Many people today are worried about the possibility of nuclear war or World War III. And though unlikely, there is a distinct possibility that it could happen. 

According to Old and New Testament prophecy and Jesus Himself, conditions on earth will continue to worsen. Hopefully without sounding negative, let me tell you that God, through His Word, has made the reason quite clear. And that is that man is not good. 

Secular philosophers and psychologists claim that man is basically good, but that is not true. Man is basically bad. Jeremiah 17:9 proclaims, “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.” Notice it says the heart, not some hearts.

The mistake modern man is making is very old: He is trying to improve himself without God’s help. In fact, man today is trying to live without belief in God. What a tragic mistake! 

Speaking of nuclear war, I do believe that the Great Tribulation will involve some use of nuclear weapons. The Bible clearly says that the Great Tribulation will be the worst seven years the earth has ever experienced. The Antichrist will reign supreme and deceive millions. Jesus told us, “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24).

Many Christians believe in the Rapture, but the Bible does not specifically mention it. The Apostle Paul did say, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air…” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Those who believe in a Rapture think that the dead, and those living, in Christ will be taken out before the Tribulation. Many theologians think this, but many do not. 

The Scriptures do not say that there will be two second comings, but one. In fact, Matthew 24:24, cited above, seems to indicate that the elect (Christians) will indeed go through the Tribulation.

Regardless what the case is, the important thing is that you have or will trust your soul to Christ in order that you may qualify for heaven. 

As I’ve preached many times, this is by far the single most important thing any person can do on earth. And life on earth is your only opportunity to be saved. And you do not know when you will die and lose forever this opportunity.

Whether we will go through the Tribulation or not does not concern me as much as the knowledge that there are people I love who will not be in heaven because they stubbornly refuse God’s offer of salvation and heaven through His Son, Jesus Christ. Most people fall into this category, unfortunately. Many have sufficient faith but keep procrastinating making the decision to call on the Lord for salvation. 

This is a frightening condition to be in, yet most don’t even realize it. So many people never think of dying until it is too late, eternally too late. Very sad!