No More Death

The world is very different today from what it was last week. Last Thursday, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of the Ukraine, beginning a series of responses from the rest of the world. Various countries have provided aid to Ukraine while others have imposed restrictions on Russia. Well over one hundred people have died within the last week as a result of the conflict. And people are scared. There’s a lot of apprehension that this war may turn into something more. Reading the news feels like reading the words of Jesus in Matthew 24: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars.... For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Matthew 24:6, 7). In the middle of the ellipsis, however, Jesus says this: “See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass” (Matthew 24:6).

Jesus spoke these words as He was describing the world as it nears His second coming. We are not promised peace or safety while still on this earth. But very soon we will get to go home. We will get to go to the place where God says that “(He) will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Looking at the pain and suffering and tragedy all around us makes me long for Him to create that new heaven and new earth. Won’t you join me in praying for those who are effected by this current conflict as well as praying for the day when war and strife will be no more?