Do you feel the present world passing away fast?

Robert Sock · #1 Jul 24, '12, 9:38 pm

What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
--1 Corinthians 7: 29-31

Contra Mundum · #2 Jul 24, '12, 9:53 pm

I sometimes feel it. I feel the urgency of deeper conversion. I sometimes very clearly see current fads as something temporary, just a blink in eternity. That hepls me see things in perspective and keep close to God.

SgtSchultz · #3 Jul 24, '12, 10:21 pm

No I don't, but I do see parallels between earlier epochs in history. The hedonism, culture of death, lack of morals, and hyper-focus on the individual that we see today are not unique. We are going through a phase, and I feel that the pendulum is going to start swinging back. The world will go on, but it will change, albeit slowly.

Don't despair! If you worry too much about all the bad you see in the world, you'll get depressed and may lose hope!

I'm grateful that I don't live in 1930s Europe, with all the violence, instability, and social and economic upheaval. I'm also grateful I didn't live in Japan or Rome during the times when you were tortured and killed for your beliefs, and that I don't live in a Muslim-majority country. I have a nice place to live, family that loves me, good opportunities, I live in a great city in a wonderful country that I love, and I cry and thank God.

InJesusItrust · #4 Jul 24, '12, 10:32 pm

I feel anxious that the chastisement spoken of by many mystics as well as warnings from Mary will befall us soon. Seeing how secularism and materialism growing so much in the world, as well as so much hatred of Christianity I can't help but feel that Russia has spread her errors.

SgtSchultz · #5 Jul 24, '12, 10:40 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by InJesusItrust

I can't help but feel that Russia has spread her errors.

Actually I've read that Russia might be moving back to a more traditional phase. I heard that the population is declining so the government is starting to crack down on abortions and is going to give incentives for families. Also, so many are sick and tired of the corruption and excess of the post-Soviet regime that they're turning back to the old ways.

fkjuliano · #6 Jul 25, '12, 1:34 am

Yes.

To me the biggest sign is the inroads Islam is making in Europe and North America, which obviously have been the heartland of Christianity for the past several centuries. Many have been wrong in making this statement before, but I believe the final confrontation between good and evil looms.

fred conty · #7 Jul 25, '12, 5:23 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Sock

What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
--1 Corinthians 7: 29-31

Looking at history, the world is ever changing and has always looked like it was passing away fast to every generation.

I believe Jesus said something like, "this world will pass away, but my words will never pass away."

So his words are applicable to every generation since he is saying that his words will be with us always. Words of hope, since he is the way, the truth, and the light to guide us.

Here is Mother Teresa's interpretation of his hope for our generation.

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

Contra Mundum · #8 Jul 25, '12, 7:11 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by fred conty

Looking at history, the world is ever changing and has always looked like it was passing away fast to every generation.

I believe Jesus said something like, "this world will pass away, but my words will never pass away."

I agree. We should always look at the big picture and not just be focused on the present time and its politics. I'm sure every period had people worrying about something and seeing signs that the end of the world is near.

LB_in_TX · #9 Jul 25, '12, 8:00 am

All I can say is I see many changes that I don't like about our world, mankind is and has been going down a sinful path for millenium. Though in our lifetime there have been fewer restraints on the vocalization due to fewer restraints on what is said, and due to technology.

I can only work to learn the will and word of God, and hopefully touch someone to do the same.

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. (Matthew 36-39)

Mijoy2 · #10 Jul 25, '12, 11:54 am

The present world is in a constant state of change. Over the last few decades these changes have been substantial socially speaking. We now have a divide between conservative and liberal mindsets with each feeling strongly about thier respective philosophies. The more conservative claims the "moral decline" (which the liberals deny is a moral decline) will continue at the same rate. An example of this would be that gay marriage will invite polygamy or incestual marriages next. Promiscuity and the sexual revolution will get more and more in your face and there will be no moral code what so ever.

I am not sure what to think. Is there an inherent limit to these changes where all would agree that three should never be allow to marry; where sexual activity in the main streets of america will always be viewed as immoral? I do not know the answer to this. But I suspect an inertia preventing these things from spiraling out of control (if your view is that these things are wrong).

With the assumption these things are wrong; against an objective morallity/truth, will it ultimately cause a demise either directly or indirectly by God? I do not believe so. My reason for not believing so is that I see no evidence of it at all. I see no physical or explicit sign of Gods disapproval. Of course I certainly see Gods disaproval in Gods Word. But no current manifestation of any warning or anything about to happen.

This makes me assume things will carry on as is for an indefinate amount of time. I know others feel differently but I just do not see the evidence. I can't buy climatic changes, or earthquake activity or any such claimed changes. I think if God were "make a statement" He wouldn't make it ambiguous. In other words we'd have a crippling blizzard in Florida in July, or 10.0 earthquake leveling entire countries.

I guess time will tell.

timotheos · #11 Jul 25, '12, 8:07 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by fred conty

Here is Mother Teresa's interpretation of his hope for our generation.

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

Beautiful. Simple and beautiful. Thanks Fred.

Lady Love · #12 Jul 26, '12, 2:59 pm

I hope so because I can't wait to go home. Get me the hell out of here! Come Jesus! Come and take your bride to yourself. Do not delay.

Robert Sock · #13 Jul 30, '12, 1:03 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Love

I hope so because I can't wait to go home. Get me the hell out of here! Come Jesus! Come and take your bride to yourself. Do not delay.

The Golden Key to Heaven
by Saint Anthony Mary Claret

The death of the just: Death will reach everyone, the good and the bad; but the destiny of each one is quite different. The just man sees himself in this valley of tears as a prisoner, serving a very hard term. He considers himself a slave in this world, suffering an extremely distressing servitude. He regards himself a sailor caught in a horrible storm. And as death means an end of his confinement, an end of his slavery, and is the port of his salvation, he ceases not to cry with David, "Woe is me that my sojourning is prolonged!. . ." (Ps. 119:5). He ceases not to ask with the Apostle, ". . . Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Rom. 7:24)

BobCatholic · #14 Jul 30, '12, 2:03 pm

Life is only short if you are getting pleasant things in life.

If one is suffering, life is too long. Horrible suffering makes life too long.