2 Timothy 3:1-8 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God:
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.”

Today we look at a prophetic warning, of how people will become in the last days. I don’t often talk of the End Times, but let’s be reminded of this important truth, that in the last days indeed perilous times will come. As we look at today’s set of verses, we see that these things have indeed come!

We are reminded that men shall be lovers of their own selves. People have become overwhelmingly selfish. Not caring about others but rather thinking of themselves first. They shall be covetous, constantly seeking that which is not theirs. People shall be boasters, always seeking to be seen for attention and glory in what they feel they have accomplished, pride is become no longer a word that means something bad, but rather many times “pride” is deemed good to have for better “self esteem.” Blasphemy reigns, as everywhere I personally look in my area alone, blasphemy is there. Movies spew forth blasphemy nearly constantly as they promote occultism and demote the Truth. People are also said to become “disobedient to parents” and truly children have so often become uncontrollable and seen as a burden (though those who raise Children right, have found help in our Lord). Yet note this, that being disobedient to parents isn’t directed to children in these verses, as in the beginning it says “men shall be . . .” We learn something that we definitely see today. Adults, shall become disobedient to parents. How often do we hear the phrase “old enough to make their own decisions?” Yes, we are old enough to make decisions for ourselves, yes we may even have children of our own, but by no means does this mean we now have a right to be disrespectful to the very ones who raised us, whether they raised us well or poorly, we still should honour and love our parents (Not saying always doing what they say, for we make our own decisions, but don’t be disrespectful; consider them in addition to ourselves). The second verse for today continues, showing people will become unthankful, and unholy. Truly in pride people lack enough respect for others, loving themselves more than others, to the point that thankfulness is hardly seen. And Holiness . . . is even more seldom seen, even among the Children of God! To speak of casting aside all things that are sinful, to speak of standing forth in the faith, rebuking sin and even hating the garment spotted by sin, to fiercely reject being entertained or being around things that are sinful in the eyes of God . . . causes the words “fanatic,” “conservative,” “too strict,” and the phrase “you need to lighten up” to come to mind!

In the third verse, we see that people shall be “without natural affection” This is becoming more widespread as the days go by! “Without natural affection” isn’t limited to homosexuality as some might think. Rather, this includes things such as parents not caring for children, men not caring for women or wives, wives not caring for men or husbands. People not loving parents. Any type of love which has become distorted or lessened! It isn’t natural for parents to beat their own children out of anger or for no reason at all. It isn’t natural for people to forsake intimacy with the others, for animals. It isn’t natural affection, to be pleasured by hurting others. Though . . . it has become natural to people in the Last Days (but isn’t truly “natural” ). People shall be trucebreakers, false accusers; not keeping promises, and lying about others. People shall be incontinent, fierce; without self-control, and very easily angered. They shall be “despisers of those that are good” Hearing the word “goody two shoes” is not uncommon. People love to try to taint another person, because they themselves do no good, and either are jealous, or hate the light which shines from that person, that reveals their own wickedness.

People also are shown to become Traitors, not having a sense of loyalty if ever it no longer benefits them personally. They shall be heady, highminded; feeling themselves superior to another, often because they personally have accomplished something another person has not boasted in (this often happens in work-related situations, or in those deemed “really smart” by this world). People shall be “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” This is evident everywhere, as when people know that God would disapprove of something, they continue on because they get pleasure from it. Even in a child of God’s life: if someone likes watching a particular television show, or playing a particular video game, or reading particular books . . . and that Television show, video game, or book suddenly deems the faith of our Lord as a lie, or pretty much spits in the face of the Truth of God, will that child of God then decide to no longer watch that TV show, play that video game, or read that book? In light of the Truth of what God wants, and what He does not want, when one finds it’s against what they deeply enjoy doing, they forsake God’s will, loving pleasure more than the very one who Created him or her.

In the Fifth verse for today, we are shown that many will have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof. As we spoke of the past few days, these are those who deem themselves godly, children of God, yet deny Him in works, and in every good work, reprobate. They claim the name of Christ, yet have not the Spirit of God dwelling within their lives. Truly children of God, will have the Spirit of Jesus within, whereby we cry Abba, Father, unto God our Father! Without His Spirit, giving us the power, we can never walk according to His Word, or truly follow Christ! And these have not that Spirit.

In the Sixth verse, we are again reminded of those people, who teach deceptively through subtlety and smooth talking, leading captive, silly women laden with sins. All through lusts, and for lusts, either lusting money, or any other thing coveted. In verse Seven, we see “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Those who have that form of godliness but deny the power thereof, those who creep into houses, subverting them and deceiving, and even those who are the ones being deceived . . . they all are always learning, but never truly able to “LEARN” or come to the knowledge of the Truth. The Truth is not found in what they teach or learn. And because they have not the Holy Spirit, they can never come to the knowledge of the Truth, for the Spirit of God is the only one who gives such knowledge!

We see in the last verse for today, the mention of Jannes and Jambres, who were the chief magicians who performed similar acts to Moses, to try to show themselves great and that the Pharaoh should listen to them instead. Just as they withstood Moses, by putting on a good act (yet ultimately showing that they couldn’t do all that God can do), so do these people withstand the Truth. They put on a good act, yet Truly are not able to compare with the True power of the Spirit of God. These are “men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.” They are as those who are defiled and unbelieving as covered in yesterday’s verse, wherein even their mind and conscience is defiled! And they are reprobate concerning the faith; impure and rejected by God because they truly have not faith in our Lord Jesus!

Of a truth, we are in the last days, yet these things are not told to us so that we can be afraid, or worried, or have a “highminded” mindset thinking “I knew this would happen.” Rather it is for our comfort and encouragement. Just as we are told in the Word that these things would happen, we can rest assured that our Lord is faithful and His Return is just as sure! We can rest assured that these things are known of God and therefore He still is in control, not letting us be harmed! Praise God for His Word and Truth!

I love you and pray for you continually. Please keep me in your prayers as well. May we continue to learn from His Word, being encouraged and uplifted by our Father! Stay in the Word of God, studying and learning it every day, as it’s our Food and Sustenance! May God greatly bless you in all you do! Have a blessed day today!

Thanks, It is my prayer that indeed any are helped by them. Thank you sister, Your words are an encouragement

God Bless you much!

Your right, things aren't getting better as time goes on! But Praise God for His Grace, truth, and help!

Thanks, brother, for the link. I will have to check it out after work!