Societal Characteristics of the Last Days: Part 7 :: By Mark A. Becker
Introduction
This is a continuation of our Societal Characteristics of the Last Days series. In Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 we studied Paul’s societal characteristics given to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:1-7. Part5, Part6, and Part 7 will be focused on Paul’s Characteristics of the Last Days as given to the Romans in Romans 1:28-32.
Though Romans 1:28-32 is a rundown of the characteristics of the antediluvian world just prior to the judgment of the flood, we can be sure that these characteristics – which are so similar to those in 2 Timothy 3:1-7 – are being repeated today just prior to God’s wrath being poured out during the Tribulation period. After all, Jesus said that the last days would be similar to those of the pre-flood world:
“But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” (Matthew 24:37-39).
As we did in the first four parts, we will be looking at the definitions of the words in the original Greek, note some practical observations, include supplemental Scriptures, offer Christian encouragement, and, in a few instances, a sampling of current events in an attempt to expound upon these Societal Characteristics of the Last Days.
I would also like to offer a reminder to the reader of what we had written regarding our position in the world before we came to Christ in the series dedicated to the characteristics found in 2 Timothy 3:
Admittedly, and not surprisingly, this series might very well be considered offensive to the world. This study is viewed through the lens of the Creator’s revealed character and expectations of His creatures found in the Word of God.
The Savior has commanded His children to love all people, including our enemies. Jesus Christ proved His love to all of humanity as He prayed for His executioners while being crucified and, ultimately, paying the penalty of every human being’s sins on the cross, satisfying the Father’s wrath against us.
The truth is, we all were an abomination in the eyes of a Holy and Just God before realizing our desperate need for a Savior and giving our lives to Him. May our love of God and mankind always be our guide as we witness to a lost and dying world, directing them to the one true God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:30 (Continued)
… Inventors of Evil Things
The Greek word for “inventors” is 2182 ἐφευρετής “epheuretés” and means an inventor, contriver, discoverer. From a compound of epi and heurisko; a discoverer, i.e., Contriver — inventor. (emphasis mine)
The Greek word for “evil things” is 2556 κακός “kakos” and means bad, evil, in the widest sense (an adjective, and the root of 2549/kakía, “inner malice”). Worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas poneros properly refers to effects), i.e., (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious — bad, evil, harm, ill, noisome, wicked.
“Kakos” is translated noisome, ill, harm, wicked, and, most prominently, evil in the King James Bible.
When I consider “inventors of evil things,” I ponder what we are seeing in the world today regarding sexuality and our offspring. The recently popular expression, “groomer/grooming,” summarizes the action well.
Today’s inventors of evil have manifested themselves into perversions seldom seen in human history. As it was in the days of Lot, so, too, will it be in the last of the last days.
We see this tragic truth today in the “woke” agenda of sexual perversions of every kind. Now, women aren’t allowed to define what a woman is, and men can have babies. Our children are taught that they aren’t the people God created them to be and can change their sexual “identity” at will. Our leaders will even help them change without the consent of their parents, using chemical means that will destroy the child for life.
Child abuse in the name of “wokeness” is rampant and is actually a government-sanctioned exercise. Our educational systems, which are nothing more than indoctrination centers, push a perverse God-hating, Christ-rejecting agenda that destroys God’s established family unit and God-ordained design for the male and female within that family unit.
Below, we will be showing the link between the “inventors of evil” with the family unit and those who are “disobedient to parents” — the connection cannot be overstated.
Interestingly, it has been noted that the term “woke” has been co-opted from a couple of different verses in the Bible. One of them is:
“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep” (Romans 13:11a).
Conveniently, those who would cite this verse out of context for the justification of their “wokeness” will intentionally omit the last half of the verse:
“… for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” (Romans 13:11b).
In regard to the “inventors of evil” amongst the globalist elite, they ultimately want to depopulate the earth of human beings who are created in the image of God, and these ploys play right into those devious plans.
From the idea of genetically modifying humans so they are no longer in the image of God, to “eliminating” those who are draining the resources of “Mother Earth” through abortion and pushing alternative sexual persuasions, we are left with nothing more than a murderous cabal bent on destroying humanity in the name of Gaia worship.
… Disobedient to Parents
The Greek word for “disobedient” is ἀπειθής 545 “apeithḗs” and means unbelieving, disobedient, who will not be persuaded (an adjective) – literally, unwilling to be persuaded (by God) which shows itself in outward disobedience (outward spiritual rebellion); disobedient because unpersuaded. 545/apeithḗs (“unpersuaded”) begins with the decision to reject what God prefers, with His offer to persuade about His preferred-will (cf. 2307/thélēma). See 543 (apeitheia). [Note the root, 3982/peíthō (“persuade”).] From a (as a negative particle) and peitho; unpersuadable, i.e., Contumacious — disobedient. (emphasis mine)
The same phrase, “disobedient to parents,” is used also in 2 Timothy 3:2.
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth” (Ephesians 6:1-3).
First and foremost, when children are disobedient to parents, parents must look themselves in the eye for some self-reflection to see if they aren’t at least partly responsible for their children’s disdain and disrespect for them. Too often in our post-modern, liberal society, parenting has taken a back seat to the desire for their children to see them more as a friend than a loving disciplinarian and guide.
Not surprisingly, the Scriptures speak of disciplining children in a godly manner.
“He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes” (Proverbs 13:24).
When it comes to the last days societal characteristic of children – let alone adults – being disobedient to parents, much of this can be attributed to society in general and our world’s educational systems in particular. Those in power have been influencing our children into mistrusting their parents and even encouraging them to report their parents to authorities as traitors and insurrectionists of the government simply by opposing and rejecting the government’s morally depraved and “racist” indoctrinating “education” centers.
Here are just a few examples of the government educational system usurping parental rights and turning children against the parents and/or family:
Major Teachers’ Union Supports Keeping Students’ Sexual Secrets from Parents – The Georgia Star News
CDC Directs LGBT Children to Secretive Chats About Sex Changes, the Occult (breitbart.com)
Father Recalls School’s Secret Attempt to Transition Daughter (dailysignal.com)
Sen. Tim Scott Introduces Bill Protecting Parental Rights (dailysignal.com)
Taxpayer-Funded Organization Promotes ‘Trans Identity’ to Two-Year-Olds (breitbart.com)
School Teaches Kids How To Keep Transgender’ Identity’ A Secret From Parents (prophecynewswatch.com)
These corrupt people insist that our kids are theirs when our children are in their charge. But they won’t stop there: they want them all, all of the time. And if that means taking children away from their parents, they will do just that.
But children, though at a significant disadvantage because of our allowing them to be deceived in the educational indoctrination system, are not to be found innocent in all of this. They have the right – and, in fact, the obligation – to fight for their own family’s well-being and preservation.
Children instinctively know right from wrong. But being sinners themselves, they will often choose the wrong path, especially being guided and manipulated by such reprehensible people. Without the proper upbringing in the home, they will certainly be doomed to their innate desires for liberation from parental authority and will succumb to the evil plans of the globalist elite.
We are all in this together – parents and children – and we must take back our children’s education at all costs while bringing them up in the Christian/Judeo morality that once invigorated this nation and the western world.
“The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it” (Proverbs 30:17).
May the body of Christ be a shining example of how a civilized society ought to treat their elders and, especially, their parents – deserved or not.
… Without Understanding
The Greek word for “without understanding” is 801 ἀσύνετος “asýnetos” and means foolish, without understanding, unintelligent, without wisdom, unwise, undiscerning (implying probably moral defect). Properly, without comprehension; foolish because incoherent (failing to “put facts together“), (“lacking synthesis”) describes a person failing to structure information in a meaningful way and therefore unable to reach necessary conclusions. This person is illogical because unwilling to use good reason. From a (as a negative particle) and sunetos; unintelligent; by implication, wicked — foolish, without understanding. (emphasis mine)
“Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth” (Proverbs 17:24).
