Is our world in a deep crisis or are we on the verge of a fantastic future? There's a huge contrast between dooms day forecasters and the eternal optimist. The pessimistic believe that this next decade will threaten our survival even more than ever. Yet on the other hand idealist predict it will usher in technology that will finally free us from our age old problems. Now which of these two ideas will become reality and does Bible prophecy come into play? Stay tuned to Beyond Today as we consider our future. Dooms day or better way?

Are we on the verge of a dramatic change in solving the worlds problems or does a global nightmare await us? Is it dooms day or a better way?

Futurist offer a variety of conflicting visions. Just imagine what might come to pass. What are the first things that come to your mind? Perhaps cutting edge inventions or revolutionary new gadgets that will make life more comfortable. Science and technology offer continuing advancements almost beyond belief. Just think of it, human knowledge is doubling every ten years and computer power doubling every eighteen months. No wonder futurist see a spectacular world of human achievements ahead. Science says it will not only change the environment but it foresees changing man himself. We could become ageless or geniuses or sibernetisized or maybe radically transformed by some technology that we can't even imagine yet. Now some say that the potential of nanotechnology is amazing, allowing the blind to see, the lame to walk, the deaf to hear, curing AIDS, cancer, diabetes even ending hunger. Yet on the other hand many draw different conclusions even though they see the same scientific innovations.

Imagine powerful technology but instead used for destructive purposes. You've probably heard of the dooms day clock. It's a symbolic clock created back in 1947 by the bulletin of atomic scientists. The closer the clock is to midnight the closer it is to eminent global destruction, dooms day. Now since its creation the time has changed nineteen times. The clock has been as far as seventeen minutes to midnight but today the dooms day clock stands at six minutes to midnight. It tells us today that our entire planet has been endangered by the overwhelming threat of nuclear weapons. Now how mindful are you of the fact that the clock is ticking.

No doubt greed violence, selfishness and evil, they've always been around but the pessimist has to ask, what has fundamentally changed that would make the world and our future a better place? Human nature hasn't changed, only the tools of destruction have changed with the ability to annihilate man kind. So will the future bring a glittering world of the idealist who pass or dooms day, the world of the cynic?

Which one is right and is there or is it really a way to see what it will really be like in the world beyond today?

Is there a way that you can know? Yes there is. There is a source, a source that claims the authority and the power, not only to predict the future but also to bring about its vision of the future. It's not a source from the world of science, not a government from the United Nations or some commercial venture. That is not where the solution to our problems will come from. Who is that source? It's the ultimate authority, God Almighty. Notice His credential's in Isaiah 46:

Isaiah 46:9 Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me,
Isaiah 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,'

Now who better to predict to predict the future than the all powerful Creator who can control the outcome? So here's a vital question, is God looking forward to the complete destruction of the world? Absolutely not! Now it might surprise you to realize that dooms day is not a part of God's plan. Mankind will not be utterly destroyed. Armageddon the way most people imagine, it's a fallacy. Now before you think I'm crazy stay with me while I explain. Now the scientist and really anyone with eyes they can see that no doubt there is trouble on our horizon. God describes it a perilous times that are coming or stressful times. I Thessalonians 5:3 puts it this way

1 Thessalonians 5:3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.

Did you catch that? This is very important to notice. Rather than merely think of the end times in terms of Armageddon, nuclear holocaust or complete annihilation God compares this time to child birth. Do you realize that labor pain and child birth is a major theme of the Bible? Now that may raise a question. Just what is the end time and how is it like child birth? Now if you stop and take a look around the world today would you say that birth pains are already being felt? Jesus' disciples asked Him about this in Matthew 24.

Matthew 24:3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"

Now stop right there. What were they asking Him? When would the world be completely destroyed? No. When would man kind be completely obliterated? That's not what they were asking. They were asking, when this age, our time, this era, when the end of the time of man's rule would be. That's what they were asking about. They weren't referring to the total destruction of our planet. They were asking when the rule of man would be over on the earth. Notice, this is when the Bible mentions the time of the end or the end of the age, it refers to the coming end of this present era. Now why? Because this time is coming, the time is coming that Jesus talked about that this age will be replace by the age that God's direct guidance, His rule over all humanity. Now when Christ went on in verse 6...

Matthew 24:6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Matthew 24:7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.

Things like this must take place. It says things like this are like the first pains when something new is about to be born. Now other translations say these are the beginnings of birth pains or these are the beginning of sorrow or only the first birth pains. You see, Jesus compares this difficult time to a mother beginning to labor before birth and that work of labor is done through contractions, muscles tightening as the pain intensifies. Our world is having contractions. We see them all around us in the troubles that our world is facing. Like an expectant other the contractions are going to get longer and stronger and closer together.

