2Timothy 3:1. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” PERILOUS TIMES. Changes are coming darkly over the world like a shadow moving under black clouds. Foolishness leading to strife strikes a fire. Questions are unable to be answered. Opposition is not only against others – It is against the opposer as well. He opposes himself. Is there no relief? Will this continue unabated? Will sinful acts ever be satiated? Perilous times shall come!
Self-love that claims the life interest, and abilities proven and those unproved Absorb the thoughts and minds of the covetous, boasters, and the proud. Disrespect of men and God – evidence of blasphemers. Family life lost its wholesome claims.
No appreciation of efforts made. Dirty thoughts and minds. Is all that is honorable in decline? Will life as we know it change? Will good return? Perilous times shall come!
Religion without life-power from the Holy Spirit moves the crowd but not the hearts. Subtle enticements that promise much and deliver little attract and deceive. Studies made, lessons learned, meetings held, talks given, but no change. Resistance to the truth and faith ignored or scorned affects the masses. Unreality with the right words misleads the simple. Counterfeit that will be shown for what it is. Is Christianity dying? Will faith be found on the earth? Will truth be preached? Perilous times shall come!
Each must make decisions as to life and work and faith and truth and holiness and God. Look and see if the life of God can be seen in this place and time. Watch and pray lest temptations to succumb to the “last days” win. See the examples of those who have gone before and lived the life. Persecution is to be expected, so keep in touch with your Lord. Continue on in His way, no matter what the others do. Is it possible to resist? Can we still be effective in our work? Shall we press on? YES! Even though we fail? He knows… the reason for the mistake, the guilt, or the failure. He knows… even when we can’t explain it right – Perilous times shall come!
“We are seeing in many ways, Father, the evidence of the coming perilous times. It is not taking us by surprise because we have been warned ahead of time by the Word of truth. So please help us all who know Thee, to keep on keeping on in spite of what is going on around us. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
The first of nineteen characteristics of people living in the perilous last days is those who are "lovers of self." These people find their expression in a "me first" attitude. "I am not comfortable with that." "I will see if I can fit it into my schedule." "If I have time - maybe." These common expressions indicate a narcissistic attitude that is accepted as normal by young people as well as those who are older. "Covetous" people are "lovers of money." This is probably the greatest motivation the majority of people have in our day. Many people will lie, steal, cheat, or do whatever is necessary to get more money than they have. Entitlement begins these days with children, who learn early in life to demand what they do not earn. This attitude continues on into adulthood, and we have a citizenry right in this country that thinks they are owed what they want. Materialism is probably the most popular religion in this country, in spite of the evil it produces. People are dissatisfied with what they have, even if they are wealthy.
"Boasters" make sure other people know of their accomplishments as evidence of their worth to society. They have to tell about all they have done, but usually preface it with words something like, "I don't like to speak of myself, but...," and then regale anyone who will listen with their exploits. "Proud" people think highly of themselves and believe they are superior to others. In their own mind, they don't even think they need God. "Blasphemers" slander other people by verbal abuse and evil speaking. Some use the name of God and the Lord Jesus Christ as an expletive to vent their anger on someone or something. "Disobedient to parents" has become almost fashionable among children and teenagers today. It is not uncommon for a child to say to a parent, "No, I will not." Unfortunately, even laws today are passed in the interest of stopping abuse, which gives higher authority to teachers and social workers than to parents. Parents have failed by poor parenting or taking them for granted, and disobedient children take advantage of that.
"Unthankful" characterizes most people who think they deserve all they have and believe they should have even more. Many never express a word of thanks to their mother for a good meal, let alone all the care they have expended for the well-being of a child and/or a husband. Most people never express thanks to God for the food that came from the fullness of the earth He created. "Unholy:" irreverence is very common when it comes to the conduct of life without God. No interest in spiritual truth is common. Yet people are fascinated with demons, moral and spiritual darkness. Video games, movies, and other forms of mind control seem innocent to most people. But young children have become fascinated with demonic-inspired games until murder, war, deception, and other forms of violence have become commonplace to them.
"Without natural affection" means we can get so used to each other that we become hard-hearted toward those who love us and we take them for granted. Expressions of affection degenerate until even "I love you" means little more than "hello" or "goodbye." "Truce-breakers" includes more than government officials breaking the terms of agreements made with other governments. A self-opinionated person who cannot or will not come to terms with others is a hard, implacable person who refuses to listen to or yield to another person. "False accusers" are people who use words like the devil (the accuser) uses. Things you may have said are taken out of context or are used with a different tone of voice than when they were spoken. The character of this person, who is a slanderer, is such that he is looking for things in others to find fault with, often with the intent of excusing their own inappropriate behavior.
