a world in turmoil

People who watch the news these days, will surely recognise that something has gone wrong with the world—seriously wrong! While there have been times in the past when mighty empires have experienced turmoil and decay, never before has the entire world been so gravely afflicted at one time!

Biblical Prophecies and Modern Events

Remarkably, current news events align closely with biblical prophecies describing ‘the last days’ and ‘the conclusion of the system of things.’ These parallels extend beyond a few isolated instances and encompass numerous details. Below are excerpts from biblical prophecies and recent news articles.

● “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom.” That is what Jesus Christ foretold.​—Matt. 24:7.

In the previous year, global nations allocated an astonishing £212 billion ($455 billion [U.S.]) towards various military endeavors. On average, this translated to an expenditure of £8,000 ($17,000) annually for every soldier, while only £130 ($275) per year was dedicated to the education of each school-age child.

“To illustrate, the quantity of explosive materials existing on the planet surpasses that of food, with spending on military equipment outpacing investments in peaceful initiatives by a factor of 2,500 times.”

— The Guardian (London), Oct. 21, 1979.

● “And there will be food shortages.”​—Matt. 24:7.

“A shocking 450 to 500 million people are starving, and over 500 million more are chronically hungry. This global food crisis is spiraling out of control.”

—AP, Oct. 15, 1979

● “And earthquakes in one place after another.”​—Matt. 24:7.

“Residents of San Francisco were left in shock as the city experienced its most severe earthquake in 68 years.” —New York Times,

—Aug. 7, 1979.

“Central Italy was shaken by its most significant earthquake in three years, accompanied by 300 aftershocks, resulting in at least five fatalities and more than 5,000 injuries.”

—United Press International (UPI), Sept. 21, 1979.

“In Iran, a devastating earthquake resulted in hundreds of casualties, occurring merely 300 miles (480 km) from a tremor that claimed around 15,000 lives the previous year.”

—UPI, Nov. 15, 1979.

“The strongest earthquake to strike Colombia in two decades led to the deaths of 44 individuals and caused injuries to 600 others.”

—AP, Nov. 25, 1979.

● “And you who are followers of Jesus Christ will be objects of hatred by all the nations on account of my name.”​—Matt. 24:9.

“The Inter-American Human Rights Commission, in a report submitted to the Organization of American States’ General Assembly, denounced the suppression of the Jehovah’s Witnesses religious movement in Argentina.”

—New York Times, Oct. 31, 1979

● “Because of the increasing of lawlessness the love of the greater number will cool off.”​—Matt. 24:12.

“Contrary to the forecasts made by certain experts one year ago, which suggested that the national crime rate in the U.S. would start to decrease, there has been a rise in all types of serious crime.”

—New York Times, October 28, 1979.

● “In the last days, men will be lovers of themselves.”​—2 Tim. 3:1, 2.

“I question whether there has ever been a more egocentric era in our past. The focus on personal insight, awareness, and gratification is undeniably dominant.”

—Director of U.S. International Communications Agency.

● “Disobedient to parents.”​—2 Tim. 3:2.

One clear indication that certain young people are rebelling against the authority of their parents is the rise in criminal behaviour. For instance, it has been noted that “one in four serious offenses in Greater London is carried out by school-aged children. Reports emerging from China highlight issues of juvenile involvement in “murder, theft, fraud, rape, drug trafficking, and various illegal operations.”

● “Without love of goodness.”​—2 Tim. 3:3.

One of the most disturbing elements of the Hawaiian juvenile crime issue is that a significant number of these young offenders are pathological. They genuinely appear unaware that their actions are immoral. Often, when facing a judge and being interrogated, their reply is simply a genuine shrug of indifference—‘So what?’”

—New York Times, Nov. 21, 1979.

● “Lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God.”​—2 Tim. 3:4.

A recent survey reveals that from 1940 until today, car registrations in the United States have increased by 327%, whilst telephone usage has risen by 671%. At the same time (with disregard for the law of God), divorces per 1,000 married couples have increased by 150% and illegitimate births have risen by 473%.

—U.S. News & World Report, 10 September 1979.

● “On the earth anguish of nations, not knowing the way out . . . while men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth.”​—Luke 21:25, 26.

“There’s a palpable sense of anxiety and apprehension about what lies ahead. Certain individuals appear to find a strange comfort in the belief that they have no choice but to accept the impending doom.”

— New York Times, Nov. 17, 1979.

● “And this good news of the kingdom [of God] will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness.”​—Matt. 24:14.

In the service year of 1979, a total of 2,186,075 Jehovah’s Witnesses engaged in public preaching, dedicating 318,974,347 hours across 205 countries. Their main magazine, known as “The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom,” is available in 106 languages and ranks among the most widely circulated magazines globally.