APATHY BEFORE THE
STORM
INTRODUCTION
Apathy before the storm is when one is not looking to the right source but allowing life to be measured through others, along with growing indifference to what is being presented. Apathy (unconcern) has captured the heart and life of many with the help of electronic devices promoting its continued existence. Apathy (unconcern) is prospering with no conscience towards the moral or immoral side of what is being presented.
There is a storm brewing, as forewarned by Jesus, who said: Because iniquity (lawlessness) shall abound, the love of many shall wax (grow) cold (Matthew 24:12). Prior to those words Jesus described the characteristics of such a time. He said there would be religious deception, political unrest, disasters, wars, and persecution of believers in Him (Matthew 24:4-11).
Jesus encouraged believers to persevere in faithfulness, not to be caught up in the apathy before the storm, with a uncaring or unconcerned attitude, to ignore warnings, as in the case of the ocean liner Titanic, which suffered great loss of life, due to ignoring obvious warnings.
Apathy Before the Storm
Pre-Flood Days of Noah
Apathy before the storm, during the pre-Flood days of Noah, was noted by Jesus: They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ark and the flood came, and destroyed them all (Luke 17:26).
God’s Word amply supplies the fact that warning, by a man of God (such as Noah), had been sounded, but apathy before the storm (unconcern) had dulled the senses of receiving it. Scripture described the condition of man during the pre-Flood days of Noah: God saw the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of the heart was only evil continually; and it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart (Genesis 6:5-6).
Lot in Sodom
Apathy before the storm, was further noted by Jesus: As it was in the days of Lot; they eat, they drink, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built (showing complete lack of concern towards the coming storm of destruction); but the day Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all (Luke 17:28-29).
Apostle Peter revealed: God delivered just Lot, vexed (oppressed) with the filthy conversation (conduct) of the wicked; for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed (tormented) his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds (2 Peter 2:7-8). Are believers of today, showing concern of what they are seeing and hearing, or has apathy (unconcern) set in through indulgence of the same?
Destruction of Sodom
The thing about apathy is you do not have to exert yourself to show you are sincere in its embracement; for it becomes quite evident? One of the reasons for the destruction of Sodom was homosexuality which has become quite evident and being proclaimed today with pride and encouragement for one to jump on the bandwagon of acceptance; although it is condemned in God’s Word (Romans 1:26-27).
Apostle Peter revealed: God turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (both with the same ungodly characteristics) into ashes, condemned them with an overthrow (destruction), making them an example to those that after (afterward) should live ungodly. Apathy before the storm (coming destruction) is warned of in God’s Word but those participating have become so elevated in ungodly pleasantries that they have become disinterested (uncaring) of any warnings or opposition towards its consumption.
Guilt of Both Parties
The Apostle Paul reported the Jews Passover was at hand and that Jesus went up to Jerusalem; and found in the temple those that sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the changers of money sitting down (John 2:13-14). It was noted that pilgrims going to Jerusalem, for the Passover, carried all sorts of currencies, and brought no animals for sacrifices; thus the reason why exchangers of money and purchase of animals could be found at the temple.
Apostle John reported that Jesus made a scourge (whip) of small cords, and drove them all out of the temple (both those that sold and brought), and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers money, and overthrew (overturned) the tables, and said to them that sold doves, take these things hence (away); make not my Father’s house a house of merchandise (John 2:15-16).
Apathy before the storm (unconcern) existed by both parties (those who sold and bought) being equally guilty (Luke 19:45). Does this not apply to modern day promotion of ungodliness; both to those that provide and those that purchase? Has it now become an acceptably practice with no remorse or conviction to the contrary?
Being at Ease
Apathy before the storm (unconcern) was noted by the Prophet Isaiah, in speaking the words of the Lord, concerning the women of Jerusalem, in saying: Rise up, you women that are at ease; hear my voice, you careless daughters; give ear (hear) my speech. Many days and years shall you be troubled, you careless women; for the vintage shall fail, the gathering shall not come (Isaiah 32:9-10).
It was noted that at ease refers to being unconcerned by present and future state of affairs; having their share of guilt, particularly pride, luxury, contempt for the Word of God; which would bring them to the punishment mentioned, that there would be no wine or gathering of the fruits of the earth, so readily provided before, producing famine in the land.
Divine Judgement
Apathy before the storm was noted concerning a city (Nineveh) headed for judgment, as revealed by the Prophet Zephaniah: This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly that saith in her heart, I am and there is none beside me; how is she become desolation (Zephaniah 2:15). It was noted that the inhabitants were full of gaiety, abounding in wealth and riches, indulging in carnal delights (ungodliness) and pleasures, thinking themselves out of danger, becoming careless and unconcerned.
This descriptive narrative could readily fit into present day ungodliness being committed, and inviting others to participate, as well as being rewarded for participation. The Prophet declared that the city would become desolate, her protective walls broken down, houses demolished, wealth and riches plundered, inhabitants destroyed, with everyone that passes by feeling no sorrow because of the cruelty and oppression of others while she prospered. Apostle Paul wrote: Let them that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).
A Rebellious State
Apathy before the Storm (a rebellious state) was noted by the Prophet Zechariah: They refused to hearken, and pulled away their shoulders (were rebellious), and stopped their ears (hearing) that they should not hear (refuse to hear); yea, they made their hearts an adamant stone (diamond), lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord had sent by former prophets; therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts (God) (Zechariah 7:11-12).
It was noted that before the captivity of the Jewish people, who were in a state of refusing to give heed to the exhortations from God, to disobey His voice, having pulled away from serving the Lord, and God’s wrath being the result. There are nations, and individuals, who are in the category of withdrawing from God; allowing ungodly agenda to surface rather than being condemned.
Wrath of God
In regards to apathy before the storm (an uncaring attitude), the Prophet Nahum, in speaking the words of the Lord, proclaimed: The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked; the Lord has his way, in the whirlwind and in the storm (Nahum 1:3). It was noted that the Lord is slow to anger mean's he is not in haste to execute judgment, and gives space for repentance.
The wrath of God can be compared to a whirlwind, and a storm, which He sometimes suddenly executes. Apostle Peter noted: The heavens and the earth, which are now are kept in store, reserved unto fire against (until) the Day of Judgment and perdition (destruction) of ungodly men (2 Peter 3:7). The Psalmist wrote: Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence; a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempest round about him (Psalm 50:3).
Salvation of the Soul
Apostle Paul wrote: Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. How shall they call on him whom they have believed? How shall they believe in whom they have not heard? How shall they hear without a preacher? How shall they preach except they be sent (called of God) (Romans 10:13-15)? Preaching goes all the way back to Noah, a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5).
Apostle Paul noted the way to salvation of the soul: With the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:10). Neither is their salvation in any other; for there is no other name under Heaven whereby must be saved (Acts 4:12). Only belief in the Lord Jesus Christ will open the door to salvation.
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