“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” 2 Timothy 3:1
Dear Ones:
When the Apostle Peter stood up on the day of Pentecost to announce that the prophecy of Joel was now realized, he began by quoting Joel: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh…” (Acts 2:16,17) Though Pentecost belongs to the period deemed, “last days,” so does the mention of perilous times by the Apostle Paul, “…in the last days perilous times shall come.” Why are we told that great blessing shall come in the “last days,” and also, great peril? What is it about the end of the “last days,” or that period leading up to the end, when Christ shall return, that is so significant?
Paul tells us that one thing that will characterize this time is, “…For men shall be lovers of their own selves.” (2 Timothy 3:2) The Lord Jesus gives us the reason for this by asking the question: “…When the Son of Man comes, shall He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8) The man who truly loves himself, is that one who is absorbed with, and trusts only, IN himself. That which is opposite to this reality, is true faith, God-given faith, where one is brought to the place of trusting God WHOLLY. Such trust is characterized by a radical deference FOR Christ, at the expense of living for self. You might ask, “Have not men always been absorbed with themselves, lovers of themselves?” And the answer is “yes.” Ever since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, man has become naturally, and logically, self-centered. The condition is as pervasive as the spread of mankind itself. But it is a spiritual reality, that as history marches on, so does the relentless “bent” in the heart of unbelieving man, pursue the quenching, stifling, and eradication of true faith. However, there is a GREAT counter action which God has provided, a way of deliverance from such self-love, self-trust, and the infringement of unbelief upon the heart and mind. It is the revelation of the victory of Christ TODAY brought about by the power of the Spirit of Pentecost, “…poured out upon all flesh.”
How is our “day” unlike any other time period, especially as it relates to danger and peril?” With respect to western culture, there is a decline in the number of people who put their faith only in God, in Christ, to BE their Lord and Savior. Thus, there is the increasing, and widespread, “love of self,” the embracing of humanism in all of its forms, trusting in man rather than in God. Why then is our time, in particular, a time of peril and danger?
Let’s begin with what the author of the book of Hebrews wrote: “For without faith, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please Him (God.), for he that comes to God must believe that He IS and that He is the rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.” (11:6) If there is no faith, then there is NO right relationship with God, certainly not a life pleasing to God. Also, if there is no faith, then there is no desire or will to come to Him, and no receiving all that He desires to give. In other words, if there is no faith, there is NO relationship with God, no experience of eternal life. God’s only way, by which fallen man can know Him, is that of faith in Him. There is NO other.
The term “perilous times” speaks to us of danger. It speaks to us of a warning from God, one which we must know and take heed. True faith is under attack from an enemy who seeks only to rob, kill, and destroy. (Jn. 10:10) The enemy of God, Satan, is our enemy. “Principalities, powers, and rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places,” (Eph. 6:12) are arrayed against the whole of humanity, in particular the living body of Christ, the church and the individual believer. If we are to be victorious in our living, then we must understand the times in which we live, KNOW for certain, that we have been put here “for such a time as this,” and then “fight the good fight of faith.” If we would be good soldiers who overcome, then we must be men and women of faith, vibrant and overcoming faith.
Dear Father, Give us grace to see and understand the context in which we live. Also, give us grace to see Thy Son as OUR OVER-COMER. By Thy Spirit, and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us to overcome faithless opposition, standing and living in this victory which is ours in Christ. We praise and thank Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad