Lately, the following terms appear frequently on radio and television broadcasts or in magazines and newspapers: “financial turmoil on Wall Street,” “real estate crisis,” “bank failures,” “a shaky economy,” “unemployment,” “recession,” “bailouts,” and the list could go on. Variable mortgage rates, sub-prime loans, the absence of regulations, no equity in the housing market, greed, lying about income assets, unnecessary leveraging, excessive use of credit cards, the market’s volatility in stocks and bonds, and the auto industry failure are the reasons behind this unprecedented world-wide financial crisis.

It will cost the governments of the world a huge amount of money, and the taxpayers (you and I) will have to pay more to correct the resulting situation—if it can ever be corrected. It is predicted the future will hold very stringent regulations restricting the freedom of citizens to spend or invest money. Business will not be conducted as it has been in the past. As lending tightens, the gears of commerce get stuck, resulting in a very slow recovery. There will be difficulty in securing approval for mortgages and auto loans, since these depend on a good credit rating. Food, utilities, and medical costs will reach unparalleled highs. Warren Buffet, an American investor, businessman, and philanthropist, described these as “weapons of mass destruction.”

Where there is high unemployment, the suicide and crime rates increase. Believe it or not, so do the divorce rates. You may ask what we should do. The answer is simple: pray, do not panic, and always remember the battle is the Lord’s. Be a good steward of your blessings, put your money in insured vehicles, and improve your credit worthiness.

The Bible predicted that the world’s economic, social, religious, scientific, and physical condition would get worse as we approach the second coming of the Lord. I would like to propose for your consideration some events that will take place beyond the current meltdown. Our focus should be fixed on the final meltdown in the history of this world. This is the last and final showdown when Jesus will come and take us to our heavenly home. When He comes, there will be no death or debt, no sorrow or disappointment, no sickness or disease, no pain or hurt, no grief or weeping in heaven.

Beyond this earth’s meltdown there is life with Christ for eternity. Jesus, the “Bright and Morning Star,” shines brightest in the darkness that immediately precedes the dawn. We are living in the darkest history of the world and Jesus shines the brightest when we need Him the most. In the fullness of time, Christ will come as the long-awaited Messiah and Savior of the world. He is the light of the world, and all who give their hearts to Him will find peace, rest, assurance, and joy.

Beyond the meltdown, heaven awaits. There we will have perfect bodies, minds, hearts, friends, fellowship, and a perfect Savior. The gift of God beyond this world is eternal life through Jesus Christ to the repenting, believing sinner. The words of the old gospel song ring true today, “If we ever needed the Lord before, we sure do need Him now.” Our destination and future lie beyond the meltdown and financial turmoil which we find in this old wretched, miserable, and sin-sick world. We’re heaven bound!

Leon Thomassian is the Atlantic Union Conference treasurer and Trust Services director.