WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
INTRODUCTION
One man was watching the evening news every night.
Every night the news was about war, tension, conflict, and danger in the world.
One evening his wife walked into the room and said, “Why do you keep watching that? It only makes you worried.”
The man replied, “I am not watching to worry. I am watching it to see which Bible prophecy is happening today!”
Many people today are asking serious questions about the world.
People ask “Why are there so many wars?” “Why is the world becoming more unstable?”
“Why are nations threatening each other more than ever before?” “Are we living in the last days?”
For many people, the world seems confusing and frightening.
But for believers, the Bible already told us what would happen before the return of Jesus Christ.
Jesus warned us about wars and global conflict.
The Bible says in the Gospel of Matthew 24:6-7,
“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.”
Jesus did not say war might happen. He said war will happen.
But Jesus also told believers not to panic. Instead, we should understand the times and prepare our hearts.
Today we are going to look at three prophetic truths about war and the future of the world.
The first truth about war and the future of the world is…
I. WARS ARE BIRTH PAINS OF THE LAST DAYS
Jesus compared the events before His return to the pains of childbirth.
The Bible says in Matthew 24:8, “All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.”
How many mothers do we have this morning?
Mothers, you guys knew that
birth pains do not happen only once—they increase in frequency and intensity.
In the same way, Jesus said wars will increase as the end approaches.
History has always had wars, but the scale and intensity in modern times are different.
The 20th century alone saw two world wars, nuclear weapons, global terrorism, and regional conflicts across continents.
The Bible also says in Daniel 12:4, “But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
My brothers and sisters in the Lord, technology and global power have increased dramatically.
Yet instead of bringing peace, they often produce more powerful weapons.
When a woman goes into labor, the contractions begin slowly and far apart.
But as the birth gets closer, they become stronger and closer together.
In the same way, the increase of wars shows that history is moving toward the return of Jesus Christ.
The world may not recognize these signs, but believers should.
The second truth about war and the future of the world is…
II.PROPHECY TELLS US GLOBAL CONFLICT WILL INCREASE
The Bible contains many prophecies about conflict among nations in the last days.
One important prophecy is found in Ezekiel 38, which describes a coalition of nations that will attack Israel in the future.
The Bible says in Ezekiel 38:15–16,
“You will come from your place out of the uttermost parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great host, a mighty army. You will come up against my people Israel, like a cloud covering the land. In the latter days I will bring you against my land, that the nations may know me, when through you, O Gog, I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.”
This prophecy describes a massive international conflict.
Another prophecy appears in Zechariah 12:3,
“On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it.”
Even today, Jerusalem remains one of the most disputed cities in the world. Nations argue over it, and religions and governments compete for it—just as the Bible predicted long ago.
The Bible also describes global distress before Christ returns.
Luke 21:25–26 says,
“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”
Many people today feel that same fear and uncertainty about the future.
But believers should remember this: God is not surprised by these events. Everything is unfolding according to His plan.
The last truth about war and the future of the world that I will be sharing is…
III. JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY HOPE FOR PEACE
The world desperately wants peace.
Nations sign peace agreements. Governments negotiate treaties. Leaders hold conferences about peace.
But true peace cannot come without the Prince of Peace.
The Bible says in Isaiah 9:6,
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Jesus came the first time to save sinners.
Jesus will come the second time to rule the nations.
The Bible describes the return of Christ in Revelation 19:11
“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.”
When Jesus returns, He will defeat evil and establish His kingdom.
Then true peace will come to the world.
A city once had a terrible traffic problem. Every day cars crashed into each other because there were no traffic lights and no police officers directing traffic.
Finally the city appointed a strong traffic officer to control the intersection.
When the officer stood in the middle of the road and raised his hand, everything changed. Cars stopped. Traffic moved in order. Peace returned to the streets.
Why? Because authority had arrived.
One day Jesus Christ will return with full authority over the world.
When that happens, war will end.
CONCLUSION
When we see wars and conflict in the world, many people feel afraid.
But believers should see these events differently.
Wars remind us of three important truths:
1. The Bible’s prophecies are true.
2. The world cannot fix the problem of sin.
3. Jesus Christ is coming again.
History is moving toward God’s final plan.
The world may look chaotic, but God is still in control.
The question is not only
“WHERE IS THE WORLD GOING?”
The real question is “WHERE ARE WE GOING WHEN LIFE ENDS?”
The Bible says in Hebrews 9:27, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.”
One day every person will stand before God.
One day Jesus will return.
One day history will reach its final chapter.
The good news is that God loves us and made a way for us to be saved.
The Bible says in John 3:16,
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins. He was buried.
On the third day He rose again.
He offers forgiveness and eternal life to anyone who believes in Him.
The Bible says in Romans 10:9-10,
“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”
Today you can receive Christ.
You can pray this simple prayer from your heart:
“Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins. I believe You rose again. Please forgive me. I trust You as my Lord and Savior.” In Jesus’ name, Amen!
If you trust Jesus today, you will have eternal life.
The world may face wars.
But those who belong to Jesus have hope.
Because one day the King will return. And when He does, He will bring perfect peace.
