Scripture verses are in " Maroon " Koine Greek words are in " Purple " ~ Text in " Dark Blue " are highlighted points All scripture verses in this document are from the original 1611
There is no doubt that these are the last few years prior to the " Second Coming Of Jesus the Christ ! " As we get closer to this wonderful event in history they are also the times of great danger, trials, and temptations. They are the times when Sin does exceedingly abound. Many are professing Christianity but " oppose the power of the Holy Spirit " which enables them to live above sin in thought, word, and deed.
Our greatest threat as Christians is not so much from " without " as it is from the corruptions that lie " within . " Yet right in the middle of this picture stands the inspired Word of God as a reminder to the devil and all of his " tools " that evil will not prevail.
[ 1 ] 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, trucebeakers, 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.
[ 14 ] But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
[ 15 ] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
[ 16 ] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
[ 17 ] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
So ..... in the first few verses of the book of " II Timothy Chapter 3 " ( shown above ) we see a very clear-cut view of the days right before " Jesus' Second Coming " ! In this article I will break this down into three sections:
We see two different kinds of people, based on the Bible, who are living in our world prior to " Jesus the Christ's Return . " There are the " ungodly " and then there are those who are living their lives " Godly in Christ Jesus. "
The " ungodly " are " lovers of their own selves " and " covetous ." These are people who sometimes even " wear the garb of Christianity " yet are extremely selfish and only concerned about their own interests. They don't really care if their interests conflict with the rights and comforts of any of the others. Self and money are their chief focus. Their leading objective is to get and keep all that they can for themselves.
How do we describe the " Godly " prior to " His Return ? " They are dead to Self. They love God and others before themselves. They are very sensitive to the rights and comforts of their fellow man. Their main objective is to serve and benefit others rather than themselves. They will give of themselves - their gifts, talents, and resources - so that others may be blessed.
The " ungodly " are " boasters, proud, blasphemers ... highminded. " They are so full of themselves, valuing themselves above others. Everything they do is for show or to impress others. This idolatry of Self causes them to actually speak irreverently concerning the things of God and injuriously toward their fellow man.
" The Godly man is the total opposite." Look for him. He is the man who is emptied of Self - always boasting in the Lord - never drawing attention to himself. He is not conceited nor puffed up. He considers others better than himself and desires to make others glad even if it costs him his own happiness. If he does any great work, he immediately gives God all of the Praise. He is a man of no reputation. He speaks of the Lord and His people with utmost reverence and respect.
The " ungodly " are " disobedient to parents " and " without natural affection. " Look at a lot of the children in this day and hour. Many have no respect for their elders and cannot be told what to do. They are disrespectful, disobedient, and irresponsible. They will not be accountable to any one. At the same time, reports of Parents and Grandparents abusing or murdering their babies are escalating.
Among the " Godly ", there are parents and grandparents who nurture and care for their own. They love, train, teach, admonish, and discipline them. The children, in return, respect and honor their elders. It is indeed a beautiful sight to behold. How lovely it is to see families, walking and living together in love and harmony as directed by the Holy Scriptures.
The " ungodly " are " trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady ... " They avoid, at all costs, any kind of commitment whatsoever. They make many promises with the intention of never keeping one. If a rift should occur in a relationship, they are unwilling to be reconciled. They constantly provoke new contentions and disagreements with their loose, slanderous tongue. They have no control over their passions and appetites. Resultantly, they are wild, harsh, severe, treacherous, rash, willful, and inconsiderate in their dealings with others.
The " Godly " man makes the best of friends. He is faithful, keeping all of his promises. At the slightest sign of offense, he is ready to apologize and make things right. His entire being is under the government of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the words of his mouth are pleasing unto the Lord. He does not speak disparagingly about his neighbor. He treats others in a gentle and mild manner. He loves good men and would never seek to betray them or be inconsiderate or rude to any.
The " ungodly " are " lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. " Their only interest is their sensual pleasure. They seek to constantly be amused and pampered.
The " Godly " man, on the other hand, loves God above all. He is not seeking for cheap thrills or vain amusements. His is a more serious pursuit in life. He yearns to know God and make Him known.
" Believe it or not - most of the ungodly are found in somebody's church every Sunday. " They profess to be Christians. They carry a Bible and even speak the Christian lingo. They frequent the Christian bookstores to purchase the latest books, videos, and CD's. Yet they totally deny the power that is available to live right. Their lives show no change whatsoever. They still do the same things they did as a sinner, frequent the same places, and hang around the same " ungodly " friends.
The " Godly " definitely are " new creatures in Christ. " They have been changed. And they have no intention of ever returning to the " pig sty " from whence they came. Their Christianity is exemplified on a daily basis as they are growing stronger and stronger in grace and faith.
The " seducer " or " evil man " is a deceiver, imposter, or a juggler, if you will. He slyly and craftily leads people into error oftentimes through false miracles and false doctrines. Like a serpent, he winds his way into the affections and high estimations of the people.
His main target are those who " don't know or understand the Bible and are easily led " or those who simply want to feel that God will " some how look upon them as Christians " These are " weak-minded individuals " who are easily charmed and flattered. Many times they are also the poor that are just looking for answers ..... but in the wrong place.
These seducers are " men of corrupt minds, " always opposing the real work of God. Because they " resist the truth, " they lack discernment or any concept of right or wrong. They are "reprobate." In these last days before " Jesus' Second Coming " we are much aware that there are such seducers in our midst. As the days advance, they will indeed increase.
Nonetheless, in this very same picture, we see the "man of God" - the preacher of righteousness - who is a man of prayer and the Word and is striving for perfection. The Bible is his rule book. He is a man of integrity and truth. He speaks, lives by, preaches, and leads people into the Truth. Daily, he incorporates the Truth into his life, bringing himself unto perfection or completion. Because he is sold-out for God, he is persecuted - suffers injury, ridicule, exclusion, and disadvantage.
One thing we can look for in these last days before " Jesus' Second Coming " is examples of godly men and women to follow. They may be few and far between, but they will be there right in the midst of the seduction and delusion. These are not individuals who preach like a house-of-fire and then live in sin. Their doctrine or teaching includes the whole counsel of God. Their " manner of life " which includes their overall plan or design is in accordance with the Scriptures.
Just as God promises that the seducer's " folly " will be manifested before all, even so will the " faith, longsuffering, charity " and " patience " of the " man of God " be seen before all.
In these last days before " Jesus' Second Coming " there will be two categories of people - the people who are always seeking for some new notion ( such as evolution, defunding the police, socialism as an answer to all problems, etc. ) and those people who are settled and established in their beliefs.
The " ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth " are unstable as water. What they hear goes in one ear and out the other. They are constantly running hither and thither, fascinated by some " new " revelation or teaching. What knowledge they do happen to absorb never becomes assimilated into practice. Therefore, they live a roller coaster life - up one day and down the next. They live in their emotions. Their false motto is - " If it makes me feel good, it must be God. "
The ones who are " wise unto salvation " are those who " continue " or persevere in the truths that they have learned. They are not looking for a " New " Truth. They are simply endeavoring to become grounded in the Word - to become "assured of." Their main goal is to apply shoe leather to all the teaching which they have received.
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( russpickde@comcast.net )
This Article Last modified:
" Monday, January 3, 2022 "
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