At The End of Times Travel and Education Shall Be Vastly Increased

It must be noted, however, that GOD has willed that during the end times, travel and education shall be vastly increased. So, it is not surprising at all that travel in space, 3-D cinema, or cognitive science are being bandied about today. But for all man's accomplishments, he should stop fooling himself by counting himself too highly or way above in intelligence, remembering that the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God.

Thus, to those who bask in their human wisdom, God counsels "Let not the wise man gloat in his wisdom, or the mighty man in his might, or the rich man in his riches. Let them boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who is just and righteous, whose love is unfailing, and that I delight in these things.

Now, as far as ethical and social issues the apostolic advice is "don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think". Hence, we are being instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures and live in this evil world with self-control, right conduct, and devotion to God while looking forward to the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Unfortunately, so many people these days have thought of their wealth and wisdom as an impregnable defense, a high wall of safety, to protect their life and those of their loved ones. Wealth and the pursuit of wisdom and power define them and that is where their sense of being and self-worth revolve around.

We ought to know the things that are righteous in the eyes of God. True riches and honor come from God alone, power and might are in His hands, and it is at His discretion that men are made great. So, while sojourning in this world, we must practice being better Christian because that will help us in this life and in the life to come. Now as far as our everyday needs, the struggles and challenges that confront us day in and day out, Apostle Paul admonishes us, thus: "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches.

Challenges of Modern Living

Rapid advances in information technology, cognitive science, and nanotechnology have greatly influenced the way people today conceptualize the world of the future and the human ability to manipulate matter at the molecular levels, hence, leading science into what "modernists" see as exciting and unknown frontiers. Indeed, life was much simpler and less complicated 30 years ago, as so many would sigh. But just as there are perils or dangers, say, in the internet and mobile communication technology, there are also bountiful promises and benefits depending upon how man uses them.

Imagine a billion people linked together in the Worldwide Web - a virtual metropolis or a global village - exchanging anonymously instant, uncensored text and images with almost anyone, the very young and old alike all capable of accessing it. Truly amazing! But sad to say, beyond the tepid general rule, i.e., no spreading of computer viruses or infectious software, there really are no moral guidelines or real 'gatekeepers' in cyberspace. More often than not, an individual is left to fend for himself against the wrong cyber streets - exposing him to the many violent, explicit and corrosive ideas and images available therein.

The harsh reality of cyber street life is that many unscrupulous elements of society also use it to prey on the unsuspecting - as what are done by pedophiles who lie in wait to lure children to take the bait or by the racist and bigots who wish to spread their message of hate. Many others use it as a tool for various forms of deception.

To many millions more, however, it does provide opportunities to stay in touch with their friends, to discuss related interest and hobbies, and to serve as a sounding board of individual opinions on social, political and religious issues. Parents should wise up and counteract the dangers of the Internet while allowing their children to enjoy its benefits by basically being aware of what their children are accessing on the Internet, by establishing guidelines about safe Internet use, by placing reasonable boundaries, while at the same time making their children aware of the predators who roam around cyberspace, thus, help them adjust to modernity's downside and raise their awareness about the unpleasant dangers that lurk therein. Parents also need to learn about the computer programs that they can install to restrict their children from accessing sites and other materials on the World Wide Web that are sexually-explicit or pornographic. An example of this is PEDINFO Parental Control of Internet Access.

Spiritual Hunger

Given the materialistic nature of our times and the steady increase of wickedness around, people are hungry of spiritual refuge and nourishment. If the emergence of numerous religious groups and churches is any indication, then many are veering toward religiosity and spirituality. With such trend, we can only surmise that there is indeed a great need to meet many people's spiritual hunger and longing. We should not, however, be surprised of this because wih the prevalence of crash materialism and evil in our surroundings, there are those who have reached the point of emptiness within themselves and long for a spiritual reprieve. And it doesn't help that the recent global economic meltdown has drastically affected countless people's lives and their lifestyles. Thus, in the midst of uncertainties, people seek spiritual solace in religion or in the churches of their own choosing. But do all religions, or belief systems, for that matter, genuinely satisfy man's spiritual hunger or longing for a regufe? Apostle Paul gives us the answer, thus:

"For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness." (Rom. 10:2-3, New International Version)

There are those who are zealous for God but their zeal is not based on His knowledge and righteousness. Instead of submitting to God's righteousness, they seek to establish their own. Surely, such kind of religiosity and zeal for God will not bring them near to Him and will not truly satisfy their spiritual hunger.

It must be understood that for man's spiritual needs to be satisfied, he should follow not his own but God's righteousness. the apostle Paul tells us where we can find God's righteousness that should be the basis for man's religiosity and zeal for Him:

"For I am ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." (Rom. 1:16-17, New King James Version)

It is in the gospel that God's righteousness is revealed. this is also God's power unto man's salvation. If man wants to be brought near to God for the satisfaction of this spiritual hunger, he should base his faith in and zeal for God on the gospel.

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