IS THE END NEAR?

 2.THE ATTITUDES OF PEOPLE The Bible says that "the last days"-the time period leading to the end-would be marked by a major deterioration of peoples' attitudes. We read:  "Men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parent, unthankful, disloyal, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God." (2 Timothy 3:1-4 ) True, disrespect for fellow humans is not new, but only in "the last days" would that spirit reach such extremes that the era could rightly be described as "critical times hard to deal with."  Have you noticed this ugly downward trend in people's attitudes?

 3,THE EARTH IS BEING RUINED The Bible states that God will "bring to ruin those ruining the earth." (Revelation 11:18) In what ways would people be ruining the earth? The time period when Noah lived was described in a similar way:  "The earth has become ruined in the sight of the true God, and the earth was filled with violence. Yes,  God looked upon the earth, and it was ruined." So God said of that corrupt society:  "I am bringing them to ruin." (Genesis 6:11-13) Have you noticed the mounting evidence that the earth is becoming filled with violence?  Additionally, humans have arrived  at a unique point in history:  They have the potential literally to ruin the earth by wiping out all human life on it.  They have the weaponry in their hands.  And the earth is being ruined in another way. The systems that support life on earth-the air we breathe, the animal and plant ecosystems, the oceans-are steadily being degraded because of human mismanagement.  

Ask yourself, 'Just over a century ago, did mankind even have the power of complete self-destruction?'  But now humans are exerting that power by amassing advanced weaponry and by devastating the environment.  The rapid developments in technology seem to be outpacing man's ability to understand or control the consequences  However, earth's destiny is not for man to decide or control.  Before all life on this earth is eradicated, God will step in to destroy those destroying the earth. That is a promise! 

Next time: Conclusion of IS THE END NEAR?

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015