I lived through World War II and a dozen that followed, always under the shadow of nuclear war. But in my 80 years, I have never witnessed so many challenges to the human race in so short a period of time.
Consider the saber-rattling from China, Russia, and a score of lesser nations. Factor in the Chinese Virus pandemic, the world’s faltering economies, America’s own vicious political infighting, the encouragement by the left of violent crime, and the corruption of our media.
While some properly recognize these as the methods Hitler and Stalin used to subvert their nations, these all have foundation in Jesus’ prophecies concerning the end times. Before his return, there will be wars, earthquakes, pestilence, and distress of nations (Luke 21:8-11). These are signs of the times.
But these are not times for Christians to bury their heads in the sand and attempt to avoid reality. Jesus warned us! “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day comes upon you unawares. For as a snare it shall come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth” Luke 21:34-35).
Through my eight decades, I have seen good times and bad, but most Americans have chosen to try to perpetuate the “good times” and ignore the bad. And too often we have ignored the plights of others around the world who have suffered, and we have instead wallowed in our prosperity. It seemed a small thing to abort 60-million unborn, living beings, the very children who would be called upon to run our industries, fight our wars, and pay our Social Security, while donating countless millions to safe predators, both four legged and two. We have forgotten that we were a nation made great by the values and personal sacrifices of those who preceded us.
Americans allowed the mention of God to be removed from our classrooms. Our educational system was perverted, and entire generations of Americans grew up ignorant of their heritage and the issues that separated our free nation from the flawed systems of those gone before. Through all this, the practices of many was to remain willingly and blithely ignorant and to discount any threats to our nation—to eat, drink, and be merry.
Their education came from the media, and the media was, in large measure, corrupt. No, the United States of America weren’t perfect, but we were the best in history, and we continually working to improve. Our Constitution and the Bill of Rights provided for positive change. But we have been dismantling our Constitution, and as a result, our freedoms are nearly gone.
And with the vast immigration into the USA—legal and illegal—there has been a massive introduction of competitive systems of religion and politics, followed by the erosion of our system of beliefs. Others came here to benefit from the fruits of our freedom, but rather than embarce prove values, they insisted on bringing the evils of their own.
As a result of these things, our nation has begun a rapid decline.
A cloud is spreading over the earth, and it’s not ozone. It’s sin, and terror, and repression. Who do we punish? Those who want to examine events and make certain that things are properly done, rather than those who shut off all debate and crush their enemies.
Christian, you are not to be of that crowd!
For those followers of Jesus Christ who may feel overwhelmed by the speed and intensity of change, I point you to God’s Word. Those who have an ear to hear, listen again to the words of Jesus in Luke, Chapter 21.
“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
This is my point: As things around us grow more and more evil, we should be increasingly aware that He will return soon. Even joyful and triumphant. For just as we know that the budding of leaves on the trees indicate that summer is coming, so we know that these signs point to our Lord’s return. Don’t be caught up in despair. Instead, rejoice, and stand firm in your faith.
Do you remember these words from the 23rd Psalm?
“He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
Those paths don’t always seem pleasant, do they?
But if He is leading, we will only find contentment in following him.
Is this your prayer? Is this your life?
As Paul remarked, we are nearer the “end” than we were at the beginning.
“Even so, come Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:21).