One day Saul, the terrorist from Tarsus was travelling to Damascus to continue his persecution of Christians. Suddenly a light shone from Heaven and a voice said, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Saul cried out, “Who are you Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” Trembling and astonished Saul replied, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” [ Acts chapter 9 ]

This arrogant terrorist was transformed and became the humble Apostle Paul, the world’s greatest Christian scholar and missionary whose inspired letters in the Bible have instructed and encouraged Christian churches from that day to this. In one of these letters written in about AD60 to a young man named Timothy, Paul spoke about events that would herald the end of the world and the return of Jesus Christ. He wrote, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come.” [ Do read 2 Timothy chapter 3 ]. The Greek for perilous means, exceedingly fierce or going berserk. The Lord Jesus had previously put it like this, “Nations will stand helpless, not knowing which way to turn.” [ Luke 21:25 – New English Bible ]. It came close to this during the recent terrorist threat to blow up aircraft.

On Sunday morning September 9th 2001 I was asked to speak about ‘Perilous times’ to 600 people who had been conducting Beach Missions during the summer. Here is an extract from what I said, “A terrorist with a nuclear device in a brief case could take out the Manhattan sky line or the City of Westminster!” Two days later it was 9/11 and the Manhattan sky line was dramatically changed!

Happily those who love Jesus Christ can look through this gloom to His glorious return and the creation of a new and perfect world. He is our only hope!