Is the world gradually getting better overall?

Summary

Jesus announced in the 1st century that "Heaven and earth will-pass-away" (Matthew 24:34). One of His 1st century disciples thus wrote: "WE-are-looking-for new heavens and (a) new earth, in which righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13). New heavens and a new earth could have been apprehended as imminent in the 1st century. 

In them, Peter wrote that "righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13). A more righteous world could have been expected when these new heavens and new earth come. Yet, this expectation may have been expected to be witnessed gradually. 

Indeed, the language used for "(a) NEW heaven and (a) NEW earth, for the first heaven and the first earth PASSED-AWAY" (Revelation 21:1) is similar to the language used for the spiritual rebirth of the believer, as for example it is written: "So-then if anyone (is) IN CHRIST, (he is a) NEW creation. The old (things) PASSED-AWAY" (2 Corinthians 5:17). A believer is not destroyed physically when being rebirthed, but a believer is changed spiritually. This change may be seen immediately, but a process of maturation can also be seen over time. 

Believers who have been rebirthed start with being "INFANTS IN CHRIST" (1 Corinthians 3:1) and then over time can become "MATURE" (Ephesians 4:13) "so-that WE-MAY NO-LONGER BE INFANTS" (Ephesians 4:14). 

If the new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells have been depicted with a similar language to that of the spiritual rebirth of the believer, could it be that a gradual growth should be expected over time to reflect a more mature state? There is evidence that the world overall has gradually got better over time in several ways when comparing the 1st century with the 21st century.

You can find the evidence below.

The new heavens and new earth expected in the first century as a spiritual rebirth

Jesus announced in the 1st century that "Heaven and earth will-pass-away" (Matthew 24:34). One of His 1st century disciples thus wrote: "WE-are-looking-for new heavens and (a) new earth, in which righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13). New heavens and a new earth could have been apprehended as imminent in the 1st century. 

Furthermore, the language of rebirth (used for a believer) may have been used to describe "(a) NEW heaven and (a) NEW earth, for the first heaven and the first earth PASSED-AWAY" (Revelation 21:1), as this description is similar to the language used for the spiritual rebirth of the believer, in which it is for example written: "So-then if anyone (is) IN CHRIST, (he is a) NEW creation. The old (things) PASSED-AWAY" (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

For more details:

Matthew 24:35 - Heaven and earth will pass away (1st century imminence & fulfillment?):
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The language of spiritual rebirth implies a gradual betterment toward maturation over time

Paul used the language of rebirth to describe believers who came to be in Christ. For example, Paul wrote: "He-saved us — not out-of works which we did in righteousness, but according-to His mercy, through (a) washing (of) REBIRTH and (a) renewing (of the) Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5). The Greek word used for "REBIRTH" [paliggenesia 3824 in Greek, noun] in Matthew 19:28 comes from the Greek word "re/again" [palin 3825 in Greek, adverb], and "birth" [genesis 1078 in Greek, noun]. 

Paul wrote to believers: "I BEGOT you IN CHRIST Jesus through the good-news" (1 Corinthians 4:15). As a result, these were now "INFANTS IN CHRIST" (1 Corinthians 3:1). Peter wrote that newborn babies in Christ can grow, as he wrote to "yearn like NEWBORN BABIES for the deceitless reasonable milk in-order-that by it YOU-MAY-GROW for (your) salvation" (1 Peter 2:2). An infant can thus with time become more mature, as for example Paul wrote: "until we all attain to the unity (of) the faith and (of) the knowledge (of) the Son of God, TO (a) MATURE man, to (the) measure (of the) stature (of) the fullness (of) Christ, so-that WE-MAY-BE NO-LONGER INFANTS" (Ephesians 4:13-14). 

Now when someone is BEGOTTEN IN CHRIST, that one may still act like someone who was not rebirthed, as Paul suggested when he wrote: "And-I, BROTHERS, was not able to-speak (to) you as (to) spiritual (ones), but AS (to ones) MADE-OF-FLESH, AS (to) INFANTS IN CHRIST. [...] for YOU-ARE STILL FLESHLY. For where (there is) jealousy and strife among you, are-you not fleshly and walking in-accordance-with human (thinking)?" (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). So here these "INFANTS IN CHRIST" (1 Corinthians 3:1) were "STILL FLESHLY" (1 Corinthians 3:3), that is, they were still acting like they used to before having been BEGOTTEN IN CHRIST. This shows that a spiritual rebirth may not necessarily display a complete different outside appearance than it had before, but the signs of this spiritual rebirth may be seen over time as the person matures. 

If the new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells have been depicted with a similar language to that of the spiritual rebirth of the believer, could it be that a gradual growth should be expected over time to reflect a more mature state?

The need to consider evidence objectively

When evidence is presented, it is important to stay sound minded and have an accurate view on the world that takes into account everything that is true concerning it. Paul for example wrote to "not to-be-thinking-highly (of yourself) BEYOND what (you) OUGHT-TO think, but to-be-thinking so-as TO-BE-SOUND-MINDED" (Romans 12:3). The principle beyond this can also be taken beyond what one thinks about himself, but what one thinks about the world. For example, if the world is getting overall slightly better from the 1st century to the 21st century, it is sound minded to not think beyond that. Whether someone think beyond that by having a too positive mindset or a too negative one, neither are sound-minded as they both would go beyond what one ought to think if the evidence suggests that it is getting only slightly better. 

