Why Many Despair

Around the world, disturbing trends are causing fear of the future. In a growing number of cities, surveillance cameras monitor citizens. Because of fear of terrorists, many busy airports have almost become military camps. Prowling the Internet in growing numbers, thieves and pedophiles prey on unsuspecting victims. On the environmental front, pollution, deforestation, extinction, and global warming threaten future life on our planet.

UNTHINKABLE two or three generations ago, these concerns are global today. For good reason many people wonder what is happening to the world and what kind of life awaits them and their children. Is the time coming when people will be too afraid to board a bus, a train, or a plane? With prices rising and earth’s resources being taxed more and more, will future generations be able to afford good medical care, quality food, and sufficient fuel?

“The future looks very, very scary,” said a Canadian health minister in regard to rising health costs. Alarm bells are also sounding with regard to food and fuel. Why? In order to reduce their dependency on fossil fuel, some countries are investing heavily in biofuel, such as ethanol, which is derived from vegetation. Hence, for the first time in history, the human stomach is competing with the automotive gas tank for the produce of available land. The resulting inflation in food prices is already being felt.

Meanwhile, the disparity between the rich and the poor is growing, adding to social tensions. “In this first decade of the 21st century, immense advances in human well-being coexist with extreme deprivation,” says a World Health Organization report. “Life expectancies have collapsed in some of the poorest countries to half the level of the richest.” The causes are primarily disease and social and economic chaos in politically failed states.

Throw into this mix the specter of global warming, which may cause increased desertification and more extreme weather, and it comes as no surprise that many informed people are jittery about tomorrow. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which sets the so-called Doomsday Clock, expressed fears of a bleak future “as scientists continue to observe cascading effects [of global warming] on Earth’s complex ecosystems.”

Are our prospects as bleak as they appear to be? Does our only hope for a decent future depend on the leaders of business, politics, religion, and science? ‘What other choice do we have?’ some say. ‘We got ourselves into this mess; we have to get ourselves out.’ Others feel that it is simply beyond the ability of humans to find the way out and that our only hope for a safe and secure future lies with God. If so, what assurance do we have that God is interested in us, that he will save us from ourselves? The following articles will address these questions.

[Blurb on page 3]

Does our only hope for a decent future depend on the leaders of business, politics, religion, and science?

Can Humans Guarantee a Happy Future?

You have just moved into what appears to be a sturdy and attractive new brick home. It is what you have always wanted. The future looks good! But within just a few years, the house develops serious structural defects and has to be demolished. Your heart is broken. But you are not alone. The same problems have developed in other houses in your area. Investigation reveals that the causes were architectural incompetence and flawed bricks.

LIKE that house, the world is in big trouble. Despite countless social and political experiments and almost miraculous advances in science and technology, the very fabric of society seems to be coming apart. In a number of lands, lawlessness and anarchy are already the order of the day. Will desperation drive humans to resolve their problems, to create good government at last? Consider what some authorities have said about mankind’s track record.

“We Have Tried Everything”

In an effort to make the world a better place, thinkers from Greek philosopher Plato to German political philosopher and socialist Karl Marx have proposed numerous political ideologies. The results? An article in the journal New Statesman said: “We have not abolished poverty or constructed world peace. On the contrary, we seem to have achieved exactly the opposite. It is not as though we haven’t tried. We have tried everything from communism to the pure market; from the League of Nations to nuclear deterrence. We have fought too many ‘wars to end war’ to believe that we know how to end war, and our inner cities look as though there was a continuing blitzkrieg.” The article continued: “We began the [20th] century enthusiastically believing that the scientists would save us and we end it not believing a single word they say.”

In 2001 emeritus professor of economic and social history at London University Eric Hobsbawm wrote that mankind’s political systems “face an age when the impact of human action on nature and the globe has become a force of geological proportions.” The solution, or mitigation, of these problems “will require measures for which, almost certainly, no support will be found by counting votes or measuring consumer preferences. This is not encouraging for the long-term prospects of either democracy or the globe.”

Seeing catastrophe staring mankind in the face, world-famous astrophysicist and best-selling author Stephen Hawking asked: “In a world that is in chaos politically, socially and environmentally, how can the human race sustain another 100 years?”

Why Such a Dismal Record?

Only the Bible satisfactorily explains mankind’s abysmal failure at self-government. For one thing, the Bible gives us a truly frank assessment of the human condition. Consider, for example, the following four fundamental truths.

We are all imperfect. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Just as flaws within bricks might cause a building to weaken and crumble, inherited imperfection in humans manifests itself in ways that can weaken society. These include tendencies toward corruption, dishonesty, greed, and the abuse of power. This is nothing new. Some three thousand years ago, a wise Bible writer observed: “Man has dominated man to his injury.”​—Ecclesiastes 8:9.

