More than ever before, people are troubled about the rapid changes and increasing restlessness of the world at large. "I don't know what people are thinking of," a man recently told me. "Where is it all going to end?" he asked. Then he went on to say how much worse the world is than even ten years ago! Though not a professed believer on Christ, I trust our conversation will lead him to accept the Lord Jesus as his personal Saviour.

Some blame the political party in office; some the taking of prayer and Bible reading out of the schools. Some believe women working has taken jobs from men and led to the breakdown of home life. Others have their own opinions as they express in the various polls taken on related subjects. Now, all this and more may be involved as symptoms of the problem, but we must look at Scripture for the answer to our question.

In prophecy, God says, "In the latter time . . . transgressors are come to the full" (Dan. 8:23). In speaking of the Jewish people, Jesus said in Matthew 24:3-9 that right to the end of the age, they would be hated of all nations. In Luke 18:8, He asks, "When the Son of Man cometh shall He find faith on the earth?" Through Paul, the Holy Spirit says, "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived" (2 Tim. 3:13). All this proves that Scripture does not suggest any improvement at all at "the end of the age," but rather the reverse.

Many signs of the coming of the Lord to judge the world in righteousness are apparent, casting their ominous shadows before. Violence and corruption would fill the earth Jesus said, "as it was in the days of Noah" (Luke 17:26). Is this not the case even today? It is, and increasingly so. But why we might ask. Without any hesitation we say it is because of the world's rejection of God's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The basic premise of the world is: "No God for me" (Psalm 14:1, JND). Romans 3:18 says, "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

The world had its day of trial when Jesus Christ was crucified. Barabbas, a robber, was chosen rather than Jesus, and the world has had Barabbas ever since, under the dominion of Satan who is the god and prince of this Christ-rejecting world. Because of this, judgment upon the world has been pronounced by God, and it hangs overhead ready to fall at the appointed time.

There is, however, provision made by God, who loves all mankind, for the salvation of every individual out of the world and from its judgment. Though Christ is rejected by Israel and the Gentiles, He opens His arms as Saviour to receive all who feel their need, realize their danger, and come to Him in repentance and faith.

As David, the rejected king of Israel in 1 Samuel 22:1-3, received all in distress, and in debt, and discontented in the Cave of Adullam, so Christ receives all such who come to Him now. As David became their Captain, so Christ becomes the Captain of our salvation to deliver us from every foe, and from this present evil world and its judgment.

No, the world is not getting better, and it will wax worse and worse until Christ comes to judge it in righteousness. But you, my friend, can be delivered from judgment and made better, yea, born anew in Christ, and made fit for the inheritance of the saints in light, to share in Christ's coming kingdom of glory. Right now, He waits to deliver you from the power of darkness and translate you into His kingdom of light and love, the moment you put your trust in Him as your own personal Saviour.