What in the World is Going On? Part 2

1) Chaos Abounds

News Headlines:

Heavy gunfire heard in Guinea capital Conakry: Witnesses

Milley says civil war 'likely' in Afghanistan, may lead to resurgence of al Qaeda

US Coronavirus: How doctors in Covid-19 hotspots last year are 'surprised and disappointed' at new record hospitalizations

Taliban is ‘hunting Americans,’ says California mom-to-be left behind in Afghanistan

9/11 brought a sense of national unity. Why has the pandemic been marred by division?

Suicide Bombing by Pakistani Taliban at Southwest Pakistan Checkpoint Kills 3

Beef Giant Brazil Halts China Exports After Confirming Two Mad Cow Disease Cases

17 Killed in Taliban’s Celebratory Gunfire in Kabul After ‘Panjshir Take-Over’

2) There will be Division in the World

Matthew 24:3–11 CSB

3 While he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what is the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 Jesus replied to them, “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many. 6 You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because these things must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these events are the beginning of labor pains. 9 “Then they will hand you over to be persecuted, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of my name. 10 Then many will fall away, betray one another, and hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.

From an article in Prophecy Watch from 8/2017:

A typical year in the ‘80s saw an average of 2.7 major disasters (meaning disasters causing damages over $1 billion, adjusted for inflation), while in the ‘90s and ‘00s, the average climbed to 4.6 and 5.4 per year. So far [in the 2010’s], each year has averaged 10.5 disasters.

From “AN INTERPRETATION OF MATTHEW 24-25 by Thomas Ice”

The Greek word for “nation” is ethnos. It simply means “people” or if used of a national group of people it means “nation.” 6 Our English word “ethnic” is derived from this Greek word. Since ‘ethnos is set against ethnos’ in this context, it must mean a “nation,” like Canada or Mexico. On the other hand, The Greek word for “kingdom” is basileia. This word simply means “the territory ruled over by a king.” 7 James Morison says, “Literally, upon nation. One nation shall rise in its anger to come down upon another.” 8 But what is the relationship between nation and kingdom?

At the very least nation and kingdom are synonyms for national entities. However, it appears to me from the context that there is a progression from nation (ethnos) to a confederation of nations that form a kingdom (basileia). Morison says that the notion of kingdom could include “greater communities, or empire, embracing within one political sphere various distinct nationalities.” 9 If this is the case, then the passage is saying that nations will be fighting against nations and groups of nations will also be fighting against each other. This would be similar to the alliance during the Cold War where NATO was aligned against the Warsaw Pact. M‘Neile says, “The horrors described are not local disturbances, but are spread over the known world; nations and kingdoms are in hostility with one another (not divided against itself, as in Matthew 12:25; Isaiah 19:2).” 10

3) The Spirit of Division Should not be in the Church

Jude 17–19 NKJV

17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.

Jude 20 NKJV

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

Jude 21 NKJV

21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

a) In fact, Jesus Hates Division

Revelation 2:6 NKJV

6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

To the church at Ephesus

Matthew 20:20–28 NKJV

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. 21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” 22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.” 23 So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

b) We are all Part of the Same Body

1 Corinthians 12:18–26 NKJV

18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Jesus offers Hope in Chaos

Matthew 24:6 NKJV

6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Isaiah 43:1–3 NKJV

1 But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place.

Isaiah 41:10 CSB

10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 26:3 NKJV

3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 NKJV

16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.

Romans 15:13 NKJV

13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

John 16:33 NKJV

33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”