1298) Throughout the history of the world, there have always been those who seem obsessed with the End Times or, as some call it, the end of the world. Some are even bold enough to set dates for when this will happen, which is interesting since Jesus specifically stated even he did not know when this time would be. (Matthew 24:36-38).

I do not claim any “edge” on the knowledge of the end times, but I have a few observations to share.

First, I believe every generation states the behavior of “the world” has really taken a turn for the worst. Even Socrates stated, years before Jesus was born, “Children today are tyrants. They contradict their parents, gobble their food, and tyrannize their teachers.” Because of this truth, it’s easy to not allow the “signs of the end times” to be a wake-up call on our lives and choices.

My second observation is when I read about Noah’s world and the wicked choices people were making. Here we read God stated he regretted creating man. (Genesis 6:6) How bad was society then compared to now? The answer to this is unknown and because of that, it’s also easy to play down anything the Bible tells us are choices of society in the last days.

Finally, in Matthew 24:8, Jesus compares the end times to the beginning of birth pains. The wicked choices of people will start off like a mild twitch within an expectant mother and then increase in pain as the birthing process continues.

I do not think there is “anything new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9) but we must be vigilant in watching for these signs. Why? Because it’s easy to be the frog in the kettle. You’re in the water and it so gradually gets warmer you don’t even realize you are being boiled. Because of this, I am going to spend the next couple of weeks exploring each sign Paul points out in 2 Timothy 3:1-4.

God does not want us to be ignorant of these things (1 Thessalonians 4:13) and we can be thankful he took the time to guide us throughout difficult days.