Now this is not some fundamental religious talk. Our worlds top scientist, our government our corporations know this to be true. Why would they be worried about dyer consequences if it weren't true? You want proof? Well they found it necessary to establish the dooms day vault. They've constructed a global seed bank called the dooms day vault in the Norwegian tundra. These intellectuals know our worlds in trouble so supposedly this vault could be used to replant the world should unspeakable devastation occur. Now of course a seed bank is not a solution to man's problems. No doubt our world is caught in the labor pains of the end of this age, the end time.

But what exactly is the time of the end?

Your Bible warns about many who will be deceived about prophetic events. Now don't be one of those. We have something that will help. It's a free booklet called Are We Living In the Time of the End? You need to be aware of what the future holds. Prophecy is one of the most intriguing subjects in the Bible, yet there are so many misconceptions about what will happen to our world and humanity itself. You need to know exactly what Jesus taught about the time of the end. You can request your free copy today. You can call toll free 1-888-886-8632 or go on line to BeyondToday.tv you can download a copy, read it on line or order a free copy, Are We Living in the Time of the End? So request your free copy today, you can click or call or go on line to BeyondToday.tv or toll free 1-888-886-8632. Now don't forget to follow Beyond Today on Twitter and join our Facebook fan page.

Now religious people aren't the only ones concerned about the end of the age. Educators, politicians, scientist the foresee potential destruction of our world and they see it coming from a number of causes. You've heard of them, nuclear warfare, environmental disasters, pollution, over population, killer diseases and even cosmic collisions. But we learned earlier that the Bible teaches that mankind will not be destroyed in any of these ways. God compares the end of man's rule to labor and child birth. Can you see it?

The contractions that our world is going through is coming to a climax of terrible events, Like a women in intense labor your Bible compares this time just ahead to one of anguish and sorrow and pain and its such a paradox because we live in such a fantastic time of knowledge and communication and technology that could possibly solve our problems. And yet our problems are spiritual problems. Our dilemma, our real problem is in the heart of man. There's never been a time in mans history where there's truly been lasting peace and love so no wonder our world is in the throng of labor pain. The prophet Jeremiah records it for us in Jeremiah 30...

Jeremy 30:5 For thus says the LORD: We have heard a voice of trembling, Of fear, and not of peace.

Now let me ask you a question. Do men give birth to babies? Then why do they stand there ashen faced, hands pressed against their sides like a women in labor?

In all history there's never been such a time of terror. You see that's the time that Christ Himself taught about. This future time that's so dreadful this time of such terrible suffering, that if the time of troubles were not cut short no living thing could survive. Everyone alive would die if that time weren't shortened.

Now that truly would be Armageddon that would be dooms day but your Bible teaches that it will not be the end of all things. Remember God's analogy of child birth? Our world will be trembling, shaking as it travails in the intense emotions of horrible labor pains. But how will it end? In child birth the babies head descends with every contraction then the mother has an intense desire, urge to bear down and push that baby out. And that's comparable to what will happen at the end of this age. The prophet Isaiah said in chapter 66: 7

Isaiah 66:7 "Before she was in labor, she gave birth; Before her pain came, She delivered a male child.
Isaiah 66:8 Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion was in labor, She gave birth to her children.
Isaiah 66:9 Shall I bring to the time of birth, and not cause delivery?

So what is the result of the worlds tribulation and labor pain? What will be born? You see this isn't another prophecy about a government of man coming about. This tells us that God Almighty will bring about the of His Kingdom, the time of the end of man's failed governments will finally arrive like a new baby being born. The era of man's ruler ship is going to be over and the ultimate government of God will be established right on this earth.

You see, God tells us this world will be pushed out and the rule of Jesus Christ will be established. Finally! That's when the kingdoms of this world will have become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ and He shall reign forever and ever.

You see, the only way to good government, the only way to permanent peace, the only way to true happiness is through God's direct and powerful intervention in human affairs.

God promises to send His son to earth again to put away hatred, to put away fighting, put away war. He cannot wait for the birth of His kingdom. Just like that expectant mother whose just given birth imagine the relief, imagine how the focus will change from the pain to that beautiful new baby. The world can relax and revel in the miracle in can cherish the moment. I mean what a wonderful world awaits us, a world of real peace, real happiness. It's almost beyond what we can imagine.

So what about the bottom line what about you, how will all of this effect you?

One of the most encouraging aspects of the matter is knowing that God has promised to watch over and care for His people during this time that could be so difficult in the future because God loves mankind, He want the best for everyone.

