Signs

A couple of years ago, during a staff meeting at work we were required to sign a new policy which had been drafted called the “Active Shooter Scenario”. As I signed it I remember saying , “Well, isn’t this a sign of the times?!” And since then, reports of mass shootings have happened over and over and over again in our news reports. We no longer have to say, “Is this an actual increase or are we just able to hear about events within moments given our communication systems?”, because it’s an obvious increase to EVERYONE.

According to Wikipedia, the rates of gun violence have tripled since 2011 and there have been 27 mass shootings (10 victims or more) from 1949 through 2018 in this country. That’s 2.5 too many per year and that doesn’t even include the 3 recorded so far in 2019 (more if you use the general definition of 4 or more casualties).

And what I find most interesting is that these events occur predominantly in America. It has been suggested that this can be correlated directly to the fact that we own 42% of the world’s guns (Fisher and Keller, 2017). I can’t argue with percentages but guns don’t kill, people do. I don’t feel the issue is about guns as much as it is about matters of the heart. “For out of the heart come evil thoughts….Matthews 15:19. And who can argue that these acts are not pure evil, no matter what your belief system!

So what are “signs of the times” and what does that statement reference? According to Encyclopedia.com, it is a Biblical expression from the book of Matthews (Matthews 16:2-3). Jesus in response to His disciples asking what would be the signs prior to to the end of the age, gives the following list: wars/conflict, natural disasters/earthquakes/pestilence, false Christs, Christian persecution, and lawlessness (Matthews 24:13). In light of recent news, the term “lawlessness” helps me understand the events taking place in our society. The verses go on to say, “and because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthews 24:12).

Lawlessness is defined as behavior that does not conform to the rules and laws of society (Dictionary.com), which also includes the laws of God. This is what happens in a society where there is no respect for rules and boundaries, where everyone gets to decide his or her own truth. In the history of the Bible, when people were no longer following the boundaries set by the laws of God, everyone did “what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6). Are we there?

I have searched the Bible for understanding about our times and hope for our future. The Bible is stuffed full of inspiration and assurances that God is at work behind the scenes of this world AND is interested in the details of our lives. As dark as our times are becoming as reflected in today’s headlines, I love the quote by Anne Graham-Lotz, “The world is not falling apart, but is falling into place”. In other words, God is in ultimate control and is allowing the signs of our times to unfold for His purposes.

The events in our news are horrible and horrific. I cannot fathom the hurt and despair the family and friends are going through from these mass shooting events. No words or platitudes can explain away the pain and anger they must be experiencing. But our world without the redemptive power of Christ will only grow darker and darker. I can only pray that they find comfort in their grief.

I also pray that some positive consequence can result from what was intended for evil (Genesis 50:20). For myself, these most recent incidences have moved me to take action to become more involved in looking for ways to protect our citizens. The young, the elderly, and everyone in between are in the line of fire just going about their everyday lives. It is time to place the safety of all above the rights of a few.

Reference: Fisher, M. and Keller, J. “What Explains US Mass Shootings? International Comparisons Suggest an Answer”, November, 2017.