No one can deny that the world is a mess. But why are things so bad? The answer is simple. The world is in a mess because it has rejected God and His word. It is that simple. Lawlessness has increased because people have rejected the truth and are now enslaved to the lawless one – the spirit of the antichrist. However, the seeds of lawlessness have been sown for some time. The fruit of lawlessness now being harvested is the direct consequence of the church, in the most part, turning from God.

Scripture informs us that during Jesus’ first advent – coming, his own people rejected Him.

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. John 1:9-11

While we read that the generation rejected Jesus at His first coming, so too will He be by the last generation at His second coming; let me explain.

The context of the passage in John that I have quoted is that John is explaining who Messiah is. That Jesus is the Word of God who became flesh. That the Word of God was and is God, Jesus, the Word manifested in the flesh, who tabernacled/dwelled with humanity, is also the world’s true light. It is through Jesus – the Word – that everything was created, but now the world does not recognise Him.

Today the world is experiencing a physical famine that will intensify as time passes.[1] [2]Consequently, many will die, and countless more will be displaced in the search for substance.[3] Compounding the food crisis is the coming economic collapse,[4] [5] which will further escalate the cost of fuel and food. But what has caused this to transpire?

Now, we could look at the geopolitical and economic conditions or the recent Covid-19 lockdowns. However, while these have contributed significantly to the coming famine and economic depression, they are merely symptoms of a deeper systemic engrained problem: the spiritual health of the church and society.

The famine and the condition of the world currently is the direct result of a spiritual famine that has been here for decades. For some time, the church has moved away from applying a strict interpretation of scripture, all be it mainly through a New Testament lens, to embrace a relative methodology and understanding of scripture. An approach that applies eisegesis – one’s own thoughts to interpretation, how you understand the text – instead of applying exegesis – allowing scripture to interpret scripture.

Consequently, through erroneous relative eisegetical interpretations, the word of God has been rejected by those whom God had called to be the custodians of its truth – the church, the Body of Messiah. Thus, through the misinterpretation and the watering down of God’s word, the church has failed to be a light and salt in the world. Therefore, the darkness – sin has been allowed to multiply at an alarming rate. Lawlessness has been allowed to flourish because the word of God has been removed, first from the church and then within society. The consequence of which is a fractured lawless society.

Accordingly, God must judge and must act. Therefore, God removes His hand of protection and provision from society. An action that results in the curses outlined in scripture[6] [7] [8] being inflicted against society. The world no longer receives the blessing of God’s protection availed to mankind not because of it being perfect but rather because of God’s grace.

Thus, it is simple: the reason the world is in the mess it is in and why things will only get worse is because the church, on the whole, failed to fulfil its calling. It failed to maintain and uphold righteousness and truth in the world.

Furthermore, instead of standing against lawlessness, it has embraced it. Thus, in allowing and permitting lawlessness, it has not only rejected God but has also accepted the lawless one – the spirit of the antichrist to flourish in the church. One thing believers must grasp is that judgment commences at the house of God.[9] Therefore, believers must seek the LORD in prayer and repentance, then turn from their lawlessness and seek to live a life according to the example Messiah showed.

Additionally, in failing to be light and salt, like Adam and Eve, the church has neglected to be a watchman over society and the world. God had given her to be the custodian of the earth and to have dominion over all creation. However, while we witness, for the most part, the church failing and causing our current plight, we will witness something miraculous in the days to come.

While we see a famine of the word of God and darkness – lawlessness – increasing and becoming ubiquitous globally, we will then, when the world is plunged into spiritual darkness, the light of true believers shining so bright. A light that will draw men and women, those who are seeking truth and righteousness, to find God.

Yes, the world is and will become even more sinful, but the light of true believers will shine even brighter during this period of spiritual darkness. Yes, there will be a famine of God’s word. Praise God for that! Why do I thank God for that? I believe God causes the famine, so His word will not be profaned, as the vomit being preached by hirelings will be silenced. However, people will be drawn to the truth of His word, evident in the light being emitted by true believers. We see this in China and other places Christians are persecuted. The underground church shines brighter when walking through the darkest moments.

We also see a further warning in scripture concerning those who rejected Messiah in His first coming for those in the final generation.

