You guys are all assuming a futurist (to us) reading of Revelation, Daniel, the Olivet Discourse, and a pessimistic premillennial eschatology.
Things are only going to get worse and worse, yada yada. We can't do anything about it. Run and hide out in the woods, blah blah.
I'm not sure the Bible teaches that. Maybe Jesus wants us to have some balls and "contend for the Faith once delivered". Maybe we should fight like we will succeed.
I'm not sure that the futurist premillennial interpretation is correct. I see a lot of Biblical evidence otherwise.
2 Timothy 3:1-4 NKJV
You should know this, Timothy,
that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.
Matthew 24:12
And because
lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
I do believe the adversary is currently deceiving the nations:
Revelation 12:9
So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan,
who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Ephesians 2:2 NLT
You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.
I don’t believe the Gog and Magog war has occurred yet. Which means the 2nd and greater exodus hasn’t occurred yet. No one knows Yahuah from the least to greatest - and he hasn’t written his instructions deep in our hearts; so we no longer have to teach other believers. The promised restoration of Israel - the full 12 tribes - hasn’t occurred yet (through the 2nd exodus). They’ve been separated since a little after king Solomon’s death. So these are some of great promises yet to come.
Therefore, it’s not all gloom and doom. We should keep our eyes on Yahushua (Jesus the Messiah), because he is our salvation, king, and hope. And I don’t think anyone here is advocating “throwing in the towel.” Scripture simply points to things getting worse, and when you see what’s happening with the youth; it’s hard to imagine any human being stopping her from sinking. Doesn’t mean we cant try and get some people on life boats.