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Today a "flood" is upon the inhabitants of the earth - not of water, but a flood of immorality, materialism, worldliness, and Christian apostasy. The human race is again heading for destruction as in Noah's time. Men are in danger of losing their right to enter the city of God.
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come" (2 Timothy 3:1). This chapter gives a picture of the condition of the world just before the end. Some defenders of the faith have been swept off their feet, for today's perils are greater than they had reckoned. Of all the perils, social, economic, moral, and religious, the last two are the greater threat from the standpoint of where the soul of man will be after this life.
The home was God's first institution on earth. Today, it is fast being destroyed. Juvenile delinquency is often the direct result of parental delinquency. Children are left to shift for themselves when father and mother are both away from home. Countless ruined homes leave in their wake frustrated and bewildered children torn apart from loved ones. The modern dance, movies, and television shows add fuel to the fire. Gangs of straying teenagers are the decadent result of fast declining home influences.
Many schools are a potential danger, since so many young people are brought together. Only by deep-seated training at home, coupled with God's grace, can a child come through life unscathed by the effects of immorality in high schools and colleges.
The accepted moral standards, which have stood the test for years, are fast crumbling. Tides of obscene literature, together with television programs enticing to unlawful lust and passion, have gained tremendous momentum. Men, women, boys, and girls are losing their integrity, virtue, and sense of direction by this barrage of trash.
Modern men and women, with their immodest dress, are an insult to their Maker. "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God" (Deuteronomy 22:5). The teaching of modest apparel is ignored by many Christ-professing men and women who imitate the world in fashionable attire (1 Timothy 2:9).
Men and women today disregard the plain teaching of God's Word regarding the wearing of hair. "Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering" (1 Corinthians 11:14-15). Many Christian-professing men and women do not blush to disregard and disobey God's decreed order.
Sex, cautiously discussed in the doctor's office but a few decades ago, is today openly discussed in magazines and in schools - making common what the Lord intended to be sacred. Satan's methods are effective and can readily be seen by the increase of loose morals and rampant delinquency. Pornography is called art, and promiscuity is called freedom of self-expression. Newsstands flaunt and supply the filthiest trash.
The new morality is sidetracking the young into believing love is an emotional, self-gratification of one's physical desires. God will never sanction such unholy practices. Such perversion offers very little chance for a happy home to those contemplating marriage.
The abuse of narcotics and liquor is a curse to any nation. Billions of dollars which should be used for better purposes are wasted. Alcohol and drugs are the cause of untold heartache, misery, and shame. It constitutes a grave threat to the individual and is the cause of countless ruined homes. "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise" (Proverbs 20:1). "Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder" (Proverbs 23:31-32).
These are perils which are dangerous to all. Commentators agree that true Christianity is on the wane. Many doctrines of the New Testament are now disregarded. Jesus teaches, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me" (John 14:21). We are in the time of strong delusions. "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie" (2 Thessalonians 2:11).
The multiplicity of sects and churches today is a sign of decay, confusion, and corruption. Christ never was the author of such, but His concern was that His followers would be one as He and the Father are one (John 17). There was only one Church - a fellowship of true believers - in the beginning. With many departing from sound, scriptural teaching, there is also departure from the one, true Church vision as established at Pentecost. The results of this departure are divisions, contentions, and schisms, which are to be avoided (Romans 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:14-16).
Many who call themselves Christians do not teach or practice the clear teachings of the Bible: a prayer covering for women, the holy kiss, feet washing, and an orderly beard worn by men in respect to our Lord. At the same time, Christ's teaching on peace and nonresistance is ignored. While the wearing of fashionable attire is condoned, the teachings of the apostles regarding modest apparel is omitted. (1 Corinthians 11; Romans 16:16; John 13:14; Romans 9:20; 1 Peter 3:3-4.) Many other New Testament teachings are regarded as too lowly for today's sophisticated Christian. "Whosoever trangresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son" (2 John 9).
Though church membership is on the increase, the increase of modernism and ungodliness in many proves that there is a compromising between professing Christians and the world. Often the spirit of pride, independence, and lack of spiritual submission one to another results in the formation of new denominations.
Conforming to the world in dress and deportment does not set one apart from the world. "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (2 Corinthians 6:17-18).
Unsound and formal present-day Bible teaching is intellectual, at the expense of spirituality, and has become a peril to many people. Scriptural doctrines are callously thrown aside to make room for more "freedom of the Gospel." Numerous factions are rallying under the false banner of "unity" when there is no unity - no close knit fellowship of true believers as outlined in God's Word.
The answer to the ills of apostate Christianity is not in the ecumenical movement. This indicates weakness rather than strength and is the result of compromising with men rather than obedience to the Word. This type of Christianity may have some of the features of scriptural teaching and serves many good purposes; it may restrain, refine, and give to society a higher standard of civilization, but it falls short of saving the soul.
There are yet those who believe in the living Church. To these the promise was given, "The gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). These true believers must keep their eyes steadfastly upon Christ, lest they sink as did Peter upon the waters. Our times are so dangerous that our eyes can become blinded - our spiritual lives lost - and we won't know it.
These perils, and many others along life's way, make necessary, now more than ever before, the need to "watch and pray" (Matthew 26:41).
"Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:6-7).
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