Last Days
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 Timothy 3:1
What a great warning. I love how this chapter starts. The Holy Spirit, through the apostle Paul makes this announcement to Timothy and to all the church, including us today. The first thing he says is “know this”. I’m so thankful He wants us to know. God isn’t trying to hide His plans or the circumstances surrounding His moving on the earth. It is almost like Paul is telling Timothy to be watching for these things to start happening, but actually he is talking to us today. When we look at the things he lists in this chapter, we can see why he wants us to be aware of the meaning when we see these things happening. Paul says: I want you to understand that perilous/dangerous and evil times are coming. It seems strange that Paul would point this out to Timothy, because they were already living in some treacherous times. Especially being part of the church. From persecutions, oppression and executions, they lived in an extremely brutal society. Not to mention the twisted and immoral “anything goes” civilization of the Roman culture that they were being governed by.
I’m pretty sure this warning was meant for us today because we are living in perilous times for sure! So, in the next 3 verses, Paul lists the things to look for in the last days. They are:
1.men will be lovers of themselves 2. lovers of money 3. Boasters 4. Proud 5. Blasphemers 6. disobedient to parents 7. Unthankful 8. Unholy 9. unloving 10. Unforgiving 11. Slanderers 12. without self-control 13. Brutal 14. despisers of good 15. Traitors 16. Headstrong 17. Haughty 18. lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God 19. having a form of godliness but denying its power
That’s quite a list, but I’m sure we all have seen every one of these attributes in people around us, even just today. In fact, some people actually pay to go watch movies with all of these evil things in them. (Well, they used to back when you could go to the movies) My point is most of these qualities are common everyday occurrences and nobody even gives it a second thought. It is just the times we are living in.
That is my next point. The times. This scripture clearly says the last days, proving that there is going to be a last day. Some think it will be because the environment gives out, but the truth is, When God says its time, the last day will come. I’m not trying to be a discouraging voice, in fact, I am looking forward to that last day when all the evil mess we live in the middle of will come to an end. You can be excited about that day too. Just know something better is on the other side of the last day here.
Today I want to encourage you to know that perilous times are not only coming, they are here. This thing is wrapping up fast, and if you are not sure what that means for you, now is the time to secure your future and eternity with God our Father in heaven. It’s not hard, in fact you can do it right now by praying a simple prayer and inviting Jesus into your life to be your Lord and Savior. When you ask, He will come in and change you and teach you all that you need to know about the coming last days.
Pray: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior. I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me. Please forgive me for my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new. I know Your Son, Jesus died for me. I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead. At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward. I now have a right relationship with God my Father. I also ask for Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to do the things that You have planned for my life in Jesus name, Amen
Today’s scripture reading: 2 Timothy 3:1-9
The Daily Dose 