This age will continue to have perversions of every kind, debauchery, famine with starvation, wars and nations rise up and they collapse and this will continue right up to the end.
Ecc 1:9 That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.
I remember when in WWG how much they warned us to "watch" world events, so that when the 10 nations formed (10 toes of the great image in Nebuchadnezzar dream) we would know that Christ return was near, after the 3 1/2 years of great tribulation. Is that really what Christ meant by "watch"? Do we still believe as the church taught we are to keep up with the goings on of the world so we won't be caught off guard?
Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts are weighed down with headaches and drinking and anxieties of this life; and that day should suddenly come on you;
v. 35 for it shall come as a snare on all those sitting on the face of the whole earth.
v. 36 Watch therefore, praying in every season that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things which shall occur, and to stand before the Son of Man.
So yes we are to "watch" so that we can "stand before the Son of Man" at His return. And how do we "stand"? By keeping up with world events? I don't think so.
1Cor 16:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
v. 14 Let all that you do be done with love.
Eph 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
The "evil day" is right now or any day during this age.
Eph 5:14 Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light."
v. 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,
v. 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Mark 13:35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—
v. 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.
v. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake."
Mark 4:19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
We are not of this world, why have our minds on those things that we are to come out of? We need not worry about what may or may not develop because of the corruption all around us, God will provide
Matt 6:31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
Col 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
v. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
v. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
v. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
v. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
v. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,
v. 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
mercy, peace and love
Kat