Make a Chain

“If it bleeds, it leads” seems to be the rule that newspapers, television and other news sources use today—and they have no shortage of heinous crimes and tragic occurrences to write about.

Rape, robbery, murder, extortion, corruption in political and business circles and other acts of crime and violence seem to permeate all strata of our society. Abductions, once rare, are now almost commonplace. And yet, our entertainment, in the form of television and movies, is filled with stories—some fictional, some true—of murder, mayhem and intrigue.

How did we get here? Why do we see the moral fabric of society unraveling in a way that several generations ago would have seemed unthinkable? Can we know? Are there answers? Actually, these problems were foretold long ago, with amazing accuracy, by men who were inspired to write about what was to come. “Make a chain, for the land is filled with crimes of blood, and the city is full of violence” wrote the prophet Ezekiel, millennia ago (Ezekiel 7:23). Pick any city in the United States of America and you will find that this description fits with eerie and disturbing accuracy.

The Apostle Paul instructed a young evangelist named Timothy on what to expect toward the end of the age. “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power…” (2 Timothy 3:1–5). He further stated in the same chapter, “But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (v. 13).

So, while we see it become more and more unsafe to walk our streets in towns large and small, as we see schools, churches and other public places becoming killing fields with unspeakable tragedies unfolding with alarming regularity, is there anything we can do? In reality, we cannot change society or reverse these trends on a large scale, but we can, as individuals and families, make changes that will give us protection and peace of mind.

First, on a physical level, we should be aware of the dangers in society and take precautions. Proverbs 22:3 says: “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.”

But secondly, and more importantly, we must put God and Jesus Christ first. Anciently, God promised peace and safety to those who obeyed Him: “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth” (Deuteronomy 28:1). Later in the same chapter we read: “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated…” (v. 6–7).

In other places, for example in the Psalms, it clearly shows that God is our refuge. That does not mean that bad things do not sometimes happen to good people, but it does mean that in God’s plan, provision is made for protection in this life and in the life to come.

If you want to know more about this great plan, and what it means for you now and in the future, please request our Tomorrow’s World Bible Study Course. This 24-lesson course is free, and you will find that it is fun to learn more about God’s plan and purpose. You can receive it in print, or you can take the course online.

There is no charge for this priceless information. It will change your life in many positive ways.