The old Year of 2010 and first Decade of 21st Century are about to enter into eternity and be a part of history. The first Decade of the 21st Century will be a historical one which will not be soon forgotten. During this first Decade the world experienced various wars, including drug wars and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The manufacturing of Biological and Chemical weapons in certain countries, including North Korea, posed a real threat to neighbouring countries and to the world. These Biological and Chemical weapons will continue to be a threat to the entire world as we embark upon the second Decade. There were the great disasters and calamities, including the great tsunami in S E Asia, hurricanes, storms and snow storms, tornadoes, volcanoes, earthquakes, great floods, land slides and giant sink holes in some countries.
Terrorism and mass killings became more widespread, beginning with 9/11 in the USA in 2001. Large numbers of people in many countries including England, Spain and Bali lost their lives or were maimed because of terrorism.
The Decade saw inflation at an all time high and very high fuel cost. Toward the end of the Decade there was the Global Credit Crunch, the financial downturn, the collapse of many banks and financial enterprises, foreclosures, bankruptcy, job losses and unemployment. Due to the great economic downturn, job losses and unemployment, untold numbers of people have become victims to abject poverty. Likewise, certain countries in the European Union have had to borrow billions of Euros to sure up their economy.
There were also extreme weather patterns and artic conditions in many countries, reaching as far as to some Caribbean islands. Fraudulent practices including Internet frauds became more sophisticated and wide spread, with the robbers and fraudsters being more and more brazen. The crime rate and murders increased in some countries, especially in the area of the illegal drugs trade. Deadly viruses resulting in the Chicken Flu, Swine Flu and other severe forms of Flu afflicted great numbers around the world and caused many deaths.
The final Year of the Decade, 2010, will be a memorable one because of the great disasters in many countries including the severe earthquake in Haiti. There were the volcanoes beginning with the volcano in Iceland, cyclones, storms, hurricanes, floods, droughts, famines, fires; the great oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, mountains of snow and freezing conditions in many countries and chaotic travelling conditions by air, sea and land. In particular, travel by air has been most affected causing thousands to be stranded at airports for long periods of time because of heavy snow and freezing conditions.
Almost every part of the world has experienced troubles this past Decade. The disasters have crisscrossed the world from China to Chile, from Australia to Africa, from the East Indies to the West Indies, from India to Israel, from Indonesia to Ireland, from Russia to Romania, from Pakistan to Peru.
Untold numbers of people and livestock have perished from the numerous disasters and much property have been lost and lives and livelihoods ruined. Many who were financially secure have lost that security and many, young and old, who thought life was in their favour, have perished in the numerous disasters.
During this first Decade of the 21st Century, the slavery, persecution and martyrdom of Christians in many lands escalated. Likewise, many other minorities suffered similar fates. Secularism and the various “isms” became more widespread in many countries. Here in the UK, same sex marriages were legalised and civil marriages made law. Christian voices were muzzled and Christian values outlawed; the wearing of a Cross as a symbol of ones belief, as well as praying for a person in the work place, were made an offence with dire consequences and severe disciplinary actions for those who did. On the other hand, there were no restrictions on non-Christian faith groups in what they wore and did, except in the case of terrorism.
In spite of the negative attitude toward those who love and serve Yahushua Ha Mashiach, there has been a proliferation of the Christian TV Channels as satellites beam Messages of Yahushua’s love and saving grace across the world continuously. The Internet and certain radio stations also carry the Good News of Salvation so that Yahushua’s Commission in Matthew 28: 19,20 and Mark 16: 15-18, is being fulfilled and obeyed as more and more people come to know and accept Yahushua as their Saviour.
The First Decade of the 21st Century will close and pass into eternity in a few hours time. By Yahushua’s grace, those who will be blessed to see the dawn of the second Decade will wonder what it holds. There will be much revelling and celebration in many countries as the old Decade and Year go and the new Decade and Year are welcomed in. In spite of the celebrations, troubling questions will still be upon the minds of the vast majority of people in the world.
