
If you turn on the news or scroll on social media, you will notice one major theme that covers the gamete of every source of mass media. Chaos has taken over the ways and lives of the people and nations. They are actively lashing out at each other more than ever before. Have you noticed?
May it be shouts of racism, threats of harm, vandalism, open theft and destruction of property, clear and defiant rebellion against authority, absolutely no respect or care for others no matter their age, infant or elderly, rank, disability, or position. Not only that, but many dare to outright murder the innocent in broad daylight with cameras catching their every move. Yet they do not care and do not fear any consequences. Even worse than that, the Justice system is corrupt, letting murderers, rapists, and the criminally astute free after just days spent in jail. The truth is that they do not fear God; because of this, they do not fear retribution.
Romans 3:10-18 Shows us what the hearts of mankind are like these days. As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
After a while, you may become accustomed to all of it, though it is not a good thing, it is true. But it has become extremely disturbing for those who are faithful to the Lord and pure in heart. If you did not know or have not realized, this is a huge sign that we are in the last days before Jesus comes back for His pure Bride, His chosen people who have turned from the ways of Satan and the evil of this world. It should not surprise anyone following Jesus, for He told us this would happen. Through His mouthpieces the prophets, He delivered the message that this day would come.
We read in 2 Timothy 3:1-8 But understand this: that in the last days, there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.
Unfortunately, the world, as a whole, has come to accept much of this as normal, or at least just the world we live in, and there is nothing we can do about it. The escalation of disrespect, violence, hatred, and, let us just say exactly what it is, evil has been slowly growing for centuries. Because it has been a slow progression, many have not noticed the takeover by evil in every area of society. But for some, it is now clear that this move toward darkness and wickedness is the true epidemic, and Satan is the one behind it all. His greatest desire is to drag as many souls to Hell with him as possible. But there is hope for anyone who believes and follows Jesus, for He is the only route to be rescued from the judgment to come.
So now that we know what is happening, what do we do? The answer is not to fear man or evil but to seek Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. But you must know that even though Jesus will save you, you will have to endure much persecution and hardship because darkness hates the light, and evil despises the righteous. All those who desire to live virtuous lives in Jesus Christ will have to fight against being taken over by the corruption of this evil day. But He is with you.
Jesus said, in John 16:32-33, “Behold, the hour is coming. Indeed, it has come when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Thank God He has given us an instruction Book, the Bible, to guide us on how to live and be prepared for what is coming. Thank God He gives His servants His Holy Spirit to give us strength, understanding, wisdom, and insight so we can stand firm through it all.
2 Timothy 3:12-17 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
You can trust God that He will carry you through every trial. By faith, you will be made worthy of His righteous reward if you do not give up but follow the ways of righteousness through Jesus Christ to the end. So do have fear, but fear God. Yet, it will not be easy, but you will make it with your steadfastness and His help. Remember, He is the maker and director of all things and has the power to keep you safe until He calls you home. Keep your head up, keep moving forward with Jesus, keep seeking to do everything His way, and most importantly, keep a healthy fear of God, and then He will never let you down.
Jude 1:17-25 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time, there will be scoffers following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
