In his second letter to Timothy, Paul wrote these words: 2 Timothy 3:1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. (NKJV) This passage has been on my mind, prompted by events occurring over the last couple of weeks.  

What I’ve been considering is the fact that Paul said that in the last days these perilous times will come. Clearly, throughout the centuries, there were always widespread perilous times with sin and rebellion of every kind. But there seems to be something specific about these perilous times being so perilous it required a specific warning from God through Paul that’ll identify them as the last days. God listed it here in 2 Timothy as a sign of the last days. 

As I think about this passage, the word translated “perilous” was a word used to describe wild animals and raging seas. The trouble described here isn’t war or famine or earthquakes or financial hard times; the trouble isn’t bad times – it's bad people. The writer says in the last days men will become wild beasts and cauldrons of emotion that are like a raging sea driven and tossed about! Throughout the ages men have behaved like wild beasts and raged with all sorts of emotions. What makes these “last days” men so different to be called out this way?  

Let’s ask another question, when do or did the last days begin? I think, scripturally, we can certainly suggest the last days began the moment Jesus’ feet left earth and He ascended back to heaven. Peter equated the events 10 days after Jesus’ ascension to the last days when he said in Acts 2:16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17 "'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; (ESV) 

The writer of Hebrews identified his time as the last days. Hebrews 1:1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son. (ESV) The Apostle John, somewhere around 85AD, proclaimed his day to be the last days in 1 John 2:18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. (ESV) 

We’ve been living in the last days since Jesus left. How long these last days are to go is anybody’s guess, but I’d suggest things are clearly on a steady trajectory to fulfill everything the Bible says will happen before God wipes away the Heavens and the earth and creates new ones! I think there’s a knowing in humankind that things can’t go much longer the way they are…the end is near! 

Since Jesus’ day, human society as a whole has been walking down the path toward total rebellion, that’s what Paul said would happen in this passage to Timothy. He points out the coming of perilous times and then says, 2 Timothy 3:13 evil people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (ESV) 

Why does the wild, beastlike men raging like the stormy sea become a specific sign to the last days when those without Christ have always behaved that way? Paul tells us in verse 5, when he says having a form of godliness but denying its power. In these last days, there’ll be lots of religious fervor around spirituality; lots of emotional passion toward ideas, beliefs, concepts; lots of self-pride unwilling to accept correction - not just in individuals or specific groups but in humanity as a whole! 

I think we’re seeing that in our society and world today. Since Christ left, the proliferation of false religions has been on the rise as its estimated there’re at least 4,000 different religions in the world today, most of which began after Jesus left. Along with that, social and political ideologies have in many ways become religions in their own right! Over time, humanity has become more spiritual but less Godly. Humanity in general has tended to reject the concept that Yahweh is the Creator, and we’re responsible to Him. Mankind has thrown off the true spiritual story of God and has accepted false narratives as truth. Love and acceptance of one another is growing ever colder. Without God, confusion, hatred, anger, fear, doubt, unwillingness to converse in respectful ways and the like are on the rise! This world seems a bit darker every day that passes.    

The assassination of an openly testifying follower of Jesus in Utah, a school shooting at Evergreen High school in Colorado, crime stats suggesting violent crime is on the rise most everywhere in the US. In a general way, here in the United States, it seems like there’s a growing intolerance for differing opinions as our society continues to diffract! 

These are some thoughts that have been rolling around in my head the last couple of weeks. In light of these thoughts, I just want to remind us of things we already know. I believe Jesus is returning soon, I believe we’re living in the last of the last days. I believe it’s important to keep reminding ourselves of this reality. Don’t get too comfortable in this world. Don’t look to this world as your source of identity, sustenance, or hope. Hold the future with open hands. Plan like you are going to be here 100 years from now but live like today is your last day.  

Don’t find your hope and purpose in this world, but also don’t let this world cause you to fear! If you are a follower of Jesus cling to Him. He’s coming to get us soon! Place all your hope for today and tomorrow in Him! As the world grows darker, shine your light for Him brighter. As the world hates longer, love stronger! As the world gets angrier, let the peace of God which passes all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Get yourself ready to meet Him, stay ready to meet Him, and get others ready to meet Him! 

May the grace of Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all!!