In the previous issue, we saw how God deals with godless people. We saw how throughout the Bible there is a pattern that keeps repeating – people turning godless, God sending His Word through His prophets to warn the people of the coming disaster if they do not repent, God waiting patiently for them to repent, the destruction finally coming, and only a few being saved. Looking at the rising godlessness in today’s world, we can say without doubt that the same pattern is bound to repeat. In that case, everything that happens will be on a larger scale.
We’ve already seen in Part 1, how, given the current global nuclear stockpile, a large-scale destruction of human life is actually possible in today’s world. However, we also know from the Biblical pattern we read about in part 2 that God does not allow disaster to come unless His message is preached and the people are warned. When Jesus spoke about the ‘End of the Age’, He said one thing… And this Good News about the Kingdom will be preached through all the world for a witness to all people; and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14). In a way, Jesus was saying that at the end of the age, the Word would be proclaimed on a large scale. Isn’t that what is happening now? Consider how the Good News is fast spreading through the internet and other means. God seems to be giving ‘everyone’ the opportunity to listen to His Word and repent. Not only is the Good News being preached but God is also raising prophets in our times to warn us so that we prepare ourselves. As if this is not enough, warnings are sent directly from heaven, through the various apparitions of Our Lady. God is doing everything possible so that more and more people repent and live according to His Word.
Now, even though the Word is proclaimed on a large scale and warnings are given time and again, very few are changing their lives. But this has always been the pattern; it will be the same at the ‘End of Age’. Again, Jesus said… The coming of the Son of Man will be like what happened in the time of Noah. In the days before the flood, people ate and drank, men and women married, up to the very day Noah went into the boat; (Matthew 24:37-38). We know finally only 8 people went into the boat. In the same way, few will believe in the Good News and be saved.
Therefore, even though the specter of a nuclear war looms ahead, one thing is certain - even if there is large-scale destruction, mankind will not come to an end. Just as it was during the time of Noah, God will make sure that a few will be saved. They will be His chosen people. Jesus made this very clear… God has already reduced the number of days; had He not done so, nobody would survive. For the sake of His chosen people, however, God will reduce the days. (Matthew 24:22). Again, this line confirms that the destruction will be large-scale. Under ordinary circumstances, everyone should perish. But like in the past, God will see to it that His chosen people make it through. And those who will be saved will be very few. This is exactly what Isaiah meant when he said, "Even if the people of Israel are as many as the grains of sand by the sea, yet only a few of them will be saved; for the Lord will quickly settle His full account with the world. If the Lord Almighty had not left us some descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah." (Romans 9:27-29)
Someone asked Jesus the question… "Sir, will just a few people be saved?" (Luke 13:23). Kindly note the reply of Jesus… "Do your best to go in through the narrow door; because many people will surely try to go in but will not be able.” (Luke 13:24). Indirectly, Jesus was confirming that few would be saved. But the chance to be saved would be given to all. Therefore, let us choose to be among the few who will be saved. And let us make efforts to increase the number of people who will be saved by passing on the Good News of Salvation in such a way that it touches their hearts sufficiently and they in turn change their way of living and become true Christians dedicated to the cause of Christ.
