LAST DAYS…
LAST DAYS…
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. —II Timothy 3:1-5
The last times can mean from the 1st coming of Jesus unto the 2nd coming of Jesus or it can mean the days just prior to His 2nd coming (I John 2:18; Matthew 24). Surely through the ages people have been “lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power.” But it appears that toward the end of this age, in the last days before His 2nd coming, these characteristics in people’s lives are going to increase.
Where are we on the timeline of this fallen world’s existence? I cannot tell you except to say that we are much closer to His 2nd coming. We have seen how quickly the whole world has been affected by this present virus. Government reach has extended into the least populated places around the globe. This virus has taught us how quickly the world’s governments can shut down their nations and control what the people do. This definitely is some type of a “dress rehearsal” for a future event. Let there be no doubt about that— whether it is our life-time or not.
What are some of these characteristics? Lovers of self— It is interesting that we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39), but this love for self in the passage above is a love that is plainly self-centered without concern for others— selfishness. Lovers of money— I am certain there have been those with this mindset through the ages, but surely today there are so many that are focused on money and “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (I Timothy 6:10). The love of money being the “root of all kinds of evil” tells us that where evil is we just need to follow the money trail to find out who is behind the evil! Who is behind the evils of drugs, pornography, sexual trafficking, corrupt politicians, corrupt businesses, corrupt church leaders…? Follow the money trail and you will find out.
That is only a couple characteristics from this list, but it does appear that wickedness will increase before Jesus comes back. His coming is definitely closer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_gBpvihKcQ
Dear Father regardless of the evil around me may I be faithful to Your desires. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus.