A World Without Fear

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Short Summary
The discourse reflects on Psalm 46 to describe the current fearful conditions in the world, including wars, political division, economic uncertainty, and natural disasters, emphasizing that these troubles fulfill biblical prophecies about the end of the Gospel age. It highlights that God serves as a refuge and source of strength for believers amid turmoil, promising that these fears will be removed with the establishment of Christ’s kingdom—a new era of righteousness, peace, and healing where war, death, and suffering will cease. Ultimately, the message encourages faith and trust in God’s promises of deliverance and a future free from fear.

Long Summary
Detailed Summary of the Discourse Based on Psalm 46 and Related Scriptures

Context and Theme:
– The discourse is a follow-up to Brother John’s thoughts on the troubles and fears in the present evil world.
– It is based on Psalm 46, which is interpreted as describing the conditions during the harvest period of the Gospel age.
– The psalm not only reflects current global turmoil but also emphasizes that God is a refuge for true followers of Jesus amid these fearful times.
– The discourse addresses present fears and assures that these conditions will be replaced by the promised kingdom of righteousness and peace—a world without fear.

Psalm 46:1-3 (God as Refuge and Strength):
– “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.”
– The “earth” and “mountains” symbolize the social order and kingdoms/governments being destabilized.
– The psalm acknowledges current global troubles causing widespread fear.

Current Fears and Global Troubles:
– Historical and ongoing wars have caused massive loss of life, including recent conflicts such as Israel-Hamas and Russia-Ukraine wars.
– Attempts at ceasefires have been uncertain or failed.
– Biblical prophecy (Ezekiel 38-39) foretells an invasion from the North targeting Israel.
– Wars persist despite human efforts and claims that progress, education, and science would end conflict.
– Additional fears include:
– Political division and polarization within countries (e.g., the USA).
– Deteriorating relations among superpowers like China, Russia, and the USA.
– Fear of artificial intelligence (AI), its unknown impacts, and eerie uses like recreating voices of the dead.
– Threats from rogue nations.
– Financial and economic instability.
– Increasing natural disasters: storms, fires, droughts, earthquakes.
– Emerging diseases such as the coronavirus.
– Overall fear that these crises threaten human survival.

Hope for the Future and Divine Intervention:
– Despite the chaos, Psalm 46 encourages believers not to fear because God will remove these conditions.
– Prophecies from Daniel 12:1 and Matthew 24:3, 21-22 describe a “time of trouble such as never was,” linked to Jesus’ second presence and the end of the age.
– Luke 21:25-26 describes distress among nations, with people’s hearts failing them for fear, which aligns with present global conditions.
– The “sea and waves roaring” symbolize restless masses clamoring for rights, often without solutions.
– The psalm and prophetic scriptures confirm the present social and political upheaval is foretold and temporary.

God as Refuge and Strength Explained:
– “Refuge” means shelter or protection from harm, not absence of trouble.
– God protects followers from lasting harm and gives strength to overcome the world, flesh, and the adversary.
– Ephesians 6:10 urges believers to be strong in the Lord’s power.
– 1 Corinthians 15:57 affirms victory through Jesus Christ, giving confidence and peace.

Psalm 46:4-5 – The River of Life and the City of God:
– The “river” represents the water of life flowing from God’s throne (Revelation 22:1).
– The “city of God” is the new Jerusalem, symbolic of the glorified church (Revelation 21:1-2, 9).
– The church is described as the bride adorned with Christian graces, preparing to bless mankind.
– The “no more sea” signifies removal of restless, discontented masses.
– Believers live in the “holy of the tabernacle” (Psalm 91:1-2), the Spirit-begotten state, under God’s protection.
– Hebrews 10:10 and Ephesians 2:6 describe sanctification and being seated in heavenly places “in Christ Jesus.”

Psalm 46:6-7 – The Raging of Nations and God’s Command:
– “Heathen” (Gentile nations) rage; kingdoms are moved.
– God’s voice commands dissolution of the current social and ecclesiastical order.
– 2 Peter 3:10-13 parallels this, describing the day of the Lord when heavens and earth melt away, replaced by a new heavens and new earth with righteousness.
– “Lord of hosts” refers to God’s angelic forces protecting and assisting believers (Psalm 34:7).
– God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and a refuge for His people.

