Are you prepared for what is coming in the years just ahead? Do you grasp how major trends that are developing today are going to dramatically alter the world in which we live? Do you believe what God has revealed in the Bible about future events that are going to change the course of human history in the twenty- first century? While many prefer not to think about the future because it can appear ominous and uncertain, you can prepare now for a challenging and exciting role in bringing real changes to this world—if you develop the mind of God!
Ominous Trends
People who look at the future today see a number of sobering trends that spell trouble on the horizon. The alarming rise in Muslim terrorism on a global scale is truly frightening—especially when you realize that these religious fanatics seek nothing less than the conversion or conquest of the Western so-called "Christian" world. The warriors of Islam swept out of the Middle East once before in history and nearly conquered Europe, and they are aiming to do it again! Armies of immigrants are also invading America, Canada and other European countries in search of a better life—yet in the process they are often undermining and destabilizing the host countries where they settle. Last summer, France was rocked by riots fanned by frustrated, unemployed immigrants who have not integrated into French society. This kind of discontent is spreading, and will continue to foster a backlash, as people in Europe and America begin to fear and resent the loss of their cultural values and freedoms. The ongoing efforts to unify Europe and build a European army, and the appeals of the Pope to revive Europe's Roman Catholic roots, are leading towards the revival of a European superpower linked to religion. The Bible has long predicted that this will occur just before the second coming of Jesus Christ (see Daniel 2; Revelation 17).
Today, economists worry about a global financial crisis as they consider the increasingly precarious state of the world economy, and observe the instability of the American dollar as a result of the U.S. government's deficit spending. A crash of the dollar could send financial shock waves around the globe. Many today are concerned about the spreading moral decay that has been fostered by the decline in religious influence and the rise of amoral secularism. When morals decline, the decline of nations is not far off. Along with all these woes come increasing concerns about a growing environmental crisis—extremes of weather spurred by human activities, catastrophic climatic conditions, collapsing oceanic fisheries, widespread droughts and famines and the rise of drug-resistant diseases like HIV-AIDS and tuberculosis. Yet, there is a much more hopeful future which Scripture reveals to those who have the mind of God and are able to understand!
An Exciting Vision
The Bible states, "Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint" (Proverbs 29:18). It is not surprising that many who contemplate the future in the face of so many ominous trends often turn to drugs, alcohol or mind-numbing entertainments, because the future can look hopeless from a purely human perspective! Most people today have no idea of what the future holds, but God long ago revealed to the prophet Daniel "what will be in the latter days" (Daniel 2:28). Daniel saw in a vision that the return of Jesus Christ would occur at the time when the world would witness the final revival of the Roman Empire in Europe (Daniel 2:41–45). The Apostle John revealed that a prominent religious figure would play a major role in bringing about this final revival of a system that has links to ancient Rome and ancient Babylon, and that it will be built around a core of ten European leaders who surrender their sovereignty to a deceptive, beast-like leader (Revelation 17:1–13).
However, the Bible reveals that this end-time, humanly devised political-economic-military system will be short-lived (Revelation 17:12). It will be defeated and replaced by the returning Jesus Christ, who will establish the kingdom and government of God on this earth (Revelation 11:15–18). Scripture reveals that the saints— those who are being called and trained now—will reign with Jesus Christ as "kings and priests" on this earth (Revelation 1:6; 5:10; Matthew 19:27–30). The saints, as future rulers in the Kingdom of God, will play an important role in restoring justice to this earth, and showing human beings the real way to lasting peace (Isaiah 9:6–7). If we learn how to live by the laws of God today (Matthew 4:4), we will be able to share those lessons with all the people on earth in the Kingdom of God (Isaiah 2:2–4; 30:20–21). But how should we prepare for these exciting opportunities in the soon-coming Kingdom of God?