Now it's amazing that Jesus says the vast majority will be taken by surprise. They won't be spiritually alert to the conditions and all these trends that are developing. So will you be alert? He wants you to avoid falling into the trap. What should you be doing as this time is drawing closer?

You see there's nothing wrong with wanting to avoid suffering and the disasters that are on the horizon. If fact God wants you to be alert to world affairs and conditions but more importantly you must be watching your own spiritual condition. You can be earnestly praying for God's favor to escape the coming devastation that occurs during your lifetime. In Mark 13 Jesus Himself said this...

Mark 13:32 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Mark 13:33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.

You see, even though the end of this age is a time of unprecedented world trouble its also the threshold for God's Kingdom. So your goal? Be spiritually prepared Mark 13:35 says..

Mark 13:35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—
Mark 13:36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.
Mark 13:37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!

You see those are Christ's words, He says be ready. Are you listening to His warning? Are you ready for the changes in our world?

God emphasizes the importance of being spiritually and personally prepared and alert anticipating these future events. So how spiritually prepared are you? Do you have a personal relationship with God?

He longs for you to respond to His love and concern for you. So ask God to help you to prepare your heart and your mind so you choose Him and His promises. Don't wait. Make the time to act now. Learn the kind of attitude and behavior that Christ will look on with favor as this time of trouble draws near.

He tells one faithful group at the end, "Because you've kept my command to persevere I will also keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth". So the troubling times we face now and those that are prophesied to come are not a time to fear but a time to be encouraged a time to take action.

The book of Romans tells us that the sufferings that we have now are nothing compared to the great glory that will be shown to us. We know that everything God made has been waiting until now in pain like a woman ready to give birth. Not only the world be we also have been waiting with pain inside us so we're waiting for God to finish making us His own children.

God reminds us to be prepared. Prepare yourself spiritually, really get to know the one true God. Take comfort in God's promises and the knowledge that He made available about the end time. Look beyond today, beyond the stress, beyond the struggle, beyond the pain waits a time of confidence and hope and joy in the Kingdom of God.

Now there's much more to discuss on this topic, up next we'll be talking to the Beyond Today panel. But first I have a special offer for you today, it's the Good News magazine. The goal of the Good News is to help provide you with understanding. You can get your subscription absolutely free. Go on line to BeyondToday.tv to download, read on line or order your free subscription. What is the Good News? Well many magazines report the news or current events. They give information but they don't get to the answers. They don't address the really important questions. Why were you born, what's your purpose in life, what lies ahead? That's why you need the Good News. It will help you answers. So click or call toll free 1-888-886-8632 that's 1-888-886-8632 or go on line to BeyondToday.tv. Get your free subscription now. The Good News not only reports on world trends but it does it with an eye Bible. It will also help you with useful information for your everyday life. Get your free subscription today and don't forget to follow Beyond Today on Twitter or join our Facebook fan page.

(Steve)
Most people recognize that we live in an increasingly dangerous world. Are we living in the time of the end? Religious people aren't the only ones asking this crucial question. Why have scientist come up with the dooms day clock or trying to save seeds to replant the earth? Well we're going to talk about it. Here's the Beyond Today panel and we're going to discuss that very question. Joining me today are fellow hosts of the program, Darris McNeely and Gary Petty. Now as we talk about this subject of the end time I think there's a lot of misconceptions that are out there. So if we get very specific, what are talking about, the time, the time of the end?

(Darris McNeely)
Well Steve, the time of the end as it refers to in the Bible is really not as bad in one sense as people make it out to be in this dooms day idea. Really what Christ spoke about is an end to an age as a transition from the age of man, human government and rule of it's institutions to the Kingdom of God to the time when God is going to set His hand establish His Kingdom of peace and righteousness upon the earth and in the light and the way of all the scriptures from the Old Testament prophets that are brought forward and fulfilled in that event. That those prophecies refer to. It is a transition to a different world, a whole different structure. It's not the end of life, it's not the end of the world, the world is going to continue on. The sun will come up in the morning, human life will go on. In fact it says that human life will be spared. It will be spared by God not by some human effort and so that is critical to understand. It's not the end of the world, it's merely the end of a time or a period.

(Steve Myers)
So it's pretty specific about the end of life.

(Gary Petty)
Well Christians talk about the Gospel, the good news and we turn to our Bibles and we talk about wars and famines and destruction and death and we get caught up in this not realizing that yes there is some bad news but it leads to the good news. And the good news is that Jesus Christ is going to come back to save humanity. So yeah its dooms day, no it's a better way

(Steve Myers)
So mans government is going to be replaced by God's government and I'm sure the question is then when? You know where are we in this whole process?