The standard by which the evidence can be considered objectively

If evidence is presented of something getting BETTER, one ought to ask: better toward what? For something to be better, an idea of what is BEST is to be considered. Do we have an idea of what is best? 

The Bible talks about the kingdom of God, mentioning that it is an "ETERNAL KINGDOM" (2 Peter 1:11). The kingdom of God is in part RIGHTEOUSNESS, as Paul wrote: "the KINGDOM (of) God is [...] RIGHTEOUSNESS and peace and joy in (the) Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). The new heavens and new earth are to dwell in RIGHTEOUSNESS, as Peter wrote about the "new heavens and (a) new earth, in which RIGHTEOUSNESS dwells" (2 Peter 3:13). So for things to get better, things need in part to be more RIGHTEOUS, to uphold the standards of the righteousness that is found in the kingdom of God. Any action or thing that reflects a righteous standard is thus better than an action or thing that reflects an unrighteous standard. 

Evidence that the world overall has gradually got better from the 1st century to the 21st century

The is evidence that the world overall, from the 1st century to the 21st century, has gradually got better (that is, approaching more righteous standards) in several ways. 

Disability rights improved:

In the 1st century, individuals with disabilities were often marginalized and excluded from society, with limited access to education, employment, and other opportunities.

In the 21st century, there have been efforts to promote the rights and dignity of individuals with disabilities, including laws and policies aimed at increasing accessibility, reducing discrimination, and ensuring equal opportunities for participation in society.

Jesus said: "You-shall-LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF" (Matthew 19:19), and "everything that you want people to-be-doing (to) you, THUS ALSO YOU BE-DOING (TO) THEM" (Matthew 7:12).

Child welfare improved:

In the 1st century, child labor and exposure were common practices. 

In the 21st century, child protection laws and social safety nets aim to ensure a safe and healthy childhood for all.

This is more righteous because children need to be provided for, as Paul for example wrote: "if anyone does not PROVIDE-FOR (his) OWN (RELATIVES), and ESPECIALLY FAMILY-MEMBERS, he-has-denied the faith and is worse (than an) unbeliever" (1 Timothy 5:8).

Medical ethics improved:

In the 1st century, medical practices could be unethical, with little regard for patient consent or the well-being of research subjects.

In the 21st century, the development of medical ethics has led to greater emphasis on patient autonomy, informed consent, and ethical guidelines for medical research and practice.

Jesus said: "You-shall-LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF" (Matthew 19:19), and "everything that you want people to-be-doing (to) you, THUS ALSO YOU BE-DOING (TO) THEM" (Matthew 7:12).

Animal legal protection improved:

In the 1st century, animals were often viewed as property and subjected to cruelty and exploitation without legal protections.

In the 21st century, there has been growing recognition of the moral status of animals, leading to efforts to protect them from cruelty, regulate their use in research and agriculture, and promote their welfare through laws and ethical considerations.

This is more righteous, as for example it is written in the Proverbs: "Whoever is RIGHTEOUS HAS REGARD FOR THE LIFE of his ANIMAL" (Proverbs 12:10).

Wars diminishing overall:

In the 1st century, there was constant warfare and societal violence. 

In the 21st century, while war and violence still exist, there's a global push for peaceful conflict resolution and a decline in overall war deaths.

This is more righteous, as Jesus said for example: "Blessed (are) the PEACEMAKERS, because they will-be-called sons (of) God" (Matthew 5:9).

Criminal justice reform overall:

In the 1st century, punishments were often severe and disproportionate to the crime, and legal systems could be arbitrary and lacking in procedural protections for the accused.

In the 21st century, there have been efforts to develop more humane punishments, establish legal rights for the accused, and create systems focused on rehabilitation rather than solely punishment.

This is more righteous, as Jesus for example said: "Do not be-judging ACCORDING-TO APPEARANCE, but be-judging the RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT" (John 7:24) and James also added: "MERCY vaunts OVER JUDGMENT" (James 2:13).

Education reform:

In the 1st century, education was often reserved for the elite, with limited access for the general population. Curriculum focused primarily on traditional subjects like rhetoric, philosophy, and mathematics.

In the 21st century, there is a broader access to education and the development of modern schooling systems. Compulsory education laws, the establishment of public schools, and educational reforms aimed at providing comprehensive education for all children, regardless of social class or background.

This is more righteous, as for example it is written: "My people PERISH for LACK OF KNOWLEDGE" (Hosea 4:6).

You can impact the world positively

If the world has been overall been gradually getting better from the 1st century to the 21st century, that means that there is hope. The hope is that, overall, over the centuries, the world may continue to get better, over time. 

In the 1st century, Paul was laboring so that he may present every person MATURE in Christ, as he wrote about Christ "Whom we are-proclaiming, admonishing every person, and teaching every person with all wisdom, in-order-that WE-MAY-PRESENT every person MATURE IN CHRIST, for which I also AM-LABORING" (Colossians 1:28-29). If laboring can be done so that believers can become mature over time, then laboring may also be done so that the world can become more mature over time, toward righteousness. This means that you can have an impact in that world by any labor that you bring to it, leading to this world getting a bit more righteous thanks to your contribution. Whether the impact is small or big, an impact is still an impact, and your impact has value in the grand scheme of things in the overall betterment of this world. 

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