Psalm 46:8-9 – God’s Destructive Work to End War:
– God causes desolations and ruins the present earthly system (Isaiah 24:1).
– He makes wars cease by breaking bows, cutting spears, and burning chariots.
– Isaiah 2:4 and Micah 4:1-4 prophecy the kingdom of God where people will beat swords into plowshares and learn peace.
– The establishment of this kingdom will end sin, death, war, and fear.

Psalm 46:10 – Be Still and Know God:
– God will be exalted among the nations; He will calm the tumultuous seas of human unrest.
– Psalm 93:4 and Psalm 65:7 emphasize God’s might over the roaring seas and peoples’ tumult.
– Christ’s present invisible reign will bring this peace.
– Philippians 2:10 (to be discussed later) speaks of every knee bowing to Jesus.
– Isaiah 25:6-9 describes the kingdom’s blessings, removal of spiritual blindness, swallowing up death, wiping away tears, and universal rejoicing in God’s salvation.

Final Encouragement:
– The world today is fear-filled, but God’s intervention will soon bring peace, health, life, and freedom from all fear including fear of death.
– Psalm 46:11 reassures that God is our refuge throughout these changes and will guide and protect His people.
– Believers are encouraged to be thankful for these promises and to look forward to participating in the blessings of the new heavens and new earth.

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Key Bible Verses Referenced:

Psalm 46:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-10, 11 – Central text of the discourse.
Daniel 12:1 – Foretells the time of trouble at the end of the age.
Matthew 24:3, 21-22 – Jesus’ prophecy of great tribulation.
Luke 21:25-26 – Signs in the sun, moon, stars; distress of nations.
Ephesians 6:10 – Be strong in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:57 – Victory through Jesus Christ.
Revelation 22:1 – River of life proceeding from God’s throne.
Revelation 21:1-2, 9 – New Jerusalem, the bride of Christ.
Psalm 91:1-2 – Dwelling in God’s protection.
Hebrews 10:10; Ephesians 2:6 – Sanctification and heavenly position in Christ.
2 Peter 3:10-13 – Day of the Lord dissolving heavens and earth.
Psalm 34:7 – Angelic protection.
Isaiah 24:1 – Earth made empty and waste.
Micah 4:1-4; Isaiah 2:4 – Kingdom of peace; swords into plowshares.
Psalm 93:4; Psalm 65:7 – God’s might over seas and tumult.
Philippians 2:10 – Every knee shall bow to Jesus.
Isaiah 25:6-9; Isaiah 35:5-6 – Kingdom blessings; healing; swallowing up death.

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This discourse offers a thorough biblical perspective on current fears and world troubles, reassuring believers that God’s kingdom will soon bring an end to suffering and fear, fulfilling His promises of peace, righteousness, and eternal life.

Transcript

This lesson is kind of a little bit of a follow up on Brother John’s thoughts concerning the troubles and fears of this present evil world. As we’re drawing to a close of this Gospel age, I base these thoughts on the 46th Psalm. I’m gonna just it describes the conditions in this harvest period of the Gospel age. I’m going to look at each of the verses of this psalm. Not only does it show the conditions we see today, but expresses that God is a refuge for the footstep followers of our Lord Jesus during these troublesome and fearful times.

I’m going to talk about the fears we currently see on this earth, but also that these conditions will be removed and replaced by the long promised kingdom of righteousness and peace. There will be a world without fear.

Starting with Psalm 46, verses 1 through 3 reads this way God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea, though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. I’ll talk a little bit later about God is our refuge for us, the footstep followers of our Lord. The trouble seems to be the current trouble that we see in our world today that is being described in this 46 Psalm. It is causing fear in the world.

What are some of these fears? Hundreds of millions have lost their lives through war since the creation of man.

We have had the war in Israel with Hamas also we have the war in Russia with Russia and in Ukraine. There have been talks about trying to come to a ceasefire on both of these wars, but there’s we don’t know if that will be accomplished or not. I read on my phone just yesterday that some of the talks between the United States, Russia and Ukraine have broken off so there might not be a ceasefire. Nevertheless, even if some pause might take place and the these wars, there’s still the threat of war that will continue. We know that at the end of this age there is to be an invasion from the North.

