Is the Increase in Mass Shootings And Riots a Sign of the End Times?

M ass shootings are on the increase and violence is growing ever worse, so why the sudden increase in all the mass shootings?

Thief in the Night

Mass shootings are on the increase and violence is growing ever worse, so why the sudden increase in all the mass shootings? If you asked the average person on the street about whether they believed Jesus is coming back again to judge the world and all the violence, you’re likely to get differing (and unbiblical) answers. But we know for certain that we’re living in a world of escalating violence, much like it was in Noah’s day (Gen 6). No one expected a flood to come…or expected a judgement of God to come. Same as it is today. Since it had never even rained before, why worry about a flood? Today, most people are not living lives for Jesus and awaiting His appearance as the Bible teaches believers, so just as in our day, “the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark” (Matt 24:37-38). It is business as usual.

Everyone expects things to pretty much continue like they are. The vast majority of the world mocks any supposed return of Jesus just as they did in the Apostle Peter’s day. Peter warned that “scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation” (2 Pet 3:3-4). This is all the more reason we must be “fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” (1 Thess 5:2) and warn the lost before it’s too late.

The Days of Noah

I believe our world is much like it was in Noah’s day and not in a good way, as “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” (Gen 6:5). The heart of mankind was “only continually” set toward evil intention and probably evil “invention,” inventing new ways to do evil. Is that much different from the way of the world today? It was such an evil and corrupt world that only a small remnant walked with God, those being Noah and his extended family, so only that remnant would be saved. Like it is today, it was in Noah’s day when “the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence” (Gen 6:11). Just watch the evening news and you can see just how full of violence the world is? If the Lord were to look down at our nations today, would the Lord God again see “the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth” (Gen 6:12).

No Peace for the Wicked

To start with, the world doesn’t really know the peace of God unless they know the Son of God, Jesus Christ. If you’ve never put your trust in Jesus Christ, then “there is no peace,” says the LORD, “for the wicked” (Isaiah 48:22). If you do not know Jesus Christ and God the Father, you cannot have true peace with God because only we who believe “have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 5:1). You cannot have the peace of God until you’ve first made peace with God, meaning the previous condemnation has been lifted (Rom 8:1). We can be at peace with God only if we’ve trusted in the Son of God (John 3:16). Whoever trusts in Christ is at peace with God, but not so in this world. There is a shortage on peace, and if there’s peace, it’s never a lasting peace. The Prince of Peace is the only One Who can bring lasting peace, but it will have to be by force (Rev 1:7).

A World of Trouble

The idea that the world would just be a better place if we’d all be more enlightened or understanding of one another sounds good, but in practical turns, it just won’t work. Statistics prove that violence is escalating, more wars and rumors of wars are occurring, and natural disasters seem to be increasing, but so is the violence of mankind. Technology has now made it easier than ever to injure, maim, or kill many more people than ever before. It’s getting more dangerous every single day. During Jerusalem’s “last days” before she fell in 70 AD, Jesus warned the Jews and the nation that had rejected Him that “lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold” (Matt 24:12), and that’s happening in our century too. God is angry with those who hate and try to loot and burn in protests. Our “Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence” (Psalm 11:5).

Conclusion

Our only hope is not in the U.N, the president, in our military or in national alliances. Our hope is in God alone and more specifically, Jesus Christ the Son of God. He warned of end times when “nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places” (Matt 24:7), but to those who would believe, he says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). Don’t let the increasing violence worry you, rather listen to Jesus say to you, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt 11:29-30).

Here is some related reading for you: Is Increasing Violence a Sign of the End Times?

Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Tagged as: Days of Noah, End Times, last days, Violence