As Darkness Falls
by Hal Lindsey
A shadow descends over our world. Spiritual in origin, this deepening darkness attacks human minds and thought. It diminishes, then destroys the ability to see things for what they are. Put simply, it inhibits people from thinking straight.
We see the process described in the 1st chapter of Romans, beginning at verse 18. The words are both historic and prophetic. Romans 1 does not contain a phrase identifying it as a “last days” scripture. Nevertheless, as we will see, it has great prophetic significance.
Verses 20 thru 22 show that even pagan people understand basic truths about God, and are responsible for what they know. “…so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools.”
Verse 24 says, “God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity.” In this judgment, God allows human beings to receive in themselves the things they want. He gives them the very evil for which they lust — along with the deadly consequences.
The next verse is especially fascinating given the times in which we live. “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.” [Romans 1:25]
The Greek word translated “creature” — “ktisis” — can also be translated “creation.” Creation-worship at first sounds ancient and pagan. But it’s going on right now. Exalting the creation above the Creator has become the catalyst for massive changes in how the world will soon be governed, taxed, and policed. The environmental movement has begun to rule the world because creation-worship isn’t just ancient and pagan. It is also modern… and still pagan.
Romans 1:26-27 has become controversial because of what it says about homosexuality. Many who call themselves Christian are now trying to discredit all the teachings of the Apostle Paul because of what he wrote in these two verses. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul depicted homosexuality as toxic for individuals, but also as a sign of deep moral decay on a societal level.
Romans 1:28 says, “And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind.” A “depraved mind” is a mind so perverted it can no longer think in its own best interest. At this hour, many prominent and intelligent people are pushing agendas that amount to societal suicide. That is the depth of darkness now falling on the world.
Civilizations rise.… Moral decay erodes their strength.… And then they fall. Romans 1 explains the phenomenon that has been going on for thousands of years. But it is also specific to the end times, and here’s why. In Matthew 24:37, Jesus said, “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.”
Scripture depicts the times approaching the return of Jesus as a period when moral decay spreads among all peoples — just as in Noah’s day. Romans 1 explains the reasons and consequences of moral breakdown. Since we know that such a breakdown will become global in the end times, we can look to the 1st chapter of Romans for a picture of the entire world as it nears the end of the age.
Here’s what happens. Depravity of mind spreads as more and more people fail to acknowledge God. Spiritual darkness invades human thinking at all levels. To those in that state, the obvious becomes obscure.
Morality is the lens through which we see the world. As that lens grows cloudier and filthier, humanity ceases to see the road signs left for us by the God who loves us — signs essential for secure and meaningful lives.
Sadly, this darkness is also spreading within the Church. When they continually compromise with sin, professing believers in Jesus become confused and turned around. Some just want to be liked. Others have been deeply influenced by the entertainment and educational industries. For whatever reasons, there are some from all major Christian denominations who are falling under the mind-shroud of the world’s darkness.
But we have the answer!
Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” [John 8:32] From those words, we can infer that slavery and bondage await all who reject the ultimate truth. And the ultimate truth is Jesus Himself. In John 14:6, He said, “I am… the truth.”
Psalms 119:130 says, “The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” [NKJV] Psalm 19:7 says that God’s word takes the simple and makes them wise. Psalms 107:20 says, “He sent his word, and healed them.” That refers to mental as well as spiritual and physical healing.
In John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
The world desperately needs Jesus and the revelation of Him found in the Bible. In times of darkness, the answer is light. And Jesus is the light.
