Posted February 19, 2009
Today we face a global crisis that portends serious problems for each of us. Experts warn that worldwide 50 million jobs will be lost. Is there an answer?
I recall a newspaper magazine cover from years ago that featured the head and shoulders of a man, but where the man's head should have been was a globe depicting the world in which we live. The man was holding a gun to his head—actually to the globe—and accompanying this illustration was the question: "Will mankind pull the trigger this time?"
Today we face an even worse global crisis that portends serious problems for each of us. Experts warn that worldwide 50 million jobs will be lost.
Britain's economy could be facing its worst decline in 60 years. The Times of London (29th January, 2009) featured on its front page a World War II picture of blitzed London, with St. Paul's Cathedral standing amidst ruins resulting from massive bombing. The message was that the UK is returning to an economy as bad as it had in post-war 1946.
This all begs the question: In what condition will we come out of this calamity? One British cartoonist illustrated his pessimistic view for the United Kingdom by depicting Prime Minister Gordon Brown standing on the edge of a precipice, and hurtling downhill behind him—presumably at Davos, Switzerland—is a coffin with a raggedly dressed man hanging on. The coffin is titled "UK RECESSION." Graphic indeed!
World experts do not appear to have reached any agreement on what to do to solve the problem. The threat is very real for both inflation or deflation and so much depends on the decisions of governments and their leaders around the world.
Is there an answer?
On the 9th of February my local newspaper, the Boston Globe , ran an advertisement from the CATO Institute highlighting the difficulty in determining what to do. At the top of the page was President-elect Barack Obama's January 9, 2009 statement: "There is no disagreement that we need action by our government, a recovery plan that will help to jumpstart the economy." Underneath this was the following from the CATO Institute: "With all due respect Mr. President, that is not true." Then an alternate solution, signed by one Nobel laureate and 243 professors (presumably economists) from Universities and Colleges, was presented.
Who is right and who is wrong?
It's easy to point out problems and speculate where to place blame. But where are the solutions that really work? How can we identify and solve the cause of our problems—our run-away greed, selfishness, corruption, lying, cheating and our mind-set that life is all about me and my wants? Where do we go for the answers?
The problems we humans create for ourselves are so serious and complex that we will never find complete solutions by ourselves. Thankfully, our Creator has given us His instruction Manual on how we should live, the Holy BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ..
The problem is that mankind barely gives this Manual even lip-service. People know about the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ.. But how many actually read it as a guide to life? And among those who do read it, how many wholeheartedly apply the principles it teaches? Sadly, far too few!
To solve both problems—man's self-centered thinking and the tragedies it produces—God promises to send Jesus Christ back to this earth with awesome power and in mind-boggling glory to put right all that is wrong here on the earth. The biblical book of Acts explains that He will "remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets " (Acts 3:21, New International Version). At that time there will be "loud voices in heaven" saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever" (RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 11:15, NIV).
But before that happens we are warned by the apostle Peter to "be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation'" (2 Peter 3:2-4).
Unfortunately, most people today believe the scoffers. They choose to play Russian roulette with their own—and our—futures! Thankfully, Jesus promises that God will cut short mankind's suffering and prevent universal suicide (Matthew 24:21-22).
Dare to be different! Discover what God really does promise to those who take His word seriously by requesting, downloading or reading online our free booklets: The GospelThe good news of God's everlasting kingdom to be established on earth after Christ's return and how we may be a part of that kingdom. This message was central to the teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles. The term is used about 100 times in the New Testament . of the Kingdom and Transforming Your Life: The Process of Conversion .