(Darris McNeely)
Well where we are in this process is Steve, we're at a point in time where we can see certain signs that point that we are closer than we ever have been.

(Steve Myers)
In fact Christ talked about some of those times right?

(Darris McNeely)
In Matthew 24 what is called the Olivet Prophecy Jesus Christ gave some specific events to look for and He led off in talking about a time of Spiritual deceptions. That there would be a time of great spiritual deception which really will arise out of a time of spiritual need. People are looking even today for some type of answers to the problems of not only individually but also the collective problems of our world's society. And even the efforts that you find are somewhat humanistic or political such as various efforts to save the planet have a spiritual entity to it. There is a spiritual dimension them. But Christ spoke of a spiritual deception. He also spoke of an increased rate of wars. He also spoke of a proclivity for and problems with famine and pestilence specifically and we continue to hear of these events that come right up to the precipice of happening in terms of mass pandemics or famine, they never happen. They haven't happened in my life time although you continue to hear about them. But those are just some of the events that help us understand that we live in times that are exactly what Jesus Christ talked about. The timing is completely up to God.

(Gary Petty)
And what's so difficult in this time for humanity is that we're going to be watching humanity fail. Our governments, our religions our social systems, everything is going to fail. So everything we try won't work which is the point. The only solution is for God to send His son back to give us the answers to how life works.

(Steve Myers)
Well it is an interesting comparison then when you look at what those signs that Christ talked about and then how often times in the Bible it's comparing things to labor pains and that whole process of childbirth and maybe to get a better handle on that. Why do you think that analogy is used so often throughout the Bible?

(Gary Petty)
Well you know I think about it, I've sat with my wife through the birth of three children and I watched her go through stress, pain, agony, worry, all the things that a woman goes through when a child is being born and yet when that child was born and it's handed to her, her face glowed and it was excited, she was happy, she was filled with joy and it made the pain, I mean she didn't forget it, it was real but it did change what that it was worth it and that's what God's telling us. What humanity is going to go through is going to be worth it.

(Steve Myers)
It's going to be some difficulties, when you talk about child birth and you compare that to the difficulties of war, of famine and pestilence and all the terrible things those are the contractions the world is going through and it will continue to go through it.

(Darris McNeely)
Yeah you use the word contractions, it's like within child birth the contractions start mild, they are further apart but as the moment that birth reaches it's point the contractions get harder and they get more frequent and that helps us to understand at least in terms of intensity and frequency of the events the Bible speaks of will build and mount. It's really to help us be a better person. II Peter talks about the fact that all these things are going to come to pass but it is for the purpose of being better people. It says what manner of persons should we be seeing that these things are going to take place? So it comes down to how we live our lives. That's why God gives us this in advance, to get our lives prepared really in line and in tune to the values, the principles and way of life that His coming Kingdom, to get in tune and in line with that now in advance of the time.

Yeah that's an excellent comment. You think God loves the world He loves you, He cares about you. He wants you to respond, he wants a relationship with you.
In fact to help you with that remember our free offers. Today we've got Are We Living in the Time of the End? It will help you grasp the truth about this time that's on the horizon, absolutely free. It's written to help you know the truth. And of course we also have the Good News magazine. You can click or call to get either of these offers, go on line to BeyondToday.tv and download it, read it on line. Order your free copy, Are We Living in the Time of the End? The Good News magazine, don't forget it. It's free subscription, a magazine that will help you to understand your world, the world around you and your life. Issues like how to have a better marriage, raising a family. So get your free subscription absolutely free. You can call or click 1-888-886-8632 and don't miss out on these offers. So follow us, Beyond Today on Twitter or join our Facebook fan page.

How many times have you heard it said, the world's coming to an end. Is our world in a deep crisis or are we on the verge of a fantastic future? Yes and both. Your Bible describes many prophecies of coming catastrophic events but not the doom and gloom, fear and dread of the total destruction of the earth. Before complete devastation, God is going to replace this unjust, self seeking combative system of man's government. You know there will be tough times, it's going to be difficult but the result? It's going to be absolutely astounding. God tells us it will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born her anguish gives way to joy because she's brought a new baby into the world. You see Jesus, Himself will return to establish the Kingdom of God. He wants you to prepare for the times ahead by getting to know Him. God may be working with you so remember to seek the Lord while He may be found. Call on Him while He's near. If you do you can look forward to a bright tomorrow.

That's our program for today. Don't forget our free offers and be sure to join us next time here on Beyond Today. Thanks for watching.