Societal Characteristics of the Last Days: Part 6 :: By Mark A. Becker
Romans 1:29-30 Introduction This is a continuation of our Societal Characteristics of the Last Days series. In Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4,we studied Paul’s societal characteristics given to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:1-7. Part5, Part 6, and Part 7 will be focused on Paul’s Characteristics of the Last Days as given […]
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Societal Characteristics of the Last Days: Part 6 :: By Mark A. Becker
Introduction
This is a continuation of our Societal Characteristics of the Last Days series. In Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4,we studied Paul’s societal characteristics given to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:1-7. Part5, Part 6, and Part 7 will be focused on Paul’s Characteristics of the Last Days as given to the Romans in Romans 1:28-32.
Though Romans 1:28-32 is a rundown of the characteristics of the antediluvian world just prior to the judgment of the flood, we can be sure that these characteristics – which are so similar to those in 2 Timothy 3:1-7 – are being repeated today just prior to God’s wrath being poured out during the Tribulation period. After all, Jesus said that the last days would be similar to those of the pre-flood world:
“But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” (Matthew 24:37-39).
As we did in the first four parts, we will look at the definitions of the words in the original Greek, note some practical observations, include supplemental Scriptures, offer Christian encouragement, and, in a few instances, a sampling of current events in an attempt to expound upon these Societal Characteristics of the Last Days.
I would also like to offer a reminder to the reader of what we had written regarding our position in the world before we came to Christ in the series dedicated to the characteristics found in 2 Timothy 3:
Admittedly, and not surprisingly, this series might very well be considered offensive to the world. This study is viewed through the lens of the Creator’s revealed character and expectations of His creatures found in the Word of God.
The Savior has commanded His children to love all people, including our enemies. Jesus Christ proved His love to all of humanity as He prayed for His executioners while being crucified and, ultimately, paying the penalty of every human being’s sins on the cross, satisfying the Father’s wrath against us.
The truth is, we all were an abomination in the eyes of a Holy and Just God before realizing our desperate need for a Savior and giving our lives to Him. May our love of God and mankind always be our guide as we witness to a lost and dying world, directing them to the one true God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:29 (continued)
Being filled with all… Deceit
The Greek word for “deceit” is 1388 δόλος “dólos” and means a bait, craft, deceit, guile, subtilty (trickery), using bait to alure (“hook”) people, especially those already festering in excessive, emotional pain (brought on by themselves). (“deceit motivated by guile“) uses decoys to snare (deceive) people which implies treachery to exploit the naive (undiscerning) – baiting them through (with) their own greed. [1388 (dólos) is the root of: 1386 (dólios), 1387 (dolióō) and 1389 (dolóō).] From an obsolete primary verb, dello (probably meaning to decoy; compare deleazo); a trick (bait), i.e. (figuratively) wile — craft, deceit, guile, subtilty. (emphasis mine)
“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” (Genesis 3:1).
The Hebrew word for “subtil” is 6175 עָרוּם “arum” and means crafty, prudent, sensible, shrewd. We see the link between Satan’s craftiness and men’s deceit as they both are meant to produce an evil end at the expense of others in order to preserve and elevate self and self-gratification using subversive craft and trickery with sensible and prudent lures.
“Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him. And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?” (Acts 13:9-10).
Deception is the way of the world and the world system. Since Satan is currently the prince of this world (John 16:11 and Ephesians 2:2), we should expect that our world would be drowning in deception – especially in these last of the last days – as our Lord warned us (Matthew 24:4) and as we unceasingly witness in our daily walk with the Lord.
We see people today who “pervert the right ways of the Lord” in every sphere of influence. As they do, are they intentionally deceiving others with a nefarious purpose? Are they baiting others to accept things in life that they never would have accepted in the past? What about the church?
Just consider two popular world topics: the acceptance of sexual perversions and abortion. Have people used subtle deceit, playing on other people’s emotions to change their once solid, Biblical, and moral convictions on these issues?
Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Churches all across the world have engaged in succumbing to societal pressures to conform to the world’s wicked ways.
Here is a sampling of hundreds of current examples I have acquired over the past few years of compromise within the “church” through deceit on just the acceptance of sexual perversions and abortion issues:
Stacey Abrams Says Her “Christian Faith” Caused Her to Support Abortion (disntr.com)
Raphael Warnock Claims God is Pro-Abortion – LifeNews.com
Lutheran Pastors Meet Up at Gay Bar for Celebration After Annual Meeting (disntr.com)
Episcopal Church Comes Out in Support of Sex Changes ‘at All Ages’ (breitbart.com)
The Gospel Coalition Calls on Christians to Affirm Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage (disntr.com)
Evangelical Pastor Says He’s Affirming of LGBTQ+ Because of the Bible (disntr.com)
Kamala Harris Claims It’s OK for Christians to Support Killing Babies in Abortions – LifeNews.com
Texas Church Hosts “All Ages” Drag Bingo, Major Protest Ensues (disntr.com)
LGBTQ Activist Says Revelation 7:9 is Proof That God Includes LGBTQ People (disntr.com)
From “fake news” to censoring opinions and applying societal pressures, people are deceiving professing Christians in order to change their once solid Judeo-Christian values and are succeeding at an alarming rate.