Leaders in government and the judiciary acknowledge our imperfections and weaknesses and try to counteract these with reams of legislation. But they do so knowing full well that one cannot legislate love for one’s fellow man or the desire to be law-abiding.

Death overtakes us. “Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs. His spirit [or life force] goes out, he goes back to his ground; in that day his thoughts do perish.” (Psalm 146:3, 4) Considered to be one of the wisest rulers of all time, King Solomon of ancient Israel saw how futile his hard work might turn out to be. He wrote: “I, even I, hated all my hard work at which I was working hard under the sun, that I would leave behind for the man who would come to be after me. And who is there knowing whether he will prove to be wise or foolish? Yet he will take control over all my hard work . . . This too is vanity.”​—Ecclesiastes 2:18, 19.

Good self-rule is beyond us. “To earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.” (Jeremiah 10:23) Our imperfections aside, the Bible teaches that according to God’s original purpose, humans have neither the God-given right to rule themselves nor the ability to do so effectively. Why, for example, do people tend to chafe at the thought of another human or group of humans telling them what to do or setting moral or ethical standards for them? The answer: We were created to look to a higher authority than ourselves for guidance in life. That Authority is God.​—Isaiah 33:22; Acts 4:19; 5:29.

Humans are influenced by a hidden ruler. “The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one”​—Satan the Devil. (1 John 5:19) If the top management of a company was utterly corrupt​—and untouchable—​what could the average employee do to correct things? Little, if anything. The same is true in regard to correcting the problems ultimately attributable to the hidden rulers of this world​—invisible, evil spirit creatures working under the overlordship of Satan. The Bible describes those rulers as “governments,” “authorities,” “world rulers of this darkness,” and “wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places.”​—Ephesians 6:12.

The Bible does not, however, simply expose mankind’s failings and the world’s unseen rulers. It also provides good news in the form of a sure solution to all our problems, thus giving us a sound basis for hope.

Our Creator to the Rescue!

Left to our own devices, we could never find a solution to these problems. Not even the most intelligent, powerful, or wealthy human has the power to change a single one of the four realities mentioned in this article.a But as explained in the following article, our Creator has neither forgotten us nor abandoned us. In fact, as earth’s rightful Sovereign, he will address every obstacle that lies in the way of our happiness. (1 John 4:8) What is more, he will do so soon. How do we know?

As explained in last month’s issue of this magazine, world events and social conditions make it abundantly clear that we are deep into “the last days” of the present world. (2 Timothy 3:1; Matthew 24:3-7) No, the end will not come in the form of a nuclear holocaust or a collision with an asteroid or in some other way that indiscriminately annihilates both the good and the bad. Rather, it will be the result of divine intervention aimed specifically at the wicked, including those who insist on perpetuating human sovereignty. (Psalm 37:10; 2 Peter 3:7) At the same time, God will bring to an end all the suffering that such opposers of God have caused.b​—2 Thessalonians 1:6-9.

Thereafter, the Creator will solve our problems of government by granting full authority over the earth to a rulership called “the kingdom of God.” (Luke 4:43) As we shall now see, that world government puts tomorrow in a totally new light.

[Footnotes]

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FLAWED “BRICKS” OF HUMAN SOCIETY

◼ We are all imperfect.

◼ Death overtakes us.

◼ Good self-rule is beyond us.

◼ Humans are influenced by a hidden ruler.

[Box on page 6]

HUMANS WILL NOT RUIN THE EARTH!

The Creator’s purpose for the earth to be a safe, peaceful home for God-fearing humans is well supported in the Bible. Consider the following scriptures.

“He has founded the earth upon its established places; it will not be made to totter to time indefinite, or forever.”​—Psalm 104:5.

“You have solidly fixed the earth, that it may keep standing.”​—Psalm 119:90.

“A generation is going, and a generation is coming; but the earth is standing even to time indefinite.”​—Ecclesiastes 1:4.

“The earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah as the waters are covering the very sea.”​—Isaiah 11:9.

“[Jehovah is] the Former of the earth and the Maker of it, He the One who firmly established it, who did not create it simply for nothing, who formed it even to be inhabited.”​—Isaiah 45:18.

A Secure Future Under God’s Rule

SOON our anxieties about the future will be over, for God will take charge of planet Earth by putting in place his own government, called God’s Kingdom. Jesus Christ had that wonderful prospect in mind when he taught his followers to pray: “Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.”​—Matthew 6:9, 10.

God’s Kingdom will neither cooperate with nor work through human political leaders. Rather, it will eliminate every vestige of human self-rule, as indicated in the following prophecy of Daniel about “the last days,” the time in which we live. (2 Timothy 3:1) “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. . . . It will crush and put an end to all these [man-made] kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite.” (Daniel 2:44) Those words offer no comfort or hope to people who prefer rulership by man, but to all who desire God’s sovereignty as expressed through his Kingdom, they glow with promise.

