Many young people are aware of some of the challenges and fears of life—crime, poverty, disease and war.

The world today also has to live with the threat of terrorism—knowing that a terrorist can suddenly strike anywhere, anytime, bringing devastation and death.

Young people in particular struggle against the pressures of premarital sex, illicit drugs and alcohol abuse. You may wonder whether you'll be able to afford to go to college or what career path to choose and whether you'll be able to find work after you finish your education. You may also question whether you will ever marry and have an opportunity for a happy family and a good life.

Street gangs and crime are issues with which you may have to wrestle. And some grow up knowing that rape, mugging, verbal and physical abuse, kidnapping and even murder lurk nearby. There has to be a better way to live!

The Bible reveals that Jesus Christ is returning to earth. When He returns, He will bring an end to society as we know it and will open the door to an entirely new world! Terrorism, ethnic cleansing, religious and ethnic hatred and bigotry will all cease to exist!

War will be a thing of the past. Conventional, chemical, biological and nuclear weaponry will be destroyed and any usable parts will be reused to make useful instruments for the betterment of humanity. Jesus Christ and His faithful followers will teach everyone how to live in true peace and harmony! (Isaiah 2:1-4).

Can you imagine how much different life will be then? Can you foresee how different life will be after Christ returns? Let's consider just a few real-life issues.

Peace and safety

The city of Jerusalem is anything but safe today. Probably no other piece of ground on earth has inspired as much fighting and killing. There is not a more dangerous or difficult place to bring peace to than Jerusalem.

So it is highly significant when God tells us what this dangerous city will one day be like: "This is what the Lord says: 'I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the L ord Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain . . . Men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with cane in hand because of his age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there'" (Zechariah 8:3-5, New International Version).

God is describing a place that is safe for the elderly to walk about in perfect peace! Small children will be able to run around the neighborhood without fear of anyone or anything. There won't be spray-painted graffiti on the walls or gang members driving by looking for trouble. There won't be any drug dealers, crack houses, pimps or streetwalkers—and no drunken drivers behind the wheel of a car and no one hiding in shadows to mug an unsuspecting pedestrian.

What does it say about families when the elderly and small children are both out with each other without fear? It means families will still be together, not split up by divorce or moving off in every direction chasing a job or trying to escape from boredom. Families will be filled with love and support. No longer will childhood and old age be times of fear. These times will be filled with love and a proper sense of respect!

As Isaiah 11:6-8 tells us, even the nature of animals will be changed. Animals that are natural enemies today, like wolves and sheep, will live together at peace. While symbolic of peace among human beings, this will also find literal fulfillment in the animal world. The lion, today's fierce king of beasts, will be changed so that it eats grass and hay rather than raw meat.

A tiny child, innocent and unafraid, will be able to play peacefully without worry about snakes, scorpions or any other of today's harmful creatures. This is all recorded in advance in Bible prophecy!

A literal kingdom

Jesus Christ is going to return to the earth in power and majesty. He will establish His Kingdom to rule over all the nations of men. Here is how the Bible says this will occur: "Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!'" (Revelation 11:15).All these wonderful changes will occur because Jesus Christ will return as King of the whole earth (Revelation 19:16). Yet the change in human nature will not be instantaneous. A world full of people will need to be taught how to live in peace. Jesus will use those who have shown they will always be faithful to Him to teach others how to live without drugs, abuse, hatred and fear. Everyone will need to be shown how to love others as family and friends, and how to obey the God who loves them....contd