We’ve looked at the past – at the origins and root cause of the Great Struggle of humankind (see True Struggle & Alienation). We’ve considered two major conflicting solutions being offered to us in the present as a means of emancipating humankind from the effects of alienation and struggle (see True Revolution).
What about the future?
In our society there is so much passion and energy being poured into the idea of progress. What exactly are we progressing toward? What lies ahead?
Socialism paints an optimistic and bright landscape of the future.
Marx believed society is evolving. Socialist/progressive ideologies are built on this belief that, as humanity reaches new heights of technology and social consciousness, life on earth is destined to improve. There’s a “better future,” a “bright tomorrow” just around the corner. It’s at our very fingertips, if only we are enlightened enough to reach out and grasp it.
Marx predicted humankind and the societies of the earth will, by way of the bridge of socialism, inevitably one day reach a state of “true communism” This “true communism” is also known as utopia. Utopia is the culmination of many bright tomorrows.
This concept of utopia is perhaps one of the most important pieces of the puzzle as we seek to understand socialism and its sweeping appeal. Socialism and utopia are inseparable. If there is no achievable bright future for tomorrow, there is no socialism.
The extent of the glowing promises of utopia varies from one group of socialists to another.
Marx believed utopia would denote the complete end of all struggle and alienation:
“If alienation is the splintering of human nature into a number of misbegotten parts, we would expect communism [“true communism”] to be presented as a kind of reunification. And this is just what we find. On one occasion, Marx asserts that communism is ‘the complete return of man to himself as a social (i.e. human) being—a return become conscious, and accomplished with the entire wealth of previous development.’ It is ‘the positive transcendence of all estrangement—that is to say, the return of man from religion, family, state, etc., to his human, i.e. social mode of existence’. In communism the breach is healed, and all the elements which constitute a human being for Marx are reunited.” –Professor Bertell Ollman, here
Modern socialists present somewhat modified visions of utopia:
“Imagine walking down a clean street, encountering friendly people, and knowing that everyone you see has enough to eat and a decent place to live. You do not fear being robbed or otherwise abused, and the only police you see are directing traffic. Imagine that you are going to a job you enjoy, where you are respected, not overworked, and where all your suggestions are taken seriously; and that afterwards you meet with friends to pursue common interests with no worry about educational or medical bills that spoil most of our good times. Is this heaven? No, it’s socialism.” –Also Ollman, here
“Democratic socialism only promises the possibility of human fulfillment. It cannot guarantee human happiness. Human failure will exist under democratic socialism, but suffering will not be imposed by institutions over which we have no control.” –Joseph Schwartz and Jason Schulman, DSA, here (bold added)
“Finally, racial/ethnic and sex/gender-based oppressions may well continue in a socialist society. Hence a wide range of programs to dismantle the privileges associated with whiteness, maleness and heteronormativity would have to be developed, and antidiscrimination policies in the workplace and in social organizations would have to be intensified…Democratic socialism, that is, will not be the utopia that many socialists of old imagined. Yet the achievement of a democratic socialist society would nevertheless mark one of the greatest advances in human history. Instead of war, there would be peace; instead of competition, cooperation; instead of exploitation, equality; instead of pollution, sustainability and instead of domination, freedom. –DSA, here (bold added)
At most, socialism promises a complete end to struggle and alienation and a return to man’s original untainted nature. At the very least, it promises human fulfillment and world peace.
Those are some very big promises.
Friends, it will never, ever succeed.
America, we must shake out of our trance. Socialism is nothing less than a sky-high modern Tower of Babel. It is man’s desperate attempt to rescue the world and reach heaven without God.
Karl Marx admitted: “My object in life is to dethrone God and destroy capitalism.”
Socialism is built on a lie. Its false claims are swindling our country and our world. They are invading our churches. They are taking captive the hopes and passions of an entire generation.
The Bible paints a completely different picture of the future.
