End of Days? (Part 1)

The current political landscape is quite complex and challenging. Global instability is heightened by increasing authoritarianism, polarization, the erosion of democratic norms, and intense competition among great powers like the U.S., China, and Russia. Trust in institutions is declining, with many feeling that their governments, media, and legal systems are no longer serving their needs. Hotspots of conflict in Ukraine, the Middle East- particularly Israel and Taiwan- tensions in Taiwan, and recent coups in Africa have many people worried that World War III could be on the horizon. But is this really the end? Most likely not. We’re probably just going through a big transitional phase, perhaps even witnessing a significant unraveling of the post-WWII global order. However, it doesn’t have to be apocalyptic.

Many religious scholars believe that a period of chaos or tribulation may precede a final judgment or transformation, similar to concepts such as Christianity’s End Times, Islam’s signs of the Hour, or Hinduism’s Kali Yuga. Today’s events—such as wars, moral declines, natural disasters, and societal unrest—seem to align with these descriptions for many believers. Some feel that we’re living through prophetic moments, while others view these signs as part of recurring cycles of human history. Since prophecies are often symbolic, they have been “fulfilled” numerous times throughout history. For instance, people during the fall of Rome, the Black Death, or the World Wars also believed they were witnessing the end times. 

There’s a noticeable sense of fatigue and frustration worldwide over issues like inequality, injustice, climate change, culture wars, AI, and more. People are feeling angry, disillusioned, tribal, and sometimes even violent. Civil conversations are breaking down, and hope can seem elusive. Mental health struggles, loneliness, and addiction are sadly on the rise. While this is a serious situation, it's also often part of the natural cycle preceding significant cultural transformations, such as the Enlightenment, the Renaissance, or the Civil Rights era. Typically, darkness comes before new beginnings.

Is this the end of days? It might seem that way, but it’s more likely a moment of reckoning. I think that we're probably in the middle of a historical turning point, and humans have experienced such moments before. Whether this leads to a collapse or a transformation depends on how we respond now. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, angry, or despairing, that’s perfectly understandable. However, remember that it’s also a call to action, or at the very least, a call to gain clarity. End times aren’t just about destruction; in many spiritual traditions, they also symbolize a state of awakening.

            The one thing that we can all do is repent. Return to God and pray for reconciliation. We have stopped praying to God and have lost our way in this world. We have forgotten that we are pilgrims here and that this world is not our home. We must find that peace that transcends all understanding, the peace that Jesus offers, not the world’s.