The new world order will not be one created by man. No one has the power or intelligence to bring harmony out of this chaotic world. We are more divided as a people today than we have been for a long time.

There is only one possibility for a true world order. It is one Jesus mentioned when he prayed, “May Thy kingdom come.Thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Before Christ will establish God’s earthly kingdom, mankind must experience the futility of governing this world without God’s influence. We are learning that man’s solutions cannot care of all people. There is great inequity in this world with many of the rich unwilling, or unable, to help those in need. Today, perfect justice is a rare thing.

However, we know that God’s kingdom is drawing near. Through the prophet Daniel we were given signs to indicate the nearness of God’s kingdom on earth:

“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake…” (Daniel 1:1, 2).

We have already seen the nation of Israel (God’s people) reestablished as a nation. We are witnessing the build-up to a great time of trouble such as the world has never seen. Then in verse 4, Daniel adds two more signs to watch for, “many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” We live in a time of an unprecedented increase of knowledge and travel. These are all signs that God’s kingdom on earth is very near.

In contrast to what we see under the dominion of man, God’s kingdom will be wonderful. But our experience with sin and evil is a vital part of mankind’s education. Only after realizing our need for God will people truly devote themselves to righteousness and to God’s kingdom.

Here are but a few scriptures that describe that kingdom:

“And have hope toward God… that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust” (Acts 24:15).

“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.  And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled…” (Revelation 20:1-3).

“And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plummet; and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies…” (Isaiah 28:17).

“…With righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth…The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. 

And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox…hey shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:4, 6,7,9).

These are only a few of the many scriptures that describe the wonderful kingdom just on the horizon. It will not come from man’s doing. But Christ, who redeemed us all from death, will be mankind’s great benevolent King.

Additional Resource: Christian Questions Podcast Episode #1285: "When Jesus Prayed, 'Thy Kingdom Come,' What Did He Mean?" Digging into the deep, braod and scriptural meaning of God's kingdom  CQ Rewind Show Notes