Watching and Understanding With World News and Prophecy
Now more than ever, it is vital that you develop a worldview that gives understanding of today's world events.
by Darris McNeely
Nearly every morning I read three newspapers and check a number of Internet sites to see the current news, gather ideas and look for trends developing in the world. In addition I am always reading books on history, current events and biographies to gain deeper insight into world events and those making the news. I guess you could call me a news junkie with an insatiable appetite for information.
How can we process and make sense of all this information? What process can we use to form an accurate worldview that transcends the normal analysis from the mainstream media?
We can begin with the same question the disciples asked Jesus that day on the Mount of Olives when they wanted to know "when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:3). Christ had just pointed to all the magnificent buildings of the temple and predicted that it would all come down.
It wasn't long before Christ's words were initially fulfilled in the clash between Jerusalem and the armies of the Roman Empire. The city was destroyed in A.D. 70 when Rome projected its power into this corner of the empire and demolished the Jewish state. The Jews revolted and Rome responded. It was a major political clash that changed history and fulfilled a key biblical prophecy.
But understand this: When it happened, most of the inhabitants of the land did not realize its meaning. Jesus' words were forgotten by most, remembered by a few and misunderstood by the rest. Without an anchor solidly planted in the Word of God, we, too, will miss the meaning of world events that shape our present and future.
