An old apothegm applies, I think, in considering where this generation stands and what it faces: “What goes around comes around.”

This nation, in particular, is beginning to revisit times like experienced early in the twentieth century. I refer to the era termed the “Roaring Twenties.”

The 1920s in America–and in France and other places–saw an outbreak of loosened morals and observable detachment from common sensibility. Also called the “Flapper Era,” because it featured young women scantily dressed and exhibiting comportment totally foreign to earlier modesty, America seemed poised to throw off all shackles of godly influence.

It seems that as we go into 2020 and beyond–the “Roaring Twenties” of these latter days–we’ve reached the point on that turntable of “what goes around, comes around.” That is, we are watching while America is shedding any modesty left and is casting off its common sensibility. The next step on that turntable of history repeating itself isn’t a pleasant prospect.

History shows that judgment of a sort followed the 1920s of a hundred years ago. The judgment was in the form of a corrective action from Heaven. The Dust Bowl followed in the wake of the Roaring Twenties. The Great Depression brought America to her knees and nearly choked the life out of everyone who went through that terrible time.

It took a horrific World War, with the lost lives of millions, to start this nation on the road to recovery from its sinful, life-debilitating addictions.

So it is that we are about to enter the twenties of the twenty-first century. The addictions are not on the cusp of afflicting the people of America; they’re already full blown, with nearly half of the nation seemingly in full-blown rebellion against the God of Heaven. If this generation is at the end of this Age of Grace as I believe it to be, there will be no time for remedial or corrective action by Heaven’s hand. The judgment and wrath will finally put an end to the rebellion of the incorrigible among God’s creation called man. 

In terms of Bible prophecy given for the Tribulation, the words of Jesus come to mind: “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring” (Luke 21:25).

That nations are currently in “perplexity,” there should be no question. We’ve dissected matters involved many times in these commentaries, as have journalists of every type in their own forums. Whether considering things geopolitically, socioeconomically, religiously, or any other way, governments are “perplexed” as to what to do about mounting financial distress and violence among the masses they seek to govern/control.

To touch briefly on the latter of these worldwide problems, let’s look at Jesus’ forewarning about these very times, which I’m convinced we find ourselves in today.

The Lord said the nations would be in distress with perplexity with “the sea and waves roaring.”

There are differences of opinion, some believing that Christ was talking here of the physical sea and waves, while others believe He meant the peoples of earth would be raging in wave-like motion. I believe He meant both.

It is the symbolic meaning I wish to look at briefly.

Politically in this nation, we have seen an uproar of epic proportion. The anger and rage over the last few election cycles have been phenomenal–unprecedented in the history of America, as far as I can discern.

But, we’ve looked at all of that many times here. I want us to consider the things going on at this moment not just in our nation, but around the world.

France has seen multiple uprisings against the French government of Immanuel Macron for his confiscatory taxation. The governments of Greece and Italy have been in flux for years due to the mismanagement brought on by social spending insanity.

The people of Great Britain have been roaring against the sovereignty-robbing impositions of the EU. They voted to remove their nations in what has come to be known as Brexit.

Protesters by the thousands have ignited an uproar in Hong Kong as their government has moved toward giving the Chinese Communist government control over previously promised self-government. Many observers fear that a Tiannanmen Square-type massacre could take place in the near future.

We remember the roaring going on in and around Venezuela, with the people trying to take back their nation from the communist-influenced dictatorship.

The masses were raging recently in Puerto Rico, demanding the resignation of their dictator-like governor, Ricardo Roselle.

We are too familiar with the roaring in recent days, with masses of South and Central American citizens trying to illegally break into the U.S., and this administration’s efforts to combat the assaults. As of this writing, despite President Trump’s best efforts, the roaring of the masses from the south continues.

The videos have gone viral–often to the laughs and applauding of many on social media–of New York City policemen being doused with water and hit with buckets and other objects.

Flash mobs continue around particularly America’s big cities, with thugs stealing thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from stores.

Now, gangs of young women–mostly teenagers–in the inner cities of the country have formed and are attacking those with whom they come in contact, beating their victims senseless for no reason.

The sea of humanity is definitely roaring, with wave after wave of violence that, it seems to me, matches the violence of Noah’s day as given in Genesis chapter 6.

Jesus’ foretelling of this very hour at the end of the age appears to be right in front of us. We see it all developing in these viral videos and even through our hourly news. It all indicates that we’re nearing the midnight hour of human history.

Christ is about to call the Church–all born-again believers living and dead—to Himself. Christians don’t face gloom and doom because of having to endure God’s judgment and wrath; believers can look forward to a truly glorious prospect indeed!

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)