APATHY BEFORE THE
STORM
INTRODUCTION
Apathy before the storm is when one is not looking to the Lord but allowing life to be measured out through others; such is captivating the soul with the help of electronic devices promoting its existence. Apathy is growing indifference to what is being offered with no conscience towards the moral or immoral side of an issue. 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, natural disasters, wars, and the persecution of believers in Him. In the face of all these happenings (Matthew 24:4-11), Jesus encouraged one to persevere in faithfulness, not be caught up in the apathy before the storm, and ignoring warnings, as was 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). Apostle Peter noted that Noah was a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5).
God’s Word and warning by a man of God was being surely being ministered, but apathy before the storm had already been ingrained through the vile nature of man. Scripture reveals that God saw the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his 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 brought, they sold, they planted, they built; but the same 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). In the midst of deliverance, it was noted that Lot lingered, and the men (angels) had to laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him forth, and set him without (outside) the city (Genesis 19:16).
Later it was reported that Lot's wife, at the moment when God rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone from heaven, despite the warning not to do so; looked back (Genesis 19:24-26). What kind of apathy (in this case concern) before the storm (destruction) would captivate one’s attention in the midst of deliverance? What would hinder one today?
Destruction
It was noted that one good thing about apathy is you do not have to exert yourself to show you are sincere about it. It is unfortunate that one of the reasons for the destruction of Sodom (homosexuality) is being flaunted today with pride and encouragement to accept its unhealthy and sinful lifestyle.
Apostle Peter revealed: God turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (both with the same characteristics) into ashes condemned them with an overthrow (destruction), making them an example to those that after (afterward) should live ungodly (2 Peter 2:6). Apathy before the storm is warned of in God’s Word but man has become so elevated in ungodly pleasantries being offered that he has become disinterested in any warning or opposition towards its consumption.
Equally Guilty Parties
The Apostle John reported the Jews’ Passover was at hand and Jesus went up to Jerusalem and found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting (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. Exchangers and purchases could be found at the temple.
Apathy before the storm (cleansing) was the initial acceptance of such due to its having become an acceptable practice with no remorse or conviction to the contrary. John reported that when Jesus had made a scourge (whip) of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple (both they that bought and sold), 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; make not my Father’s house a house of merchandise (John 2:15-16).
As previously mentioned apathy before the storm (the cleansing of the temple) existed with both parties (they that sold and they that bought) being equally guilty (Luke 19:45). Had availability not been present; purchase would not have happened. Does this not apply to modern day promotion of ungodliness; both those that sell and buy?
Complacent Instead of
Concern
Apathy before the storm 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 (complacent) daughters; give ear (hear) my speech. Many days and years shall you be troubled, you careless (complacent) women; for the vintage shall fail, the gathering shall not come (Isaiah 32:9-10).
It was noted, you that are at ease, referred to being unconcerned about the present and future state of the nation, who themselves held their share of guilt in the nation’s sins, particularly pride, luxury, contempt for the Word of God; and would have their part in its punishment.
The vintage shall fail or spoiled by the enemy, or taken for its own use; so there would be no wine or gathering of the fruits of the earth producing famine in the land. Apathy before the storm would be costly due to complacency rather than concern.
Divine Judgment
Apathy before the storm was noted in scripture concerning a city headed for judgment, with the prophet revealing: This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly that said in her heart, I am and there is none beside me; how is she become a desolation (Zephaniah 2:15). It was noted that the inhabitants were full of gaiety, abounding in wealth and riches, indulging in carnal delights and pleasures, thinking themselves out of danger, becoming careless and unconcerned.
This descriptive narrative could fit into present day surroundings along with inviting others to partake of the corrupt nature 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 her cruelty and oppression of others while she prospered. Apostle Paul wrote: Let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).
Captivity
Apathy before the storm (coming captivity) was noted in Scripture: They refused to hearken, and pulled away their shoulders (were rebellious), and stopped their ears (hearing) that they should not hear (refusing to hear); yea, they made their hearts as 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 this was before the captivity of the Jewish people, who were in a state of refusing to give heed to the exhortations sent by God, to disobey His voice, having pulled away from serving the Lord, with God’s wrath being the result. There are nations, and individuals who could readily fall into the category of withdrawing from the God, giving a cold shoulder to the things of God, and allowing ungodly agenda to surface rather than being condemned.
Mercy of God
In regards to apathy before the storm, 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 is noted that the Lord is slow to anger means he is not in haste to execute it, will give space for repentance, as in the case of Nineveh who repented at the preaching of Jonah (Jonah 3:10). It was noted that God did not change in His ultimate intention toward the Ninevites; rather they changed in their attitude toward Him. On the basis of that change, God could deal with them in grace, rather than in judgment.
The wrath of God can be compared to a whirlwind, and a storm, which is sometimes suddenly executed. 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). He then stated why this has yet to happen: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise (destruction of the ungodly); but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
Apathy before the storm (God's judgment) will only speed the process if one does not take God’s Word seriously and continue in ungodly ways. 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 in whom they have not 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 send (called of God) (Romans 10:13-15)? Preaching goes all the way back to Noah, a preacher of righteousness, as previously noted.
Apostle Paul noted the way to salvation of the soul: With the heart man believes unto righteousness (doing what is right in the sight of God); and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:10). Apathy before the storm will not open the door towards a heavenly gain; only believe in the name of Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior, will open that door.
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