According to a 2022 Pew Research Center survey, “about four-in-ten U.S. adults believe humanity is living in the end times.”
People are increasingly riveted by the political, economic, and environmental turmoil sweeping the world. Thus, an increasing number of Christians consider it a great folly to dismiss these ominous happenings as mere coincidences.
The intensity and prevalence of these events have increased so much over the past few years that believers in Bible prophecies cannot simply brush them off as random events.
And while we are not made privy to know the “day and the hour” of His coming, the Bible reveals that those who belong to Christ will not be oblivious to the season of His impending return.
“Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?” And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.” Daniel 12:8-10
People often respond, “But we have had natural disasters, plague, pestilence, and wars in the past, yet everything went back to normal as soon as the crises were over.”
Historically, these crises have occurred, but their frequency, duration, and intensity have escalated in recent years, according to those who study prophecy.
And unlike in the past, these crises are not confined to a few countries but are prevalent globally.
According to leading evangelical pastors, the following are clear indicators that we are living in the season of the end times:
Gone are the days when all churches stood against unbiblical and satanic ideologies. Many even sacrificed their lives to defend the truth of the gospel.
Today, the deafening silence within many churches is all too evident. And as if the unsettling silence wasn't enough, other congregations even advocate for the same wicked acts God vehemently condemns.
The following are just some of the disturbing views that are gaining ground within religious communities:
The Bible explicitly condemns all forms of sexual immorality. Did it not rain sulfur in Sodom and Gomorrha because of the sexual promiscuity running rampant in those cities?
When the Lord's angel came to Sodom to rescue Lot and his family, the men of Sodom demanded Lot hand over his male visitors so they could have sex with them.
Here is what the Bible says:
“But before they retired for the night, all the men of Sodom, young and old, came from all over the city and surrounded the house. They shouted to Lot, "Where are the men who came to spend the night with you? Bring them out to us so we can have sex with them!” Genesis 19:1-5 [NKJV]
“For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.” Romans 1:26-27 [NKJV]
Other Bible verses concerning the homosexual lifestyle:
1 Timothy 1:1, 10
Genesis 9:20-27, 19:1–11
Leviticus 18:22, 20:13
Special Note: Before we discuss this deeper, if you have ever had an abortion, God is merciful enough to forgive you if you humble yourself and ask for forgiveness. There is no sin too great that our God can't and won't forgive. Likewise, mature, true believers should not place judgment on those who have had an abortion. We are all sinners in need of God's grace.
Child sacrifice is inherently offensive to God. And though abortion does not constitute blood sacrifice to false gods, the act of killing babies in the womb is an abomination to the Almighty.
The practice of slaughtering babies or child sacrifice is associated with pagan rituals that God explicitly condemned.
“You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way, for every abominable thing that the Lord hates they have done for their gods, for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods.” Deuteronomy 12:31 ESV
And for those who think that a fetus in the womb is not yet human, here are verses from the Bible worth reflecting on:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 ESV
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” Psalm 127:3 ESV
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.” Psalm 139:13 ESV
“They poured out innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was polluted with blood.” Psalm 106:38 ESV
But how do we address the common question: is it rational to allow a child born of rape or incest to live?
“'Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.” Jeremiah 22:3
The perpetrator of rape or an incestful relationship is to be punished, but the child is innocent and must be protected. The child does not have to be dismembered in the womb. Instead, adoption is an option that everyone can consider.
We simply cannot rectify an abhorrent crime by carrying out an equally heinous offense.
You may say, “David's sin caused his son with Bathesheba to die.” Indeed, but it was God who took his son away, not humans, not through the violent acts of abortion.
“Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of the Ammonites, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have ripped open pregnant women in Gilead, that they might enlarge their border.” Amos 1:13 ESV
Check out this powerful testimony of a long-time abortionist, now a pro-life advocate. Please share this video with anyone advocating abortion. Doctor Anthony Levatino’s stirring testimony may convince them to reconsider their stance on the issue.
These are mystical practices derived from Buddhism and other cults of false gods. The Bible does not endorse these vile practices as they are rituals used for invoking demonic deities.
Cultists invoke their deities through chants and rituals to commune with them, whereas Christians accept Christ as a means to reunite and reconcile with God.
We become one with God through Christ and by adhering to His word, not through mystic meditations, rituals, and chants.
Men will be lovers of money in the last days, according to prophecy.
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good.” 2 Timothy 3:1-3
Prosperity preachers are sending the wrong message to suffering believers.
The proliferation of prosperity-centered ministries has emerged within the church. There is nothing wrong with preaching about financial prosperity. However, when material abundance becomes the focal point of the ministry, it could steer believers down a deceptive and dangerous path.
By putting a greater emphasis on affluence and success, prosperity pastors inadvertently perpetuate the erroneous belief that Christians who suffer are faithless and don’t measure up to God’s standards.
It is then high time to temper “the good life” oriented sermons and extol the virtues and the value of suffering in the lives of believers. By doing so, struggling Christians will not be demoralized and will persevere despite formidable trials knowing that their suffering bears the fruits of righteousness.
God's primary purpose for our lives is not prosperity but sanctification.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12
Wealth and greed are on a razor's edge. There is a thin line that separates the pursuit of wealth from greed. We are humans, after all, and the cravings for material riches can be a stumbling block for many.
Check out Part 2 here.
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