I

Without God in man's heart,

his inner world is dark, hopeless and empty.

Without the guidance of God, it's to no avail

no matter how much rulers and sociologists wrack their brains

to preserve human civilization.

No one can fill the emptiness in man's heart,

for no one can be the life of man, and no social theory

can free man from the emptiness with which he is afflicted.

Science, knowledge, freedom, democracy, leisure, comfort:

these bring man only a temporary consolation.

Even with these things, man still inevitably sins

and bemoans the injustices of society.

These things cannot restrain man's craving and desire to explore.

II

This is because man was made by God,

man's senseless sacrifices and explorations

can only lead to more distress and make him live in constant fear,

not knowing how to face the future of mankind

or how to face the path that lies ahead.

Man even comes to fear science and knowledge,

and fear even more the feeling of emptiness.

In this world, regardless of whether you live

in a free country or one without human rights,

you cannot escape the fate of mankind at all.

Whether you are the ruler or the ruled,

you are utterly incapable of escaping the desire

to explore the fate, mysteries, and destination of mankind,

much less are you capable of escaping the bewildering sense of emptiness,

much less are you capable of escaping the bewildering sense of emptiness.

III

Such phenomena, which are common to all mankind,

are called social phenomena by sociologists,

yet no great man can come forth to solve such problems.

Man, after all, is man,

and the position and life of God cannot be replaced by any man.

Mankind doesn't just need a fair society

in which everyone is well-fed, equal and free;

what mankind needs is the salvation of God

and His provision of life.

Only when man receives God's provision of life and His salvation

can man's needs, his yearning to explore, and his spiritual emptiness be resolved.

If the people of a country or a nation

can't receive the salvation and care of God,

then such a country or nation will tread the road of decline,

toward darkness, and shall be annihilated by God.

from The Word, Vol. 1. The Appearance and Work of God. Appendix 2: God Presides Over the Fate of All Mankind