Prophecy

Shoplifting, Lawlessness, and Bible Prophecy

by John Clark 
03/19/23
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     Did you know that shoplifting is mentioned in Bible prophecy? No, not that exact word, but theft is cited in Revelation 9:21. There have always been thefts, but the shoplifting we are witnessing today has taken it to a whole new level. All the Wal-mart Stores in Portland, Oregon, are closing because of it. Retail establishments are keeping merchandise under lock and key. There are reports and videos of people grabbing items by the handful and walking out of stores without paying - too many people to do anything about. I have never seen anything like this is my lifetime!                              
     Is this what Revelation 9:21 is referring to? It would appear so. Especially because theft is listed with three other things prevalent in our world today: murders, sorceries, and sexual immorality. Sorcery has to do with drug use.
     What we are witnessing is a preview of the Tribulation Period. These four things will continue to escalate. We are that close to the coming of the Lord. It is part of lawlessness mentioned in Matthew 24:12. This verse says, "lawlessness will increase." Those three words say much! Lawlessness is allowing people to get away with criminal activity. Many stores in my area are not prosecuting shoplifters. Police departments have been defunded. Officers are resigning in the droves in cities where restrictions have been put in place making it impossible for them to do their jobs in curtailing crime. 
     Romans 13:1-6 talks about law enforcement being instituted as a servant and minister of God for the safety and good of the people, and to carry out God's wrath on the wrongdoers. God knew from the very beginning that the human race would become very evil if it forsakes his ways. He set up law enforcement to deter the sinful acts of people. However, cities and states, by defunding and restricting officers, have destroyed what God instituted. Therefore, lawlessness has prevailed. Criminals are getting the upper hand! 
     This pervasiveness in lawlessness in only the beginning. II Thessalonians 2:3-8 has much to say about what will happen in the future. There is too much to quote at length. (Read it for yourself). I will mention that lawlessness is mentioned four times in this passage. The "man of lawlessness" refers to the coming anti-Christ who will be a one-world dictator during the Tribulation Period. Things will become much worse! This passage also connects lawlessness with "the activity of Satan."
     The result will be (and there already is) deception because people "refused to love the truth so as to be saved. Therefore God will send a "strong delusion" to believe what is false, "in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." In fact, as bad as the Tribulation will be, Rev. 9:21 says people will not "repent of their murders...sorceries...sexual immoralities, or thefts." 
     Is there good news? Yes! The solution to deception and lawlessness is transformation  of the inner character through the power and grace of God.