The profound hyperviolence we are seeing on social media, video games, movies, and television is preparing the way for coming biblical events. Specifically, the Bible says that in the end times, two witnesses will be executed, and that all the world will watch the drama unfold. Not only will they watch it, but the people of the world will make the day a holiday. Wow. Scripture says, in Revelation 11:9-10, “For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.” Unfortunately, we are now seeing this development because the societal mood is becoming brazenly bloodthirsty.
For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.
I think the turning point towards a society filled with violent thoughts and evil desires came a long time ago. To trace back the true emergence of a bloodthirsty societal mood, at least in the Western world, began shifting in the 1950s and 60s. This was a time when “the first public concerns about violence were evident,” as TVs were making their way across the United States. There were immediate concerns about the shift in morality in the nation, and from what I understand, there was some pushback as there were Congressional hearings that took place on this topic to discuss the rise in aggressive and violent media (Murray, 2008, p. 2). I think that by the 1980s and 90s, when I was a child, I remember seeing a lot of violence in the media. Movies like Robocop, Terminator, and Backdraft profoundly impacted my sleep and gave me nightmares because of how hyperviolent these movies were. I also had access to the video games Doom and Quake, which were overtly satanic and repugnant, leaving a stain on my memory and instilling nightmarish thoughts that were inconsistent with the gospel and the call to think only of pure and good things, as it says in Philippians 4:8.
As a child, I am very thankful to have only seen simulated violence, and not real street violence or gang violence. But even television violence does contribute to moral decline. Regrettably, I made choices as a youth to watch movies that were not appropriate for me or my developing mind or my walk with Christ, which came later as an adult. But it does beg the question: With the rise of such realistic imagery in media, is there an observable problem? I say that there is research that indicates that children “growing up in an environment filled with real violence increases the risk of violent behavior” (Huesmann and Taylor, 2006, p. 393). So, we have found ourselves in a Western world that has shifted from placid and peaceful to highly violent. We are prepared and ready for end times conditions described in 2 Timothy 3, where the society is unholy and “men of corrupt minds.”
Synergized with a growing violent mindset and a decline in biblical morality, Western society has also decreased in “faith in God,” with only 63% of the nation now identifying as a Christian (Pew Research Center, 2021, December 14). In fact, Christianity has dropped about 15% over the past 10 years, making the decline very noticeable. Anymore now, I think from a societal standpoint, there is less connection with the True God, the God of the Bible, and there is more witchcraft and atheism now more than ever. It is reported that “Today, witchcraft is gaining traction among younger generations seeking meaning in ecology and ancestral knowledge. Scroll through social media, and paganism’s growing popularity—specifically witchcraft and magic—has become hard to miss” (Atmos, 2025, June 19). People are seeking supernatural truth, but they are not being met by the church in an evangelistic way, so that I can understand the modern diaspora from the Christian faith. Media, in the form of constant movies, television shows, and plug-and-play games, are constantly threading violence and witchcraft into the mainstream.
Synergized with a growing violent mindset and a decline in biblical morality, Western society has also decreased in “faith in God,” with only 63% of the nation now identifying as a Christian (Pew Research Center, 2021, December 14)
So, what can be done? Should we allow moral decline to take place all around us and do or say nothing? I think that Dietrich Bonhoffer said it best: “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act” (Fox, 2021, November 19). We are accountable to God, and we should always do something when we see evil. Do we mess up and miss the mark, yes. Absolutely. I always do myself, but I do try to follow this call to action. When I am at the movies, and I see a promotional movie that is disgusting, I shout out, “That is gross!” That is how I do my part. Also, I think that how I spend my money is directly tied to my values. So, I try to follow those two things: say something and spend elsewhere if needed. Also, if my child wants a new video game, I try to study up on it and find out if this game title should be played. There is so much junk out there that you have to filter what you see or allow to be brought into your home!
I think that Dietrich Bonhoffer said it best: ‘Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.’ (Fox, 2021, November 19)
In summation, the violent media serves as a precursor to the prophetic events described in Revelation. The world is growing bloodthirsty, and the celebration of Charlie Kirk’s execution is a precursor to doing the same thing when the two witnesses are killed. The roots of violence trace back to the mid-20th century. As family structures evolved and children were increasingly left to their own devices, they watched unmonitored media, and this helped make the shift from peaceful to aggressive. Simultaneously, the noticeable decline in Christian faith has left an empty void for spirituality that has tilted toward witchcraft and paganism for supernatural connection. This “diaspora” from Christianity is accelerated by a church that often fails to engage the younger generations. Consequently, the synergy of mainstream violence and occultism is building the atmosphere necessary for the dark events of the end times.
References:
Atmos. (2025, June 19). In a burning world, witchcraft is on the rise. https://atmos.earth/ecological-wisdom/in-a-burning-world-witchcraft-is-on-the-rise/
Fox, M. (2021, November 19). Bonhoeffer & Aquinas: How silence feeds evil & becomes evil. Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox. https://dailymeditationswithmatthewfox.org/2021/11/19/bonhoeffer-aquinas-on-how-silence-feeds-evil-becomes-evil/
Huesmann, L. R., & Taylor, L. D. (2006). The role of media violence in violent behavior. Annual review of public health, 27(1), 393-415.
Murray, J. P. (2008). Media violence: The effects are both real and strong. American behavioral scientist, 51(8), 1212-1230.
Pew Research Center. (2021, December 14). About three-in-ten U.S. adults are now religiously unaffiliated. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2021/12/14/about-three-in-ten-u-s-adults-are-now-religiously-unaffiliated/