Many choose to approach life from a biblical perspective. For most, this would mean “Christian living,” as it is sometimes characterized. A life guided by values and integrity, generosity over greed, always observing the Golden Rule “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” All of these principles are found in the Bible and they are provably true and immensely beneficial, as countless millions who have put them to the test by applying them in their own lives will testify. When you embrace these truths there is no room for doubt. The hard decisions have been made and victory becomes a matter of commitment and perseverance.
How many Christians are living proof that applying God’s word is the biggest positive change you can make in life? There is a remarkable consensus. While these ideas are easily appreciable because they are personal improvements, they are far from being the only scriptures with a practical application in the modern world.
The Bible has a great deal to say about the past. Appreciating the personalities and peoples involved, as well as God’s promises about the future, enlightens one’s perspective. Our knowledge of history shapes our understanding of the present. The effect of applying God’s word is just as profound as when we allow it to guide our actions. Peace of mind is possible, even amidst the chaos of current events. God has a plan, and He has revealed enough of it to protect us from the lethal combination of fear and ignorance. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7).
Let us cover a few key scriptures –– things God has revealed about the past, present and future –– that can inform our understanding of the world and where it is headed. Since Abraham (Abram) is one of the most pivotal figures in regards to God’s plan for mankind, we shall begin with him. The first recorded words to him from God include, “And I will make of thee a great nation…” (Gen. 12:2). This was later expanded when God changed his name, “Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee” (Gen. 17:5).
His wife Sarah was included in this iteration, “…she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her” (Gen. 17:16). Even Ishmael, though he was conceived in an attempt to fulfill God’s promises through human reasoning, was not left out. “And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation” (Gen. 17:20).
Are these scriptures relevant in the world today? Absolutely! In Islam, belief in the promise to Ishmael is foundational. The lineage of Mohammad is traced back through Kedar, the second son of Ishmael listed in Genesis 25:13. All “12 princes” are thought to have continued dwelling in the area and have contributed heavily to the population of the Arab peninsula –– a belief shared and embraced by its inhabitants.
This certainly fits Genesis 16:12 which states, “He shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren” and “his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him.” In addition to influential monarchies and massive wealth the region has a virtually unequaled history of conflict. This is true of both internal factions and disputes with nations bordering the Arab and Islamic world.
It further illuminates the rivalry with Israel, one of the most volatile flash-points in geopolitics today. It pits the descendants of the firstborn, Ishmael, against those of the son of promise, Isaac. Both embrace their shared lineage but there is a long history of recriminations and mutual accusations of apostasy, to say the least.
Intellectual vanity and moral decay may have caused the Bible to be dismissed by some, but the information it contains is crucial in more ways than one. Its broad overview has proved accurate, despite being written thousands of years ago. Further, its narrative is accepted as a root of conflict by those who are actually involved, whose words and actions are watched so closely on the news today. It is impossible to understand the mindset of some of the most influential and wealthy nations in the world without the foundational knowledge it contains.
The promises made to Ishmael pale in comparison with those reserved for Isaac. God told him, “…I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham’s sake” (Gen. 26:24). His only progeny was a pair of fraternal twins, called “two nations” or “peoples” in Genesis 25:23. Jacob obtained the birthright over his brother Esau.
Space does not allow us to digress into the richness of these stories nor the totality of the nations and people affected by these promises. There is no substitute for reading them directly from the pages of your own Bible or studying deeply into millennia of intervening history for those who have an interest. Esau (also called Edom, Gen. 25:30) figures heavily into the history of Israel and is included in many prophecies, as do the children of Lot (Abraham’s nephew, progenitor of Ammon and Moab, Gen. 19:37-38).
All of these are important, but the primary fulfillment of God’s promises have come through Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel (Genesis 32:28). The blessing he received from his father included, “Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee” (Gen. 27:29).
God promised, “And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 28:14). This is especially true of Christ, who was born through Jacob’s son Judah and more specifically the famed King David. Peter quoted this prophecy in Acts 3:25 as did Paul in Galatians 3:8.
The magnitude of the spiritual aspect of this cannot be overstated but there is a physical component as well. That is apparent when, “God said unto him [Jacob/Israel], I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;” (Gen. 35:11).
