Is Violence Increasing in the World?
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
Romans 1:18
The book of Revelation tells us that God is increasingly pouring out his wrath on the sinful world until the end comes, but that Christians are protected by the power of God and sealed for eternity by the Holy Spirit. Christians have no fear of the wrath of God because his wrath is to punish unbelievers and to sanctify the Christians. Many Christians will yield to the pressures of evil from the world, but the ones who remain faithful to the end will reap eternal life.
Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:11-12)”. All Christians who are martyred or persecuted are victorious because their home is in heaven and great is their reward. As we approach the end of history, the wrath of God will increase to punish the unbelievers and those who persecute Christians. The wrath of God will cause spiritual and psychological torment to unbelievers. During those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them (Revelation 9:6). The unbelievers will know they are separated from God and they will be psychologically tormented; however, they will be afraid to die because eternal torment awaits them.
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. 9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:6-14). Today we are seeing persecution and killing of Christians as the world turns against Christ and his people.
We are definitely seeing more violence in the world today as hate increases and the love of many grows cold. But those who are in Christ are victorious, and we can remain faithful by praying for the lost souls who believe Satan’s lies. Christians hate sin and the lies that Satan uses to deceive people, but it is sad because these sinful souls are lost for eternity. There is no room in the Christian’s heart for hating people, because it will destroy God’s love in our own hearts. Don’t live in fear, because God is carrying out his wrath on the sinful world. Our souls are protected for eternity by Christ, our Lord and Savior.
As the world gets more evil, it is a prime time for Christians to be light in the sinful dark world. We go into the world and point people to Christ with hearts of love and compassion. Every soul we point to Christ is victory, worth more than all the riches in the world. As the world becomes more evil, we become more confident and loving, just as Jesus was as he went to the cross. This is how we stand firm to the end.
Today when you hear of violence, know it is God’s wrath upon the world, and if you hear of Christians being killed, know they are victorious because heaven is their home. Know that you are victorious when you walk with Christ. Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4). You have overcome the world, which includes all of Satan’s evil upon the earth.
Let’s Pray: Lord thank you for protecting my soul from the evil of this world. Guide me to be a light for Christ, to pull people from the dark world into the light of your kingdom. Thank you for the eternal life that enables me to overcome the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen