Mankind’s FINAL Millennium
For many years writers and speakers talked about the year 2000, and many people desired to live to see the turn into the new millennium. This particular time was generally viewed with great expectation and awe by prognosticators, fortune-tellers, and Bible students. It was especially highlighted by religious figures who preached strongly about earth’s closing events, the end of the world, or Armageddon. In short, this notable time was usually announced as a time of destruction and an end to man’s existence as we have known it for almost 6,000 years.
However, now the time has come, and we are finally in the year 2000. Already we are well into the new millennium, which can rightfully be described as mankind’s final millennium. Undoubtedly, the deteriorating condition of the world and the signs of the times again and again echo the sure sentiments that both man and the earth in their present conditions cannot continue to exist much longer. The truth of the matter is, if sinful man should even survive for another century (100 years), it would most certainly require a miracle. Therefore, we cannot help but conclude that we have now entered the final millennium of human existence as we have known it for nearly 6,000 years, and that we are presently living within the final years of man’s probationary time.
For us who were able to live to see the turn over from the year 1999 to the year 2000, there were many messages of doom and gloom that had to be filtered through right up to the arrival of the new year. Everywhere men and women, boys and girls, had to live from day to day through all the hype and anxiety connected with the change over. We were bombarded by so many negative things about the possible effects of the Y2K bug that it was both a relief and a wonder when hardly any negative incident was reported anywhere. All were expecting havoc and destruction in different cities and countries, but no such thing occurred when the new millennium arrived. With all the messages of doom and gloom about Y2K, it is still a wonder we did not see more “men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things [some said were] coming on the earth” (Luke 21:26).
Today the greater population of the earth is still surprised at the relative tranquillity being experienced by most people worldwide. Yes, the new millennium is already here, and it seems as though life goes on and everything appears to be just as it was before.
Actually, since we entered the new millennium we have had more reason to fear the natural disasters resulting from winter weather, forest fires, or heavy rainfall in various places than we had to concern ourselves about Y2K. In the southern states of the U.S., some of the ice storms earlier in the year were so terrible that schools and businesses were closed down for days, and many had to find places of shelter away from their homes since power outages and falling power lines left about 50,000 people without electricity for long stretches of time. Also, there were car accidents and deaths due to ice on the roads; one such incident ended in a 49-car pileup on a major highway in Atlanta, Georgia.
When asked about the signs of His second coming, our Saviour Jesus Christ declared: “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” Matt. 24:7-8.
Are we to conclude that God is already speaking to us regarding our rapid approach to Christ’s coming through the forces of nature? Are the natural disasters befalling man in these early days of the new millennium a sign of things to come? Are we being warned that God is beginning to take the reins into His own hands? While the predictions of men have failed as to what was to take place at the turn of the millennium, instead the destructive forces of nature, which God in His permissive will has allowed to unleash upon mankind, has definitely caught everyone’s attention. Yes, it is important for the people of God to observe how the truthfulness of God’s holy Word is certainly putting to shame the false “doom and gloom” predictions of men.
How to Avoid Being Deceived By Future False Predictions
As we look back at the year 1999 and other preceding years, we cannot help but seek to learn lessons from the false predictions and erroneous conclusions made by politicians and preachers in respect to Y2K. One good reason for such review is the fact that history repeats itself. Therefore, as sure as day follows night, we can expect that negativity and error regarding future events will again be encountered.
Remember, many people became recognized and famous by pushing the Y2K panic button, and many individuals made a whole lot of money through sales and services leading up to the new year. This we dare not forget!
Years ago both our blessed Saviour and His disciples cautioned us: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matt. 7:15.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” 1 John 4:1-3.
These words of warning are especially given to the children of God. God does not want any of His sheep to depend upon psychics, fortune-tellers, astrologers, tea leaf readers, palm readers, the people of the world, or even unconverted Christians for predictions of future events. True Christians have the privilege of being in direct contact with the God of heaven-the God of truth; yet they often allow themselves to seek counsel from those who do not believe in nor serve the true God. Surely, it is an insult to the Creator when any of His professed children seek knowledge from the prince of darkness instead of the source of light. We are cautioned:
“And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isa. 8:19-20.
If God’s people will put their trust entirely upon Him and His Word, they would not be mislead by false prophets. Since the Word of God predicted that false prophets would arise in these last days, then the saints need to brace themselves for this onslaught. The enemy of souls knows that his time to ensnare souls into his kingdom is very short; therefore, he is increasing his efforts to deceive as many souls as he possibly can. In order to achieve this, he is going to flood the earth with more and more false prophets and deceivers than at any other time in the history of man. Hence the reason for the Bible’s warning about false prophets in these last days.
God in His mercy and love has allowed the now obvious fallacy of the Y2K bug to become internationally evident as a warning to earth’s inhabitants so that all the wise will understand the time and age we have entered into. Now it is up to the wise to prepare themselves for the increase in appearances of Satan’s messengers and their supporters: spiritualistic piped pipers playing the devil’s music, promoting fear and teaching errors to lead many unsuspecting souls to perdition.
