End of time: collapse of civilization
God’s Word tells us that a civilization collapses from within; one person at a time, like a pebble thrown into a still lake, causing a ripple effect that creates a disturbance across the entire surface of the water. However, before peaceful water can be disturbed, the pebble must cause it to lose its stability.
“… Because the one that moves is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and shaken. Let that man not think that he will receive something from the Lord. The double-minded man is fickle in all his ways.” (James 1: 6b-8)
Once the water becomes unstable, a chain reaction begins that cannot be stopped or controlled. Only time or a miracle, some intervention of God himself, can restore peace to the water.
People are double-minded and unstable every day, and yet somehow we’ve been able (for the most part) to avoid the most obvious consequences of this instability. But this does not prove that the consequences are not on the way.
History has recorded the dramatic collapse of previous countries and civilizations, which eventually over time have been able to rebuild and recover. Therefore, we can wrongly conclude that collapse comes and goes and will do it forever. But God has revealed that at some point in the near future the inhabitants of planet Earth will experience a worldwide collapse of civilization, which will be so catastrophic that it will require the personal intervention of God Himself to rebuild and recover.
Double-mindedness could also be called “indecision,” “confusion,” or “chaos.” The Bible tells us that confusion is “of the devil” because it is contrary to the necessary order that God has established to maintain human life. So we can conclude that double mindedness is like a disease, very similar to mental illness that requires God’s healing method to recover.
When considering any disease and what it takes for someone to be “whole,” we must also consider all the dimensions of the body that may be involved and contribute to the disease. Dimensions that included the whole person include the spirit, body, mind, and emotions. Therefore, it is convenient to address each dimension and discover the role it can play in each specific disease.
God has created the body to heal itself, when given what it needs to function properly. Originally, the environment we live in and the food that God created for us to eat were specifically designed to meet these needs. However, over time, the integrity of our food and the environment has been altered and degraded, so now we must supplement to meet the body’s needs and stay healthy.
Therefore, when we approach double-mindedness, we should not approach it solely as a problem that exists within the mind. God’s Word tells us that “double mindedness” can originate in the spirit and manifest itself through indecision, confusion, and chaos. So if we want to heal the mind, we must also address the spirit, body, and emotions to find out what it takes to heal.
Considering the spiritual dimension, if double-mindedness ultimately leads to collapse and self-destruction, then we must pursue the opposite of double-mindedness. That is “determination”.
What is perseverance?
If the double mind is indecision, confusion and chaos, the determination must be based on decision, order and peace. If we follow decision, order and peace, we will eventually be led to the Truth. This Truth (with a capital “V”) is not the conflicting “truths” based on the confusing and chaotic assumptions and changing opinions of the world, but the Truth based on an absolute Truth provided by the One True God who created all things. and ordered how everything created must function and be maintained.
God Himself is the only one who is qualified to provide absolute and genuine Truth. “God forbid: yes, may God be true, but every man is a liar; as it is written: So that you may be justified in your sayings, and you will win when you are judged.” (Romans 3: 4)
Since Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life and since He is also the Living Word of God in the flesh, the only way we can find life and avoid the double mindedness that leads to self-destruction and the collapse of civilization. it is embracing the Truth of God’s Word.
Perhaps it is not too late and collapse can still be avoided by following 2 Chronicles 7:14 which gives us God’s promise that He will intervene, if His people turn from their evil ways. But perhaps it is too late and He knows that His people, as a whole, will not regret it.
Even if the pebble has already been thrown into the water and the coming collapse cannot be avoided, we can still personally repent (denounce and turn away from) going our own way and submitting to the preeminence and absolute Word of our Creator, God. Almighty. Holding on to God and His Word is the only way we can personally endure to the end and be saved eternally, while the world around us is being destroyed.
God Himself has promised that He will intervene to rebuild and restore what has been destroyed by human selfishness and rebellion. Those who genuinely love Him and His Word will inherit the new heaven and earth.
“Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. And if you go and prepare a place to you, I will come again and receive you myself, so that where I am, you will also be “. (John 14: 1-3)
Believing in Jesus Christ means accepting what He says as the preeminent standard of Truth. When we entrust our eternal life to Him, one day we will receive all that He has promised.
We have His Word on it:
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)