I imagine that I’m not the only one who’s been stunned at the utter insanity that is permeating throughout the world and society’s scarcity of common sense and rational thought. But should we really be surprised?
So many of our citizens have been indoctrinated in public school systems that have no interest in teaching the basics of reading, writing, arithmetic, and true science. Instead, it seems the singular mission of these indoctrination centers is to warp the minds of the young and influenceable in the image of the influencers of moral depravity and socialistic totalitarianism.
One need only go out into the streets and quiz our young people on any given subject with basic analytical queries, and they would be hard-pressed to find one correct, logical, and cogent answer among the recently educated.
History has been rewritten, and students are taught to hate their home country by the globalists who want to shatter national borders.
Words have been redefined in an attempt to control language and moral thought.
What was once an abomination is taught to our children to be normal and even admired and encouraged. Up is down, straight is crooked, and hot is cold. Evil is accepted and labeled worthy, while good is condemned as antedated and archaic.
Critical thinking skills are never taught in the classroom, yet conformity to groupthink and succumbing to mob rule is not only cheered but demanded. Individual thought is suppressed, while following the crowd is the norm. No one dares to challenge the status quo of the New World Order of things.
Wisdom is virtually non-existent today, and we have no one to blame but ourselves for allowing socialistic, morally depraved, and devious individuals and groups to overtake and overwhelm every system of civil society. The populace, when it comes to wisdom, is ostensibly doomed.
All of this leads to a society bereft of any understanding.
The children of God, on the other hand, should exhibit wisdom and understanding as we navigate this vile world.
“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13).
Thankfully, the Lord has remedied any lack of wisdom among His children.
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5).
So, as God’s children, let us be a beacon of wisdom to a lost and dying world devoid of any true understanding and point them to Christ.
… Covenantbreakers
The Greek word for “covenantbreakers” is 802 ἀσύνθετος “asunthetos” and means not keeping covenant, not covenanting, untrue to an agreement, treacherous. From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of suntithemai; properly, not agreed, i.e., Treacherous to compacts — covenant-breaker. (emphasis mine)
How many wars began due to a government or a governmental leader not keeping a covenant or an agreement? How much bloodshed has been the result of broken promises, covenants, treaties, and truces?
What will be the central covenant that will be broken during the Tribulation?
“And he [Antichrist] shall confirm the covenant with many [Israel and many nations] for one week [7-year Tribulation – 2,520 days]: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate” (Daniel 9:27).
Israel and the world will suffer immensely for entering this ill-fated covenant with Antichrist; but the Lord Himself will come three and one-half years later (1,260 days), after Antichrist breaks this covenant with Israel, to save Zion and the remnant of God’s chosen people He has been supernaturally protecting in the wilderness.
“Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?” (Proverbs 20:6).
Are there any who can be found faithful today? Are there any who are trustworthy and will keep their promises and fulfill their covenants?
Who can find a true friend in today’s world? Are there any who are dependable? Are there any who will put the other above the self? Are there any who won’t break a covenant or agreement for the sake of self at the expense of another?
The most basic of all covenants being broken today in society and the family unit? Marriage. Enough said.
Well, if there be anyone who should be found faithful and willing to keep their words, their promises, and their covenants, it should be the child of God!
“But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them” (Psalm 103:17-18).
For we have given our lives to the King of faithfulness!
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
We follow a faithful God of covenants and mercy!
“For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth… Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy 7:6, 9).
The churches of Christ should be the bearers of God’s covenants to the world. For it is through the numerous covenants that God has made to man that shows Himself faithful, with His ultimate covenant – eternal life through His Son – graciously given to those who give their lives to Him!
