Times have changed from the past. I was reminded of this not long ago when I spoke to a class of high school students at a Christian school. Three or four minutes into the lecture, about one-third of the students in the class put their heads down on their desks and fell asleep. When I was a student, we were required to stay awake in class. If we didn’t, we were told to sit in the hall until we were ready to come back and pay attention.

Not long after this incident, while I was speaking at another school, I noticed an interesting article that was posted on the bulletin board. The headline read: “Doctor says let sleeping teen lie, they are just ‘resetting their brains.’” [1]   According to one psychologist, it has been determined that some teens need more sleep than what was once thought. When they doze off in class, they are just “resetting their brains,” the psychologist said. Although I am not a psychologist, I do have some common sense. If students sleep in class, how can they learn anything?

Another observation I have made is that there seems to be a deep sleep overcoming many who profess to be Bible-believing Christians. It seems fewer people go to a church to learn about what the Scriptures teach. Some are even saying the Bible is not sufficient for our generation. They are looking for some extra-biblical experience or new revelation that will stimulate them or make them feel good. Others have abandoned the truth and have become completely apathetic.

This reminds me of a story I heard about two Christians who were discussing the difficulties they believed the church was facing. The one said: “I see there are two major problems—first, people are ignorant of what the Bible teaches, and second, they are apathetic.” The second Christian responded: “Oh, I don’t know about that, but if I did, I wouldn’t do anything about it anyway.”

I like what Paul wrote to the Ephesians: “But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. [2]

According to Paul’s words, we should always be alert—especially given the signs of the times, which clearly reveal we are living in the last days. Let’s reset our brains and wake up! There are so many things happening which indicate we are living at the most important period of history the world has ever known. Jesus is coming soon! When He comes, I would rather hear him say “well done faithful servant” rather than “wake up.”

I am Roger Oakland. This has been a biblical perspective to help Understand The Times.