“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” 2 Timothy 3:1
The
Bible gives us many signs by which we can tell that the Coming of Jesus is ‘Near, even at the door’.
The last days will be perilous times. No other place in the Bible is the word "perilous" used. Perilous: very dangerous: involving exposure to very great danger. Any way you look at it, the end times will be bad!
1. LOVERS OF THEMSELVES
Have you noticed the shift in focus in these last decades? Where formerly a man was admired as he sacrificed for family; country; God. But now a man boasts of ‘Doing His Own Thing”, and people do not question it. Abandoning others so one can ‘Live His Own Life’ is the ‘IN’ thing!
And what about all the emphasis on ‘Self Gratification & Self Esteem ? ‘Treat yourself: You deserve it!’ “Pamper yourself!”
Where in the not too distant past, people lived worked and co-operated for the sake
of their extended families; these days see even teens wanting their “Own Apartments” so
they can ‘do as they please.’
2. COVETOUS
People now want and want and want, even when they can't afford to have. Even what they have no right to have!
Never before in history have people been more caught up with ‘things’ and the latest gadgetry. Never before has credit been so available but still the cry is More! More! More!
3. BOASTERS
Dictionary: to praise yourself, or speak arrogantly about things you possess or have achieved.
Just listen to people talk about themselves! We even have countless television talk-shows for this purpose.
4. PROUD
Just so with Christians. When they accept
You may recall that it was pride that led to the fall of Lucifer out of heaven.
Pride and Self-exaltation made a demon out of the brightest angel! The Bible
teaches that the proud and arrogant will not be in heaven. Think about it, if
God allowed anyone in heaven that fit the descriptions of this text, He would
have to apologize to Lucifer and invite him back into heaven. People are so
prideful, even those that claim to be “saved."
Lucifer stated "I will" five times, in his proud boast about how he would take the place
of God and overthrow the heavenly host of angels.
…”I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit
also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend
above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” Yet thou shalt be
brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. Isa 14:13-15.
5. Blasphemers
The Bible states that a blasphemer is a person that claim themselves to be God or to assume
His authority. There are groups that claim that man, over a process of time, can be god.
Think about that! God has placed his signature on all of creation. He has created something
from nothing. No man or devil can do this.
A blasphemer is also one who denies God or insults Him. In our age we are seeing
such Heaven-daring rudeness to God as even criminals of the past would have feared
to speak or do. And most people laugh when God is insulted, or when His name is called in vain.
6. Disobedient to Parents
In the past people still very much respected their parents. Today we see even small children screaming “I Hate You!” at their parent when they have been denied some small indulgence.
Children will tell the parent what they are going to do, like it or not! They have become manipulative of the parents for their own selfish desires. “As for my people, children are their oppressors…” Isaiah 3:12.
7. Unthankful
Dictionary: without feelings of gratitude. People are not thankful. They believe that the world owes them a living whether they earn it or not.
Parents have taught their children to expect gifts just because of what day it is - and the attitude is that this is their right!
They also have no sense of the debt they owe to their Creator and Redeemer!
8. Unholy
The Bible states that we are to be holy because God is Holy. The character of God is that
He cannot tolerate SIN. Yet we as a people of God tolerate sin in our body on a continual
basis. We explain it away by saying, “Surely God.........” (Before we finish the statement....
that is blasphemy). We cannot begin to imagine what God would allow in our body. We
cannot begin to imagine how God thinks! We must take heed to His Word!
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isa 55:9.
9. Without Natural Affection
Jude 10 refers to such a person as a "Brute Beast", then continues to say
"Woe unto them for they have gone the way of Cain". Cain murdered his brother
Able because Able tried to warn him not to sin! Selfishness is the root of this lack of love.
Natural affection is the love that God placed within our being to have for one
another. We are now living in a time where a child growing in its mother’s womb
is worth only the amount of money required to abort it. God wants us to love one another!
7. Trucebreakers
Breaking agreements and promises whenever it is convenient to do so.
11. False Accusers
To charge somebody falsely who is not guilty of crime or what we accuse them of.
12. Incontinent
unrestrained and uncontrolled, primarily lacking restraint in sexual matters. Not only is this rampant in the world today but even amongst professing Christians and mostly people ignore it.
13. Fierce
Showing aggression or anger. More and more people are impatient and quick to wrath than
ever before. People will blow you away for cutting them off in traffic.
14. Despisers of Those That are Good
I remember when good and well doing was admired and promoted on movies and in books. Today the character
shown as ‘good’ in a story is usually ridiculed or played down while the wicked are held up as being
‘realistic’.
Many a young person does wickedly merely so his friends won’t call him a sissy or a ‘goody-goody’.
Time after time on TV and even cartoons we see the studious and hard-working set out as ‘geeks’ or
misfits and the sexually pure are mocked as ‘not with it’ or ‘prudes’.
Even those who want to uphold right will usually say, “well everyone has their own opinions.
This is what is right for me!” Rarely do we hear: “This is WRONG!” and almost never: “This is SIN!”
15. Traitors
Those who betray the trust of others, and behave in a disloyal or treacherous manner.
16. Heady
Impetuous: impulsive and rash in behavior; “If it feels good - Do it!”
17. High-minded
To inflate ones-self with self-conceit, to be lifted up with pride. To think oneself highly important.
18. Lovers of Pleasure More Than Lovers of God
There has not been any other time in these past two thousand years, since this book of
Timothy has been written, that people love their pleasures and entertainment more than
they do today. Certainly they love pleasure more than they love God! Even their ‘worship’
of God centers on indulgence, church suppers, and entertainment.
When on every side we hear the chants: "true knowledge places man above all law;" that "whatever is, is right;" that "God doth not condemn;" and that "all sins which are committed are innocent."
When the people are thus led to believe that desire is the highest law, that liberty is license, and that man is accountable only to himself, who can wonder that corruption and depravity teem on every hand?
Multitudes are eagerly accepting teachings that leave them at liberty to obey the promptings of the carnal heart. The reins of self-control are laid upon the neck of lust, the powers of mind and soul are made subject to the animal nature, and Satan exultingly sweeps into his net thousands who profess to be followers of Christ.
These - the teachings of SPIRITUALISM - Are even heard in our pulpits today! And they are called ‘LOVE’ by the deluded.
19. Having a Form of Godliness, but denying the power thereof
Of all this amazing prophecy, this item is perhaps the greatest sign of our times!
Never has religion been so widely accepted among the worldly minded – and never before has
so much worldliness been accepted and welcomed into the church!
In the past, ‘getting religion’ was associated with repenting and turning from at least
the grosser sins. Now it means socializing and indulgence, entertainment and anything goes.
But if you start to talk of the POWER of the Lord to free the life from SIN! People turn away.
If you have a problem You will be advised to go to counselors, self-help seminars, therapy groups.
The POWER of God is pushed aside and Humanism stands in its place. The first question is not
‘What is Truth?’ but ‘What organization or group do you belong to?’
What Should We Do?
"I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment,
that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine
eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous
therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and
open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:18-20
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