"We may look for even worse days and darker days than we have at present." - Charles Spurgeon
So many nowadays are running to and fro looking for a positive word concerning the future - and rightfully so. No one in their right mind fancies hearing that which is negative.
However, the Bible does not just offer us positive news. It is God's Word - the Book of Truth - and as we all know, the Truth, being realistic, can at times be very negative.
Instead of receiving the Truth concerning future events on this earth, many are running from it - seeking to live in an imaginary "wonderland" - where everything runs smoothly and without any problems.
Jesus warned us that before His Second Coming, fearsome things would begin to happen. His intention in telling us this was not to scare us, but to prepare us.
Hence, as His coming nears, we can expect things to get worse and worse; that is, as far as evil and deception goes.
What are you going to do about it?
You have a choice. You can deny that Jesus ever gave this warning. You can run to and fro looking for a False Prophet or a False Teacher who will cater to your imaginary fantasy and tell you what you want to hear. You can live in fear. Or else you can prepare - by exerting yourself to grow in your relationship with Jesus and gain the strength and grace needed to face what tomorrow holds.
This Message is intended to induce you to face reality and to see your dire need to spiritually prepare for the days ahead.
In 2 Timothy 3:1, the Apostle Paul wrote - "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." He was referring to the conditions prior to Jesus' coming. He described these "days" as being uneasy, difficult, and trying - times of abounding wickedness and error.
They would be times of danger to the faith of God's people...times when you would hardly know which way to turn or what to do...and times when there would be a constant sense of hindrance or difficulty of one sort or another.
We are living in those "days."
They would be "days" when there would be a marked indifference to the Truth of God's Word - causing error to seem as though it is a light thing and not something that should be strongly reproved. This indifference would cause some to hold that all religions are right and acceptable - advocating a thousand ways to heaven...a prevailing laxity of morals... an overflow of immorality... and loose faith.
We are certainly living in those"days."
In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Paul went on to describe these "days" as a "time" when men would not "endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts...heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears" and "turn away their ears from the truth" and "be turned unto fables."
It would be a "time" when people who are fickle, unsettled, and never satisfied would seek out teachers to tell them what they want to hear and make them feel good. They would "lust" for inoffensive preaching- that which is pleasing and comfortable... delights the ears and doesn't teach truth... offers novelty, variety, and change with the culture...and coincides with their lusts, tastes, wishes, and whims.
We are definitely living in those "days."
In 2 Timothy Chapters 1-3, Paul named men like "Phygellus and Hermogenes" who were ashamed of the truth..."Hymenaeus and Philetus" who erred concerning the truth...and "Jannes and Jambres" who resisted the truth. In 2 Timothy 3:8, he described these types as being - "men of corrupt minds" - those who are biased and prejudiced against the truth - giving heed to "seducing spirits and doctrines of devils" (1 Timothy 4:1). Like Demas in 2 Timothy 4:10, they "love this present world" - following worldly pleasures and comforts.
Look around! In these "days," we, too, have "men of corrupt minds" that can be personally named. They are men who are preaching a false Gospel and leading multitudes astray by their inoffensive preaching.
As the "days" near the coming of the Lord, we are finding more wicked people coming along masquerading as representatives of the Christian faith - when, in all actuality, they are deceiving the people. We are finding fewer Pastors who are willing to stand - uncompromisingly and resolutely - against the tide that flows against the truth. Those who do defend the faith are classified as being "off-balance fanatics."
Are things going to get better? On the contrary, the Bible tells us that they are going to get worse.
In 2 Timothy 3:13, Paul warned - "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." All over the world, we are seeing that mankind is rapidly approaching conditions similar to those in the days of Noah. Jesus warned us that this would happen - "But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be" (Matthew 24:37). Genesis 6:5 goes on further to describe these "times" as - "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Men will "wax worse and worse" - sinking deeper and deeper into perversion - not having anything like the grace of God in their hearts to arrest their downward spiral.
In contrast to the "godly" who "love His appearing" (live in the light of that event), these "evil men" (full of wickedness and malice against truly godly persons) and "seducers" (religious counterfeits, charlatans, false teachers, and phony preachers) "love this present world." As "blind leaders of the blind" (Matthew 15:14), their objective is to lead others away from the truth into greater and greater darkness - impairing any sense of distinction between truth and falsehood.
One thing must be said here. Oftentimes, these imposters may initially look and sound "legitimate" and be well accepted among Christian circles. They start off by preaching part of the Gospel - an inoffensive Gospel. Because this is all that they preach, they deceive others. Since this deception is not stopped or repented of, it becomes more intensive as times goes on. Before long, these false teachers begin twisting the truth - falling deeper and deeper into greater error - sadly taking many followers with them.
What is the Christian to do in such "times" when "evil men and seducers are waxing worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived" - when men are getting more and more wicked and hostile?
By all means, the follower of Jesus Christ should "wax" stronger and stronger in his God.
In 2 Timothy 2:1, Paul told Timothy - "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." In other words, "be strong" - relying on the strength which the grace of God provides. Go on faithfully with the "spirit of power" - derived from your union with Christ.
In 2 Timothy 3:14, he told Timothy to do the total opposite of what the wicked men and imposters would be doing. They would be proceeding - advancing or going forward - from bad to worse. Instead, he was to "continue" - stay or remain - in his absolute allegiance to the unchanging truth of God's Word - "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of..."
As his environment became more and more influenced by wickedness and became more and more hostile, he was not to proceed to something more modern or up-to-date, but remain firm to the anchor of Truth - the Holy Scriptures - which alone were able to give him the wisdom that leads to salvation - "make thee wise unto salvation" (2 Timothy 3:15). In the midst of the errors and seductions of false teachers, he was to hold fast sound doctrine.
This is Paul's admonition to all believers. Hence, besides "waxing" "strong in grace" and "continuing" steadfastly in the teachings of the Word, the follower of Jesus is to "watch in all things" (2 Timothy 4:5). This means that - on all occasions and under all circumstances - he is to be sober, serious, and vigilant against all error and sin. In other words, he is to be on the alert and not sleep!
As imposters are deluding the people more and more, he is to "rightly divide the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15) - handle the Scriptures correctly - present them rightly - not twisting them.
Lastly, using his own testimony as a rule, Paul implied what it is going to take to "overcome" in these last days; that is, "fight the good fight," "finish your course," and "keep the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). In other words, the believer will be required to use his energies to "fight the good fight" of faith, run his "race" with the goal in sight, and in spite of all opposition and affliction, remain true to the doctrines of the faith.
Yes, before the coming of the Lord, things are going to get worse - as far as evil and deception is concerned. Yet, at the same time, Jesus said that He would be coming back for a "glorious church" - one that is "sanctified" and "cleansed" by the Word of God (Ephesians 5:26-27).
It is not a time to fear, compromise, or go to sleep spiritually. Nor is it a time to cave in to the growing intimidation of the "evil men" and "seducers" that surround you.
It is a time to go on faithfully for the Lord with the ability and power that comes from being in relationship with Him.
It is a time to "wax strong in His grace" and know and obey the Scriptures.
This is what is needed to stem the tide of corruption and disaster toward which the human race is headed.
The Apostle Peter said it in this way - "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..." (2 Peter 3:18).
Following the crowd will cause you to be "led away with the error of the wicked" and "fall from your own steadfasness" (2 Peter 3:17).
It's time to take a stand and know what you believe!
Your spiritual life depends on it!
These are dangerous times!
"...and dangerous times call for strong people."
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
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