ARE WE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS?--2 TIMOTHY 3:1-7

ARE WE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS?

2 Timothy 3:1-7

Introduction:

Are we really living in the last days? For the answer to that question we need to look into the Word of God. Paul, writing to Timothy warns him of the dangers of these “perilous times.” They were not imagined, but rather, very real in his day as in ours.

Let’s examine these things to see if we are truly in the last days, some two thousand years after Paul warned Timothy.

I. PERILOUS TIMES

[HARD TO TAKE; HARD TO BEAR]

A. These are unholy times:

1. Irreverent, profane times, Hebrews 10:29, “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”

2. Wicked times, Proverbs 6:14, “Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.”

B. Without natural affection, Matthew 10:21, “And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.”

II. TROUBLESOME TIMES

A. For men shall be lovers of their own selves:

1. Loving one’s self, selfish, self-centered, 2 Corinthians 5:15, “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”

2. Too intent on their own interest, Romans 6:13, “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”

B. Covetous: loving money, avarice, Luke 12:15, “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”

C. Unthankful: ungracious (wicked, odious, hateful), Deuteronomy 8:10, “When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.”

D. Disobedient to parents:

1. Disobedient, non compliant, Mark 7:10, “For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:”

2. Insubordinate, Mark 7:11-12, “But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. 12And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;”

III. DANGEROUS AND HARSH TIMES

A. Blasphemers,

1. Speaking evil, Daniel 7:25, “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.”

2. Slanderous, reproachful, railing, abusive, Psalm 101:4-5, “A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. 5Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.”

B. Boasters:

1. An empty pretender, Jude 16, “These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.”

C. Proud:

1. showing one’s self above others, 1 Timothy 6:4, “He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,”

D. Heady:

1. Rash (too hasty in acting or speaking), Ecclesiastes 5:2, “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.”

E. High-minded:

1. To make proud, to be insolent; Psalm 10:4, “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.”

F. Having a FORM [semblance] of Godliness:

1. Having the external appearance of reverence, respect; piety towards God, Isaiah 29:13, “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:”

CONCLUSION

From what we have seen in God’s Word, we are surely living in the last days. That being the case, it means that the Lord will be coming again soon. ARE YOU READY TO MEET THE LORD. ARE YOU SAVED.

What about you, the believer? Are you ready to meet the Lord? Is your house in order? Is HE SATISFIED with you? I believe that I would be getting things straight with Him because there is not much time left.