More Extreme Crimes

Last weekend, former U.S. President Donald Trump was injured in an assassination attempt at a political rally. As widely reported, Mr. Trump was shot in the ear with a bullet that just barely missed his skull. The gunman was killed and at least one member of the audience present at the rally was also killed. The attack prompted President Biden to make a statement condemning political violence.

In the last couple weeks, other extreme crimes have been committed in diverse locations. In England, a 34-year-old man was arrested in connection with two suitcases found in Bristol, England, that contained the body parts of two men (Reuters, July 13, 2024). Officials said that the suspect traveled with the suitcases from London. And at a rubbish dump in Nairobi, Kenya, police found several plastic bags containing body parts of at least six female victims (The Guardian, July 13, 2024). Remains of two men and another woman were found at the site previously. Opponents of Kenya’s president, William Ruto, have accused police of foul play.

As the world descends into further chaos, we should be reminded of Ezekiel’s vision in which God commands His angel to “put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within” the land (Ezekiel 9:4). As atrocities increase around the globe, broadcast by the ever-present news media, it is easy to become calloused. Those who seek to truly follow Jesus Christ must not let this happen and should increase the intensity of their prayers asking for His return to occur soon: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20). To learn more about signs to watch for that indicate the approach of Christ’s Second Coming, read or listen to Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ’s Return.