None need be deceived, however, by Satan and his agents, even when they perform miracles to support their claims. God has provided His people with the law and the testimonies, the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy; and if such are utilized to examine every claim and prediction made by the devil and his representatives, the wise will not fall into their traps.
The wise are those who trust and obey. Their faith is in God and His holy Word, and they obey His revealed truths on a day-to-day basis. This they do even though it may sometimes require a sacrifice on their part. When we seek to do God’s will by rendering mind, body, and spirit to His service, we are given the assurance that despite what the devil and his agents may bring to deceive us, including any of his false predictions, these efforts will be unsuccessful for “the wise shall understand” (Dan. 12:10).
Avoid Alarmists & Those Who Advocate Stockpiling Food, Etc.
On approaching Y2K we were told that due to computer malfunctions everywhere, we would experience worldwide disasters, computer glitches, power outages, plane crashes, bank closures, food shortages, etc. Fear of future events was broadcasted far and wide by the voices of Christians and unbelievers alike. Yet the reality of the situation today is that everything is relatively fine. 
Certainly a lesson must be learned from all of this by the people of God. We are not to base our hopes, plans, or actions on the claims of mere men. Alarmists (those who love to echo messages of doom and gloom) will continue to arise proclaiming premature predictions and deceiving the fearful, uninformed, and unconverted. We are to get all our prophecies, understanding, and instructions from the Word of God, and the leadings of the Holy Spirit.
“There are three ways in which the Lord reveals His will to us, to guide us, and to fit us to guide others. How may we know His voice from that of a stranger? How shall we distinguish it from the voice of a false shepherd? God reveals His will to us in His word, the Holy Scriptures. His voice is also revealed in His providential workings; and it will be recognized if we do not separate our souls from Him by walking in our own ways, doing according to our own ways, doing according to our own wills, and following the promptings of an unsanctified heart, until the senses have become so confused that eternal things are not discerned, and the voice of Satan is so disguised that it is accepted as the voice of God.
“Another way in which God’s voice is heard is through the appeals of His Holy Spirit, making impressions upon the heart, which will be wrought out in the character. If you are in doubt upon any subject you must first consult the Scriptures. If you have truly begun the life of faith you have given yourself to the Lord to be wholly His, and He has taken you to mold and fashion according to His purpose, that you may be a vessel unto honor. You should have an earnest desire to be pliable in His hands and to follow whithersoever He may lead you. You are then trusting Him to work out His designs, while at the same time you are co-operating with Him by working out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” 5 T 512.
In these last days, as was our experience leading up to the year 2,000, many will be encouraged to make drastic moves, changes, and adjustments in their lives contrary to God’s will or timing. The saints are to be led by the Spirit of God; He is the only One truly qualified to direct God’s people to make changes in their lifestyles at the right time and in the right way. Unless this lesson is learned, the time will come again when professed children of God will be deceived by alarmists and false prophets into stockpiling food, prematurely relocating, withdrawing money from the bank, or making major investments for future financial benefits, as was the case for some gullible souls prior to the new millennium. The Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy clearly outline the results of acting upon the words of false guides, fortune-tellers, and unwise counselors who operate out of fear or outside of the guidance and direction the Holy Spirit.
“Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it.” Isa. 47:12-14.
“The Lord has shown me repeatedly that it is contrary to the Bible to make any provision for our temporal wants in the time of trouble. I saw that if the saints had food laid up by them or in the field in the time of trouble, when sword, famine, and pestilence are in the land, it would be taken from them by violent hands and strangers would reap their fields. Then will be the time for us to trust wholly in God, and He will sustain us. I saw that our bread and water will be sure at that time, and that we shall not lack or suffer hunger; for God is able to spread a table for us in the wilderness. If necessary He would send ravens to feed us, as He did to feed Elijah, or rain manna from heaven, as He did for the Israelites. . . .
“I also saw that God had not required all of His people to dispose of their property at the same time; but if they desired to be taught, He would teach them, in a time of need, when to sell and how much to sell. Some have been required to dispose of their property in times past to sustain the Advent cause, while others have been permitted to keep theirs until a time of need. Then, as the cause needs it, their duty is to sell.” EW 56-57.
It is my prayer that the true children of God will inquire of their Maker exactly what is their personal duty to His cause as we approach the closing events of earth’s history. We are now living within the final stages of our probation. It is highly unlikely that we will see the total fulfillment of this new millennium before the end comes, and it is very unlikely we will see the end of this century. The final portion of our probation is now squeezed inside the limited time-span allotted within this new millennium, a time-span that is yet unbeknown to earth’s inhabitants. None can afford, therefore, to be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine that comes their way, especially if the majority are caught up with the frenzy of fear and the unfounded claims of alarmists.
May the faithful put their entire trust in God, follow His divine leading and instructions as outlined in the law and the testimonies, and thus keep themselves and their children from the embarrassment of following false predictions instead of the accurate, unadulterated, and perfect will of God at all times. This must be the experience of God’s elect, especially in these last days when we are promised, “For He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.” Rom. 9:28.