I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. John 5:43

Not only will people reject Messiah, but they will embrace the one who comes in his own name – the antichrist. Today, many in the church, without knowing through ignorance, have embraced the spirit of the antichrist. Therefore, because their love for God has grown cold, many will fall away from the faith and reject God. Jesus Himself warned, stating:

“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, (Matthew 24:9-12)

We see in the passage that many will turn away from the faith, lawlessness will increase, and the love of many will grow cold. The scriptures inform us that we show God we love Him by obeying His word,[10] [11] which to obey God’s word means you are not lawless. To be lawless is to reject God’s word [12] and thus to show disrespect and a lack of love for God. Consequently, people fall away because the cost is too much for them. They will not pay the ultimate price, their life, for their faith, even when their salvation costs them the life of Jesus. Do we not surrender our life to God when we become a Christian? Therefore, our life is no longer ours but belongs to God. 

We read in Revelation that we overcome the devil by the blood of the Lamb, the word of our testimony and by not loving their lives so much as to shrink from death.[13] So you see, we overcome, have the victory, during the time of Jacob’s Trouble, by submitting to God, walking humbly and daily laying our life down to the will of God, which if it costs us our physical life, then so be it. For to live is Christ. To die is to gain.[14]

The only antidote for rejecting God’s word is for the church to truly repent and return to God’s word. To desist from watering it down. To reject men’s teachings and doctrines and embrace God’s uncompromised word. Then the LORD will move and revive His body. Now, while I do believe we will see such repentance, I do not believe all of the church will do it. 

I am trying to say that our current situation is the direct consequence of the church failing to be salt and light in the world, which has allowed lawlessness to flourish and be embraced. Thus, pathing the way for the man of sin – the antichrist to come and rule for a short time. However, while many believers will turn from faith and fully embrace the spirit of the antichrist, many will come to true faith as the light of true believers shines in the dark quagmire of lawlessness.

Friends, let me first challenge you to audit your life and see where you stand before God. While the days ahead will be unimaginable and evil, we can walk through them if we make the LORD our habitation. Furthermore, let me ask, where are you spiritually feeding? Do you attend a church that has watered down God’s word but stay because of friendships and the hope that things will change? If you do, I urge you to ask the LORD to guide you to like-minded believers to a place that will spiritually nourish and prepare you for the days ahead. 

For those seeking the LORD and making ready, I pray the LORD will continue to bless and guide you. Please do not give up. Do not lose heart; instead, remain resolute and focused as you shine the light of our Messiah. Yes, things will get much worse, but we will see the Mighty Hand of the LORD move and His protection in these days. Thus, let us continue to fight the good fight as we seek to humbly walk before the LORD and follow Messiah.

Finally, for those who are not believers, I beseech you to give your life to God, to accept Jesus as your Lord and saviour. What is transpiring is the consequence of a cosmic battle for your soul. The choice is yours, but I urge you to seek the LORD while He may be found. Things will significantly worsen. Our only hope is to surrender your life to God. Please ask God to reveal himself to you, and He will.

May the LORD bless you and keep you as you let the light of Messiah shine from you.

Shalom

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[1] Fakhir, M. (March 18, 2022). Ukraine: UN expert warns of global famine, urges end to Russia aggression. United Nations, online, available from https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/03/ukraine-un-expert-warns-global-famine-urges-end-russia-aggression

[2] Barnard, N. (July 6, 2021). Famine is here what will you do? Faith and Prepared, online, available from https://blog.faithandprepared.com/2021/07/06/famine-is-here-what-will-you-do/

[3] Woods, B. (May 23, 2022). World at risk of famine and mass migration as Ukraine war sparks food catastrophe, IMF warns. The Telegraph, online, available from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/05/23/energy-food-shortages-global-economic-gloom-ukraine-war-worsen/

[4] Michael. (May 23, 2022). The Apocalyptic Global Food Crisis That We Were Told To Prepare For Has Already Started In 2022.The Economic Collapse, online, available from  http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/the-apocalyptic-global-food-crisis-that-we-were-told-to-prepare-for-has-already-started-in-2022/

[5] Barnard, n. (October 28, 2020). The coming greater depression, Faith and Prepared, online, available from https://blog.faithandprepared.com/2020/10/28/the-coming-greater-depression/

[6] Deuteronomy 28-30

[7] Leviticus 26

[8] The book of Revelation

[9] Barnard, N. (September 14, 2021). Judgment at the House of God. Faith and Prepared, online, available from https://blog.faithandprepared.com/2021/09/14/judgment-at-the-house-of-god/

[10] 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

[11] John 14:15 “If you love me, obey my commandments.

[12] 1 John 3:4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.

[13] Revelation 12:11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

[14] Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.