“They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace.” Jeremiah 6:14
“For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.” I Thessalonians 5:3
“And end! The end has come upon the four corners of the land. I will cause the pomp of the strong to cease. Destruction comes; They will seek peace, but there shall be none. Disaster will come upon disaster and rumor will be upon rumor…The king shall mourn, the prince will be clothed with desolation, and the hands of the common people will tremble. I will do to them according to their way, and according to what they deserve I will judge them. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.” from Ezekiel 7:1,24-27
There is a utopia coming! There will be perfect peace and fulfillment on this earth!
But not until the rightful King of the Earth – the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ Himself – returns to the earth to establish His everlasting Kingdom of justice and peace.
There is no peace, fulfillment, justice or equity outside of God and His law. There will be no utopia apart from the presence of God.
Spiritual freedom is possible today to all who turn to Christ. Individuals can find life-changing peace in Him. Communities can find blessing. Nations are able to experience amazing degrees of freedom and prosperity when they collectively acknowledge God and respect His Law.
However, the Bible warns us that as time marches on, more and more people will coldly turn their backs on God. As they do, confusion, chaos, captivity, poverty, suffering and oppression will reign.
Bloodier wars are soon to erupt.
Cataclysmic natural disasters are headed our way.
God is not mocked.
The Bible tells us He will soon begin to pour out the full cup of His fury against sin on the earth and on all the people of the earth who refuse to recognize Him as God and King. All who turn their backs on Christ will receive the just punishment for their sin: eternal death.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools.” Romans 1:18-22
Only those who have put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ will be shielded from God’s horrible wrath. Only those who believe Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for their sins and to bear the wrath of God in their place. …only these will be safe from eternal judgment and the fires of hell. Only these will reach the glories of God’s Kingdom.
Jesus Christ is the only bridge to utopia.
There is no other way.
Socialism can’t save us. A new society can’t save us. The Republican Party can’t save us. Donald Trump can’t save us. Good deeds can’t save us. Positive thoughts can’t save us. Good intentions can’t save us. Money can’t save us. Buddha can’t save us. Muhammad can’t save us.
Only Jesus Christ can save us.
The Bible is crystal clear when it comes to the fate of humankind and the future of the earth (Revelation 16-22):
King Jesus is coming SOON in glory and majesty to establish His Kingdom!
After a set 7-year period of the worst tribulation and suffering the earth has ever known, Satan will be bound and Christ will return to take over the governments of this earth. He will reign right here on the very earth we know and love.
He will reign on this earth for 1,000 years, and there will be peace on earth during His reign.
After the 1,000 years, He will pour out the remainder of the cup of His fury on Satan and all evil and rebellion and on the corrupted earth.
Satan, along with everyone who chose to reject the free offer of God’s love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ, will be cast into the Lake of Fire forever.
This earth, which has been marred by the curse and presence of sin, will pass away. God will raise up a New Heaven and a New Earth – each immeasurably more beautiful than the first.
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:3,4
All who put their hope in Jesus are safe. Because of His stunning sacrifice on the cross, each and every one of us can be rescued from God’s wrath. By His grace, we can experience TRUE UTOPIA that can never be achieved by humankind because of sin but will be our reality when the Prince of Peace takes His rightful place as Ruler over the governments of this earth.
The Bible tells us God’s fierce anger is kindled even now. He stands ready to judge the earth.
But He is stalling.
He is holding back the full tide of His great wrath for one reason and one reason alone: because He longs for every man, woman and child to run to Him for safety first.
He is not willing that any should perish. He doesn’t want a single drop of His wrath to touch you, because He loves you. He longs to save you.
God Himself is waiting in love…waiting, longing, calling out for you to first reach the safety of His arms. All of heaven and earth is on hold for your sake.
You did not stumble upon this little blog by accident. He hasn’t stirred up my heart to write these words for no reason.
I am holding out a gilded invitation for you today on behalf of my beautiful King.
Enter His Kingdom. Enter His rest. Enter freely by placing your trust in Jesus Christ.
“For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:6,7“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 19:11-16
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:1-9