Christian Pastor Tom Hughes recently released a video on the YouTube channel Hope for Our Times stating that the current climate of people being easily offended is a sign of the nearing end times. Hope for Our Times is a ministry led by Hughes, who also pastors 4|12 Church in San Jacinto, CA, that focuses specifically on prophecies in the Bible that deal with the End Times. After reminding his audience that their hope is in Jesus, Hughes focused on Matthew 24:7-10 which says, “For nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. And there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in diverse places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.”

Hughes specifically pointed out verse 10, which cites “many be offended,” saying, “Man, you’re talking about being offended, you’re thinking of the words of Jesus where many will be offended. It seems like everywhere you go, everybody is offended. Jesus is telling us that it’s actually going to get worse.” He went on to read up to verse 12 and then went on to read an article about Michael Snyder’s new book, End Times. In the article, Snyder is quoted as saying, “I believe we are living at the very End of a timeline. I believe Jesus is coming back soon… The Bible describes the End Times, the time just before Jesus comes back, as the most chaotic in all of human history. In fact, Jesus told us there has never been a time like this before, and there will never be a time like this again.” He later offers encouragement saying, “God put you here with a purpose and a destiny and a job for your to do. If you understand that, you will be really excited about the future, even though things will be chaotic and wild.”

There has been open debate in both secular and Christian circles about offending others and where to draw the line. Comedians like Ricky Gervais have pushed back against comedians being “canceled” for offensive jokes, saying, “…just because you’re offended it doesn’t mean you’re right, you know?” He went on to say, “Offence is about feelings, and feelings are personal – some people are offended by equality, so what?…. you can’t second guess people, if you try and please everyone you’ll please no one.”

 From a Christian perspective, Pastor Timothy Keller wrote on Twitter, “Ultimately, the gospel is offensive because the cross stands against all schemes of self-salvation.” Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:18, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” In an article on whether or not Christians should always avoid being offensive, writing for Answers in Genesis, Jeremy Ham writes, “As Christians, we need to have the utmost integrity in all areas and be careful not to be a stumbling block to a fellow Christian. We should make every effort to live at peace with others (Romans 12:18). This does not mean, however, we will never offend a fellow Christian if, for example, a rebuke is needed. Even though we speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), we might still offend. We must live by the truth of God’s Word, and those people who are living contrary to the truth are often offended. Non-Christians may be offended as well. After all, the message of the gospel declares that they are sinners who need to repent and put their faith in Jesus Christ.”