Does the recent violence, rioting, and looting point to Jesus’ coming? Is the increase in worldwide violence a sign of the end times?

The Days of Noah

Does the recent violence, rioting, and looting point to Jesus’ coming? Is the increase in worldwide violence a sign of the end times? Jesus foretold of a time that would be like the days of Noah, so what did Jesus mean? The Word of God says, “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. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart” (Gen 6:5-6), so by Noah’s time, “the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth” (Gen 4:11-12). This verse sounds like it was for written today, but the same kind of evil and violence grew worse in Noah’s day too, and we all know what came next (the Flood!).

Being Led to Violence

One of the worst culprits in society violence are those who lead others into violence. The Scripture says, “A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good” (Prov 16:29), so “if sinners entice you, do not consent” (Prov 1:10). If envy has our heart, we are told, “Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways” (Prov 3:21), because we know how that’ll turn out. Choose to do what Christ might do in a given situation, because “The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence” (Psalm 11:5). We are called to be peacemakers and not try to change society by force (Matt 5:9; Rom 13:1-5).

A Heart Issue

Why the spike in violence? What’s wrong? The problem is a matter of the heart. Jeremiah the Prophet said, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it” (Jer 17:9). Looking at things from a human perspective and not a godly one leads us astray because “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Prov 14:12). We need a heart transplant and we need God to do the operation because only God can give us a heart of flesh and not of stone (Ezk 11:19, 36:26). People in Noah’s day had corrupted hearts, so God finally told Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth” (Gen 6:13), but this is not just happening in America, but all over of the world.

Protesters or Domestic Terrorists?

Protesting is one thing, but rioting, looting, and physical violence are another. They’re not just protesters…they’re terrorists! Then, they’re no longer protesters, they’re criminals! Jesus warned that in the last days, “iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matt 24:12), and to us He said that “you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matt 10:22). Christians are supposed to be making a positive difference in this world…but protesting with violence isn’t one of them! The psalmist wrote, “The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence” (Psalm 11:5). The world we see today has “pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment” (Psalm 73:6). Its best we “Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence” (Prov 3:31-32), however, “the desire of the treacherous is for violence” (Prov 13:2b).

The Christian’s Duty

God commands us to “Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place” (Jer 22:3), however we don’t achieve that justice by means of violence. No human knows when Jesus will return, and “concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (Matt 24:36-37), but we know one thing for sure: Jesus said He will come when no one expects Him (Matt 24:44).

Human Authority

Did you know that when we rebel against authority, we rebel against God Himself? It’s similar to when those who rebelled against Moses actually rebelled against God. The biblical fact is, “there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Rom 13:1). The way God looks at civil and governmental authorities is that they are “God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer” (Rom 13:4). This means that “whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment” (Rom 13:2), but we must obey God over man when there’s a conflict between the two (Acts 5:29).

Vengeance is Gods

Obviously there’s a lot of injustice in the world, but we must remember that God says, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay” (Rom 12:17), “The Lord will judge his people” (Heb 10:30) and the world (Rev 20:12-15), but in His time (Dan 12:1-4). And I don’t think He needs our help, so we must leave judgment up to God, and the Judgment Seat is a one-seater, meaning there’s no room for me. God alone will judge, but if you’ve not trusted in Christ, make today your day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2). If you keep rejecting Jesus Christ, at some point (death or at Christ’s appearance), it will be too late.

Conclusion

How tragic that groups who are protesting social injustice are betraying their own cause. I say it’s hypocritical to protest social injustice by violence and destruction. The very thing they are protesting about is the very thing they are doing…but even worse. It’s worse because the violence and damage overshadows any cause they’re protesting for. It makes no sense to use violence to fight social injustice because that becomes an injustice itself. Yes, two wrongs never make a right! I’m sorry, but they haven’t helped their cause by protesting with violence and looting so I fear that it already is like the days of Noah, when “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).

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, looting, Rioting, Violence