"Incontinent" means one is out of control. It may be out-of-control anger, out-of-control addiction, out-of -control habits; all of which imply there is a lust that person has, that refuses to be constrained. Alcoholism and its attendant problems have damaged families, marriages, and lives to the extent that there is no solution. "Fierce" people are those who have no mercy or compassion. They despise kindness, meekness, and gentleness in others and are forceful, imposing, and braggers themselves, intending to give a macho impression to intimidate others. "Despisers of those that are good" often mock the character, lifestyle, and beliefs of a child of God. They just "don't like Christians" even though they don't know them. When a person sees what is good and does not want it, nor to do it, they vent their emotion on those who do good.
"Traitors" are treacherous persons who cannot be trusted because they have a personal, self-centered agenda that they are not going to let go of. They will betray another person, like Judas Iscariot betrayed the Lord, for some personal gain or interest. "Heady" people are reckless and indifferent to the effect their actions have on others. In their pursuit of pleasure and material gain, they will stop at nothing to get what they want. "High-minded" is a bit different than pride, in that one is full of themselves and their mind is totally self-focused. Their moral judgment, decision-making, and even common sense are clouded by their own self-importance. We sometimes use the phrase, "He's got a swelled head."
"Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God" indicates there is no love for God at all. It is not a comparison but a contrast. People have the attitude in these last days that pleasure is the goal of life, so they pursue pleasure. Pleasure is something that we can control. God can't be controlled. Most pleasures can be obtained easily. Love for God requires effort and sacrifice. Pleasures only benefit us now. Love for God will benefit us most in the future. Pleasures can be addictive because they take our minds off ourselves and our problems. Love for God reminds us of our responsibilities. Pleasures and pride go together and make us feel good in the eyes of others. Love for God means we lay aside our pride and see God for who He is.
2nd Timothy 3:5, 14. “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away…. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.”
LAST DAYS DANGERS AND CHOICES. It is not so much different now – there is just so much more; The perils are now everywhere – from here to all the other shores. “Lovers of self” has come to mean one’s own “self-worth.” “Covetous” means hustlers, and “the shrewd shall inherit the earth.” “Boasting” is simply stating one is better than all the others. “Pride” is within, something like a lot of boasting undercover. “Blasphemers” speak evil without a thought of all God calls holy. To disobey parents means a younger person thinks of himself only. “Unthankful” indicates one thinks they are “entitled.” “Unholy” is the opposite of “like God”: with oneself enamored. “Without natural affection” means there are those who are heartless. Unforgiving “trucebreakers” – every one of them is faithless. “False accusers” are like the devil; in a minute, they will slander. Those “incontinent”, out-of-control people will to every whim pander. The “fierce” are brutal people, like beasts that are untamed. “Despisers of good” will often find ways on the righteous to lay blame. “Traitors” are treacherous, disposed towards betrayal. The “heady” are rash who will on others recklessly rail. Conceited, “high-minded” people think only of themselves. “Lovers of pleasures” don’t care or worry that they are on the road to hell. Those with the form or shape they think is godly – Don’t seem to realize they are already condemned wholly. But the man of God has to go against the flow. He must be committed to the scriptures in order to grow. We must stand up for what we know is right Rather than spend our energies in some useless fight. When the man of God will stand up for right and truth Amidst increasing darkness, the Light of God shines through.
“O God, people around talk so much about the times and things that are wrong, and they are trying to find some solution without Thee. In these last days, help me not to be too concerned about the things over which I have no control and cannot change. At the same time, when there is something I should do and can change, please make it plain to me so I can do what needs to be done. At the moment, it seems to me I should spend time making sure I have the right things to say to the people attending the Gospel meetings. If there are things to do that I am missing, speak clearly to me about them. I trust I am ready. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
"A form of godliness" makes people look good, but the things that count in life are missing. Faith, love, grace, and true worship are fundamental to godliness. Outward form is really meaningless. Our behavior gives away the falseness of mere form. A form of godliness is just a template of repetition that people follow that has the appearance of religion but has no power to change lives. Godliness comes when one's nature is changed by the new birth, not the form of Christianity. "Denying the power thereof" indicates the Holy Spirit's guidance, control, and presidency has been replaced by the form, and from that, believers are to turn away deliberately. There was some of this in the early days of the apostles, but there is a whole lot more now. There are denominations of religious groups within so-called Christianity to which these forms appeal to their people. It is these forms from which we who follow the scriptures must turn away.
