Troubling Times: Charlie Kirk, School Shootings and a Territorial Incursion

Looking at the calendar a few months ago, one might have thought the most significant occurrence of the week of Sept. 7-13 would be the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

However, as this week draws to a close, it seems the anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history was almost entirely overshadowed by other events. 

What’s behind these events, and how should we understand them?

A week of violence highlights an era of violence 

In the U.S., the main news dominating this week’s headlines was the tragic murder of political influencer Charlie Kirk. Mr. Kirk was a few minutes into a question-and-answer session at Utah Valley University when an assassin’s bullet ripped through his neck, killing him almost instantly. 

What made his murder particularly shocking was its public nature. The assassination took place in front of almost 3,000 people in the campus courtyard and was recorded by dozens of phone cameras. Many of those videos are now living on social media, which has exponentially increased the public’s exposure to the morbid details of Mr. Kirk’s death. 

Earlier this year, the speaker of Minnesota’s House of Representatives, Melissa Hortman, and her husband were killed, while another Minnesota lawmaker and his wife were shot but survived. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s life was threatened when an arsonist attempted to set his residence on fire using Molotov cocktails, while the governor and his family were sleeping inside. 

There have been many other assassinations and attempted assassinations around the world in recent years. 

Of course, under the surface of these prominent murders are the people who die every day—because of murder, warfare and starvation. Every day, hundreds of lives are being ended prematurely in places like Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar and Haiti. 

The stories of the weak and powerless whose lives are prematurely ended are seldom told. 

That was demonstrated on the same day as Mr. Kirk’s murder. About 500 miles away, a student walked into Evergreen High School in Evergreen, Colorado, and shot two of his classmates before taking his own life. 

This occurred exactly two weeks after another school shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Since school shootings often inspire copycat shootings, this raises fears that this school year could see a wave of similar tragedies. (For more insight on the scourge of mass shootings, read “Why So Many Mass Shootings?”)

He sees the suffering. He understands the pain. And His Word assures us that He will intervene to stop it. 

Jesus prophesied that the evil and violence of our world would increase to the point that, if nothing were done, “no flesh would be saved” (Matthew 24:22). Thankfully, He went on to assure us that “those days will be shortened.” 

We are living in violent and dangerous times—but it is going to get much worse before it gets better. 

To have a deeper understanding of why God allows pain and suffering to continue in our world, read “Why Does God Allow Suffering?” and “God Allows Evil—But for How Long?” 

Drones in Poland

Another major story this week was the incursion of at least 19 Russian drones into Polish airspace. These drones didn’t just nip the corner of the NATO country, but penetrated almost 150 miles into Poland. 

Polish and NATO forces quickly responded and reportedly shot down three to four of the Russian drones, which they deemed posed a direct threat. 

This is significant because it marks a sharp increase in Russian boldness, sending a message and testing the resolve of NATO, particularly Europe and the United States. 

As our world grows more dangerous, it’s time for Americans to wake up and begin to pay attention to the dangers increasing all over the world.  If Russia attacks Poland, Poland will invoke Article 5 of the NATO treaty, which could effectively begin a war between the NATO countries and Russia. With Russia recently strengthening its ties with China, North Korea and India, many fear the world is edging dangerously close to a third world war. (Poland did invoke Article 4 this past week, which triggered formal consultations between the NATO countries on the issue of Poland’s territorial integrity.) 

Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk spoke these ominous words that should be on the radar of everyone concerned about the global affairs: “I have no reason to claim we’re on the brink of war, but a line has been crossed, and it’s incomparably more dangerous than before. This situation brings us the closest we have been to open conflict since World War II.”

How many in America saw this quote? How many are paying any attention to Europe? As our world grows more dangerous, it’s time for Americans to wake up and begin to pay attention to the dangers increasing all over the world. 

We are clearly living in an era of “wars and rumors of war”—strikingly similar to Jesus’ description of the period leading up to the end time in Matthew 24:6. (For more of the signs of the end time, read “Are the Four Horsemen of Revelation Riding Today?”)

We urge our readers to continue to watch events in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and America. Slowly but surely, the world is realigning and making the Bible’s prophesied end-time events not only more plausible, but more likely.

• Keep watching as Russia, China and the other Asian nations become more at odds with the West—particularly Europe. 
• Continue watching Europe take incremental steps to arm itself and stand on its own, apart from the United States. 
• Continue watching the United States grow weaker from within and without—due to increasing immorality, division and economic and military decline. 
• Continue watching as the world grows darker and more violent—and as human beings become more heartless and godless. 

All of these trends are prophesied in your Bible—and all are marching close to their complete fulfillment.

How can you respond?

As we see our world descend further into darkness, the most appropriate response is to draw closer to God. You can do this by turning to Him in prayer and by reading and living by His Word. 

Not only will this keep you from descending into the pit of evil and immorality that is increasingly characterizing our world, but it will also position you to escape the worst of the troubles that are soon coming upon our world (Luke 21:36). 

This was a troubling week, but we urge you to use the events of this week as a wake-up call to get your spiritual house in order and more fervently seek first and pray for God’s coming Kingdom.

Date Posted: September 12, 2025