Needed, Coming: A Change of Heart

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Needed, Coming

A Change of Heart

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Unrest and confusion seem to be everywhere. One distressing crisis follows another. Economic disorder fuels the fires of political and social turmoil. Bank failures are spiraling up. Industrial production is rapidly falling. Unemployment is escalating. To millions of upset, anxious people, the months and years ahead look dark and perplexing. But in the midst of the fear and anguish a voice is crying out offering hope and proclaiming that better days lie ahead.

The time? The 1930s. The voice? That of Adolf Hitler. During Hitler's ascendancy, his sweeping promises enticed and beguiled millions. Seizing a biblical concept, Hitler saw himself as the one who could bring about a long-anticipated global millennium. However, his vision of a 1,000-year empire lasted merely 12 years, having been reduced to rubble by Allied military power.

Of course, not all people who have contemplated world government have been tyrannical dictators. Imaginative, honorable individuals have generated proposals for ideal societies. For example, in 1516 English statesman Sir Thomas More wrote the now-famous description of a perfect civilization. He named his visionary social order "utopia" derived from the Greek word meaning "nowhere."

Some reformers have endeavored to put their theories into practice by gathering followers and attempting to organize sublime communities. One such person, Robert Owens, embarked on establishing his concept of a model society in New Harmony, Indiana, in 1825. His carefully-planned venture did not succeed. Other humanly-formulated utopian experiments also proved ineffectual. But why have efforts to devise and build idyllic cultures always resulted in failure? Because of one simple yet momentous problem—the obstinate, selfish, proud human heart (Jeremiah 17:9).

The ancient prophet Ezekiel described this very dilemma and also explained that the Eternal God is going to do something marvelous about it: "Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them; and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: that they may walk in my statutes and keep my judgments and do them and they shall be My people, and I will be their God" (Ezekiel 11:19-20).

Only our Creator can renovate people's unyielding, self-centered way of thinking and acting. In fact, He will transform man's nature and replace it with His very own (2 Peter 1:4). So a complete change of heart is needed, and happily, it is coming. In addition, a genuine millennial "utopia" is also imminent. This is not wishful thinking or some kind of dream, but the great God of Heaven has promised it, and He will bring it to a world that, by and large, does not believe in Him.

That marvelous, soon-coming event is celebrated in advance through the biblical Feast of Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 16:13). Annually observed by the United Church of God, this year it will be held from October 13-19 in 44 locations around the globe. The Feast of Tabernacles looks forward to the spectacular day when a genuine change of heart will occur in human beings. It also pictures and proclaims the remarkable time when Jesus Christ's 1,000 year, globe-encompassing government will guide the affairs of men (Revelation 20:6).

During that astounding period God will teach all people His magnificent ways. He will direct them in living lives of true physical and spiritual abundance and genuine love for others. No longer will humans devise, build and operate their own defective governments based on greed, exploitation and aggression. Men will also cease their fruitless attempts to establish ideal human societies. Instead, Jesus Christ will come to earth to establish His government, the Kingdom of God. When that superb time arrives He will rule in true holiness and bring about the real change of heart every person needs.

To learn much more about the Kingdom of God and the wonderful plans God has in store for you, your family and all humanity, we warmly welcome you to join us at the Feast of Tabernacles.

Also please plan to attend our free Kingdom of God Bible Seminars, coming next month (September 2011) to many communities around the world. Be sure to reserve your place by signing up at www.kogseminars.org .

For additional information about God's blueprint for humanity, we invite you to request or download our free booklet: God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind

Finally, we invite you to read these fascinating articles online: "What is the Kingdom of God?" and "The Feast of Tabernacles Forecasts Better Days Ahead".