Moral and Social Decay (End Time)

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Biblical Basis:

  • “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money… disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy…” (2 Timothy 3:1–5).
  • “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man…” (Luke 17:26).
  • “They call evil good and good evil…” (Isaiah 5:20).
  • “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).

A. Rise in Self-Centredness, Materialism, and Narcissism

Fulfilment Evidence:

  • Cultural Narcissism – Twenge and Campbell (2009) document significant increases in narcissistic traits, especially among younger generations.
  • Social Media and Vanity Culture – Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have popularised self-promotion and image obsession.
  • Materialism in Global Capitalism – Consumer-driven economies prioritise acquisition, even in recessionary climates.

Academic References:

  • Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2009). The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement. New York: Atria.
  • Kasser, T. (2002). The High Price of Materialism. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

B. Breakdown of Family and Sexual Ethics

Fulfilment Evidence:

  • Rising Divorce Rates – Despite recent plateaus, divorce remains common, with many Western nations recording 40–50% rates (ONS, 2022).
  • Redefinition of Marriage – Legalisation of same-sex marriage across Western nations has altered traditional Judeo-Christian family structures (Waaldijk, 2004).
  • Normalisation of Pornography and Casual Sex – Easily accessible pornography and hookup culture reshape moral expectations (Flood, 2009).

Academic References:

  • Office for National Statistics (2022). Divorces in England and Wales: 2021. London: ONS.
  • Waaldijk, K. (2004). Major Legal Consequences of Marriage, Cohabitation and Registered Partnership for Different-sex and Same-sex Partners in the Netherlands. In Same-sex Couples before National, Supranational and International Law. Oxford: Hart.
  • Flood, M. (2009). The Harms of Pornography Exposure among Children and Young People. Child Abuse Review, 18(6), 384–400.

C. Moral Inversion and Cultural Relativism

Fulfilment Evidence:

  • Postmodern Ethics – Emphasis on subjectivism has resulted in the relativisation of truth and morality (Lyotard, 1984).
  • Cancel Culture and “Tolerance” Paradoxes – Societies often promote “tolerance” while silencing traditional moral voices.
  • Legal Protection for Immorality – Practices once criminalised (e.g., euthanasia, drug use, gender alteration in children) are now legally endorsed in many nations.

Academic References:

  • Lyotard, J.-F. (1984). The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
  • Scruton, R. (2014). How to Be a Conservative. London: Bloomsbury.
  • Beckwith, F. J. (2007). Defending Life: A Moral and Legal Case Against Abortion Choice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

D. Parallels with the Days of Noah and Lot

Fulfilment Evidence:

  • Indifference Toward Moral Accountability – As in Genesis 6 and Luke 17, many live as though judgement will never come.
  • Increase in Violence and Corruption – Global terrorism, mass shootings, and state-sponsored oppression continue to rise (Global Peace Index, 2023).
  • Normalisation of Sodomy and Public Pride Movements – Patterns from Sodom re-emerge in overt public celebration of sexual deviation (cf. Genesis 19; Romans 1:26–28).

Academic References:

  • Institute for Economics and Peace (2023). Global Peace Index 2023: Measuring Peace in a Complex World. Sydney: IEP.
  • Harrington, D. J. (1995). The Gospel of Luke. Collegeville: Liturgical Press.
  • Mohler, R. A. (2011). We Cannot Be Silent: Speaking Truth to a Culture Redefining Sex, Marriage, and the Very Meaning of Right and Wrong. Nashville: Nelson Books.

Conclusion

Biblical prophecy warns that society would descend into moral chaos before the end—marked by pride, lawlessness, perversion, and rebellion. From sexual ethics to identity and family breakdown, today’s social climate increasingly mirrors prophetic descriptions. Although many celebrate these changes as progress, their spiritual implications echo ancient warnings of judgment.

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