Evil will not cease until Jesus returns and the Kingdom of God is fully implemented here on earth. (Revelation 21:1-4)
Evil will persist. Don’t be shocked by revelations of the extent of evil’s tentacles that surround the world, leaders and people. God told us this from the beginning. But glory to God, Christ came to defeat the devil – the author of evil.
‘Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.’ 1 John 3:8
However, it still always causes shock and horror when you realise just how evil and heinous people can act. As Christians, we read the Word of the Lord – humans are capable of reprehensible things. King Solomon who was the wisest king, came into contact with surrounding nations and people, realized firsthand the depravity of man.
‘There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind.’ Ecclesiastes 6:1
Let us not forget that the Bible is a true historical record of people, life and behaviors. It was not only in the days of old that child sacrifice occurred (Leviticus 20) and suddenly stopped for being too barbaric for modern times. Not so, this practice is just as alive as it was then. Slavery was not merely a shameful act of old – it still occurs today (Exodus 1:13-14). This list is not exhaustive, state sanctioned abortion happened in Moses’ and Jesus’ day (Exodus 1:15-16 and Matthew 2:16). More recently – in our era, we note that in a particular country where a one child policy was enforced, what do you think one was expected to do should multiple births or the wife conceived again…You see us humans repeat cycles and patterns, because the father of lies was the same then and he is now (John 8:44).
The devil has established patterns, it is wise to know this. Unfortunately many people will be susceptible to his influence of darkness. That being said, evil will continue temporarily as satan and his minions still have time. But take heart, his time and evil influence will one day come to a halt. Albeit, we continue to shun evil deeds and thought, until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
‘I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.’ John 17:15
The Bible gives us examples of wickedness. God in His mercy, informs us ahead of time in order for us to pray, prepare and take a position against it. We are not ignorant to the level of evil that is at work in the world. Jesus will keep us from the evil one as we abide in Him.
Some tell tale signs of evil at work in our society is:
* Corrupt leaders (2 Kings 21:11 and 2 Chronicles 36:9)
* Evil friends and advisers for people in leadership (Esther 3:8-11, 8:3 and Daniel 6:4)
* Heightened killings, war and torture (Isaiah 59:7)
* Complacency by the people to confront evil (Judges 2:11 and 1 Corinthians 15:33)
* Bribes and money from illicit sources (Exodus 23:8, Isaiah 1:23 and Matthew 26:14-16)
* Division and disunity (Proverbs 6:14)
* Rampant injustice (2 Chronicles 19:7 and Ecclesiastes 4:1)
* Subjection to manufactured hardship such economic disasters from those in powerful positions (Psalm 21:11)
* Famine and scarcity of resources (Ezekiel 14:13)
However, we know the end right from the beginning. Our God will reign and triumph over the works of the evil one and the spirit of compromise. The Lord will keep us and we will overcome.
‘But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.’ 2 Thessalonians 3:3
So do not lose your heart, when you see how leaders are steeped in evil conduct and allegations. Remember this has always been so.
The enemy loves to take people of influence and position to taint them, so that those under them and around them will also be compromised.
‘Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.’ Proverbs 28:10
Here are some Scriptures to remind you that in this world evil will threaten to overtake everyone and everything. But for Christ, we would all be at risk of being utterly consumed. Yet, the God of mercy has allowed us to overcome every wile of the wicked one and ungodly plan of the devil using his earthly and spiritual agents. Evil must and will be judged by the Most High God.
‘And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”’ Genesis 2:16-17
‘For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.’ Ephesians 6:12
‘Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!’ Isaiah 5:20
‘The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.’ Genesis 6:5
‘Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.’ Psalm 34:14
‘Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it.’ Proverbs 11:27
‘It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.’ Proverbs 16:12
‘And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’ Matthew 7:11
‘And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.’ John 3:19
‘Abstain from every form of evil.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:22
‘We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.’ 1 John 5:19
So keep your heart tender for the Lord, examine yourself daily.
‘Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’ Romans 12:21
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
