(IN the world, but not OF it)
The War in Ukraine
In February 2022, the Russian President ordered his armies to invade Ukraine. Such are the myths surrounding the mighty Russian war machine that many expected Mr. Putin to steam-roller over their neighbour in a matter of days, if not hours.
Those Bible students who have long fancied Russia as the Gog mentioned in Ezekiel 38, who will sweep down with a confederation of nations and attack Israel, proclaimed that the prophecy was coming true in the present time.
That might still be the case, but the resistence of the Ukrainians, equipped with weaponry and training from the West, has revealed the truth about Russia's ill-equipped and badly led army of demotivated constripts who appear to be retreating at the time of writing (November 2022).
What will happen next? Is this the start of the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38 or another example of the "wars and rumours of war" mentioned in Matthew chaper 24?
"6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you aren’t troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines, plagues, and earthquakes in various places. 8 But all these things are the beginning of birth pains."
Whichever proves to be the case, we can gain encouragement from the fact that God is in control; every twist and turn of world events had been known from the beginning of time. If these are the Last Days before the return of Jesus to earth as all the signs suggest (read the rest of Matthew 24 for more evidence), then shouldn't we be ready?
The Pope and Climate Change
Statements by Pope Francis on global warming were welcomed by many politicians and environmental campaigners. When a world leader such as the Pope, adds his voice to a cause, it is bound to have an effect on the issue. The Vatican has issued a 192-page "encyclical" document, blaming global warming on consumerism and greed. He calls on a new partnership between science and religion to combat human-driven climate change. "The Earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth" Francis wrote, blaming a toxic cocktail of overconsumption, consumerism, dependence on fossil fuels and the errant indifference of the powerful and wealthy. He described a hell on Earth should nothing be done, one filled with more methane and carbon dioxide, acidification of oceans and the crippling of the global food supply." quotes the Washington Post.
Elsewhere, well-intentioned and passionate campaigners, such as Greta Thunberg and Extinction Rebellion are crying out for humanity, particularly in the West, to drastically change their lifestyles to reduce our impact on climate and Nature. It is likely many of them do not appreciate that God is in overall control of all things, so nothing can happen unless it is part of God's plan.
This all begs several questions: Should Christians get involved in such campaigns? Is that the Pope's job or primary concern? How does this fit with the Bible view of the future of this planet? What do you think?