“And do this, knowing the time that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our (genuine Christians) salvation (deliverance = the rapture) is nearer than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11)
These are tough times, to say the least! Many older folk seem to remember (and cherish) “the [nostalgic] good old days.” But, of course, there were some things then that were not so good either. A simple example would be that things cost much less then; but, on the other hand, people didn’t make the wages they do today. Given the unavailable choice, I would still opt for “the good old days!” And here are some reasons! Today:
- Many are misidentifying and redefining evil as good and good as evil.
- Natural calamities have increased and intensified.
- Terrorism is at an all-time high.
- The average person lives in a state of constant fear.
- The demonic hatred and diatribes against Christians and Jews abound.
- The proliferation of bad news is all too obvious.
- The total abdication of morality has reached an all-time high.
These are only “the tip of the iceberg!” I am not saying that everything was hunky-dory then – – not by any stretch of the imagination. But things have now escalated to a breaking point – – the world as we know it is about to explode and/or disintegrate!
Since I believe the Bible to be truly God’s Word, the immediate future for humanity looks very bleak, to say the least. Matthew 24:21 puts it this way,
“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.”
But we find some good and practical advice given by Paul in the book of Ephesians (chapter 4, verse 16) – – “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” In other words, time is running out before this tribulation begins.
The prophet Hosea 10:12 pens these conclusive words, “Sow for yourselves righteousness (what is right); reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, till He comes and rains righteousness on you!”
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