[Steve Myers] North Korea's been in the headlines over and over again in the last week or two because of all the saber rattling they've been doing. They've been threatening the United States. They've been threatening Japan. They're talking about launching test missiles. They have nuclear capabilities. And it really has gotten the world very nervous about what's going on over there on the peninsula. Well, I couldn't help but think of some of the references in the Bible that talk about things like this especially as we draw closer to the end time. We know these things will happen. We know Christ talked about wars and rumors of wars. And those kinds of things are happening all around us if we're taking note. Now the passage that it reminded me of is the passage that's over in Joel. And it's over in Joel chapter 3 beginning in verse 9. And it has to deal with those who are weak, and yet do a lot of saber rattling. Notice what it says here, it says, "Proclaim this among the nations, 'Prepare for war. Wake up the mighty men. Let all the men of war draw near. Let them come up.'" So in a way we see that's what the world seems to be heading towards. We're getting closer to things like this. Then it goes on in verse 10. "Beat your plow shares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears." It goes on and says, "Let the weak say, 'I am strong'" (Joel 3:9-10).

And so here's this little nation of North Korea who in the great scheme of things is weak. And yet, what are they saying? They're saying these kinds of things that "We are strong, and US, you better watch out." Does that sound familiar? Does that sounds like it could be beginning to fulfill passages like this? Now certainly it will continue to get worse, and we'll hear more and more of these things. In fact, compared to God's way, they have it exactly reversed. Those little nations, those weak are saying, "Let's beat our plowshares into swords. Let's make more weapons." But ultimately what God's going to do is found over in Isaiah chapter 2. And in Isaiah chapter 2 when God's Kingdom comes to this earth, it'll be exactly the opposite. We will have swords beaten into plow shares. There will be a great time of peace (Isaiah 2:4). So even though there's difficulties on the horizon, remember the ultimate conclusion. God's Kingdom will come.

That's BT Daily. We'll see you next time.