The country of New Zealand, and sympathizers from around the world, are struggling to make sense of the events that transpired on March 15. How and why would someone take the lives of 50 unsuspecting people (and injure many others) worshiping at 2 mosques in the Christchurch community? In what is now ranked among the deadliest massacres in recent world history, the answer to such questions may be challenging to comprehend.

The 28-year-old, white supremacist suspect explained, in his 74-page manifesto, that he hoped the massacre, among other things, would spark a civil war in the United States. But God has made it very clear just what will bring on another civil war; a future movement that is quite different from the crisis that this suspect was hoping to create. From the pen of inspiration, we read:

In India, China, Russia, and the cities of America, thousands of men and women are dying of starvation. The monied men, because they have the power, control the market. They purchase at low rates all they can obtain, and then sell at greatly increased prices. This means starvation to the poorer classes, and will result in a civil war. There will be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation. “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, everyone that shall be found written in the book…. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.” {5MR 305.4}

God hates oppression and cruelty of any kind, and He holds the oppressor accountable. Daily, prophecy is fast-fulling. What we are witnessing today (in New Zealand, in the U.S., and all across the globe) is only the “beginning of sorrows”. Indeed, a revolution and civil war is brewing…

Although our hearts are saddened to read events like these, and we can be certain that things in this world will only get worse – we can have hope, in He whom we have believed! Today, while we still have the opportunity, may we seek to develop a close, intimate, and personal relationship with our beloved Saviour, “For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock” (Psalm 27:5).

Our only safety is in constant communion with God. Our petitions should ascend in faith that he will keep us unspotted from the corruptions of the world. Did not Jesus tell us that iniquity would abound in the last days? But his grace will be granted to us according to our day. Those who are open to the influence of the Spirit of God will receive strength to withstand the evils of this degenerate age.  {ST, December 29, 1887}  

Get Ready, Get Ready, Get Ready!