Are We Living in the "End Times"? A Message of Hope

As you read this, people are being killed in Ukraine, victims of a brutal war that has led many of us to ask: Are we living in the end times?

"The end times" is a period described in the Bible in which "Kingdom would rise against Kingdom". The Book of Revelation, containing much of this grim prediction, outlines wars (Ukraine?), famine, disease (Covid-19?) and natural disasters (climate change?) - and introduces a number of yet unknown characters, including the "antichrist."?

For non-believers, there are other historical references regarding what we may be witnessing today including those from French astrologer Nostradamus. Interestingly, Nostradamus never actually predicted the end of the world. But, like the Bible, he did foresee a time of great turbulence.

“You can't possibly be afraid of death, really, you can only be afraid of life.” ― Carl R. Rogers

Quickly becoming an afterthought as it fades from the headlines, Covid-19 was said to have taken the world into a darker place, not only because of disease (of a still unknown origin) but because of the divisions created between families and friends.

Now, in this moment, we have the prospect of nuclear war, revived as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

It is not well known, but Russia has 2,000 "tactical" nuclear weapons (compared to 100 by the US). These are supposed to be smaller bombs, meant to intimidate and destroy parts of, or entire cities, while keeping a country intact. The insane thinking is that "smaller" nuclear weapons won't be so bad.?

But even tactical weaponry would kill millions and wreak havoc the world over.

It's no wonder we suspect the end times may be here - a lot sooner than any of us had hoped.

All of this doom and gloom has me thinking about how we should view our fate. And how we should live our lives in the here and now.

Firstly, the world has always been a scary place.

Somehow, it's managed to survive to this day (despite evidence that we should have all been wiped out by now).

And I have no doubt, the planet will continue to survive.

Civilization may not look like it does now. But with every "end" comes a new beginning.

Science tells us that energy never disappears. It only changes.?

If that's true, then even after we die, we'll still be around. In one form or another.

You may believe that this other form is within the spiritual realm. That there really is a heaven - a parallel universe or other dimension.

Or you may believe that once you die, that's it. But even then, you are returned to the earth and that energy will bear fruit.

This takes me to another important aspect raised in these turbulent times. Our personal legacy. What we do today will impact future generations.

In 100 years, we may physically be gone - but our teachings and belief in love and peace, can endure.

There will be no "end".

Just a different world, a different universe.

“Many times, the thought of fear itself is greater than what it is we fear.” ― Idowu Koyenikan

The horror we now see on television has made me very angry, emotional, sad - even physically ill.?

It's also caused me to pray, more than ever, for the innocents of this conflict - and for God's will to ultimately prevail.

Yes, we can believe in a better day tomorrow. But while we are here - in this moment - we have incredible power to show more love and caring for family and friends, even strangers. To appreciate people more than ever.?

Let's create our own utopia, separate from a world gone mad. Such is well overdue and warranted, given what we've been through.

Fear, be gone. Be kind.?