New Church Life May/June 2017 | Page 24

n e w c h u r c h l i f e : m ay / j u n e 2 0 1 7 and having rejected all that is good and true, and all of the Lord’s efforts to bring them into heaven, judge themselves and betake themselves to their chosen hell where they will live under restraints forever.) 3A. Possible equivalent of the second state emerging in the world of our day? Do we see any parallels in the last 70 or 80 years in what appears to be happening in the world about us? • Surely there is ample evidence of that new freedom of willing and thinking in spiritual, moral, political and social issues that came into effect with the last judgment. On the bad side: There have been powerful and persuasive attacks on the belief in God, on the Word, on the keeping of God’s commandments, especially on marriage, innocence and anything decent and holy. (See True Christian Religion 619) • It would seem that open, unapologetic criminal behavior, blatant immoralities and mass atrocities, etc., may be on the rise. A lot of people young and old have been horribly exploited and abused in the process. On the good side: In today’s world a growing number of people are ready to renounce blind obedience to church and worldly authorities. • There is an increased willingness to rethink and explore other philosophies and theological beliefs than the ones that they were reared in. • There also seems to be growing longing and call on the part of many for peace, justice, ethical and fair dealing within and between nations. • There has been exposure and condemnation and determined efforts to rid the world of human slavery. • Similarly, there are efforts in almost every part of the world to improve the lives of women and children. • There is a rising tide of voices and efforts to prod people all around the globe to become better stewards of our natural environment. However, for the good, the well-disposed, there is not much respite as yet from adversity visited upon society by the misdirected and the evil. Not a few people are crying out, “How long, O Lord?” And the answer is still: “Time, and times, and half a time.” • The simple fact is that the well-disposed, perhaps society-wide, maybe worldwide, will need to be willing to recognize false ideas and false doctrines for what they are – irredeemably false, having experienced the 204