Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - PROGRESS OR PROPHECY - PART TWO

 PROGRESS or PROPHECY - PART TWO

It is said in 2 Timothy that: “…in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves…proud…unloving…despisers of good…” (3:1-3). A few weeks ago, it was mentioned how the progress that mankind seemingly has made has been tempered with an apparent sense of inwardness and self-satisfaction rather than true advancement in life and living. This statement is similar to what Timothy indicated above. So, is it truly progress that society is making or fulfillment of the prophecy as stated? So to continue what was started a few weeks ago in that we have learned to add years to life but not life to years.

As history tells us, we have been able to go to the moon and back but we often have trouble crossing the street to meet neighbours.

In effect, we have conquered outer space, but not inner space.

Indicating that we have done larger things but not better things.

In many ways, we have cleaned up much of the air but have continued to pollute the soul. We have split the atom but intensified our prejudices.

And in addition:

• we write more but learn less.
• we plan more but accomplish less. And
• often exert more effort but meet with less success.
• we have learned to rush but not to wait

And much of this has resulted in us having higher incomes but lower morals; steep profits but shallow relationships.

We have:

• more food available but less appeasement from our diet
• an increased variety of food but with less nutrition
• more acquaintances but fewer friends
• faster food but slower digestion

We have built more computers to hold more information and to produce more copies than ever but we commune with each other less than ever, have more leisure but less faith and often two incomes but more divorce.

We have become taller in stature but shorter in character

We: 

• talk too much but love too seldom and lie too often 
• take quick trips 
• have a throw away mentality
• succumb to one night stands
• have pills that do everything from cheer us up, to quiet us down, to even cause death but we still have overweight bodies.

It is a time when there is much in the show window but nothing in the stockroom.*

All of this really indicates that we have truly become lovers of ourselves, proud of our outward show, and less concerned about our inward character. It is really a fulfillment of what was said in Timothy and in many ways reflects the reality of our world.

Isaiah may also have reflected on our times when he stated: “Woe to those that call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. “(Isaiah 5:20)

Charles Dickens wrote:

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,

it was the age if wisdom, it was the age of foolishness,

it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity,

it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness,

it was the spring of hope , it was the winter of despair.**

I wonder if someone, looking back from sometime in the future, would consider the above to be a fit description of our place in the world today.

It does give one something to think about.

*As for Progress or Prophecy One. From an unknown author as reported in the study guide to Romans by Dr. David Jeremiah.

** Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities