A popular MYTH, especially among Democrats, is this world and time we live in, can be a Utopia.
TIME FOR A REALITY CHECK:
Matthew 7:13-24 (NASB)
[SUP]13 [/SUP] "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
[SUP]14 [/SUP] "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
[SUP]15 [/SUP] "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
[SUP]16 [/SUP] "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?
[SUP]17 [/SUP] "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.
[SUP]18 [/SUP] "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.
[SUP]19 [/SUP] "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
[SUP]20 [/SUP] "So then, you will know them by their fruits.
[SUP]21 [/SUP] "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
[SUP]22 [/SUP] "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
[SUP]23 [/SUP] "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'
[SUP]24 [/SUP] "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Acts 20:29-31 (ESV)
[SUP]29 [/SUP] I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
[SUP]30 [/SUP] and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
[SUP]31 [/SUP] Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.
Matthew 24:24-25 (ESV)
[SUP]24 [/SUP] For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
[SUP]25 [/SUP] See, I have told you beforehand.
2 Timothy 4:3-5 (NASB)
[SUP]3 [/SUP] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
[SUP]4 [/SUP] and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
[SUP]5 [/SUP] But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 3:12-14 (GW)
[SUP]12 [/SUP] Those who try to live a godly life because they believe in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
[SUP]13 [/SUP] But evil people and phony preachers will go from bad to worse as they mislead people and are themselves misled.
[SUP]14 [/SUP] However, continue in what you have learned and found to be true. You know who your teachers were.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (GW)
[SUP]1 [/SUP] You must understand this: In the last days there will be violent periods of time.
[SUP]2 [/SUP] People will be selfish and love money. They will brag, be arrogant, and use abusive language. They will curse their parents, show no gratitude, have no respect for what is holy,
[SUP]3 [/SUP] and lack normal affection for their families. They will refuse to make peace with anyone. They will be slanderous, lack self-control, be brutal, and have no love for what is good.
[SUP]4 [/SUP] They will be traitors. They will be reckless and conceited. They will love pleasure rather than God.
[SUP]5 [/SUP] They will appear to have a godly life, but they will not let its power change them. Stay away from such people.
I don't see a time of Utopia prophesied for these last days, do you?