From Pity to Praise

Exactly What Jesus Said It Would

What ever happened to the “good ole days”? Times were so much better then. You could leave your car unlocked without fear of it being stolen or the things inside of it. You could live with the door of your house unlocked. There was less crime. We live in a anything goes World. No morals, values, and respect of anything.

But we shouldn’t be shocked or dismayed. The world is coming to exactly what Jesus said it would come to, and this actually gives a lot of hope, for the ones who follow Him.

A Godless World

The simple reality is that we live in a godless world. Of course, I don’t mean that there isn’t a God, or that the true and living God is not active in our world. I mean that the natural state of every person is wickedness, godlessness, and evil. It has always been this way, and it always will be this way.

God looked down on the earth and was grieved by what He saw:

The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of His heart was only evil continually.

Genesis 6:5

God brought the great flood upon the earth because the wickedness of man was great. Every intent, every desire, every thought, bent toward evil. Doesn’t that sound any different than today, does it?

Acts 17:16 says, “Now while Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.” As Paul walked through the city of Athens , he became acutely aware that the city was packed with false gods. Athen was not a moral, upright, virtuous city. It was full of idolatry.

Last weekend I visited a large city for the weekend. As I walked down the street I was in shock. The city was full of so much evil. My thought was “how can people be okay with living this way.” Then I remembered that in New York they have a 8 foot horned statue paying homage to abortion. And alters of Baal going up every where. People are worshipping evil gods.

But, when we see evil and wickedness in the world, we shouldn’t throw our hands up in despair. We shouldn’t be shocked or surprised . Evil and wickedness is not an anomaly; it’s the norm. The evil we see in the world isn’t a new phenomenon. It’s not like things have suddenly gotten out of control in the last 50-years. Wickedness has been standard practice since Cain killed Abel.

Satan is playing his final hand, to gain as many people as he can to killed, steal and destroy them.

Have Hope

So, why should this give up hope? Because Jesus will be coming soon.

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but things are going to get worse. Before Jesus returns, evil and wickedness is going to increase in the world. Concerning the last days, Jesus said:

And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

Matter 24:12

Lawlessness, wickedness and godlessness aren’t going to decrease; they are going to increase.

In fact, they’re going to increase to such a degree that many Christians will find their love for Christ going cold (you can see it’s already happening). That’s some serious intense, lawlessness. Contrary to what the Beatles proclaimed. It’s not going to get better; it’s going to get worse

Paul spoke of this in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 about the “man of lawlessness.“

The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

2 Thessalonians 2:9

At some point, the “lawless one“ will come and he will come in power, and false signs and wonders, He will be so impressive, so powerful, that many unbelievers will be deceived by him. The wickedness promoted and perpetuated by the lawless one will be on a colossal, sickening scale.

You think it’s already bad, but it’s going to get worse. But don’t throw up your hands in despair. There is good news.

Don’t Dispair

The good news is there still time for people to come to Jesus. In spite of the wickedness which fills the world, the gospel of Jesus Christ will continue saving sinners. Yes evil is powerful, but Jesus is more powerful. Yes, Satan prowls around like a roaring lion, but Jesus is the great lion slayer. Jesus encouraged Peter that the church would not be overcome, and would even stand against hell itself:

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of he,, shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16:18

Jesus isn’t particularly concerned with the most recently report of the church growth study, or the state of Hollywood. He will build His church, and there is absolutely nothing that can stop Him.

Our job is to share the gospel to let everyone know the truth of Christ.

Even as Jesus talked about the spike of lawlessness, He also promised that the gospel would be proclaimed in ALL nations:

And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Matthew 24:14

And when the big man ( the Antichrist) of lawlessness appears, Jesus will take care of him too:

And then the lawlessness one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of His mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of His coming.

2 Thessalonians 2:8

When Jesus returns, He will utterly decimate the man of lawlessness. Farewell, lawless one! Jesus has arrived.

Don’t Lose Hope

Should we be concerned about increasing immortality in the schools, and on television, and in politics? Sure. Where appropriate, we should stand for righteousness. And of course, we should instruct our kids how to think biblically about the sin they will most certainly encounter.

But I’d we’re constantly outraged, disgusted, discouraged, or panicked, then we haven’t come to grips with the Bible’s grim description of the world, and we aren’t fully trusting in our coming, conquering, reigning King.

Yes, it’s bad, and yeah it’s going to get worse. But the gospel will continue to triumph, Jesus will remain on the throne, and Jesus will finally rid the world of wickedness.