An Essential Key
The Bible plainly reveals that Jesus Christ will return and reign on earth as "King of kings, and Lord of lords" (Revelation 19:16). He will fulfill this role because He has the very mind and perspective of God (John 10:30). While on earth, Jesus prayed for His disciples, "that they may be one as We are" (John 17:11). The Apostle Paul advised aspiring Christians, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5). Paul admonished members of God's Church in Corinth that they should "be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Corinthians 1:2, 10). Paul also explained that Christians are able to understand the plan of God, which is a mystery to the world (see 1 Corinthians 2:7–8), because "we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:9–16). The question for us, then, becomes: "What can we do to develop the mind of God, so we can prepare to reign with Jesus Christ?"
Seven Vital Steps
The first and most important step in developing the mind of God is to come to know the real God! David wrote, "Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord… All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord… You alone are God" (Psalm 86:8–10). Jeremiah said, "But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God" (Jeremiah 10:10). Even the pagan kings of ancient Babylon came to know the real God! After God humbled him, the renowned monarch Nebuchadnezzar wrote, "I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him" (Daniel 4:34–37). After King Darius saw God deliver Daniel from a den of lions, he issued a decree that "in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel" (Daniel 6:26). Prophecies in the book of Ezekiel indicate that God will bring punishments on backsliding Israelites and other pagan nations, at the end of this age, to teach an important lesson: "Then they shall know that I am the Lord" (Ezekiel 7:27; 25:7, 11; 28:24). The nations of this world will come to realize that Baal, Zeus, Diana, Buddha and Allah are false gods, and are powerless before the real God of the Bible! This is why Scripture emphasizes, "Seek the Lord while He may be found" (Isaiah 55:6–7) and, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" (James 4:8). It is simply not possible to develop the mind of God unless we first come to know and begin to obey the real God!
The second vital step in developing the mind of God is to prove to yourself that the Bible is the actual word of the real God! While many critics today scoff at this idea, the evidence clearly shows that the Bible is the inspired word of God. The Bible is unique and like no other book written by human beings (see our booklet The Bible: Fact or Fiction?). Notice what David—"a man after God's own heart" (Acts 13:22)—said of Scripture: "Your law is truth… The entirety of Your word is truth" (Psalm 119:142, 160). Paul wrote, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16). One of the most powerful proofs of divine inspiration, which sets the Bible totally apart from other humanly authored books is fulfilled prophecy. No other book on earth contains hundreds of specific prophecies that have come to pass and are coming to pass! God issues this challenge through the pen of Isaiah: "I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying 'My counsel shall stand'" (Isaiah 46:8–10; see also 41:21–24). When you have proved that the Bible is the actual word of the real God, you will begin to realize that you can develop the mind of God by prayerfully studying and learning to apply the word of God in every aspect of life.
The third key step in developing the mind of God involves learning to fear God. The Hebrew word for "fear" means to revere, respect and fear to disobey. God told Moses to teach His laws and statutes to the Israelites, "that they may learn to fear Me" (Deuteronomy 4:9–10, 14). David wrote, "How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word" (Psalm 119:9). Isaiah plainly records what God seeks from each of us: "On this one will I look: On him who is poor [humble, teachable], and of a contrite spirit [repentant, wanting to change and do better], and who trembles at My word" (Isaiah 66:2). If we approach the Bible with this kind of attitude—seeking to be taught and corrected by what is written in the word of God—we will begin to develop more of the mind of God.
An essential fourth step in developing the mind of God is to grow in wisdom. Job wrote, "God is wise in heart" (Job 9:4). Paul gave glory to "God, alone wise," (Romans 16:27) and said that "God is wiser than men" (1 Corinthians 1:25). Solomon revealed that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10). If we are willing to look into Scripture for the fundamental principles guiding every area of life, we will be pointed in the right direction and we can begin to develop the mind of God in each area. The Bible reveals the mind of God about the roles of men and women in marriage, and explains the proper way parents and children should relate to each other (Ephesians 5:22–32; 6:1–4). The Bible also reveals that God "hates divorce" (Malachi 2:16) and that He condemns adultery (Exodus 20:14), fornication and any form of sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:13–18). Paul reminded Timothy that "from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation" (2 Timothy 3:15). As we grow in our knowledge and ability to apply the instructions of Scripture, we will grow in wisdom as we develop the mind of God.