It is from this group of people listed that come the false teachers. They insinuate them into the homes of people who lack the spiritual knowledge and strength to stand up for what is right. They are conscious of sin in their lives even as believers, and are open to teaching that leads them away from the truth. Women had not been considered in the past as really important in the scheme of things. Now that Christianity considers them equals, they have become a focus of attention for false teachers. They have freedom in Christ, but some do not have the knowledge of "the faith" and so are vulnerable to the deception of false teachers and a target of those who seek to lead them away from the truth. There are some who are not effective learners. This may be because of spiritual laziness, dishonesty, and even though they have a desire to learn, they have no real interest in practicing what they have been taught. We have not learned a subject until we have experienced its reason for being taught, and can at least in a measure teach it to others.
For a person to know, or at least have learned a thing and not acknowledge its truth, means that person needs to be exposed and rejected. These false teachers have a sneaky way of approaching people who are captivated by the unknown or dramatic claims people make. They can never seem to understand the truth and its importance. Their minds seem to be corrupted (unclean). They are not to be trusted. Sin does find us out because truth will be revealed sooner or later. Our hearts and minds cannot be covered by deceit forever. Even the affairs of life and its tensions and stress will expose our real selves. There is a limit to which a true child of God will go, and when the light of truth finally dawns on the soul, changes will be made. It should be done now rather than later. Character is being built constantly and cannot be hidden.
1Timothy 3:10-17 CONTINUE In the last days in which we live, there are safeguards that need to be put in place, just as Timothy needed. The example of godly leadership is one. Paul's life was for Timothy, just as the lives of those who went before us and taught us the ways of the Lord are for us. The things learned in a godly home when we were young do not go away. The examples of parents, scriptures learned and applied are there for us to draw on when we need them, or want them. The unchanging inspired word of God contained in the scriptures is there to give the wisdom we need to be saved ourselves, tell others how to be saved, and teach others. Paul's teaching and manner of life were in contrast to those who had a form of godliness but denied the power of godliness.
Timothy probably remembered the time Paul was stoned and left for dead at Lystra. In spite of his suffering, he was ready to serve [Rom.1:15], ready to suffer [Acts 21:13], and ready to sacrifice [2Tim.4:5]. Courage in the lives of those who live for God challenges us when we are called to serve the Lord in our lives, to not avoid the suffering that comes to us, which we have observed in others. Timothy may have seen some of what Paul suffered even before he was saved, and now it was Timothy's turn to bear the burden of "sound doctrine" and a godly "manner of life." People who live for God will suffer, so don't be surprised. Don't give up. Live to please God.
Teaching doctrine and a godly manner of life go together like partners. Purpose and faith go together. Our goals and confidence to reach them are defined by our Lord. He has commissioned and empowered us to accomplish these. Fidelity to God is one way that the objective is made clear to others. Paul's purpose was clearly contrasted with those who were "incontinent" - out of control. His faith was in contrast to their
"boasting." His long-suffering was contrasted with their "headiness." Long-suffering and charity go together. When we are provoked, a natural inclination is to react in kind, but one who has a long temper is able to respond in love with words and acts of grace. The Spirit of God gives understanding as to what is appropriate at the time it is needed. Paul's love is contrasted with their self-love, love of money, and pleasure.
Patience under the pressure of persecutions and afflictions is needed to endure the animosity and pain when one is misunderstood, mistreated, and maligned. Patience enables us to stand strong and silent, if necessary, rather than yield to despair. The patience of Paul is contrasted with the pride demonstrated by false teachers. Timothy knew this about Paul from his childhood, when the opposition against Paul was strong and vicious. Often, the opposition to us is because of our commitment to sound doctrine, and those who oppose follow us for a long time, as those who pursue us, hoping for our downfall, don't easily give up. Suffering for what is right in times of apostasy or deliberate rejection of the truth cannot be avoided. It will happen. Those experiences may have a tendency to make us want to quit, but the Lord is there. It is an encouragement to know that out of all the difficulties, the "Lord delivered me," was what Paul knew, and He will deliver us and continue to deliver. Paul knew the Lord delivered him in various ways and in various places.
When we look back, we can see so much more of the hand of the Lord in deliverance than we could see at the time it was happening. God allows His servants to pass through persecutions and afflictions for reasons that He knows, so deliverance is out of the difficulty, not from the difficulty. The suffering of the apostle Paul was not unique to him, because all who "live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." This will happen. A godly life is one lived in fellowship with God and in faithfulness to Him and His word. There is a communion with Christ Jesus that makes the god of this world and the people of the world, hostile to a godly person.