Through Ezekiel 38 and 39th chapters describe that to come upon Israel. So we look expect that to take place. So war is still a trouble.

The claims have been that the many wars would bring peace. These wars have been caused by the failure of human leaders to find solutions for the problems caused by selfishness and hatred.

There were times when the wise men of earth were telling the people that the human race was steadily progressing toward a higher state and of civilization where the fear would soon be A thing of the past as proof of a brighter future. These wise men point to education. A more enlightened world would know better than to attempt to settle disputes by war. Also they point to science would contribute to lasting peace among nations. The war continues.

Other conditions lead to fear. We are living in a fear filled world.

Number one, Political division and polarization within countries. We see it here in the US Both political views have their radical elements. It has caused violence.

Number two, Further deterioration of relations between the world superpowers such as China, Russia and the United States. They are interlinked economically and otherwise.

And we see fear as a result of these superpowers. Fear of the unknown effects of artificial intelligence called AI. I don’t understand how it works or how it is to be used.

And it is used by computers to enable machines to perform tasks that have been done by human intelligence in the past.

They have been able to recreate the voice of people who have long ago died. It is almost like they are trying to communicate with the living and the dead.

Number four, There is the fear of small rogue nations. Governments and leaders could wreak havoc upon segments of society if not kept in check.

Five, Fear in general of continued financial and economic uncertainty. Number six, Fear of growing effects of natural disasters such as ravaging storms, fires, droughts, earthquakes and changes in weather patterns. Seven, Fear of unexpected diseases like the coronavirus epidemic and its global impact. Number eight, Fear also that all these systems will continue to grow and threaten mankind’s survival. This is the state of today’s fear filled world.

Is there hope for the world to recover? This psalm suggests that yes, we will see. It is in God’s hands to remove these fearful conditions.

These conditions have come upon many unexpectedly. It is not a surprise to the careful students of the Bible. However, God its inspired prophets predicted these conditions. The prophet Daniel foretold that there would be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation. In Daniel 12:1, Jesus quoted from this prophecy and explained that it would be fulfilled at his second presence and at the end of this age.

We are familiar with Matthew chapter 24. In verse 3 the disciples ask our Lord, what shall be the sign of thy coming in the end of the age? The word coming there should be presence as part of our Lord’s answer. In verses 21 and 22 of chapter 24 of Matthew, he says, for then shall be great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time known, or 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.

Jesus outlined some of the details of this time of trouble and Luke chapter 21, verses 25 and 26, which Brother John referred to. It reads this way, Luke 21, 25 and 26 and there should be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, and upon the earth. Distress of nations with perplexity. The sea and the waves roaring, men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.

The sea and the waves roaring represent the restless masses of mankind clamoring for their rights, some of which are only fancied rights.

The word perplexity in Luke means no way out. The leaders cannot solve the problems, nor give the people the things that they seek. The hearts of the people fall fail them for fear.

These words of Jesus indicate that he is referring to the present time. The prophet David foretold this time in this Psalm, Psalm 46. He likened the chaos of the world to restless lashing of the sea and waves, and the earth being removed. Not the literal earth, but the present social order is being removed, or will be removed. The mountains are symbolic of the kingdoms and governments of this earth.

They are carried into the midst of the sea, David wrote. They’re being swallowed up by the restless, discontented people, David says, Therefore will not we fear if we acquaint ourselves with the prophecies and have faith in what they declare concerning the present and I think, the near future, the establishment of Christ’s kingdom, we should not fear it. The Word of God alone explains the present distress and the hopeful view of the outcome. This gives us peace and joy in our hearts. We are reaching the end of an age, but also the end of Satan’s dominion.

We are living at the time of our Lord’s invisible presence and preparation for the establishment of his kingdom.

We said we would talk about God as our refuge. The word refuge in verse one has the meaning of shelter or protection from harm. The verse does not say that God has promised us freedom from all trouble.

In our trouble God will protect us from lasting harm that Satan may wish to have come upon us. The verse also says that God is our strength. This seems to imply that if we abide under this hymn as a sheltering refuge, not not only do we receive his protection, but also are recipients of his strength in helping to us fight the battles against the world, the flesh, and the adversary. The Holy Spirit that we have received gives us this strength. Ephesians 6:10 reads, Ephesians 6:10 finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, in the power of his might.

Alone we cannot win any of these battles, but with God’s refuge and strength, we can come off victorious. First Corinthians 16:57 reads, First Corinthians 15:57 but thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, so we should not fear.

We’re thankful that we have God as a refuge.

Going back to Psalm 46 reading verses 4 and 5 says, There is a river the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holiest place of the tabernacles of the Most High. God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved God shall help her and that right early. The river being referred to is the water of life. It will flow from the throne of God. Revelation 22:1 reads, Revelation 22:1 and he showed me a pure river, water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, a river of truth that will enlighten mankind in the millennial age.

It says, it shall make glad the city of God. It is referring to the new Jerusalem, symbolic of the church in glory. Revelation 21 verses 1 and 2 and verse 9 reads, and I saw a new heaven and a new earth for the first hammer and the first earth were passed away, and there were no more seed, and I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her Husband and Revelation 21:9 and there shall and there came unto me one of the seven angels, which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. The church is being prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, our Lord Jesus.

This describes our development. Our wedding garment is embroidered with the adornments of the Christian graces.

They will bless mankind. It says, there was no more sea. The restless and discontent will be removed, and it will bring gladness and joy.

The holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High. David wrote, we are symbolically living in the holy of the tabernacle, the Spirit begotten condition. Psalm 91:1 and 2 read shows, we are dwelling in the secret place under God’s protection. It says, he that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Verse 2 says, I will say of the Lord, he is my refuge and my fortress, my God in him will I trust.

Hebrews 10:10 reads, by the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all, through the body and blood of our Lord, we are sanctified or made holy we are consecrated joint sacrifices with Our Lord. Ephesians 2, 6 says, we are in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. A psalm says, God is in the midst of her. It uses the female gender, referring to the church, the bride of Christ. God is with her, her refuge she shall not be moved during the shaking of the kingdoms of this world.

She remains faithful God shall help her, the psalm says. He will rescue us from her toil and weariness, and deliver her in the first resurrection. 1st Corinthians 15:51 and 52 reads, 1st Corinthians 15:51and 52 reads, Behold, I show you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall be all be changed in a moment, in twinkling of an eye, at the last trump for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. In the psalm it says that and that right early the thought is, when the morning appears, we are in the night time of the Gospel age, but a new day is dawning.

The church has changed in the new morning of millennial age, and we look forward to the full completion of that church and the privilege of blessing mankind in the future.

In Psalm 46, verses 6 and 7, it says, the heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved he uttered his voice, the earth melted and verse 7 the Lord is our of hosts is with us the God of Jacob is our refuge, says the heathen rage.

Heathen are the a foreign nation.

The Gentile nations are raging. We see it in the earth we can see it all around us. The kingdoms are being moved.

Says, he uttered his voice this shows God’s command. The time has come to dissolve the current order, both the earth, the social structure of this earth, and the heavens, the ecclesiastical heavens will be removed. Apostle Peter gives a similar description in 2nd Peter 3, verses 10 and 12 and 13 2nd Peter 3, 10 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 and verses 12 and 13 looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. Nevertheless, we, according to his promise, look for a new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Here Peter says, the heaven and earth will melt just as David in our psalm. The heat is from a destructive fire, not a literal fire, but organized society will disintegrate. The system of error is going down.

But in its place will be a new heavens and a new earth based on righteousness that will be established.

Verse 7 says, the Lord of hosts. I think is referring to the angelic forces that God uses to accomplish his purposes. Says, God is with us we have Guardian Angels. Psalm 34:7 reads, the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

God, says the God of Jacob. He is the God of the fathers of Israel, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and he is our refuge.

Continuing in Psalm 46, verses 8 and 9 come, behold the works of the Lord. What desolations he hath made in the earth he maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear and sunder he burneth the chariot in the fire. We behold the works of God. In this case it is the destructive work that is underway.

Says, what desolations he has made. This word desolations means ruined. The destruction of the present institutions will leave this earthly arrangement in complete ruin. Isaiah 24:1 reads, Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof, not people, although many will endure hardship, but current system will be gone. Then David continues, he says, he makes wars to cease.

There are prophecies that describe the establishment of the kingdom, but also the weapons of war turned into agricultural tools. Isaiah chapter two and Micah chapter four are very similar. I’m going to read from Micah chapter 4, verses 1 to 4 says, but in the last days it shall come to pass at the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be exalt established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills, and it shall flow unto it, and and people shall flow into it and many nations shall come and say, come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his ways. We will walk in his paths, for the law shall go forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem and he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off, and they shall beat their swords in the plowshares, and Their spears in the pruning hooks. Nathan shall not lift up sword against Nathan.

Neither shall they learn more anymore. But they shall sit, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and none shall make them afraid. For the mouth of the Lord of hosts have spoken it. The mountain of the kingdom of the Lord is the kingdom of God. It will be established in the top of the mountains.

The current existing kingdoms will come under God’s control is what this means. It will be a kingdom of righteousness which will never be destroyed. The house of the Lord is God’s ruling house, made up of Christ of the church. The people will flow unto it and be taught God’s ways. Mankind will be judged according to how they follow God’s laws.

And they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into poon hooks. They will turn them into tools to grow things to be eaten to provide sustenance.

The people will learn more, no more.

When this is in place, there will be no more sin and death, no more war, no more fear.

Back in Psalm 46, David describes the destruction of these instruments of war. He says, he breaketh the bow and cutteth the spear in sunder. He burneth the chariot in the fire.

This will be a new day when this takes place, a day of blessings of life, health, joy and peace.

Christ will be the new King of earth.

He is described in Malachi 4:2 as the son of righteousness with healing in his wings.

Verse 10 of Psalm 46 says, Be still and know that I am God. I’ll be exalted among the heathen. I’ll be exalted in the earth. God will calm the sea. Psalm 93, verse 4 reads, Psalm 93:4.

The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of the many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea, and Psalm 65, 7 reads, which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of the waves, and the tumult of the people.

It is through Christ now present to establish his kingdom that this will take place, that the voice of God will be heard. Be still. The heathen will come to know God and praise him and his Son, Christ Jesus.

There will be a theme discourse Tomorrow on Philippians 2:10, where all mankind will bow the knee in honor and praise of our Lord and Savior.

They will also praise the God of the Universe, Jehovah. Isaiah 25:6,9 gives further description of this kingdom of peace, and in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of Wines on the lees of fat, things full of marrow of wines, and the leaves well refined, and he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death and victory.

And the Lord God wipe away tears from off all faces, and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from up all the earth. For the Lord has spoken it, and it shall be said in that day, lo, this is our God. We have waited for him, and he will save us. This is the Lord.

We have waited for him. We will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. Here again the kingdom of God is described as a great mountain that will bless the people with a feast. Of that things he will remove the covering that has kept mankind in darkness and bring them to a knowledge of the truth.

Isaiah 35, 5 and 6 from the English Standard Version says, then the eyes of the blind shall be opened and ears of the deaf unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. All the physical maladies of blindness and the inability to speak will no longer exist. But also, I think this is a symbolic meaning. Those who are blind and deaf to the things of God will come to a knowledge of God.

It also says in Isaiah 25 that God will swallow up death in victory. Because of Christ’s ransom sacrifice. There will be no more death. Tears will be wiped away. Mankind will rejoice because of God’s plan of salvation.

We rejoice also for the blessed promises in God’s Word.

We can say to the world today, to the Spirit filled world, fear not. God’s intervention in the affairs of men will soon bring peace and health and life.

Think of a world with all fear removed. No fear of enemies, of war, of catastrophe, of crippling disease, sickness, of financial ruin, of poverty, of starvation, and greatest of all, no more fear of death. Truly freedom from fear is guaranteed by the sure promises of God.

Verse 11 of Psalm 46 again says, the God of Jacob is our refuge. While all this is taking place, God is with us and he will guide us, he will protect us, and he will give us the ability to complete our course and look for a new heavens and a new earth and be a part of blessing mankind. We look forward to a world without fear and we say, may we be thankful for these precious promises. In God’s word may the Lord add His blessing.

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