Jesus said that lawlessness would increase in the last days. In the Apostle Paul’s 2nd letter to Timothy he wrote:
1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.
10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. —ESV
An especially egregious form of lawlessness is that of government itself refusing to uphold its highest laws and fundamental principles.
The Bible depicts the antichrist rising in power after the rapture, then taking an unprecedented level of control over people’s personal lives, including their finances, speech, and religious faith. Those who turn to Jesus after the great catching away, will be persecuted mercilessly. In the time between now and the rapture — however long or short that time may be — we should not be surprised to see growing Christian persecution as the world increasingly embraces the “spirit of antichrist” (1 John 4:3). Many already see faith in Jesus as a “dangerous ideology.”
We should work and vote to support Constitutional rights for all. But we should place our trust — not in government or in an individual leader — but in God Himself. Governments will let us down, but God remains forever faithful. Always remember the words of Jesus in John 16:33.
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
~Inspired by Hal Lindsey’s August 18, 2024 message
