In the days since the Manhattan Project brought the world the atom bomb and the threat of nuclear annihilation on a planetary scale, dramatists have popularized phrases like, “dystopian future” and, “post-apocalyptic fantasy.”

Having no real idea of what “dystopian” means, I looked it up.  The gist of what I found is that it means a really bad place to be.  A “dystopian future,” whether imagined or ultimately experienced, is one in which there is misery and suffering because of prevailing conditions in the physical and or social environment.  

The word “apocalypse” means “unveiling” but, not according to many internet dictionaries, which define it as prophetic in nature and describing or pertaining to, the end of the world.  This no doubt stems from a vague and hazy association with Revelation, the last book of the Bible, sometimes called, “The Apocalypse.”  However, the focus of that volume is the revelation of Jesus Christ, not foretelling the future (which it also does).

A “post-apocalyptic fantasy” then, is an imagined scenario of the world as it could be after the world as we know it ends…or something.  Countless screenplays, teleplays, stage plays, novels, short stories and articles have treated the subject, drawing on public and private fears and anxieties to shock, warn and entertain.  Most of these portrayals revolve around the further adventures of hardy knots of survivors, banding together to build a better world atop the wreckage of the old one.

Of course, If you don’t happen to like fantasy—post-apocalyptic or otherwise—and if you would prefer your future to be non-dystopian, there is always the word of God.  When trying to figure out what to expect in days to come, it never hurts to consult the One who doesn’t speculate, doesn’t imagine, doesn’t guess, because He knows:  

“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.” (Isaiah 46:9-10)

While here on earth, Jesus warned that a time of “great tribulation” is coming, “such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matthew 24:21-22).

This catastrophic though mercifully brief period will, according to Jesus, encompass the entire globe: “…the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” (Revelation 3:10)

So, mankind does not destroy himself in a nuclear conflagration?  Nope.  Anthropogenic [human-caused or influenced] “climate change” doesn’t cause extinction?  No.  Viral plagues, alien attack?  Uh-uh.  God will not permit all life to be wiped out.  Christ will intervene.  

Furthermore, God has plans—BIG ones: “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” (Isaiah 65:17). It will be THAT spectacular!  God is also planning to unveil a huge new city, the size of a continent.  Here are a few details (from Revelation 21):

• “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (v. 1, 2)
• It sparkles like a crystal-clear jewel, reflecting the glory of God (v. 11).
• It is made of pure gold—even its streets—and gleams as if transparent (v. 18, 21).
• It has a multi-layered foundation garnished with all sorts of precious stones (v. 19, 20).
• It has 12 gates, each made of a single, enormous pearl (v.21).
• Its light is produced by the radiance of Christ (v. 23). 

The two best things about the breathtaking city of New Jerusalem:

1. “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God” (v. 3).
2. “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (v. 27).

Is YOUR name written in the Lamb’s book of life, the register of all who’ve repented of their sin, believed in the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and committed their lives to serving Him?  If this describes you, it is.  To you belongs the right to live in the holy city (and one day soon, you will).  Those who are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ really are soul survivors!

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Peter wrote: 

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up…Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.  (II Peter 3:10, 13)

Peter here emphasizes that God’s brand new creation will be the eternal home of the righteous—exclusively.  But what about the unrighteous—those who have rejected God’s Son and refused the pardon Jesus purchased for them with his own blood, the forgiveness of sins?

“Behold, all they that were incensed against thee…and they that strive with thee shall perish.  Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee…” (Isaiah 41:11-12)

“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb…For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.  For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.  But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” (Psalm 37:1-2, 9-11)

An abundance of peace?  Whoa!  That doesn’t sound a bit like the original creation—the one that man utterly ruined and doomed to destruction by disobeying God and rebelling against His rule.  This new world isn’t just new in a chronological sense—it’s new in kind and character.

My friend, don’t be deceived.  Humanity didn’t create the present earth; our mutiny merely destroys it.  And humanity won’t assemble the next world from broken pieces of the old one—much less a happier, more peaceful and more secure world.

Just remember, it is certain that we cannot save ourselves (or God would never have sent His only begotten Son to die for us).  Apart from His provision—Jesus Christ—there is no Savior and thus, no hope.  And there are only two future addresses in the next life—the dazzling New Jerusalem or the dreadful Lake of Fire.  The good news is, that you can change your forwarding address by surrendering your heart to Christ.  You will never dream how much God loves you, until you know Jesus personally.

So, what’s it to be— eternal bliss or unending torment?  It really, truly, IS up to you…for now.  But the sun is setting on the day of God’s patience and grace.  Don’t wait until night falls, either for you personally or for this sinful world.  Because then, it will be too late to choose mercy instead of justice.  Call on the name of the Lord Jesus.  He is faithful and He is mighty to save.  Though I don’t know your identity, I am praying for you as I write.  I can picture the angels of God rejoicing over you right now.  And I can’t wait to meet you in the shimmering city descending just over the horizon.

HOW TO BE SAVED:

• Admit to God that you are a sinner (that you have not kept His moral law to perfection; in your thoughts, words, and actions you have done what His law forbids and have failed to do what His love demands).  This is seeing yourself from God’s point of view and agreeing that He is right about you.  Be as specific as you can.
• Believe in your heart that Jesus died for your sins and that God raised Him from the dead.
• Sincerely repent (turn away) from your sins, asking God to forgive you and to use His power to help you resist temptation, no matter how strong the pull of sin may be, at first.
• Acknowledge Jesus as the Lord of your life.  Invite Him to move into your heart and take up residence there, so that He can change you from the inside out.
• Trust His promise to save you and give you a new spiritual birth and a new nature (thoughts, desires, priorities, hopes, dreams, and character).

SOME KEY TRUTHS:

• “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”  (Romans 3:23)
• “As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one.”  (Romans 3:10)
• “For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  (Romans 6:23)
• “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  (John 3:16)
• “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  (Romans 5:8)
• “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”  (I Corinthians 15:3,4)
• “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12)
• “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him…”  (Revelation 3:20)
• “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  (Romans 10:13)
• “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”  (Romans 10:9)
• “Verily, verily, I say unto you; He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life; and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”  (John 5:24)
• “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing, ye might have life through his name.”  (John 20:31) 
• “These things I have written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”  (I John 5:13)