EXPECT PERILOUS TIMES AHEAD

B. Mills

Our Lord warned that even as people rejected him, they will also reject those who believe in him and follow him. However, that rejection and persecution for his sake, will not go unnoticed by the Lord. Those who have lost their lives for his sake will have the front row, box seats of honor in his kingdom, at the very foot of the throne. (Revelation 6:9-10)

We are even now in the “last days” that period of time known as the “Church Age,” between the establishment of the church until Christ’s second coming. That means that we are living in the “last days,” perhaps even nearing the time of his return.

Interestingly, note that the same word that is translated “perilous” here is used in Matthew 8:28 to describe the demoniac who was possessed of many demons. The same demons which Jesus permitted to enter the herd of swine, which then ran into the sea and were destroyed. The description of mankind described by Paul picture a world rapidly becoming so polarized that it is no longer possible for the church to survive in it. That was the world just before the great flood which destroyed all that was not safe in the ark. Noah’s ark is a symbol of the church. As the ark saved Noah’s family, the church will save God’s family. Remember, it is often the darkest just before dawn, but shortly the light of the sun drives all that darkness away. When the world becomes totally uninhabitable by God’s people, He will put them in the place that he has prepared for them.

2 Timothy 3:1-7 (King James Version)

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (1 Timothy 4:1)
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (Philippians 2:21, Luke 16:14, 1 Timothy 3:3, 1 Timothy 6:10, Romans 1:30, 2 Peter 2:10-12, Luke 6:35, 1 Timothy 1:9)
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (Romans 1:311 Timothy 3:11, Titus 1:8)
4 Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (Acts 7:52, Acts 19:36, 1 Timothy 3:6, Philippians 3:19)
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (1 Timothy 4:7, 1 Timothy 5:8, Matthew 7:15, 2 Thessalonians 3:6)
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, (Jude 4, 1 Timothy 5:6, Titus 3:3)
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 2:25)

Make particular note that the church by that time still has a “form of godliness,” but that it denies the ”power” of God. That would be the deity of God and His Son, the natural conclusion of the theory of evolution and materialism. Verse six is therefore to be anticipated.

And verse seven clearly describes most modern day churches. Ever learning, many studies, but not the Word. As Paul wrote to Timothy, “study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, but shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness and their word will eat as doth canker:” (2 Timothy 2:15-17a)