World in Review: 2007 and Beyond

Always overlooked in the year-in-review reports is the one individual who is contributing the most to the future of our society. For the past 2000 years Jesus Christ has been preparing a special group of people—selected by His Father (John 6:44No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
See All..., 65)—for bringing about truly remarkable changes in the world.

"Pope Benedict on Tuesday said he hoped Christmas would bring consolation to those living in poverty, injustice and war and appealed for just solutions to conflicts in Iraq, the Holy Land, Afghanistan and Africa" (Philip Pullella, Reuters, December 25, 2007). Yet Christmas never brings real solutions to our global problems. Year-end reviews of 2007 covered by magazines, newspapers, television, radio and a plethora of Internet sites remind us of another year of near disasters. They let us relive through statistics, stories and video clips the past year's escalating crime, weather-created chaos, terrorist acts and the financial precipices that various currencies nearly fell over.

Each year these year-in-review reports seem more dramatic. They remind me of the apostle Paul's description in 2 Timothy 3:1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
See All... of those "perilous times" destined to be characteristic of the "last days" before Jesus Christ returns.

Also, I am struck by how a few individuals can often have a great impact on many people for good or for harm. For example, early next year the United Kingdom may face a nearly total shut down of international flights on three occasions in January 2008. A few hundred key personnel of an airport union are threatening to strike and close major airport hubs around the UK—including Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick in London.

Again, the ill-thought action of a few recently led to the loss of 25 million names, addresses and bank account details of British families on two computer disks. Two months later they have still not turned up. In the wrong hands identity fraud could affect parents and children through millions of pounds being misappropriated over a period of decades.

On the other hand, amazing and helpful discoveries made by merely a few may ultimately benefit many! Some in the scientific and medical fields have achieved considerable advances, as indicated by Time Magazine's "50 Top 10 Lists of 2007."

Always overlooked in these reviews, however, is the one individual who is contributing the most to the future of our society. For the past 2000 years Jesus Christ has been preparing a special group of people—selected by His Father (John 6:44No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
See All..., 65)—for bringing about truly remarkable changes in the world.

After His return to this earth those who have submitted themselves to His teachings and yielded themselves to His training will become His trusted assistants in His Kingdom (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). 1:6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
See All...; 3:21). They will serve as leaders in the world-ruling government that the prophet Daniel described to Nebuchadnezzar, the first emperor of a series of kingdoms destined to be replaced by the Kingdom of God at the return of Christ (Daniel 2:37-47 [37] Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
[38] And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.
[39] And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.
[40] And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.
[41] And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.
[42] And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.
[43] And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
[44] And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
[45] Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
[46] Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.
[47] The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.

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A favourite piece of music played at this time of the year is Handel's MessiahA Hebrew word meaning literally "anointed one," synonymous with the Greek word christos, translated Christ. "In ancient Israel both persons and things consecrated to sacred purposes were anointed by having oil poured over them ... The Israelites did not think of crowning a king but of anointing him when he was enthroned ... [The future Messiah] is to destroy the world powers in an act of judgment, deliver Israel from her enemies, and restore her as a nation. The Messiah is the King of this future kingdom to whose political and religious domination the other nations will yield. His mission is the redemption of Israel and His dominion is universal. This is the clear picture of the Messiah in practically all of the OT passages which refer to Him" (The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary, "Messiah"). . Of the many passages quoted from 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. by George Frideric Handel, some of the most stirring words are often 'overlooked' by the audience. For example:

"And the government shall be upon His shoulders, and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace; of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end..."

"Hallelujah: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigns." "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever. King of Kings, and Lord of Lords", "Hallelujah!"

These lyrics are taken from 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. prophecies in Isaiah 9:6-7 [6] For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
[7] Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of DavidKing of Israel, killed the giant Goliath with a sling and stones, a man after God's own heart, only turned from God in the matter of Uriah the Hittite (1 Kings 15:5), had an affair with Bathsheba, Messiah would come from line of David, main author of Psalms and highly musical., and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

See All... and 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)., 19:6; 11:15; 19:16 that foretell a time of universal peace and prosperity during the coming Kingdom of God under the righteous rule of Jesus Christ.

An angel announced to some shepherds at the time of Jesus' birth (in September or October), "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of DavidKing of Israel, killed the giant Goliath with a sling and stones, a man after God's own heart, only turned from God in the matter of Uriah the Hittite (1 Kings 15:5), had an affair with Bathsheba, Messiah would come from line of David, main author of Psalms and highly musical. a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11 [10] And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
[11] For unto you is born this day in the city of DavidKing of Israel, killed the giant Goliath with a sling and stones, a man after God's own heart, only turned from God in the matter of Uriah the Hittite (1 Kings 15:5), had an affair with Bathsheba, Messiah would come from line of David, main author of Psalms and highly musical. a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

See All...). This angel plus a heavenly host praised God and revealed some really good newsThe 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 .: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace for those he favours" (verse 14, New Jerusalem 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.).

Jesus became mankind's Saviour through His death and resurrection. Peace did not come then! At His return to earth as Christ the Lord He will bring about world peace as the King of kings and Lord of Lords (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). 19:16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
See All...) and become known as Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
See All...). Until then we are to pray, "Thy kingdom come" (Luke 11:2And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
See All..., KJV).