What we see as occurring problems today are just a shadow of evil

There may be many occasions that appear to be hyperbole since this essence of evil is run into the ground. Far too many people who are content reading about the past problems with morals and place them away from the events of 2025. The reality of what could happen due to a drop in moral values is like telling children about the tooth fairy or the Easter bunny. These are simple expressions to convince children there is something magical connected with every event to explain without explaining what is real.

Morality is an existential realism that is part of God’s requirements to learn about his divine presence with humanity. Right in the beginning when God created Adam and shortly after Eve his first demand was to avoid the tree in the center of the garden. Immediately, the testing of a moral indictment was put before man and man failed because the devil took charge inducing man to ignore God. The serpent said to the woman: “You certainly will not die. No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is bad.” (Gn 3: 4 - 5).

This is evil in a real manner changing the virtue of obedience and the existence of evil became a hurdle that man could never overcome himself.

In a world of warnings, prophecies of things that very well may transpire, and thoughts of the devil still being a positive actor in a sophisticated environment are all just the indications of writers and preachers using scripture to frighten people and make a name for themselves.

Fictional writers or performers on stage can use any type of promotion to elicit the attention of interested people with nothing else to do but become entertained. We often may ponder the prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah who were not educated in exhorting God’s word predicting a solution from the sin of man. Yet, we read from Isaiah the very Songs of the Suffering Servant, who is Jesus Christ. “Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth, for the Lord speaks. Sons have I raised and reared, but they have disowned me.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” “Here I am;” I said; “send me.” Therefore, the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child; and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. (Is 1: 2; 7: 14). The servant of the Lord: 1st song; ch 42: 1 - 4). 2nd song; ch 49: 1 - 6). 3rd song; (ch 50: 4 - 11). 4th song: (ch 52: 13 - 15; Ch 53: 1 - 6).

A great series of stories within a story of his predictions as God instructed them to write. In all of these prophecies the Hebrew nation was under siege or struggling to keep the laws of God intact. In light of these difficulties God promised to send a redeemer and with assurance that his Son would bring hope to a world gone astray.

The word of the Lord came to me thus: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you. A prophet to the nations I appointed you. “Ah Lord God!” I said. “I know not how to speak; I am too young.” Then the Lord extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying, See I place my words in your mouth. This day I set you over nations and over kingdoms, to root up and tear down, to destroy and to demolish , to build and to plant. Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will bring up a righteous shoot to David. As king he shall reign and govern wisely, he shall do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah shall be saved , Israel shall dwell in security. This is the name they give him. “The Lord our justice.” (Jer 1: 4 - 6, 9 - 10. 23: 5).

Both of these prophets were not what we would call seasoned preachers, yet both were chosen as God’s missionaries to speak and write about the coming of Jesus Christ to correct the sinfulness of man and route the devil from tempting mankind.

Time has not eliminated the need for modern prophets to keep alive the desire of Almighty God to reiterate the prophecies of past centuries that Christ is still returning and the sooner the better for we who believe.

Ralph B. Hathaway