Perilous Times

Cyclone in Myanmar.

Earthquake in China.

Global warming.

Rising cost of gas and food.

These were just among the topics we were chitchatting about with my colleagues last week. Just several weeks ago, jeepney and bus fares hiked, as well.

I’ve not been watching TV since October. I know it’s as distressing as it has always been to watch the news. The only gasp of fresh air is when Mark Logan starts his report.

I believe that there are many factors causing global crisis, and it is not caused by government policies alone. There are factors of supply and demand, currencies, and people on every continent feeling the pressure of higher prices. Although we have some drought conditions here in the Philippines, drought in parts of Europe, Australia, and Africa are much worse. These all affect our lifestyle, no matter where on the planet we live.

It’s also daunting to think about the early outpour of rain in the middle of summer here in the country. Rains usually occur towards the end of June and heavy downpour, spanning the months of July to September. What’s happening now is a change in the timing of seasonal patterns—a clear effect of global warming.

We can go on and on chewing over these occurrences from dusk ‘til dawn. I’m afraid to suppose that it’s not going to get better.

Add to these circumstances the nature of man becoming unmanageable. Just last week, a friend and colleague was harassed by a co-worker who claimed that he was undeserving of the evaluation given him. He was scored zero in Quality Assurance for not following policy. That would cost him his monthly monetary incentive. It’s just ironic how people do something wrong and claim to be rewarded, nevertheless. It’s even more unnerving when they become upset because of it.

It is not surprising that these things would occur now than ever before. I remember the insight of Paul regarding our time:

2 Timothy 3:1-7
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

We’ve also been warned by none other than our Heavenly Father regarding occurrences in our time:

Doctrine & Covenants 38:28-30
28 And again, I say unto you that the enemy in the secret chambers seeketh your lives.
29 Ye hear of wars in far countries, and you say that there will soon be great wars in far countries, but ye know not the hearts of men in your own land.
30 I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.

Doctrine & Covenants 39:21
21 For the time is at hand; the day or the hour no man knoweth; but it surely shall come.

Zechariah 12:2-3
2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.
3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
4 In that day, saith the Lord, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness.

Doctrine & Covenants 88:88-91
88 And after your testimony cometh wrath and indignation upon the people.
89 For after your testimony cometh the testimony of earthquakes, that shall cause groanings in the midst of her, and men shall fall upon the ground and shall not be able to stand.
90 And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds.
91 And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men’s hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people.

What a resemblance these warnings are to what we are witnessing today. The middle east and the war against terrorism bring special attention. We have seen an enemy in “secret chambers” hiding in a cave as he directs terrorism. Jerusalem has become a “burdensome stone” as Israel have fewer and fewer allies. We see wrath and indignation against followers of Christ. We witness the groanings of earthquakes and thunderings and lightnings (tornadoes) and the waves of the sea heaving beyond their bounds (tsunamis).

I’m not fond of watching cartoons or the like as that part of the child in me at one point waned. Because of the encouragement of friends, we went to see the movie “Horton Hears a Who”. There’s a special lesson in that movie. Remember about the reaction of Whoville’s City Council? "Nothing ever happens here and nothing ever will." These days we need more people like Horton, who recognize that even when others are oblivious to wise counsel, we must not doubt ourselves when it is time to be smart — time to be educated about world conditions and prioritize our preparedness.

The spiritual side of this all is the fact that one day all will end. Permanence will be ushered in as temporariness expires. It’s amazing that the prophets of old saw our time and had cautioned us. Those warnings had been captured in the scriptures and it’s astonishing to read about them as they unequivocally relate to us. It is even more convincing to note that even God warned us about these things.

How then can we be safe & secure in such perilous times? Here is what Job had to say when Zophar questioned him.

Job 11:14-18
11 If you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,
12 Then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear.
13 You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by.
14 Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning.
15 You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.

To those who are already in righteous paths, it won’t be over until it’s over. Endure to the end. Endure—keeping the commandments of God.