Jacob’s twelve sons were given special information about that, “…which shall befall you in the last days” (Gen. 49:1). The time frame is clearly indicated for the fulfillment of these prophecies, giving them a relevance for today as well as the future. The entire chapter is well worth a read, to say the least. Joseph is singled out as the recipient of the blessing promised to his fathers (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) in verse 26.
Note that this is reserved for Joseph rather than Judah, from whom Christ descended. Jacob blessed Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, in place of his own firstborn in Genesis 48:5. He declared that his name should be theirs, granting them the birthright that had passed to Isaac over Ishmael and Jacob over Esau. Verse 19 promises that Manasseh would be a “great” people and that Ephraim would become “a multitude of nations.” Does this sound like a spiritual statement?
While many have coveted this blessed line of descent, many of the claims are wildly specious and do not at all fit the descriptions of prevalence, status, wealth, or any other condition consistent with the unique importance of this special blessing. Genesis 49:26 reads, “The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.”
This is far above what was granted to Ishmael or Esau or the other 11 sons of Jacob. There are not many peoples that can match this criteria when we consider that this description applies to “the last days” rather than some portion of history. The descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh did enjoy great influence in ancient Israel. This is especially true after the kingdom split and they retained the name of “Israel,” (Gen. 48:5, 1 Kings 12:16-21) as opposed to the southern portion which was called “Judah” and received the promises of their eponymous ancestor as well as those given to David. However, this fulfills neither the magnitude of the promise or the stricture that it be at “the last days.”
It appears that these people will occupy a special role until God’s plan for mankind is completed. Lest this condition be veiwed as “unfair” or “privileged,” let us keep in mind that God is no “respector of persons,” as revealed in Deuteronomy 1:17, Proverbs 24:23, Acts 10:34, and Romans 2:11. Many religious actors in Christ’s day appealed to their lineage in lieu of righteousness to no avail (John 8:39).
Those who have received God’s blessing or understand the truth are all the more responsible to act according to God’s revealed will –– a tall order for anyone no matter how pious or connected. This is why the end times are called “the time of Jacob’s trouble” in Jeremiah 30:47. God honors His promises, but He will not tolerate transgressions forever. Especially from those who ought to know better. The end however, is reconciliation. Christ’s disciples were promised to, “Sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matt. 19:28). All of this is yet future, again proving that these peoples are relevant to this day and beyond.
At the same time these nations are receiving their just, and literal, punishments, a great evil will be taking hold of the world. The Bible predicts that in the last days, just prior to Christ’s return, a power will seize control that is utterly blasphemous and contrary to God despite being outwardly religious. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 says the leader will, “…exalt himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
When the Bible indicates, “all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him” (Rev. 13:8), we have some idea of the scope of this scenario. It will affect the entire world. It will be empowered by a false religious system allegorically referred to as a “whore” in Revelation 17. There are few extant today with the reach and influence to take on such a role, and fewer still that could be held responsible for martyrdom (verse 6) or identified with “…that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth” (verse 18). Her end is not to be envied (Rev. 18:8).
These scriptures describe our past, present, and future. For those who seek more understanding about what is and what is to come, there are many resources available free of charge from this publication and others like it. The end time, the great tribulation, has been a cause of fear and concern since it was first illuminated by God. Daniel was told it was, “a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation” (Dan. 12:1). The seriousness of what was revealed to him literally knocked him down at one point (Dan. 10).
Thankfully, we know that God’s word can be relied upon. It shows the way to life, contentment and meaning while informing us about the present and events yet future. We are not called to fear but to faith. God is bringing it all to fruition. His promises endure, His plan is revealed, bit by bit. We see the evidence in the world around us and the conflicts shaping our future.
There will be trouble, yes, but at the end is glory beyond compare. All of the peoples mentioned figure into it, as does every single person who has ever lived. Christ said, “the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice” (John 5:28). That will be a glorious day, when all are given an opportunity to embrace the wonderful truths of God. It will be a day of reconciliation.
Until then, trouble is still on the horizon, however blessed and pleasant the present may be. “They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah” (Psalm 83:1-8).
“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:36).
