And to the earth he will look, and, lo! distress and darkness, obscurity, hard times and gloominess with no brightness.”

When they looked at things on earth, everything would appear gloomy to them. Having rejected God’s ‘law and attestation,’ they would not be able to see even the slightest indication of a bright prospect for the future.

Similarly, in these days, many persons are frightened by what they see taking place on earth​—increasing lawlessness, pollution of air, land and water, and general unrest among peoples and nations. Although affected by these conditions, true Christians do not have a gloomy outlook.