In these last days, neither the population nor false teachers will turn in a desire for holiness, to seek God. Evil men who will cause suffering and seducers who are deceivers are determined to bring down the Lord's people, and they will go from bad to worse in their antagonism. They will not only seek to lead the population astray and attack the true Christians, but they will also deceive themselves into thinking what they are doing is right. They are deceived by the devil and don't know it. Spiritual truths are not new words, nor do they change with the times to accommodate a "form of godliness." Denominational confusion, doctrinal changes, forms that are designed by men to please the people, should not make us stop advancing in the work with the truths we have and know are right.
These truths have come to us from reliable, tried, and proven people of faith. Paul, Lois, Eunice, and likely others were in Timothy's life. He may have even learned to read the scriptures at home from his mother and grandmother. Some of us think about our home and the people who taught us about dignity, integrity, honesty, righteousness, and whose affections were in real contrast to "silly women" laden with sins. These were faithful people whom we trusted because what they did was consistent with what they said. The things we learned when we were first saved, we often remember best. Even children are able to memorize, grasp truth in a simple way, grow in Christ spiritually, and have moral standards put in place by which to live. In teaching children, we prepare them for salvation through Christ Jesus.
Every part of the Bible has a positive use for teaching the truth of God; "it is profitable for doctrine." “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable…” 2Timothy 3:16. The holy scriptures reveal God to us in a clear and precise way. The scriptures expose what is false and misleading among the seducing and subtle teachings going on around us. The scriptures are usually taught by others who have experienced the power of the scriptures in their own lives. The holy scriptures are to be passed on to the generations coming behind us. They have authenticated the scriptures to us by living by them and living them out before us. To see a holy life lived under the authority of the holy scripture is to see what life is intended to be.
The reason the impact of the holy scripture is so great, and the commitment to it on the part of Bible- believing Christians is so intense, is that we know they are inspired by God. He has breathed out the thoughts of His great heart of love and left them for us in the holy scriptures. When they are read, studied, and understood, the truths of the scripture are what we mold our lives by and what we live by. God speaks to us in this remarkable way, and we can review, reread, and remember them throughout our whole lifetime. The results of the holy scriptures learned, known, and practiced won’t really be seen until a future day: “When the words that I have spoken, the same will judge you at the last day.” Its doctrine gives us the truth of God to equip us for every need we have. It brings conviction and rebuke when we need reproof. It sets right what may have been wrong and instructs us to be what we should be before God.
“Father in heaven, the breathings of Thy heart and mind are so important that we must be extremely stupid not to know what they are. And yet it seems there are times when I take the scriptures so lightly, and their truth affects me so casually. Help me to grasp the fact that these scriptures of truth are from Thee. The impact of such weighty words is more than an exercise of the intellect, but a challenge to make sure I profit by them. When I “eat them”, they are truly the “joy and rejoicing of my heart.” I need the hunger, the thirst, the longing after the nourishment they give to my soul. Thanks for the Holy Spirit, the Divine Interpreter, who makes Thy Word come alive to me. Thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is revealed to me in these profound Words of inspiration. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
In times of peril and the darkness of the last days, the guidance and encouragement we need is in the holy scriptures that will mature, fit, and prepare us for every good work. The scriptures "furnish" - equip the man of God with all he needs to carry on the work he has been given. I need to spend time in the scriptures to be equipped, stirred, challenged, motivated, and enlightened to be ready for every good work. “That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2Timothy 3:17. To be called a “man of God” is the highest aspiration of my life. I know this is like a presumption to even consider that such a thing could be possible. However, high goals can never be out of order according to my thinking. It seems to me that if one could be considered such a person by even one other person, life would have been worth living. If God is the supreme object of a person’s life and the things of God, one’s goal, at least we might be able to hear Him say, “You did okay.” If one could hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”, that would be better yet. To be known as a “Man of God” would be to honor the Lord in such a way that He would be glorified.
“God, my gracious Father who knows me in and out. Help me to be dissatisfied with mediocrity, complacency, apathy and self-satisfaction. Help me to count each hour and each day as a special dispensation from God to further meet needs unto “all good works.” To be identified even one word away from “God” is a powerful incentive. Let the “of” be a living reality in my daily life, and then maybe it will please Thee and bring a glory to Thee that could never be brought in any other way. Amen.”