A vital fifth step in developing the mind of God involves building godly courage. As God prepared Joshua to replace Moses as Israel's leader, He told him to "be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go" (Joshua 1:7). Ezekiel needed courage to deliver God's warning message to a rebellious people who did not want to hear (Ezekiel 2:1–9). Daniel and his friends acted courageously when they chose to obey God in the face of persecution for their beliefs (Daniel 3; 6). Queen Esther acted with wisdom and courage when she risked her life to save her people (Esther 4:11–17). Scripture tells us that "the righteous are bold as a lion" (Proverbs 28:1) because they have the mind of God, and they have faith that God will deliver them—in His time and in His way (Daniel 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:13). If we hope to reign with Jesus Christ in the kingdom of God, we must develop real courage in our convictions and actions (Matthew 10:32–33).
A crucial sixth step in cultivating the mind of God involves developing a clear vision of the future. Solomon was inspired to record, "Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint" (Proverbs 29:18). When people have no knowledge of right or wrong, and no idea of what the future holds, their lives become chaotic and unprincipled— and society comes apart. However, those who develop the mind of God will come to understand that God has a plan and a purpose He is working out on this earth (Isaiah 46:10; Ephesians 1:3–11). God's plan is to send Jesus Christ back to this earth to set up a kingdom that will bring peace and justice to the peoples of this world (Isaiah 9:6–7). The returning Christ, with His saints, will set about "restoring" the knowledge of God's true way of life (Acts 3:19–21). We can play exciting roles in this plan as "kings and priests" (Revelation 1:6; 5:10) and as teachers who will explain the laws of God to all mankind (Isaiah 30:20–21)—if we develop the mind and character of God, and we develop the capacity to apply the laws of God. Those who have the mind of God will keep their focus on the reality of this exciting vision of the future.
The seventh step in developing the mind of God is to gain a true sense of history. The God of the Bible is a just God, who is working out a plan on this earth that will ultimately encompass all people (Isaiah 45:21; 46:9–10). The Scriptures reveal that God chose Abraham and his descendants, and gave them His laws so they could become an example to the world (Genesis 12:1–3; Deuteronomy 4:1–10). Modern Israelite nations have enjoyed so many physical blessings (Genesis 48; 49) because their forefather Abraham obeyed God (Genesis 18:17–19; Hebrews 11:8–22). However, Scripture reveals that just as the ancient Israelites were punished because they forgot God and His laws, and failed in their mission to be lights to the world (Leviticus 26:14–39), so too will our modern Israelite nations again be punished and lose our blessings for the same reasons (Deuteronomy 4:30; 31:29; Jeremiah 30:24). While God has not yet been working directly with gentile nations, He is now calling individuals from all nations to become "spiritual Israelites" and "heirs according to the promise" He made to the children of Abraham (Galatians 3:26–29; 6:16; Ephesians 3:1–6). Those who are called now and develop the mind of God will become the "firstfruits" who will reign with Christ when He returns to establish the Kingdom of God on this earth (John 6:44, 65–66; James 1:18; Revelation 14:1–5). Then, during Christ's future thousand-year millennial reign, and in the White Throne Judgment, billions will have their first opportunity to learn the truth of God and the real purpose and way of life (Revelation 20:4–15; Isaiah 30:20–21). By understanding Scripture, as we can only do if we develop the mind of God, we can gain a true perspective on the history of this world and what lies ahead.
Brethren, we need to take advantage of the incredible opportunity we have been given to understand the plan of God (Ephesians 5:8–21). If we follow the steps outlined above, we can develop the mind of God and prepare to play an active part in the coming Kingdom of God— when Jesus Christ and the saints will begin to change the course of human history and bring peace and justice to the peoples of this earth.