God is concerned about a rebellious world determined to go its own way, writes Ivan Grindlay.
A cursory knowledge of world history speaks volumes about the inhumanity of the human race, domestically, tribally, religiously and politically.
The most recent examples from Islamic State, Boko Haram, al-Shabaab, Muslim Brotherhood, Taliban and Russian separatists disturb us.
Every generation has a penchant to produce unmentionable atrocities - the Armenian and Assyrian genocides which peaked in 1915 to name two 100 years ago.
Did the God of creation get it wrong when He created human kind?
Has His purposes been derailed by sinful humanity?
Does it take genocide for us to realise the depths to which the human heart can go when convinced that it has the answer?
The Bible says: ''The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Who can fathom its depths'' (Jeremiah 17:9).
No-one can adequately explain our capacity to harm one another.
We could blame religion, but then those who steadfastly reject God's existence and live by self-imposed godless parameters still exhibit these bankrupt tendencies.
Religion is an aberration of God's true intent for mankind.
Religious fervour is emotive, meddling with the human spirit which, until divinely awakened, is darkened by an absence of light (true understanding).
So the darkened mind is fertile soil for ''the god of this world'' to impose his will, with no lack of participants duped by his deception!
If the eternal God intervened in every crisis, He would be accused of interference.
If He remains silent, He is equally accused of indifference.
Where's the justice?
Why doesn't God act?
The secular mind is quick to point the finger at God, while denying His existence.
The Bible portrays God as the judge of all the earth (Genesis 18:25).
In His omniscient wisdom, He allows humanity to experience the product of its own bankrupt motives.
How might current events lead to biblical outcomes?
With peace initiatives profiting little, Russia continues arming central Asian separatists.
How quickly the Crimea fell, and other southeast Ukrainian cities since, giving Russia an easier route south to Israel via Turkey.
Iran, the declared enemy of Israel, resolutely develops its nuclear capability.
Russia quietly nurtures relations with Iran, while warning the West to leave Iran alone.
Meanwhile, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Tunisia, Libya, Yemen and Syria exist in political instability.
A military takeover in Egypt keeps radicals at bay, while South Sudan secedes allowing Sudan to declare its intentions.
After efforts to join the European Union, Turkey is now returning to traditional roots.
Following four years of civil war, Syria remains in unimaginable suffering.
Initially supporting the rebels against Bashar al-Assad, the West realised it was backing Isil which has since claimed the northeast and northern Iraq.
Like all dictators, al-Assad has been ruthless, but he did keep opposing factions living in relative peace until ISIL emerged.
In the midst of this fermenting cauldron, Israel desires peace.
On every side - north (Turkey), south (Sudan), east (Iran) and west (Libya) - her enemies seek her demise.
It is not inconceivable a nuclear threat could provoke an Israeli pre-emptive strike against Iran, galvanising a divided Islam under Russian leadership?
This provides an intriguing framework for the biblical prophecy of ''Gog and Magog'' (Ezekiel 38-39).
Gog refers to be a world leader.
Commentators suggest that ''the far enemies'' are ''Rosh'' (Russia), ''Magog'' (Scythia central Asia), ''Meshech and Tubal'' (Turkey), ''Persia'' (Iran), ''Cush'' (Ethiopia, Sudan), ''Put'' (Libya), ''Gomer'' (Cimmerians Turkey) and ''Beth-togarmah'' (Turkey).
Then there are ''the near enemies'' of Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Gaza.
But what about nations that lodge objections?: ''Sheba, Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish with all its villages'' (Saudi Arabia, the moderate Gulf States, possibly a United Kingdom-based Western alliance or Spain).
This prophecy closes in a horrendous battle occurring on Israel's central coast when God intervenes.
The devastation takes seven years to clean up.
A power vacuum would result, accentuated by the sudden worldwide disappearance of Christ followers.
This vacuum provides an irresistible opportunity for a satanically-inspired leader to seize power, galvanising a reorganised EU (former Roman empire, of 10 nations) emerging from present economic instability.
He would sign a treaty with Israel and a religious harlot.
For 42 months all will appear peaceful, until he breaks his agreement and proclaims himself god.
Great tribulation will be experienced by Israel and Gentile believers, with trade restricted.
All appears lost, but in turning and acknowledging God, He will intervene to save a Jewish remnant.
The watching world will be in no doubt that God is God alone.
The Bible is clear that the timing of these events is known to no-one except the omniscient God, who created time.
He was always in control; ever concerned about a rebellious world determined to go its own way.
God will be vindicated, the mouths of dissenters stopped and every knee will bow to the glory of God.
Selah!
• Ivan Grindlay is an elder at Caversham Community Church.
