A World Gone Mad

“What in the World?:  A World Gone Mad” 1 Chronicles 12:32; 2 Timothy 3:1-9, 12-13   “ . . . the men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do . . .” 1 Chronicles 12:32   ·         How I view the world is critical to understanding what is going on in the world.  o   Another way of saying that is my position affects my perspective, and perspective shapes understanding.    How We Often View the World . . .   ·         Looking through the lens of Scripture is not just a good idea when it comes to understanding what’s going on in the world; it’s imperative. “The unfolding of Your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.”  Psalm 119:130 “For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”  Proverbs 2:6   ·         If I want to see the world properly, I must study the word diligently. o   It’s not about being a scholar of the word, but being a student of the word. (2 Timothy 2:15, 3:14-17)   What’s Really Going on in the World?   ·         What is going on in the world is everything the Bible claims will happen in the world. o   Eventually this world, this age, will come to an end. §  Jesus validated it. (Matthew 24) §  Scripture prophesies it. ·         “And it will come about in the last days . . .” (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Micah) ·         “Now the Spirit expressly says that in the later times . . .” (1 Timothy 4:1) ·         “But understand this, that in the last days . . .” (2 Timothy 3:1) o   In the last days there will come times of difficulty. (2 Timothy 3:1) §  19 Characteristics of the last days that Paul mentions in 2 Timothy 3:2-5   ·         The world scene will get worse, before it gets better. “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”  2 Timothy 3:12-13   But It’s Not The End of the Story . . .   The glorious hope we have is found when we look through the lens of Scripture.