I’m guessing a lot of you are like me. You see very little – if anything – in our world right now that subscribes to common sense and sound judgment.

Those of us who have diligently prayed for wisdom and spiritual discernment sense a suffocating cloak of evil that is enveloping all that is virtuous and proper. What’s good is bad, and what’s black is white, and what’s up is down.

“Confusion,” on the best side of this entire assessment – is not of God. And nobody who is rational should question the source of evil.

It’s self-evident that we live in times when those with “depraved minds” are calling the shots (Romans 1:28). The Greek term used here essentially means these are minds “that no longer function as they are supposed to.”

I think that much is obvious to anyone with an IQ higher than a fencepost.

The bad guys are routinely getting away with every form of corruption, every show of injustice, and every display of fraud. Meantime, those of us who believe in law and order are being systematically painted as the ones in the wrong.

The same political chaos that has torn our own nation apart is viciously attacking the foundations of other countries’ governing structures. Israel is a great case in point. Insanity has marinated the mindset of the deluded liberals who rabidly protest under the guise of ‘saving democracy,’ even as their own violence and statements show their real motive is to remove all responsible institutions of leadership.

Lies abound and multiply daily. It is impossible to keep up with all of them. It used to be that our leaders were publicly shamed for telling a lie. Now they are roasted for speaking the truth.

Deception has become the darling of a world order that no longer wants to be accountable to the facts.

Even the most basic elements of common sense are being tossed out the window with enthusiastic abandon. Those that instruct us one moment to trust “science” (“The jab is what you need”) are the same folks who excoriate anyone who DOES trust REAL science on matters of gender (“No, men cannot get pregnant”).

Every institution and industry whose heritage and ‘ethos’ has been focused on supplying, caring for, and meeting the welfare needs of humanity is being eroded and assaulted. The new globalist agenda amounts to an evil effort to boost the bottom line of undertakers.

From jabs to genitals, from healthcare to agriculture, from doctors to teachers, and from bugs to eggs – – one thing is clear: it’s all a highly choreographed machine that is intent upon reducing the human population.

The most basic tenants of the integrity of law, elections, and justice no longer apply. Rules are covertly bent – and if necessary, overtly broken – to put down, put out, and put away anyone or anything that is a threat to a radical and depraved agenda.

It is abundantly apparent to EVERYONE this is what’s happening. One group sees it and cares deeply about what is going on. The other group sees it just as clearly, and they celebrate the patently obvious corruption (Romans 1:32).

Make no mistake about it – the things in our society that were once considered fringe or marginal, and the passions that were once kept ‘in the closet,’ have since become mainstream. Indeed, they are now endorsed! What’s truly wrong has now become right.

Yep – it’s a messed-up world, and it’s only going to get worse. Nope – I’m not a wet blanket.

I’m a truth-teller.

Anyone like me who responsibly reads and studies the Scriptures knows that all these things – and others like them – are only going to worsen over time. Jesus likened the chaos and erosion of our planet and our societies to “birth pangs” (Matt. 24:8). They will come more frequently and with greater impact as His Second Coming draws near. The bottom line is our present world is in a death spiral.

For me, as I know it is the case for many of you, the reality of our depraved times is a stark reminder that we are indeed “aliens and strangers” in this world if we have chosen to follow Jesus Christ (John 17:16; Philippians 3:20; 1 Peter 2:11; Et al.).

This world is not our true home. Any efforts to make it that will only invite ruin and disappointment. It is the faithful believer that places their greatest hope in the soon appearing of our Lord and Savior to take us out of this fallen world (Titus 2:13).

Or, as Larry Norman once sang it:

“What a mess the world is in; I wonder who began it.
Don’t ask me; I’m only visiting this planet.”

An awful lot of God-fearing, Constitution-supporting, and law-abiding people in America are deeply frustrated and concerned watching the obvious fraud that is now our nation’s elections.

A sizeable portion of THOSE folks are pretty sure the libs as a whole – and much of the “Republicrat” leadership – now routinely endorse lawless behavior to make it seem as though their candidates-of-choice “win” the vote.