Subtilty of deceit originates and comes from Satan:
“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:2-3).
May we all remain in the “simplicity that is in Christ” so we may prosper by His loving hand, and may we all be aware of the subtle and not so subtle deception of the enemy of our souls and his minions.
Being Filled With All… Malignity
The Greek word for “malignity” is 2550 κακοήθεια “kakoḗtheia” and means malice, evil-mindedness, malignity, malevolence (from 2556/kakós, “an evil, vicious disposition” and 2239/ēthos, “custom”) – a malicious disposition (character) that fosters and fondles evil habits. 2550/kakoḗtheia (“malignity”) inevitably shows itself in acts of deceit (treachery) – i.e., what is characteristic of” ‘evil-mindedness‘ that puts the worst construction on everything” (Souter). From a compound of kakos and ethos; bad character, i.e. (specially) mischievousness — malignity. See GREEK kakos. (emphasis mine)
“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5).
Here, again, we have a definition that seems to incorporate many of the other words we have been looking at. The interconnectedness of these societal characteristics cannot be overlooked.
Malignity is a perpetual state of evil within the heart, character, and actions of the individual and, in the case of society (as we are looking at in our study), the collective conduct of a malevolent people in every situation.
We see this most prominently in what’s commonly known as “mob rules.” People, as they so often do, instinctively want to adhere to a crowd regardless of the sinful malevolence or objectively immoral and overtly wicked qualities behind the movement.
Yet, malignity is an individual endeavor as well. After all, you need the individuals to come together to form the mob.
When it comes to individual malignity and its relationship to despitefulness, we will see a sampling of current examples under the societal characteristic heading of “despiteful” below.
The child of God, on the other hand, is implored to…
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:29-32).
In order for us to do this, we must – through the leading of the indwelling Holy Spirit – recognize the malignity pervading the world and let Christ’s light shine through in our lives as a testament against them and their evil, malignant ways.
… Whisperers
The Greek word for “whisperers” is 5588 ψιθυριστής “psithyristḗs” and means properly, a whisperer; a sneaky gossip (a “back-stabber”); a backbiter, quietly (secretly) destroying another person’s character – i.e., covertly, not out in the open, but rather operating “in a corner.” See 5587 (psithyrismos). From the same as psithurismos; a secret calumniator — whisperer. (emphasis mine)
“Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour; I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:16).
What once was considered an evil behavior and frowned upon by society has become an act that is expected – even encouraged – by everyone from the local teenagers down the street to those in the highest offices of power.
Who can find a trustworthy comrade these days? Rare, indeed, is a loyal friend who doesn’t succumb to the desire to “whisper” to others with tawdry and slanderous gossip. Whether true or fable, it really doesn’t matter; what does matter is first building another up while at the same time tearing another down.
But beware to the one who’s being built up because soon thereafter, the perpetrator will turn on them as well.
The backstabber today is in no short supply. Always done with a friendly smile and phony respect paid to the unsuspecting offended party to their face, the countenance soon changes with the meeting up of another to impart destructive and hurtful words.
“The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly” (Proverbs 18:8).
No man or woman is exempt from the “whisperer” who seeks to destroy the character of those around them. And everyone seems more than eager to hear the sneaky gossip of another, never realizing that they are next in line for the same. Never satisfied with the ruin of another, they continue on in their pursuit of destroying the next victim, never seeming to run out of prey.
What’s more – as the cancer grows – more perpetrators are doing the same thing to each other, each thinking they are immune to the spreading disease. Each only fooling themselves with intentional blind observation of the coming recompense because of their own enjoyment of hearing the tale of another’s plight. Everyone is socially dead to each other, and yet nobody seems to take notice.
For the man or woman of God, though, we will have no part in this evil practice. For we should be known as those who keep and guard a secret in the hopes of aiding the hurting brother or sister, as we seek to give wise counsel.
“A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter” (Proverbs 11:13).
In doing this – being a faithful friend – we gain a good name.
“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1).
We bear The Name above all names and represent Him to the world as His ambassadors — a mighty responsibility, indeed!