Some of those worrying questions will be: Will conditions be better around the world or will they get worse? Will the great disasters end and will it get better financially for the vast majority who are suffering from financial hardships?? Will there be enough food to feed the nations because the great disasters have ruined the food stuff in many countries, including Russia and parts of the USA and Australia, some of the main food baskets for the world? Then there is the question of employment. Will there be employment for the unemployed and for those coming on jobs market?? What of those who are in employment, will their jobs be secure? Will oil prices which are at an all time high continue to rise?? People are very worried because there is the fear that many business people will not be able to afford the needed fuel to operate their businesses. Likewise, travelling will become more and more unaffordable, even to get to and from places of work.
The outlook is grim and the fears are real. The real question, however, remains: Will things ever get better as we enter the New Decade? Will the economic down turn and high inflation return to the pre-Credit Crunch era? Will there be an end to the terrorism and suicide bombings?? Sadly, the answer is NO!! Based upon the Word of our Elohim, THEY WILL NOT RETURN TO WHAT THEY WERE BEFORE!! Conditions will worsen around the world and the disasters will increase. Governments will try to make it better for their people but no one and no government can stop what is happening or what is coming upon the world. These things are beyond human control. MAN IS HELPLESS!!
The only HOPE for the nations and for this world, is in our Saviour, YAHUSHUA Ha MASHIACH!! HE ALONE HAS THE ANSWER FOR THIS TROUBLED WORLD!! He Knew this time would come and gave the prophecy in Daniel Chapter 12: 1-3:
“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever”.
While Yahushua was upon the earth He also spoke about these times. One such Prophecy is found in Luke 21:
“Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 and great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven… 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake....25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken”.
The conditions which are upon the earth and for which no man has the answer, will get far worse because according to Yahushua’s Word, THESE ARE THE END TIMES!! It is only His return to this world will bring an end to the great disasters and the terrible and frightening conditions which are prevailing. Thus He gives us the admonition in Luke 21: 28:
“28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh”.
We have hope of deliverance and hope for a better future with Yahushua our Saviour, for He has given us the assurance in Luke 21: 27:
“And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory”.
Do we know when King Yahushua will return and bring us deliverance?? The answer is NO. Only Yahweh, our Father, knows the time of Yahushua’s return to this world (Matthew 24:36). However, Yahushua tells us how we will know when His coming is near. He says in Luke 21:28:
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh”.
As the second Decade of the 21st Century dawns, let us heed the admonition Yahushua gave in Matthew 24: 44:
“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh”.
We may be blessed to see His return at any time during this second Decade. Likewise, we could leave this world at anytime because this present life is uncertain. Neither Yahushua’s return to this world or our deaths should cause us to worry or fear. Yahushua has long paid the price for our sins and redeemed us by His sufferings, shed blood and death upon the Cross almost two thousand years ago. Thus we have the wonderful assurance in John 3: 16, 17:
“16 For [Yahweh] God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For [Elohim Yahweh] God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved”.
These are Yahweh's words of assurance to us. Let us heed them and commit our lives fully to Him and be ready at all times to meet Yahushua, our Saviour and King because our Salvation is assured.
As the New Decade and the New Year of 2011 dawn upon the world, let us place our lives in the care of our Elohim and allow the Ruach Ha Kodesh to lead, guide, help and direct us. We do not know what the days ahead hold, however, we have an Elohim Who is omniscient and knows the beginning from the end. He knows everything so we can trust Him to be with us each new day that He will bless us with in this world. THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT WE WILL BE SPARED THE TRIALS AND TROUBLES OF LIFE. However, we have the assurance in Hebrews 13: 5:
“I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE NOR FORSAKE THEE”
Our Elohim will be with us, so let us TRUST HIM TO BE WITH US in 2011 and every day that He will bless us with in this new Decade. MOST IMPORTANTLY, LET US BE READY TO GO HOME TO BE WITH HIM AND TO SPEND THE REST OF ETERNITY WITH HIM.
My prayer for you is:
May “the very [Elohim] God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray [Yahweh Elohim] God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our [Adon Yahushua Ha Mashiach] Lord Jesus Christ”. 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
A HAPPY AND BLESSED NEW DECADE AND NEW YEAR!!
NB: Scriptures used in the Post are taken from the KJV of the Bible.
