Is the morally decayed state of the world due to a lack in preaching of the gospel or simply a fulfillment of prophecy?

Answer 1

Opinion: There is no question that the morally decayed state of the Western world is directly related to the weakening in religious belief. As a Jew, I would not refer to Gospel specifically. But as concerns religion in general, the reduction in Western morality has certainly been going hand in hand with the reduction in belief in God, worship, etc.; and this is not a coincidence.

Answer 2

Arguably, the world today, particularly in the West, is less debauched and more moral than throughout most of history. We still have a long way to go, and I won't live to see this perfect state.

In the West, we no longer suffer under despots; there is the rule of law; so-called witches are not tried, found guilty and executed; there is more religious toleration than there has been for almost two thousand years; rapists and murderers have a greater chance of being tried and punished, and religious institutions can no longer so easily cover up crimes committed by members of their clergy. In most nations, crime levels are way down on the levels of past centuries.

So, in terms of morality, the world is not perfect, but it is improving. If that improvement is caused by a lack of gospel preaching, then so be it, although I think that is not the answer that was sought. As for prophecy, I am not aware of any prophecy that the world will become morally better just as it becomes more secular.