In the words of the apostle Paul

Looking around at what is happening to this country (and the rest of the world for that matter) is both depressing and sad. As we see freedom - the very freedom that have been fought for, for so many years, dissolving rapidly before our very eyes - it helps to have a biblical perspective. Unless your head is buried so far in the sand that you don't see what is happening all around us, then you probably share the same sense of helplessness and powerlessness that so many of us feel.

In fact, if it weren't for biblical prophecy and the hope and assurance that it provides, I can't imagine facing the imminent future here on earth.

One scriptural passage that rings so true, in terms of describing the world that we live in today was written in the first century A.D. by the apostle Paul. Its amazing that he was given such a clear vision of the days we find ourselves in:

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.

Just as Jaanes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth - men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected."

(2 Timothy 3:1-9)

The apostle Paul continues a few verses later:

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist..."

(2 Timothy 4:3-5)

Now comes the good part:

"Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to ALL WHO HAVE LONGED FOR HIS APPEARING" (emphasis mine)

(2 Timothy 4:8)

We have so many promises through God's prophetic scriptures. As dark as the world is becoming, as evil as man is in this age - we still have tremendous hope through God's word. We have to cling to that with every fiber of our being, as God has directed.

There will be a judgment coming. Ours, the "Bema Judgment" as described in 2 Corinthians 5:10, will actually consist of rewards for the believer's work while on earth - and we also know that God won't see our sin, as the blood of Jesus covers it 100%. For non-believers, however, they will meet a different judgment, known as the "Great White Throne Judgment", described in Revelation 20:11-15. God will see and judge their sin - the sins of a non-believer, sins which will not be covered by the blood of Christ Jesus.

God will make everything right. In the words of Jesus, we receive even more comforting promises:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy

Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God
Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me
Rejoyce and be glad because great is your reward in heaven, just as it was for the prophets before you"

(Matthew 5)

Soon. Soon we will have true justice, true judgment, true righteousness, true comforting, true rewards and true mercy, just to name a few.

Its a promise from God.