… Backbiters
The Greek word for “backbiters” is 2637 κατάλαλος “katálalos” and means backbiter, slanderer, slanderous, back-biting; subst: a railer, defamer. See 2635 (katalaleō). From kata and the base of laleo; talkative against, i.e., A slanderer — backbiter. see GREEK kata. (emphasis mine)
“Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer” (Psalm 101:5).
Whisperers and backbiters are kindred spirits – uniquely inseparable – and are in plentiful supply today. Actually, they’ve been in abundance for quite some time; some would say, forever. But today, it’s a rarity to find one who isn’t a whisperer and a backbiter.
The difference between a whisperer and a backbiter is subtle. And indeed, as noted above, they have their partnership with each other. They are familiar friends, one with the other.
The Greek definition of “backbiter” seems more in tune with those who actually have no regard for offending the other party in secret, but, rather, they quite enjoy committing their evil deeds in public. They appear to have no concern for being found out.
Observing the utter joy in people today who slander, defame, and backbite others in public for their own personal benefit, jealousy, or for getting even from a perceived wrong is downright intense. The endgame for these people always seems to be to destroy somebody’s life, and, usually, the more the merrier for them.
Sadly, even Christians need to be reminded to avoid slandering and backbiting their own brothers and sisters in the Lord, and not to “speak evil one of another.”
“Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge” (James 4:11).
One would think that if we are to exhibit the love of Yeshua that this wouldn’t be an issue within the body of Christ. Yet here we are with this admonition from James, and, unbelievably, we are witnessing this type of behavior in the professing churches today. This is just one more sign that we are living in the last of the last days.
We need to earnestly heed the Words of our Lord and Savior:
“A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:35-37).
… Haters of God
The Greek word for “haters of God” is 2319 θεοστυγής “theostygḗs” and means hater of God, hating God, hateful to God (a substantival adjective, derived from 2316/theós, “God” and stygeō, “abhor”) – properly, to abhor God (His will). This rare term refers to people who totally turn against the Lord (used only in Ro 1:30). From theos and the base of stugnetos; hateful to God, i.e., Impious — hater of God. (emphasis mine)
“For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death” (Proverbs 8:35-36).
Once the rapture takes place, there will not be one person alive who it could be said that they love God.
I expect there will be many who will have deceived themselves in thinking that they were saved and loved God before the rapture occurred, but they will have been false converts, or they followed after a false Jesus and/or a false gospel. It will be imperative for them to use their time wisely and be truly converted during the most trying time on earth. But at least they’ll have a chance.
The vast majority of people left behind after the rapture will, up to that point, have been haters of God and His Son. While this condition will become the worldly norm during the Tribulation, we should expect to see this hatred elevated during the last of the last days, and we certainly see this today! And it’s only going to get worse.
The persecution of God’s people, in the Name of their God and Savior, Jesus Christ, is ramping up all over the world.
The ultimate hating of God is the unfounded hating of the Creator and Savior.
“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:18-19).
So, be prepared, Saint. The world hates you because they hate your Lord. They hate God, and they will hate you for your love and stand for God. In order for them to hate you for loving Jesus, you must also show yourself to be His follower by earnestly loving the brethren.
“These things I command you, that ye love one another” (John 15:17).
And through this love that we have for one another, let us share this God-given agape love with the world who so desperately need it, and introduce them to Yeshua, who is the embodiment of that love!
… Despiteful
The Greek word for “despiteful” is 5197 ὑβριστής “hybristḗs” and means a violent, injurious, insolent man (a masculine noun derived from 5195/hybrízō) – properly, someone “damaging” others by lashing out with a nasty spirit. This kind of individual is insolent (delights in wrong-doing) – finding pleasure in hurting others (G. R. Berry). See 5195 (hybrizō). From hubrizo; an insulter, i.e., Maltreater — despiteful, injurious. (emphasis mine)
This word is translated “injurious” in 1 Timothy 1:13 where Paul applies it to himself when he persecuted the church before his conversion – “… who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.”
And isn’t this the same for all of us before we came to Christ? Weren’t we all injurious and despiteful of the things of God?
“The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence” (Genesis 6:11).
This was the state of the earth before the judgment of the flood and will also be the state of the world leading up to the Tribulation and through the Tribulation.
“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Matthew 24:7a).
Injurious, despiteful, violent, and damaging to others and God. So is the way of the world without the Savior, and this is exactly what we see today, as did the pre-flood world.
Along with malignity, here’s just a sampling of the violence and injurious propensities we see today:
Report: Taliban Engaging in ‘Routine Torture’ of Afghan Christians (breitbart.com)
Canada: Series of Stabbings Leave 10 People Dead, 15 Wounded (breitbart.com)
Woman Beheaded On California Street As Witnesses Watch In Horror | The Daily Wire
How Victims of Rape Are Viewed: The Persecution of Christians, August 2022 :: Gatestone Institute
“The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth” (Psalm 11:5).
