As Jesus sat upon the mount of olives teaching his disciples, one of the questions was about the end of the world and how they would recognize its approach. Jesus told them of many hardships and sorrows that would arise, and how the days of sin and darkness would steadily increase with the passing of time. “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” (Matthew 24:12)
Each generation drifts further from God’s love and his truth than the one before. “Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” (2 Timothy 3:4) Just look around and see if you recognize any distractions that keep minds occupied and leave little or no time for things that really matter. Things like private prayer time, diligent study of God’s word, sharing the good news of the word with others, and gathering together in fellowship and heartfelt worship of God.
Worldly churches today are as the apostle Paul said, “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Timothy 3:5) They go through a practiced routine that never increases their knowledge and understanding of the word of truth. They deny the power of the gospel by changing words and mixing in the commandments of men. They rephrase the words of the gospel of Christ, and print perverted books they call Bibles, and the people don’t know the difference. A sure sign of the end. Mankind is entering the blackness of darkness forever. (Jude 1:13)
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:14) Has the gospel been preached in all the world? Yes, it has but very few people respect and obey it. “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?” (Romans 10:16) In years past people did not believe the truth and it’s much worse today. Not because the words of Jesus are not available, but because earth’s inhabitants are dull of hearing. “But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.” (Romans 10:18)
There was a time when planet earth did not exist, and the same is true for mankind and all the plant and animal species. All was in the vast emptiness of time until the call of God brought it into being. You are not your own; you are subject to the judgment of the gospel of Jesus Christ whether you like it or not. Any knowledge you may have gained or any talent you may have, came from your creator. Knowledge and who you are cannot exist apart from God. Without him, you would be totally and forever held in the empty blackness of eternity. God speaks and the whole creation can do nothing but obey. But high-minded people think they are the captain of their own ship, and will chart their own course. Through the years that mankind has lived on earth, knowledge has steadily increased. Some have brilliant minds and have invented many useful things that make life easier for everyone. But man’s accumulated knowledge has not always been used for good. Because his heart is wicked and his mind corrupt, he turned his God-given talent to evil things of death and destruction. The most obvious example is a look at all the nuclear bombs around the world. All aimed and ready to rain down destruction, the likes of which the world has never seen and can’t imagine. Enough power to destroy the world many times over. Remember this, God controls the minds of those that control the bombs. How easy it would be for him to say, it’s enough! It would be the end of mankind.
But God doesn’t need man’s inventions to bring an end to this earth and her inhabitants. There are huge pieces of rock that randomly travel through our solar system at tremendous speeds. Some of them are miles wide, more than enough to destroy all life on earth if one or more of them should come our way. The only thing that has held them back thus far is the hand of God. But know this! Our Lord is weary of the sin and corruption that pollutes the earth. His soul is grieved, and his righteous anger is awakened. He could lift his hand of protection today.
A deadly, highly contagious virus could break out at any time. Scientists tell us that there are new strains of super germs for which there is no cure. Only God has kept them in check, for now.
In years past, God looked upon the earth and saw only wickedness. He spared eight souls and destroyed the rest. Our generation is fast approaching the point of no return, just as they did.
“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.” (Genesis 6:5-7)
Is this present generation any better than those in Noah’s day? Certainly not; if anything, it’s worse. Will destruction come? What do you think?
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:10)
Whether you see these words of Peter as spiritual or natural, either way, he described a time of great destruction for the flesh of man, the soul, or both. A time of the fiery wrath of God’s judgment.
Look at the never-ending chaos around the world, and here at home as well. It’s all against God’s will. But since mankind refuses to acknowledge the will of their creator, they are left to their own wicked devices, which lead to death and destruction. Total collapse is nigh at hand, and no world leader can change the direction of things. It’s as it was in Noah’s day. God has grown weary of rampant wickedness in this world. Are you secure in the ark of the new covenant of Jesus Christ? Or are you on the outside looking in?
The teaching of the New Testament strongly condemns divisions of doctrines and ordinances. But the words written in the gospel are ignored, and leaders tell the congregations that division in doctrine is not a problem because “we all serve the same God.” This lie was born of Satan, the father of lies. The truth is, they all use the name of Jesus and attach this lie to it. What do you think almighty God feels when he hears arrogant preachers openly dismiss the gospel, which was paid for by the suffering and death of his loving son?
Will there be a payday for man’s wickedness? Yes! It is even now at the door. If ever you intend to seek God with all your heart, now is the time. Once God closes the door (as he did on Noah’s ark), it will not be opened.
“When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer.” (Proverbs 1:27-28) Don’t take these words lightly, God doesn’t.
