7 minute read 
by Bethany Rees

There are so many things happening around the world and even locally. Geopolitics, national politics, local politics, and all the constant media (both social and news) covering them have me asking: “Is the sky falling?” 

In short, the literal answer is no.

Is the World Falling Apart?

I am a lover of history—so much so I have a degree in it—and while I’m absolutely no true historian, I have some thoughts about what’s going on in the world from an extremely zoomed out perspective, avoiding nuances. 

History Has Been Here Before

First, let me take you back to your childhood of sitting in history class. While you may not remember the specifics of world history, I bet you do remember these few things: 

• Civilizations and governments always rise and fall. 
• Empires/nations tend to expand their power, influence, and territory under the guise of “God, gold, and/or glory.” 
• New eras of history usually begin primarily because of major events or new technologies but also because of societal/economic shifts or intellectual/cultural movements. 

Everything listed above happens over and over throughout history. 

So was your teacher right when they told you that “history repeats itself?” Kind of—although I believe it’s never an exact copy. It’s more like changing out the names and details of a story to make it your own but the plot is still plagiarism. 

Old Patterns, New Headlines

So read the list above one more time based on what you see in your news and social media feed. 

• Are there governments on the verge of collapse due to debt, war, internal riots, regime change, etc.? 
• Are nations/groups expanding their power, influence, and territory for God (Jesus, Jehovah, Allah), gold (oil/rare-earth minerals), and glory (the race to be the world’s dominant power)? 
• Are there new technologies, movements, and major events happening (artificial intelligence and quantum computing, the world still playing tug-of-war between the “isms” of capitalism, socialism, fascism, etc, and polarization of people based on their beliefs or the way they vote)? 

Does it seem like every box above is being checked as pieces of the world’s chessboard are being moved? 

I am not super political nor a conspiracy theorist so again, let me say I don’t believe the sky is falling. However, I do believe we are at a major turning point in history that only future generations will get to name and explain the impacts of. AND THAT’S OK.

A Biblical Big-Picture View

Now that we can see the shifts of the world through a historical 50,000 foot view perspective, let’s take a look at the Bible for some reassurances during what may feel like a chaotic turning point in history. 

Let’s take you back to your foundational biblical knowledge. While you may not have a deep understanding of Christian theology (I certainly don’t), I bet you do know for certain these few things: 

• God is sovereign and in control over EVERYTHING. 

• “The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” ~ Psalm 103:19 (While the entire Bible shows this, here are a few more to read/memorize: Romans 8:28, Proverbs 19:21, Psalm 135:6, Daniel 4:35) 

• Sin (disobedience to God) runs rampant on earth causing all kinds of consequences, heartache, and suffering for both non-believers AND believers. 

• “but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” ~ Isaiah 59:2

• “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” ~ John 16:33

• Jesus took our punishment for sin by dying on the cross and we only need to believe in Him to be saved. 

• “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ~ Romans 6:23

• “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” ~ John 3:16-17

• Christians are called to love both God and people and to persevere in the faith. 

• “And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” ~ Matthew 22:37-39

• “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” ~ Hebrews 10:23-24 

• God uses both believers and unbelievers to accomplish His Will.

• “Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed…I call you by your name, I name you, though you do not know me.” ~ Isaiah 45:1 & 4b [Cyrus was a pagan Persian king.]

• Jesus is coming back to judge the world of sin and believers will join Him in Heaven for eternity.

• “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” ~ Luke 21:25-28

I know I skipped a ton of foundational biblical beliefs but hey, let’s both just read our Bible—it’s all in there. So let’s stay at a 500,000 foot view and move on.

The biblical truths above anchor our beliefs and behaviors but they should also anchor our nerves; meaning lower our anxiety about “all the things.” 

What Changes—and What Doesn’t

While the world’s "history" chess pieces are being moved today you and I need not fear our future. 

Our 401(k) may change. 

Our job may change.

Our comfortable lifestyle may change.

Our voting preferences may change.

Our society and its systems may change.

BUT…

Our God does NOT change. 

Our purpose (love God, love others, persevere in the faith) will not change.

Our calling (our unique God-given gifts/talents to love and serve the world) will NOT change. 

Our place in Heaven for eternity will not change. 

 So no matter what happened yesterday, is happening today, or will happen tomorrow, know this: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  ~ Hebrews 13:8

God is in control of the world and He is our ultimate provider of all that we truly need. 

God was in control when He created the world and when Adam and Eve brought sin into it. 

God was in control when the Israelites became slaves in Egypt and when they left through the Red Sea. 

God was in control during all the shifts of ancient empires: Egyptian, Chinese, Persian, Greek, Roman, etc. 

God was in control when Jesus was horrifically beaten and crucified on the cross.

God was in control when early Christians experienced intense persecution. 

God was in control during the Dark Ages…the Crusades…the Black Death plague…The Renaissance…Imperialism…Colonialism…the slave trade…revolutionary wars…civil wars…world wars…cold wars…AI wars, etc.

And God is STILL in control of today and tomorrow. 

Faith Over Fear

So no matter what you see on the news or in your social media feed, we are not called to fear but to faith in our God who owns the chessboard and all the playing pieces on it. So pray daily for “all the things” but begin your prayer acknowledging His sovereignty, His provision, and His grace. 

Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” ~ Matthew 6:9-13

For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever, Amen. 

Know Better. Do Better. Live Better. Have Faith.

Rocks before Sand!

*NOTE: I am not a professional historian or theologian. This post is not meant to be a comprehensive academic or theological analysis, but rather a broad, zoomed-out perspective shaped by personal study, faith, and personal reflection.

Scripture: 

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  ~ Hebrews 13:8

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” ~ Hebrews 11:1

Theme Song: 

Same God - Elevation Worship ft. Jonsal Barrientes (Lyrics)

References Used:

The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.