and described it as a “time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation.” (Dan. 12:1) Jesus quoted this prophecy of Daniel, and explained that its fulfillment would be at the time of his Second Presence and the end of the age.

Jesus outlined some of the details of this time of trouble, saying that there would be upon the earth “distress of nations, with perplexity,” and that the hearts of the people would fail them for fear as they looked forward to the things coming upon the earth. (Luke 21:25, 26) Jesus’ reference to the fear that would fill the hearts of the people is sufficient to indicate that he was referring to the present time, for never before has there been such widespread fear on the part of the people, especially the leaders, as there is today. When Jesus said there would be upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity, he illustrated this thought by likening it to the roaring of the sea and the waves. This is a very apt symbol indeed of the restless, discontented masses of mankind today as they strive hopelessly to avert the havoc which they fear will be wrought by the onrushing tide of human selfishness implemented by the very science that at one time boasted its ability to lead the world into peace and goodwill.

The  Prophet  David  also  foretold  this time in which we are living; and, like Jesus, he too likened the chaos of the world to the relentless lashing of the sea and waves, as the clamorous demands of men and nations strike out against the bulwarks of a civilization that was once thought to be impregnable. David’s prophecy is addressed to those who have faith in the Word of God, and of those he declares, “Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.” — Ps. 46:2,3

“We will not fear, “declares the prophet. As Christians, we need not fear what is coming upon the earth; that is, we will not fear if we acquaint ourselves with the prophecies of the Bible and have faith in what they declare concerning today and tomorrow. The prophecies of the Bible contain the only genuine explanation of the cause of present world distress, and furnish the only hopeful view of the final outcome of this present dark period of fear. To know the plan of God pertaining to human destiny is to have peace and joy in our own hearts, despite the fear with which we are surrounded, and also be in a position to radiate comforting assurance to others. According to the Bible, what is to be the outcome of this tragic time of fear and distress? It has been said that this present time has a rendezvous with destiny. This is right, but God holds the controlling hand over that destiny, and the implications are so far-reaching that the imagination is almost staggered when we try to grasp them. Briefly stated, the facts, as pointed out in the Word of God, are these:

We are reaching the end of an age in the  plan of God. Yes, even more than  that,  we are reaching the end of the world. It will not be, as many once erroneously supposed, the end of the earth (Eccles. 1:4), but the end of Satan’s rulership over the earth, which  is to be supplanted by the rulership of Christ. We are now living at the time of his return and  the preparation for the establishment of his kingdom.