… Without Natural Affection
The Greek word for “without natural affection” is 794 ἄστοργος “astorgos” and means without natural affection, unloving, devoid of affection. From a (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of stergo (to cherish affectionately); hard-hearted towards kindred — without natural affection. (emphasis mine)
This word is also used in 2 Timothy 3:3.
The news today is a virtual hodgepodge of people lacking natural affection for others. All crimes are intrinsically linked to a lack of natural affection for others. But in these last days – just as in the days of Noah and Lot – this lack of natural affection extends into the realm of family and friendship where one would expect natural affection to survive and thrive.
Here’s what we said in Societal Characteristics of the Last Days: Part 2:
The glaringly obvious symptom of this characteristic is the divorce rate and how easy it is for one to “fall out of love” with one’s mate.
Other abominable examples of the loss of natural affection in the family unit include: Parents injecting their children with heroin to keep them sedated and quiet; child abuse – mental, physical, and sexual; infanticide; newborn babies found in garbage dumpsters; etc.
Consider the inhumane, selfish, and brutal act of killing the unborn child for evidence that this characteristic is profoundly universal in our day. To kill one’s own child in the name of “choice” and “personal freedom” is nothing short of Satanic wickedness that arises from the pit of hell.
If a child does make it out of their mother’s womb, they can still find themselves subject to a myriad of examples from the culture that shines a dark light on humankind’s loss of natural affection.
For me, seeing what we are doing to our children in the name of “tolerance” in our school system is just the tip of the iceberg. Teaching our children “alternative sexual lifestyles” and describing, in detail, what all that entails is as diabolical as it comes. So I thought.
Then came the “Drag Queen Story Hour” at our local libraries. This, of course, played out in our actually encouraging our little boys to dress and act like girls or grown women and our little girls to dress and act like prostitutes and, sometimes, boys and/or men. Confusion abounds.
Now, we even have “no gender” clothing lines because we don’t want to intrude on what sex our children may perceive themselves to be. After all, their genitalia isn’t a determining factor — so they say.
All of this lays the foundation for parents to decide for their children what sex they think they should be. As shocking as it is, we have judges siding with one parent over another who would like to “transition” their little boy into a girl. Why? Because the parent either thinks their little boy is “exhibiting female tendencies,” or they would just rather have a little girl instead of the boy God gifted them with. This abomination has even been encouraged and celebrated in the so-called “church.”
Can we lose any more natural affection? It’s hard to believe, but I think we can.
The above was observed, written, and published in the later months of 2020. Needless to say, in the two years since then, it has most assuredly gotten worse.
Here are just a few of many heartbreaking examples:
Metro Atlanta Gay Couple Arrested for Producing Porn with Adopted Children (thegatewaypundit.com)
Man arrested for allegedly raping teen stepdaughter with mother’s consent | The Times of Israel
Mom Gets Prison for Sex Trafficking Her Little Girl in Exchange for Shoes (breitbart.com)
Girl, 12, Shoots Dad And Self In Plot With Friend To Kill Families: Sheriff | HuffPost Latest News
… Implacable
The Greek word for “implacable” is 786 ἄσπονδος “áspondos” and means without libation, without truce, admitting of no truce, implacable, irreconcilable, (an adjective which is the negation of spondē, “a libation-sacrifice” used for making treaties and covenants) – properly, unable to please (placate) someone; implacable. From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of spendo; literally, without libation (which usually accompanied a treaty), i.e., (by implication) truceless — implacable, truce-breaker. (emphasis mine)
This word is translated “trucebreakers” in 2 Timothy 3:3 and is obviously related to covenant-breaking.
The difference between covenant-breaking and this word implacable or trucebreakers is that of someone having no intention of giving any reprieve to another. That is, an individual that lacks any regard or offering any chance of respite or rest to another party, even if offered a “truce.”
So, even though it is rendered “trucebreakers” in 2 Timothy 3:3, our idea of a trucebreaker is one who has already agreed to a truce. This Greek word, though, suggests no truce has been declared or affirmed, and no truce will be accepted on any grounds. The idea is that of insensitivity to another with no regard for mercy.
