What We Remember, What We Survived, and What Still Awaits
On a Saturday evening, long-term friends who were now grandparents sat at the park with their seven grandchildren—Billy, Tommy, Jeanette, Jeffrey, Jennifer, Rally, and Marcus—enjoying the kind of laughter and conversation they had always cherished. They talked about history, the present day, and the generation growing up before them. They reflected on the different seasons of life, even the moments when they weren’t sure they would see another sunrise.
Soon, the conversation shifted to unforgettable dates. It’s remarkable how certain dates bring joy, while others remind us of tragedy—and that realization led them into a passionate discussion, bringing goosebumps to their arms. They talked about the painful seasons of social isolation, when they were unable to spend quality time with their kids, grandkids, and loved ones. Instead, they had to settle for seeing each other through a screen on FaceTime—a stressful, lonely experience that takes a heavy toll on the human spirit.
From one continent to another, devastation shows no favoritism. It strikes wherever it chooses, like a wrecking ball tearing through lives—sometimes in a single region, sometimes across the entire world. Society cries out when looking back at historical events. Financial and medical crises flex their strength, causing deep inconvenience, discomfort, and fear. They hold humanity hostage and place people under heavy mental stress.
Global historical records show how these events create emotional distress that can lead to deep anxiety. Crisis can lie in wait anywhere, anytime, without notice or permission.
Major Financial Crises
1873–1896 — The Long Depression
1929–1939 — The Great Depression
1973 — The Oil Crisis
1997–1999 — The Asian Financial Crisis
1998–2002 — The Argentine Great Depression
2008 — The Great Recession
Medical Global Tragedies
541–542 AD — The Plague of Justinian
1347–1351 — The Black Death
1918–1920 — The Spanish Flu Pandemic
1981–Present — HIV/AIDS Pandemic
2020–2022 — The COVID‑19 Pandemic / Recession
These events leave behind overwhelming uncertainty and the loss of loved ones. Imagine working your whole life to buy a home, build a business, or invest wisely—only to lose everything. That kind of loss can crush a person’s spirit. And often, God gets blamed. Why did God allow this? Why is there sin? Why are there hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and incurable diseases?
The sad reality is that some people lose hope and eventually lose faith, never recovering from the heartbreak.
However, even these shattering historical dates cannot compare to the events outlined in the book of Revelation:
The Seven Seals
The Seven Trumpets
The Seven Bowls
This is God’s divine judgment on a wicked and rebellious generation. It has been 2,000 years since Jesus Christ ascended. The longer time goes on, the more creative humanity becomes in its sin—even misusing modern technologies like artificial intelligence. It is hard for fallen man to walk away from the very things he loves. Given another 2,000 years, humanity's love for sin would only grow stronger. Scripture says men lie awake at night plotting evil, and when the sun rises, they carry out what they planned.
The Deceitfulness of the Heart — Jeremiah 17:9 (NKJV)
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?”
Even when global crises shake the world, divine grace often still fails to reach many hearts. As Scripture reminds us, the human heart is deceitful above all things, keeping people stubbornly attached to their sin rather than turning to their Creator. We should all anchor our hope in God’s Word daily. We need to crucify the flesh and prepare our hearts for the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the only way to escape the seven‑year Tribulation. We invest in so many temporary things on earth—invest instead in your eternal life. You are going somewhere after death.
God's divine judgment is completely righteous and just for all who have sinned against Him. A holy God requires accountability for every action, and no one will escape the judgment when standing before Jesus.
Men Plotting Evil — Micah 2:1 (NKJV)
“Woe to those who devise iniquity, and work out evil on their beds! At morning light they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand.”
The Narrow Road and Broad Road — Matthew 7:13–14 (NKJV)
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction… Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life.”
The Tribulation — Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls
The Tribulation is a seven‑year period in which God allows the full weight of His divine judgment to fall on a humanity that rejected Him. It exposes the love of darkness rooted in the human heart while still extending one final call to repentance before Christ returns.
Revelation 6–8 — The Seven Seals: Jesus opens the seals one by one: the four horsemen ride out, martyrs cry for justice, the heavens shake, and God seals His servants before the seventh seal leads into silence and the trumpets.
Revelation 8–11 — The Seven Trumpets: The trumpets bring escalating judgments on the earth, sea, rivers, and sky; demonic torment is released; a vast army brings destruction; the two witnesses appear; and the seventh trumpet declares Christ’s kingdom.
Revelation 16 — The Seven Bowls: The bowls pour out God’s final judgments: painful sores, waters turning to blood, scorching heat, darkness, the Euphrates drying up, the gathering for Armageddon, and a massive global earthquake with hail.
The Bible makes it clear: when Jesus returns the second time as the Lion of Judah and His feet touch the Mount of Olives, the opportunity for repentance is over. That moment marks the end—no more chances, no more invitations, no more time.
We have grown so accustomed to second chances because His mercy and grace greet us every morning, and people extend second chances when mistakes are made. However, when Jesus shuts everything down, there will be no more chances. You will be separated from a holy God for all eternity.
Make the decision today to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. In whatever way God leads you, help advance His kingdom. Stay connected to the Vine. Study His Word. Pray without ceasing.
You only get one chance in this life. May God help us all.