"In the Last Days . . . "

"But understand this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God. They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these. For some of these insinuate themselves into households and captivate weak women who are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions. Such women are always seeking instruction, yet never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people—who have warped minds and are disqualified in the faith—also oppose the truth. But they will not go much further, for their foolishness will be obvious to everyone." (2 Timothy 3:1-9 NET)

Some quick thoughts about this instruction from Paul to his follower, Timothy. In this letter, Paul is describing the ramifications of the end time of history - and what is sobering is that the list of sins that follow the proclamation that "difficult times will come" don't even seem to be that out-of-the-norm in today's culture. Just take for instance the description that in the end days that children will be disobedient to their parents, for anyone that has worked in any childcare environment (including church) the exception is the child that is obedient to his/her parents. And before we point our fingers toward the world in judgement a gentle reminder that this instruction to Timothy is about the people in the church! Of course those who don't love Christ are going to embrace self-love and serve their own interests, but Paul is telling Timothy that members of the church are going to embrace the sins listed above. 

People will love themselves, and not love God. They will seek knowledge, but hate the truth. They will maintain the outward appearance of following Christ while living a life totally deprived of the love of God. Paul is not talking about suffering from without but suffering from within. Some of our greatest sufferings, as Christians, will come from people within God’s church.

Paul says, “But understand this,” or it can be translated, “But realize this” (NASB). There are truths in scripture that are difficult to understand but if we don't we realize this about the church, we may become disillusioned or even fall away. In fact, sadly, many have fallen away because they didn’t recognize the state or condition of the times, putting their trust in men instead of the Word of God.

In describing the state of the church in the last days, Paul says it will be “difficult” times. This word can be translated “terrible, “perilous,” or “violent.” It was used one other time in the New Testament to describe the two demoniacs in the region of the Gadarenes; they were so violent that nobody could pass by them (Matt 8:28). The word “times” is not the Greek word “chronos”, referring to chronological time, but “kairos”, referring to seasons. There will be seasons of heightened peril in the church and other times of relative peace.

However, the scary thing about the last days is that it not only refers to the time right before Christ’s return, but it also applies to the very age Timothy ministered in. This is clear as Paul warns Timothy to “So avoid people like these” (v. 5). The present tense of this phrase means that the difficult times had already begun. Check this out, on God’s eschatological timeline, the ‘last days’ began when Christ came to the earth. Hebrews 1:1-2 says, "After God spoke long ago in various portions and in various ways to our ancestors through the prophets, in these last days he has spoken to us in a son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he created the world."

So why is Paul spending all of this time informing Timothy about the last days? It is because Timothy needed to understand the nature of them so he wouldn’t get discouraged and fall away. Similarly, in warning the disciples about coming persecutions, Christ said, “I have told you all these things so that you will not fall away” (John 16:1). When you know something difficult is coming, it is easier to persevere and be faithful when it happens. We need to understand this reality as well. Difficulties are already around us and ahead of us and will only escalate as we grow closer to the end of history. 

Whew . . . 

So what should be our response to this current and growing reality? We all know that people who are not yet Christ followers may fear many things: natural disasters, evil, etc. But as Christians, we live by faith, have nothing to fear because we know that God is in ultimate control. While we may go through times of trial, and sometimes downright unbelievable pain, God promises to take those things and turn them around for His good, and for our blessing, if we are obedient to Him. Always remember, if you come to a point where you don't understand what is going on in the world, trust God's Word. If there comes a time when you disagree with the Word of God, always assume you are wrong. Our brilliant minds are still no match for the infinite wisdom and knowledge of Almighty God. 

So as we absorb this teaching lets leave with this wonderful promise from God, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10) NIV