Eschatology For Beginners: A Primary Piece "Violence!"

                       Violence will abound in the last days

Hi everyone. If you haven't started at the very beginning of "Eschatology For Beginners," I encourage you to do so. The purpose of "Eschatology For Beginners" is to give a simple and basic understanding of what the bible teaches about the last days and how it all fits together. When I first started studying bible prophecy, I realized there were so many prophetic events happening at the same time there seemed to be no order. In fact, it all seemed jumbled and structureless. I felt like I was looking at all the scattered pieces of a puzzle and missing the picture. In "Eschatology For Beginners" we see how the pieces all fit together to make a complete picture. To begin seeing how they all fit together, you need to start at the very beginning. So, if you haven't, I encourage you to do so. Go to "Topics" and click "Eschatology For Beginners." 

Matthew 24:12 And because wickedness shall abound, the love of many will grow cold. 

2 Timothy 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days dangerous times shall come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. From such turn away.

2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 

Revelation 9:21 neither repented of their murders 

When we take a plain look at the world we live in today we are shocked by the senseless violence. Everyday the news is filled with unspeakable horror. Violence is growing worse and worse at an alarming rate. However, as Christians, though we are appalled by the atrocity of it all, we are not surprised by it. The bible tells us repeatedly that in the last days the earth will be filled with horrendous violence. 

Luke 17:26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will also be in the days of the Son of Man.

In describing the last days, Jesus says it will be exactly like the days of Noah. He tells us that before He returns, the world will again be exactly like it was before God unleashed the flood. 

So, what were the days of Noah like? Genesis 6:11 The earth was also corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. In Noah's generation the earth was ravaged by violence.

Is this not true of our generation?! Here is a report from ABC News. 

Shootings have continuously made headlines in 2023. As of December 7, at least 40,167 people have died from gun violence in the U.S. this year, according to Gun Violence Archive-which is an average of almost 118 deaths each day. Of those who died, 1,306 were teens and 276 were children. There have been more than 632 mass shootings in 2023 so far, which is defined by Gun Violence Archive as an incident in which four or more victims are shot and killed. These mass shootings have led to 597 deaths and 2,380 injuries. This year alone there were 37 school shootings in 2023, with 62 people killed or injured. 

If the bible says our generation will be marked by the same violence we see in Noah's generation, I would say we are there. One of the "Primary Pieces" of last day bible prophecy is violence. The earth is being ravaged with senseless violence. 

So, let's not leave it here. As Christians, what is the marvelous hope that we have? 

1 The Faithful Presence and Unfailing Promises Of God. Yes, we live in a very dangerous world. Violence is raging all around us. However, as Christians, we are the only people in the earth indwelt by God's presence and veiled by God's promises. As Christians, many will suffer as the world suffers; we are not exempt from catastrophe. However, we have such sacred promises given to us by God's Word. The one that comes to mind is Romans 8:37-39 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. 

I am reminded of something Max Lucado once said, "In this world we are not always safe, but we are always secure." (Secure in the promises of God). 

2 The transforming power of the gospel. Until God raptures us out of this world, He has entrusted to us a wonderful, sacred gospel that will always have the power to transform even the evilest of men (and women) when they call upon His name. David Berkowitz comes to mind. 

3 The blessed hope! Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ. This world is not our home! We know very soon, (especially if you are familiar with bible prophecy) that Jesus is coming to take us out of this earth. 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 For the Lord himself will come from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 

Praise God! What a hope we have in Christ! In this violent age in which we live, we don't live in fear. We walk before God, secure in His promises, confident in His gospel, expectant of His return.