Thank you for the question on God’s involvement in this world, “Why was God so involved in worldly affairs in biblical times but since then doesn’t get involved much?”
For your consideration of God’s involvement in the past and the seemingly lack of involvement in the present, here are some thoughts for you:
A. The writer of Hebrews states that God has spoken and revealed his will through his Son, Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 1 says this, “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven” (NIV).
The phrase, in these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son, reflects that God has intervened into human history providing salvation for mankind. God has nothing additional to add since his Son revealed the will of God for mankind. That will is that the message of forgiveness is to be proclaimed through the whole world (Acts 1:8). Additional the writer states, the Son is the one who sustains all things in the Universe and on Earth by his powerful word. All that is happening in this world is according to God’s plan.
B. Jesus declared that the Holy Spirit will be in his followers to proclaim the message of salvation to the nations.
Before Jesus ascension to heaven, he said this to his disciples, “He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (NIV).
Is God working in the present time? Absolutely, in my opinion, since believers of Jesus have the Holy Spirit living in them and empowering them to be his witnesses.
The Apostle Paul further states this in Philippians 2, “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (NIV).
God is at work in the believers to fulfill his good purpose. One might say that God is working on a micro event of human hearts. He has already declared that the world will become more evil, but out of that chaos he is drawing a people unto himself from all the nations or people groups of this world.
John 6 says this, “37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” (NIV).
Since the time of Jesus, God has predestined those individuals who will come to faith by believing in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. That is being fulfilled even today.
God has used evangelists as DL. Moody or Rev. Billy Graham to bring thousands to himself. The local churches are a reflection of the believers although not all who attend the church are believers. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are a manifestation to believers that God is using them for that power comes not from themselves but from God I Cor. 12–14).
SUMMARY: If a believer walks with God, others should be able to see the spiritual transformation in that’s life and the power of Holy Spirit working through his life.
For more perspectives: