Sometime ago I read an article that said the world is a mess. It talked about wars, suffering, broken governments, greed, hatred, lawlessness, climate troubles, dangerous weapons, and many other things that make the future feel dark and uncertain. As I read it, I was reminded that the Bible already told us there would be times of great darkness in the world.
Jesus said that before the end, there would be wars and rumors of wars, nation rising against nation, and trouble in many places (Matthew 24:6-8). Paul also wrote that in the last days people would become lovers of themselves, lovers of money, proud, unthankful, unholy, and without self-control (2 Timothy 3:1-5). When we look around today, we can understand why many people feel afraid.
But Jesus did not tell His disciples these things so they would panic. He told them so they would watch, pray, and stay faithful. His words were meant to prepare them, not to fill them with fear. In troubled times, God’s people are called to keep their hearts fixed on Him. Isaiah 26:3 says God will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are stayed on Him, because they trust in Him.
There have always been dangerous times in this world. There have been wars, false teachers, greed, cruelty, and hearts that turn away from God. But none of this surprises the Lord. He is still on the throne. He still holds time in His hands. He still knows how to care for His people.
Jesus also said that the gospel would be preached in all the world before the end comes (Matthew 24:14). That means darkness will not stop the message of Christ. The good news will keep moving. The kingdom of God will keep growing. The light will keep shining, because the darkness does not get the last word.
The darkness does not get the last word. John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” The King James Version says the darkness “comprehended it not.” That means the world cannot fully understand the light of Christ, and it cannot put His light out. Sin may be strong, but Jesus is stronger. Evil may spread, but it cannot defeat Him.
This is why believers do not have to live in fear. Our hope is not in world leaders, money, technology, governments, or human strength. Our hope is in the Lord. Psalm 27:1 says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” Even when the world feels unstable, God is still faithful.
The good news of the gospel is that Jesus came to bring us out of darkness and into light. First Peter 2:9 says God has called His people “out of darkness into His marvelous light.” Colossians 1:13 says God has delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His Son. That is our true hope.
So when we see darkness increasing, we should not lose heart. We should turn our eyes to Christ, walk in His truth, love our neighbors, pray for the world, and shine as lights where God has placed us. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
The world may be troubled, but the Lord is not troubled. The night may be dark, but the Light is still shining. For everyone who turns to Jesus, there is forgiveness, peace, and hope that will never fail.
Minister A Francine Green, October 2026