A part of THAT second group is convinced this is all orchestrated by a corrupt justice system, globalist resources, covert tactics, and very dark agendas.

And finally – a smaller subset of that last bunch remains sure that God is STILL in control.

Put me in that very last category.

I’m watching a lot of people who call themselves Christians punch the panic button these days. “How could God allow this?” “We must be entering the Tribulation now.” “Is Joe Biden the antichrist?” “Obviously, this means the Rapture is about to happen.”

The constant display of foolishness in much of the church today is distressing to see and hear. It is self-evident that Christ’s bride knows very little about the plans of her Groom.

Here are just a few points to keep in proper perspective during these turbulent times:

Number one. Insofar far as Bible prophecy is concerned – and its primary developments and signs – things pivot around the nation of Israel. As Dr. John MacArthur said, “If you get Israel right, you get your eschatology right.” If you take your eyes off God’s timepiece, you cannot properly understand these days we live in. Assessing sweeping prophetic matters through the lens of America’s affairs is mostly a show of ignorance and a waste of time.

Number two. It’s a herculean stretch to suggest the debacle of our nation’s elections – or any other national dynamic – signals the Rapture is about to happen. Our ‘blessed hope’ (Titus 2:13) is not linked to any specific event this way. It is an imminent and signless wonder. It will come without warning. The apostle Paul anticipated it in his time. We should be looking for it with equal anticipation each and every day that God gives us breath and life.

Number three. Apart from the fact that we can indeed see a choreography of Tribulation-era elements beginning to take shape – global pandemics, surging lawlessness, specific alliances in the Middle East, and appeals for a one-world governance among those – nothing about these developments mean believers will endure the Tribulation. The FULL counsel of Scriptures makes it clear believers will leave this planet before Daniel’s 70th Week starts. True saints here and now are “not appointed to wrath” (1 Thess. 5:9).

And lastly, and most importantly, make sure your “ticket to heaven” is in order. Matthew 7:21-23 makes it very clear a lot of people will find out too late they really weren’t saved. This is one of the most frightening portions of God’s Word, and if you want to understand real panic, read this passage carefully.

Bluntly put, there are a lot of folks regularly in the pews these days that are not in a right relationship with Jesus Christ. They certainly think they are – but for various reasons, they’ve become seduced by ‘Christian culture’ instead.

They’re invested in a list of rituals, performances, ideas, and credentials that impress man rather than God. It’s a matter of eternal importance to get this issue right, and if it’s not – then believe me, that’s a REAL reason to panic.

All that said, a challenging but vital question to ponder is, “What is my eternal condition?” (2 Cor. 13:5).

Well, let me ask you something. Do you really see the evidence of the Holy Spirit’s control in your life? It’s an issue worthy of your most concerted and humble self-evaluation. David modeled the right posture when he prayed, “Search me, God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts. And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalms 139:23-24).

Coming full circle to the deceptions and challenges of our times – according to James chapter 1, it’s the trying circumstances that prove out the integrity of our faith. It’s when we’re smack dab in the middle of crushing trials, pains, distress, and despair that our faith is expected to show up and make a difference.

How do you know if your faith is genuine if it’s not tested? Can you be sure you’ve got the real deal if you habitually react to tough situations just like those “who have no hope” do (1 Thess. 4:13)?

No. You really can’t.

A faith that’s real gently brushes out the cobwebs of panic, fear, anger, resentment, and self-entitlement from the darkest corners of your heart. A faith that’s real permits eyes and minds to perceive with a calm serenity. A faith that’s real is grieved when sinful temptations win some daily battles. A faith that’s real counts every trial as a conscious ‘joy’ because it’s another opportunity to stand strong and be assured of a right relationship with our only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Are you feeling some anxiety and distress about the failing world you see around you? Then take that opportunity to focus on the real joy that is yours if these things confirm to you that you are indeed walking on the narrow path.

Trust me; there is no greater urgency these days than to make sure your heart is right before God.