The World Grows Better, Not Worse

The Gospel and disciples of Jesus make the world a better place.

“My Kingdom is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” - Matthew 21:31-32.

I realize that some who read Istoria Ministries may not agree with this post.

Your eschatological view - a big fancy phrase which means, “your belief about the future” - may be that the world is going to hell in a handbasket, and there is nothing that can stop it.

I disagree with that view on two major points.

1. The world becomes a better place because the King of kings reigns over it now.

2. When evil and wickedness occur, God is neither the author nor approver of the sin, but He’s in control of it and will at times allow man to do evil to fulfill His greater purpose for His people, working “all things for our good” (Romans 8:28).

The Bible and God’s Reign Over the Earth Now

The Bible teaches that Christ’s Kingdom reigns over all nations now. Emmanuel, “God with us” is in control of all events on earth in every nation, at all times.

• Psalm 103:19: “The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.”

• Psalms 47:2: “The Lord . . . is . . . a great king over all the earth.”

• Proverbs 8:15: “By Me, kings reign.”

• Daniel 4:17: “The Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.”

• Proverbs 21:1: “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.”

The most dramatic example of God ruling over the wills and actions of sinful rulers is the way those rulers conspired to crucify Yeshua, the Anointed One, the incarnate “only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16) who walked among us, died for sinners, and rose from the dead on the third day, conquering sin and death for those who trust Him.

What happened to Jesus outside the city gates of Jerusalem on Thursday, April 6, AD 30, seemed to be controlled by earthly political leaders.

In this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your plan had predestined to take place. —Acts 4:27–28

God governed the actions of Herod and Pilate, to accomplish his purposes, without Himself ever sinning.

A.W. Pink, a correspondent friend with my evangelist grandfather Fred Cherry wrote:

“Nothing happens in this world but that God promotes it, permits it, or prohibits it.”

“He does according to His will among . . . the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?’” (Daniel 4:35).

The World Is Becoming a Better Place

Here are ten examples of how during the last one thousand years (AD 1000 to AD 2024), the world has become a better place to live.

1. Lifespan: Global life expectancy is over 70 years, compared to around 35 years in AD 1000.

2. Poverty Reduction: Extreme poverty dropped to 9% in 2024, from nearly 100% in AD 1000.

3. Education: Literacy rates exceed 85% worldwide, while in AD 1000, most people couldn't read or write and relied on auditory learning.

4. Medical Advances: Pre-natal care, better preventative medicine, and an abundant supply of food prevents millions of deaths annually that would have occurred in AD 1000.

5. Communication: Over 60% of the global population has internet access, connecting billions instantly. In 2024, there’ve been terrorist acts, shootings, and even wars, but we have instant information. It seems worse in 2024, but in AD 1000, entire cities or populations could be massacred and nobody outside that city would know for years.

6. Individual Liberty: More than half the world's population lives in democracies, compared to none in AD 1000.

7. Food Security: Global hunger has dropped by 50%, from even 1990, with agricultural output 100x higher in 2024 than in AD 1000.

8. Clean Water: 74% of people globally have access to safe drinking water, a rare luxury in AD 1000.

9. Energy: Electricity powers 85% of the world; in AD 1000, energy came mostly from wood and muscle.

10. Transportation: Air travel allows millions to cross continents in hours, unimaginable in AD 1000.

What of Wars, Inflation, Pandemics, and Death?

The 4 Horsemen from GOD: Inflation, Pandemics, War, and Death.

Pandemics, war, economic collapse, and sudden deaths are GOD's way, - repeat, GOD’s way - throughout world history to humble proud people and nations.

But what is the outcome of God’s 4 Horsemen humbling the proud?

“God raises up the humble.”

Here are some Bible verses that mention God raising up the humble:

• 1 Samuel 2:8-10: “God raises the poor from the dust and the needy from the ashes to sit with nobles and inherit a seat of honor.”

• Luke 1:52: “God puts down the mighty and raises up the humble.”

• Psalm 147:6: “God lifts up the humble and downtrodden and casts the wicked down to the ground.”

• James 4:10: God says, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you."

• Psalms 145:14: “God upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.”

• Matthew 23:12: “Whoever humbles himself shall be raised to honor.”

Look Up! Have Hope!

Your Savior reigns, and your world is becoming better because of your King.

If you are in a period of darkness, humble yourself before Christ. Call to Him. Trust Him. You will find that “God raises the humble.”

Your world becomes a much better place when you trust Jesus Christ in everything.