And, just like that – as should be expected – Paul moves on from implacable to that end-time societal characteristic of the lack of mercy!
… Unmerciful
The Greek word for “unmerciful” is 415 ἀνελεήμων “aneleemon” and means without mercy, unpitying, unmerciful, without compassion, cruel. From a (as a negative particle) and eleemon; merciless — unmerciful.
Forgiveness is utterly foreign to the world apart from God. And you can’t have forgiveness without mercy. When we consider the last days – and the days before the flood – forgiveness, to the world and the world system, will always be a four-letter word!
Cruelty and a lack of pity and mercy, in my mind, pretty much sums up the Societal Characteristics of the Last Days. All evil and ills in society, from lying, violence, theft, murder, and culminating in the killing of our unborn children and others, have their roots within a depraved mindset filled with cruelty and a more than deficient lack of pity and mercy.
How can one look at a helpless child and not find mercy within their own heart?
How can someone look into the pain-filled eyes of their spouse, who they are ready to throw under the bus of convenience for lustful self-gratification, and not find mercy for their once beloved victim?
How can a murderer see the fear and torment in their innocent prey’s eyes and facial expressions as they plead in vain to have their lives spared, only to find that mercy is nowhere to be found?
Mercy is loved by everyone who so desperately needs to have it and hated by those who so wickedly keep it from others.
So often, the one who desires mercy is found to be the last to give it.
Here is a sampling of many current examples:
‘Where Is the Media?’: Persecution of Christians, June 2022 :: Gatestone Institute
Climate Change: The Latest Excuse for Slaughtering Christians :: Gatestone Institute
22-Week-Old Premature Baby Dies After Hospital Refuses to Treat Her – LifeNews.com
Survivors tell CBS News about the horrific gang rape that has enraged South Africa – CBS News
Arab-Israeli gang arrested for enslaving, imprisoning homeless man in dog cage | World Israel News
Pregnant Woman Killed Because She Refused to Have Abortion – LifeNews.com
Abducted 12-Year-Old Girl Escapes, Helps Police Discover 2 Dead Bodies | The Daily Wire
California Amendment Would Create Right to Kill Babies in Abortions Up to Birth – LifeNews.com
Ecuador Prison Riot: Government Still Identifying Dismembered ‘Human Parts’ (breitbart.com)
Colorado Man Convicted of Killing Woman with AK-47 over Dog Poop (breitbart.com)
Eight-Year-Old Ukrainian Refugee Girl Stabbed ’74 Times’ in Migrant Home (breitbart.com)
Where is the mercy? There is no mercy apart from the author of mercy and lovingkindness, Jesus Christ.
“Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them” (Romans 1:32).
And isn’t this the truth today? People “not only do the same” – as they “commit such things [that] are worthy of death” – “but [they] have pleasure in them that do them.”
Many people’s hearts are hardened, and this coldness has turned into outright cruelty with a moral failure that lacks pity for the abused and mercy for the victimized.
May the Lord have mercy on us and our society.
“The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
“The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee.
“They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.
“Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations” (Psalm 145:8-13).
Conclusion
The Societal Characteristics of the Last Days can be clearly seen and felt today on social media. My advice? Get off of social media immediately. Other than choosing to give my life to Christ and follow Him, quitting social media was one of the best decisions I ever made. I don’t miss it at all, and neither will you.
“These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19).
We would do well to complete Part5, Part6, and Part 7 of Societal Characteristics of the Last Days with a well-known verse that reminds us of who we are really dealing with when it comes to these abhorrent sinful conditions of mankind.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).
May we all remember who our enemy is.
And may we all be continually Answering the Call of The Great Commission and giving an answer to every man and woman who so desperately needs Jesus and asks, Why Am I Here, and What Is It All About?
Keep reaching the lost for Christ while we still have time.
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Love, grace, mercy, and shalom in Messiah Yeshua, and Maranatha!
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