There are only two paths for mankind: that of righteousness and spiritual peace and that of wickedness and physical violence.
As Saints of God, we have killed the old man and put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering” (Colossians 3:12).
Christ is our righteousness, and we should walk in Him.
… Proud
The Greek word for “proud” is ὑπερήφανος 5244 “hyperḗphanos” and means proud, arrogant, disdainful (from 5228/hypér, “beyond, over” and 5316/phaínō, “shine forth”) – properly, over-shine, trying to be more than what God directs, i.e., going beyond the faith He imparts (cf. Ro 12:2,3). From huper and phaino; appearing above others (conspicuous), i.e. (figuratively) haughty — proud. (emphasis mine)
Paul used this word in 2 Timothy 3:2, and both Peter and James applied the word in quoting Proverbs 3:34, as God resisting the proud (James 4:6 & 1 Peter 5:5).
“Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished” (Proverbs 16:5).
Satan’s sin was pride. Man’s struggle with sin always involves pride.
First on God’s list of the things He hates?
“These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look…” (Proverbs 6:16-17).
And what’s the world’s reaction to what God hates? The world pushes pride in the face of their Creator!
“Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth” (Psalm 73:6-9).
Here’s just a sampling of what took place over this past June’s “Pride” Month:
Columbus Ohio Police Unveil “Pride Cruiser” for Family Friendly Gay Pride Month (substack.com)
US military marches in front of Pride flag, no American flag in sight | The Post Millennial
Duke Energy Sponsors’ Youth Pride Carnival’ for Children (breitbart.com)
5 Things We Saw at DC’s Gay Pride Parade (dailysignal.com)
U.S. Marine Corps Goes Woke, Celebrates ‘Pride Month’ with Rainbow Bullets (breitbart.com)
Target Goes All In For Pride Month (prophecynewswatch.com)
Italian Gay Pride Parade Features Topless Virgin Mary (breitbart.com)
Oreo Cookies Tout’ Pride Pack’ for June Pride Month (breitbart.com)
“For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself” (Galatians 6:3).
This world is deceived by their arrogant pride — and seems to love it so! The societal characteristic of pride has been a universal blight in the experience of mankind and will be until the Eternal Kingdom commences.
Though the redeemed of the Lord have been set free from this contagious proclivity, we can still, at times, struggle with this pervasive scourge. May the brother and sister in the Lord rely solely on the Spirit of Christ, and let not the arrogance of pride be found amongst us.
… Boasters
The Greek word for “boasters” is ἀλαζών 213 “alazṓn” and means vagabond, an impostor, boaster (a masculine noun) – properly, a wandering vagrant (vagabond), imposter, braggart, boasting to anyone who is foolish enough to take him seriously! This kind of person claims many things he can’t really do, so he must always keep moving on to new, naive listeners. [As a masculine noun, 213 (alazṓn) tends to focus on the source of the empty boasting, i.e., the sinful arrogance that drives it.] (emphasis mine)
Paul used this same word in 2 Timothy 3:2.
Here’s what we noted about “boasters” in Societal Characteristics of the Last Days: Part 1:
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).
The culture of the United States is a cesspool of boasting. From exalted entertainers and sports figures to the elite corporate and social media tycoons and political talking heads. Those in the upper echelons of public life are as arrogant as they come.
Consider the rulers of other nations; how they boast of their newest weapons, luxury palaces, and the power they wield.
How’s your circle of influence and observations concerning this character trait? Is it as prevalent in your sphere as it is in my everyday walk in this world?
As Christians, we should all declare:
“My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad” (Psalm 34:2).
Do we see arrogant boasting in our society, from the top-down, today, and does it seem to be intensifying? I’d say it would be an exception for one not to acknowledge this trend.
Arrogance, pride, and boasting are deceived triplets bursting at the seam of man’s idealistic sense of self-worth, a pretense that has plagued humanity since the fall. From the selfie to idolatrous self-love in today’s world, the masses boast of themselves to whoever will listen.
As children of God, we have our marching orders:
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Romans 12:1-3).
March on in faith, Saints of God, and “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God!”
Conclusion
“These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19).
We would do well to complete Part5, Part 6, and Part 7 of Societal Characteristics of the Last Days with a well-known verse that reminds us of who we are really dealing with when it comes to these abhorrent sinful conditions of mankind.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).
May well all remember who our enemy is.
And may we all be continually Answering the Call of The Great Commission, and giving an answer to every man and woman who so desperately needs Jesus and asks, Why Am I Here and What Is It All About?
Keep reaching the lost for Christ while we still have time.
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Love, grace, mercy, and shalom in Messiah Yeshua, and Maranatha!
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