Why Is The World So Divided?
Living in the Day of Judgment — Tract Series #3
Q. I'm not sure why, but it seems like things are falling apart more and more. I suppose it's just politics that divide us?
A. Wherever we turn in the world today we do find tremendous upheaval as long trusted political systems are trusted no more. News agencies that were once highly esteemed, even revered, are respected no longer; but instead are mockingly labeled as "fake news." The world's entertainment industry has been badly shaken with scandal after scandal which has resulted in great humiliation for those exposed. But it doesn't end there. Many accustomed to escaping the world's troubles by turning to sports as a sort of refuge have seen their beloved sports teams and players and the outlets that cover them embroiled in multiple controversies. Even religion has been beset with turmoil as one of the world's largest religions has had its reputation tarnished repeatedly by those who have engaged in terroristic acts in its name. And sadly, the chaotic division in the world is not only out there somewhere, but we also see societal division practically everywhere we look, often in our own families. What's going on? Perhaps this will surprise you, but the answer to this question is found in the Bible. The Bible speaks of a time when the world will be divided like it has never been divided before. The time of great division occurs during Judgment Day.
Ezekiel 38:21-22And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man's sword shall be against his brother. And … I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.
Zechariah 14:13And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.
Q. Huh, Judgment Day? Are you saying that Judgment Day is almost here?
No. Actually, the Bible has revealed the fact that Judgment Day has already come. Perhaps you remember hearing about the date of May 21, 2011 proclaimed to the world several years ago? The Bible insists that that proclamation was correct. Which means that God has been judging the world from that time until now. And the Bible also indicates that this prolonged judgment period will continue for several more years — very possibly until the year 2033 AD.
Q. What? You can't be serious. You think that just because the world is divided right now that it means it's Judgment Day?
A. It's the other way around. It's not Judgment Day because the world is divided; but the world's divided because it is Judgment Day. And God's program of judgment calls for the division of Satan's kingdom — that is, the division of this world:
Matthew 12:25Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.
Mark 3:24-26And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.
Revelation 6:17For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Psalm 1:5Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
The kingdom of Satan, which consists of all the unsaved people of the world, will fall in the time of the final judgment. The division of Satan's house will not allow them to stand in the judgment.
Q. You said that this world was Satan's kingdom? Look, I agree there's a lot of ugliness out there in the world, but I wouldn't go so far as to call the world "Satan's kingdom."
Luke 4:5-6And the devil … shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
Q. I don't know, the idea of Satan ruling the world sounds strange to me.
A. Well, as a matter of fact, he is no longer ruling the world at this time. Once the Lord Jesus Christ came as Judge of mankind (beginning May 21, 2011), He deposed Satan from all official rule and Jesus took over his kingdom. The Lord Jesus is presently ruling the world during this prolonged period of judgment upon it.
⚔️ The World Is Fallen! Is Fallen!
Isaiah 14:12-14How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: … I will be like the most High.
Jeremiah 51:7-8Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD's hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad. Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed.
Revelation 14:8And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Revelation 18:2… Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
Jeremiah 51:49As Babylon hath caused the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth.
✍️ The Writing on the Wall: Thy Kingdom Is Divided
Daniel 5:25-28And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
Isaiah 44:28That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd … saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
Isaiah 45:1Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus.
Luke 12:13-14And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
Q. Are you saying that Jesus Christ is ruling the world right now?
Revelation 11:15And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ.
Revelation 19:15And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron.
Q. If Jesus is ruling the world wouldn't things be wonderful for everyone rather than so bad like it's been?
A. Jesus is not ruling the world in a benevolent way. He's not ruling for the good or benefit of unsaved people. He's ruling with a rod of iron because He's the Righteous Judge that is punishing mankind for transgressing His holy law, the Bible. The punishment involves exposing the world's sins which results in their public humiliation.
Isaiah 47:1Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon…: there is no throne, … for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate.
Proverbs 1:25-26But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh.
Q. You make Jesus sound cruel and vengeful. I thought He was supposed to be kind and gentle?
John 5:27And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
Romans 12:19… Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
2 Thessalonians 1:7-8… the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Q. This sounds all bad. Is there no good news?
A. There is good news for those that God saved prior to the date of May 21, 2011. Those people were saved through hearing the Bible and have been left on the earth to go through this grievous period of the world's judgment in order to make an appearance before Christ's judgment seat:
2 Corinthians 5:10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.
Matthew 24:13But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Zechariah 13:8-9… in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: … I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.
Matthew 25:23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
