Is the World Really Getting Worse?

[Pneuman]

I think it depends on how you define "worse." If you ask am I worse off today than I would have been living in a thatch dwelling and trying to fight off the Mongols on the Steppes in the 1200s I would have to say no. I am blessed, have a roof over my head, am protected from the elements, have great modern conveniences.

Again, if we look at some countries where followers of Christ are persecuted and put to death or enslaved, tortured, etc., on a daily basis, I would says my life is pretty good in relation. But I don't think that is what people mean when they say "The world is getting worse."

So, what do people mean when they say "the world is getting worse?"

1. They are referring to their world, or the realm in which they have relationships, dwellings, their safe zone I would say; having the ability to keep self and family safe from physical harm. This would include the laws that are being passed and what future effects they may have, as well as the current response in the "world" that appears to be getting closer and closer to traditional persecution.

2. The thought world in which they live; having the ability to keep self and family from experiencing visual and aural messages that fight against the Word of God in their lives. This covers the safety of educational activities for children, peer pressure, media, etc.

3. "Worse" is more or less a short-hand way of saying "worse than it was yesterday" or progressively worse.

Given this definition, I would say the world is getting worse.

When the Bible says evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived, I don't read a caveat that says "except for certain periods of time when it will get better, and then start getting worse again." We therefore have to check our definitions in order to be in line with the Word of Life. The Bible also teaches that as we near the end it will get worse than it has ever been, so bad that Jesus will shorten the days of His coming lest there be no flesh saved.

Just a couple of thoughts that came to mind.