Will things in this life ever get better?

I'll ask the question a second time. Will things in this life ever get better? That depends upon your position in Christ. Many are trying their best to improve our environment and our world. Let me explain. For instance, we have environmentalists and others who want us to recycle, drive eco-friendly cars, ride on fuel efficient buses so that we do not pollute more our already contaminated environment; do not cut down any more trees so that we do not lose our supply of oxygen, pay our bills electronically so that we do not have to be sent a paper bill in the mail and the list goes on. All of these things are good gestures and should be applauded. We should do whatever it takes to preserve and use of our natural resources wisely. It is good stewardship however, in the end all these efforts will come to naught.                                                

While I am not trying to sound cynical, we as human beings will never be able to save the planet. No matter how many “smart cars” we purchase or however many solar panels we buy for our homes, or no matter how many trees we save. Saving the planet was never the duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13b-14 describes man’s total purpose, “fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether it be good or evil”.                                        

The point I am proving is that man cannot ultimately improve our human condition. The reason why things are so bad is because of man.  Man is the problem so he certainly cannot be the solution Sadly, man is not getting better as time marches on, he is getting worse. 2 Timothy 3:13 says evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse. So no, for most of the world things are not getting better; they are getting worse and will get far worse. As a matter of fact, the future time will be so horrific that Jesus Himself said it would be the worst time in human history (Matt 24:21).  In the future there will be worldwide catastrophes like nothing the world has ever seen before. There will be wonders in heavens, terrible things on the earth and in the seas. The book of Revelation describes these disasters in detail. Let us look at some of them.

Revelation 6:12-14: I (John) looked when He opened the sixth seal and behold there was a great earthquake and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded like a scroll when It is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.

Revelation 8:7: The first angel sound (his trumpet) and hail and fire followed mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and green grass was burned up.

Revelation 9:15 – When the sixth angel blows his trumpet he releases four unholy angels out of the Euphrates River, Also a two hundred million man (or some say demonic) army. It could be both. Their job is to destroy a third of mankind (approximately 2.3 billion dead according to current world population).

Revelation 11:15, 19: Then the seventh angel sounded…then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of the covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.

Revelation chapter 13 deals with the rise and activities of the anti-christ.

Revelation 16:8 – Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed God who has power over these plagues, and they did not repent to give Him glory.

                

These verses and so many more tell us that things will get far worse in the end times. This is something that cannot be prayed away. God has decreed it will happen, and it will unfold in exactly the manner scripture describes. The events of the great tribulation will end with the return of our Lord Jesus Christ to earth. It is at this time all the holy angels and all the saints of God will return with Him. Jesus will destroy His enemies at this time (Rev 19:11-21). After this, the Lord will set up His eternal kingdom with the initial segment of His kingdom lasting one thousand years (Rev 20:2,4,6-7). During this time in human history things will be perfect because the devil will be bound and shut up in prison; called the bottomless pit or the Abyss for a one thousand years with a brief release with his ultimate doom in the lake of fire (Rev 20:1-3,10 ). There will be worldwide peace on earth.                                                                                                         

In Isaiah 11 it says the wolf will dwell with lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat. The calf and the young lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. It also says in Isaiah 11 that none shall hurt nor destroy in My holy mountain says the Lord (Isa 11:6, 9; 65:25).                                 

Here is the point I must get across to the reader, no matter how valiant, benevolent, brave, courageous, well intentioned, or any other adjective we can use to describe human effort to make this earth a better place we cannot do it. Saving this planet is ultimately futile. Why? Because it is disposable. We cannot save what God has determined He will destroy. I for one am happy He is going to destroy it. Now that doesn’t mean we should destroy it. The earth is the Lord’s and it is up to Him when he will destroy it. I give you two reasons why the Lord must destroy this earth. 1) This world is under a curse because of the original sin of Adam (Gen 3:17b). This has brought the world untold misery, pain and death.  2) God promised He would destroy it and provide us with a new heavens and new earth (Isa 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13; Rev 21:1). God created this earth in the first place, so what is the big deal if He destroys it and re-creates it to the paradise it was before? Someone has correctly called the new heavens and new earth PARADISE REGAINED!  This is the place all God’s people long for where righteousness dwells and the whole earth is full of the knowledge of the Lord (Isa 11:9).                                                                                                                

So in answering the original question, “Will thing in this life ever get better?” The answer is yes and no. No, because man is only capable of making matters worse because he is hopelessly evil and depraved. And yes because Jesus Christ praise God is returning to destroy all evildoers; at which time He will establish His eternal Universal Kingdom reign which will usher in everlasting peace where all will dwell safely and men will learn war no more (Isa 2:4; Micah 4:3).