A friend emailed today to ask if we were quite safe here in Johannesburg. The reports of violence against immigrants have inevitably made world news; the latest report I have read suggested twenty-two had died and some six thousand have fled the area to date. The violence is against black immigrants from other parts of Africa living in the poorer areas of the city, where black and coloured South Africans see them as a threat to their own opportunities for jobs. Yesterday there was a report of a man burned to death in the violence and a photograph of him obviously in the last moments of his life. The reporter said a local woman could not resist laughing as she described what had happened.

Johannesburg is a city of startling contrasts. It is in (and comprises most of) South Africa's most prosperous province, Gauteng. It has malls to rival anything Europe can offer and the obvious wealth that creates such places. But some areas such as the world-famous Soweto and also Alexandria (where much of the present violence has occurred) are very much a part of the same city. Alexandria has scenes that would not be out of place in much poorer parts of Africa and the everyday life of some people is lived in astounding poverty.

Zoo Lake, Johannesburg

There is a great deal of debate about how such problems can be solved and a high level of concern that they will damage South Africa's promotion as the 'rainbow nation' that is open to all colours and creeds. Many are openly asking where the country is going and making radical suggestions; just today a black man told me that he believed South Africa would be better back under white government. But he went on to say that the people of South Africa needed to consider their position before God and repent and seek him. He is right, of course. Political and economic answers to South Africa's problems may be both helpful and necessary, but at the heart of the difficulties is a nation turning more and more to a secular world-view, promoting 'human rights' of every kind while awash with false religion. The pedlars of false gospel are everywhere, pushing the charismatic extremes and the prosperity lies that delude and inevitably disappoint. Most politicians, especially the president-elect, are a thousand miles away from Christian faith or even an attempt to live by some sort of Judeo-Christian ideal. South Africa needs true revival, an assertion of biblical truth that emphasises the reality of God and the need to live in the light of his Word.

So are we in danger here? Right now there is no sign of the violence spreading outside the areas to which it has so far been confined. Johannesburg is a violent city by any standards, but as in any big city it is possible to live in peace while some areas are in turmoil. The picture of the boats was taken on a Sunday afternoon stroll around zoo lake; in the park round about the lake hundreds of people, black and white, enjoyed the day and were at peace. With such violence so near you may ask how that can be. Johannesburg is in some ways a microcosm of our world; people are getting married, buying and selling, enjoying the pleasures of life, fighting, hating, killing. All this is no real surprise because in a sense we are all doing exactly the same. The Lord Jesus Christ spoke of the days before his second coming by comparing them to the days of Noah before the flood (Luke 17:26-27). Perhaps like us you are blessed to be in a peaceful (or relatively peaceful) place right now. But make no mistake, the day of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ is coming and on that day you will not be asked whether you had decided on the solutions to the world's problems but where you stand in relation to him. Are you ready for that day?