A Wonderful Future!

When God’s Kingdom rules over the entire earth, its subjects will not be divided by politics, race, religion, or lines on a map. Rather, they will form a global brotherhood united by spiritual truth and genuine love. (John 13:34, 35; 17:3, 17) Yes, under Kingdom rule, “the righteous one will sprout,” and there will be an “abundance of peace until the moon is no more.”​—Psalm 72:7.

Besides these things, God’s Kingdom will elevate submissive humans to perfection in mind and body, eradicating all sickness, suffering, and death. (Revelation 21:3, 4) The result? Our planet will be a paradise in every respect, thus fulfilling God’s original purpose as stated in Eden.a​—Genesis 1:28.

The Only Real Good News

When giving his composite sign of “the conclusion of the system of things,” Jesus included a particularly noteworthy element. (Matthew 24:3-7) He said: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.”​—Matthew 24:14.

In harmony with God’s will, in 2007 almost seven million Witnesses of Jehovah in 236 lands shared the Kingdom message with their neighbors, joyfully contributing well over 1.4 billion hours of their personal time to this work. Why are the Witnesses so firmly convinced of the promises contained in the Bible? The answer is really quite simple. As the following article explains, God is always true to his word.​—Romans 3:4.

[Footnote]

[Blurb on page 7]

The Bible says that there will be an “abundance of peace”

A Future You Can Count On!

You have arrived at a fork in the road. One sign says, “Invest your future in humans and their promises.” The other reads, “Trust in God and his Kingdom.” Which way will you go?

THE wise course is to trust in God. “The one listening to me,” he says, “will reside in security and be undisturbed from dread of calamity.” (Proverbs 1:33) We listen to our Creator by heeding the teachings contained in the Bible, knowing that these are trustworthy. (2 Timothy 3:16) Is such trust well-founded? Absolutely! For instance, as we saw in the second article in this series, the Bible alone accurately explains why humans are unable to rule themselves competently. Do you not agree that what the Bible says fits the facts?

The same accuracy is reflected in Bible prophecy. For example, the Bible foretold the woeful conditions marking the present “last days.” We can see these with our own eyes. (Matthew 24:3-7; 2 Timothy 3:1-5) The Bible even predicted that humans would threaten the very health of the planet. God will “bring to ruin those ruining the earth,” says Revelation 11:18.

When those words were penned some 2,000 years ago, phenomena such as pollution of air, sea, and land; global warming; and mass extinction of species caused by humans would have been inconceivable. But not now! Yes, God never lies. His written Word is always fulfilled in every detail.a (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18) In fact, God stakes his name on his word.

A Name You Can Trust

Just as a signature validates a check, God’s personal name​—Jehovah—​guarantees all the promises recorded in the Bible.b “In his holy name we have put our trust,” said a Bible writer who often experienced God’s loving care.​—Psalm 33:21; 34:4, 6.

Linking the name of God to his fatherly care, Proverbs 18:10 states: “The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. Into it the righteous runs and is given protection.” Likewise, Romans 10:13 reads: “Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.” Of course, God’s personal name is not a charm that wards off evil. Rather, it is God himself who does the saving, and those who call on him as that text says do this because they trust him implicitly, knowing full well his flawless reputation. Says Psalm 91:14: “Because on me [Jehovah] he has set his affection, I shall also provide him with escape. I shall protect him because he has come to know my name.”

Ask yourself, ‘Where do I place my trust​—in God or in man?’ Jehovah’s Witnesses have made their choice for God and his Kingdom, not out of irrational sentiment or blind credulity, but on the basis of strong conviction rooted in an accurate knowledge of the Bible. (Hebrews 11:1; 1 John 4:1) As a result, they do not fear the future but “rejoice in the hope” set before them. They invite you to share that same sunny outlook.​—Romans 12:12.

[Footnotes]

[Blurb on page 9]

Just as a signature validates a check, God’s name guarantees all the promises in the Bible

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BOTH A NAME AND A GUARANTEE

God’s name, Jehovah, is not a mere label.c How so? That name means “He Causes to Become.” Simply put, God has the love, power, and wisdom to become whatever he deems necessary in order to accomplish his purpose and fulfill his word. For example, he can become a Savior of the righteous, a Destroyer of the wicked, a Hearer of prayer, or a loving Father​—whatever he chooses to become.

“I am the Divine One,” Jehovah says, “the One telling from the beginning the finale, . . . the One saying, ‘My own counsel will stand, and everything that is my delight I shall do.’” (Isaiah 46:9, 10) Because God is always true to himself and because his name, or reputation, is involved, his written Word is certain of fulfillment. “God is not a man that he should tell lies.”​—Numbers 23:19.

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