Continuing
our study regarding fulfilled prophecy…
Finally,
there are the words from Paul to Timothy, warning him of a coming degenerate
moral culture.
2 Timothy 3:1–5 “This know also,
that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of
their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to
parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false
accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors,
heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form
of godliness, but denying the power thereof….”
Yes, it
is true that these traits (in part or in whole) have characterized many
cultures throughout history; but I think we are quickly seeing these
characteristics become the norm throughout all cultures. Following is how I see it as noted in my
journal.
“Lovers of their own selves” speaks of
selfishness. Who can deny that today the focus is on the right to
please self without regard as to how it may impact others. Marketing
is based on presenting products based on fulfilling the desires and needs of
the flesh in support of this love of self. The primary motivating
factor for most people today—What’s in it for me?
The Greek for “covetous” is connected
to avarice, the love of money and greed for wealth. Again, can we
deny that the desire for more money as evidence of one’s success and to provide
the ability to fulfill selfish desires is an apt description of the overall
culture of today?
A “boaster” is a braggart, someone who
shows excessive pride in his/her accomplishments, possessions, or
abilities. I think there is a difference in having a healthy pride
and an unhealthy pride. A healthy pride regarding one’s
accomplishments, possessions and abilities is based upon personal investment of
time and energy according to one’s God-given talents and acknowledging that you
have because you have been given. An unhealthy pride is
evidenced by basking in recognition of one’s accomplishments, possessions and
abilities without regard to God and thinking that this places you in an elite
status compared to others.
Being “proud” is a reference to
haughtiness, considering oneself as superior to others and looking down with
contempt on those you consider unworthy of your attention.
“Blasphemers” are those who speak out
with slander and disrespect against God. This is especially obvious
among the new atheists of today. It is also prevalent in so-called
art and entertainment today in America and other parts of the
world. Sadly, however, it is also true of many who
profess themselves to be Christian, but call God’s word a lie and/or
twist or manipulate its truth to support their own objectives.
I liked this comment by
David Guzik on boasting, pride and blasphemy: “When I boast,
when I am proud towards others, and when I express my pride towards God in
blasphemy, I am the center of my universe. You don't matter and God does not
matter. All that matters is me.”
“Disobedience to parents” means what it
says. The Greek included the idea of
being unpersuadable. This seems to reference having a stubborn
heart that is not teachable or open to reasoning. I am afraid the
evidence of the truth of that statement is ever more evident in the youth of
today. They are more likely to respond to their peers and/or be led
by the example and/or expressed beliefs of popular cultural figures than to
parents.
“Unthankful” is the equivalent of
ingratitude and, I believe, again ties directly to selfishness. Kids
today are growing up with an attitude that indicates they feel they are
deserving without regard to their treatment of others or the effort they
put forth. To my observation, in America at least, this attitude has
had a great negative impact on the work ethic of today in comparison to when I
was growing up (in the 50’s and 60’s).
To be “unholy” is to be wicked (from
the Greek). Webster states that to be wicked is to act contrary to
the moral or divine law. One only has to look at the Ten
Commandments to conclude that unholiness is an apt description of the
culture in most of the world today. God is certainly not
acknowledged as Lord. Taking God’s name in vain has become part of
everyday speech in America at least. Killing the unborn is excused
as the woman’s right to choose. Sexual immorality is an accepted
lifestyle. There is a growing attitude of “the ends justifies the
means” when it comes getting what we want.
The Greek defines being without natural
affection as being hard-hearted towards your relatives; it is showing a lack of
sympathy, cruelty and lack of pity (from the Greek). Again, this
falls right in line with being “lovers of self.” I believe that the
many nursing homes that are found to have employees that are abusive to those
that live there are indicative of this characteristic. Parents and
relatives are often placed in these institutions and then forgotten or
pitifully neglected by their “loved ones.” I also believe this
attitude is manifest by most women that choose abortion; relatively speaking,
very few women choose abortion for life-threatening medical
considerations. These women do not have the “natural affection” you
would expect to go with expectant motherhood.
The Greek for “trucebreakers” stated
“literally, without libation….” When I looked up the root word, this
was a reference to devoting one’s life as a sacrifice. My
definition: Making a deal or promise without true commitment to
fulfill it at point of sacrifice to self. Scripture is clear in
stating that we should honor our word.
Zechariah 8:16 “These are the things
that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor….”
Proverbs 3:27 “Withhold not good from
them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do
it.”
1 Peter 1:15–16 “But as he which hath
called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation [behavior]; Because it is written, Be ye holy;
for I am holy.”
“False accusers” are those that tell
lies about someone to destroy their reputation. I think that the
media in general in America today is full of people who are willing false
accusers in pursuit of promoting their own agendas, and the public as a whole
seems to be willing to believe their lies. In politics it has become
the norm for candidates to lie about their opponents in order to gain a
political advantage. These are but a couple of examples that
evidence a growing lack of integrity that permeates our culture today.
“Incontinence” is a reference to lack
of self-control. Again, this is an outworking of
selfishness. One who lacks self-control is obviously not concerned
about how his/her actions may affect others. The growing lack of
self-control goes hand-in-hand with the use of drugs and alcohol and is the
foundation for the success of the porn industry. Sadly, this lack is
also the motivating factor behind the horrendous crimes of rape, sexual abuse
of children and human trafficking, among others.
One who is “fierce” is aggressive and
characterized by uncontrolled violence. Frankly, I believe the great increase
in aggressive and violent behavior evidenced in society today is spawned by the
entertainment industry. Movies and video games have caused people to
become desensitized to aggression and violence and made them much more likely
to emulate such actions without feeling guilt. This type of behavior
is also directly connected to lack of self-control.
The phrase “despisers of those that are
good” is basically self-explanatory. This too is becoming more
dominant in the news today. The persecution of Christians is growing
throughout the world. Christians in America are being categorized by
public officials with radical terrorists and characterized as intolerant
(implied, and therefore dangerous). Those who live in disobedience
to God’s word are always going to despise those that are obedient to God’s
word. Jesus predicted this hatred.
Matthew 10:22 “And ye shall be hated of
all men for my name’s sake….”
John 15:18–19 “If the world hate you,
ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world
would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you
out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”
A “traitor” is one who betrays or
violates the confidence or trust of another. In today’s society this
often goes hand-in-hand with the love of money. The tabloids and
increasingly the mainstream media produce headlines and make profit by seeking
out people who are willing to betray friends, lovers, bosses,
etc. A traitor is almost always motivated by selfish purposes
of some type.
One who is “heady” is rash; he/she is
prone to acting before thinking. Sometimes I think that must be an
unwritten qualification for running for office in Washington D.C. I
was totally appalled to learn that our congressional leaders think it is normal
and reasonable to pass legislation that they have not read. How can
we possibly expect the people to be careful, deliberate and reasonable in
making decisions when those who lead us operate with
such rashness. Webster adds that “heady” actions affect the
head and are intoxicating. I believe that is what affects those in
leadership in our government today. They become intoxicated with
power and lose all sense of integrity and reason.
One who is “highminded” is inflated
with self-conceit and lifted up in pride (from the Greek).
As Paul gets to the end of his list, he
gets to the main problem in the lives of the types of people being referenced
in this list—they love pleasure more than God. Scripture
acknowledges that sin results in pleasure—but only for a season.
Hebrews 11:24–25 “By faith Moses, when
he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the
pleasures of sin for a season….”
Psalms 73:3 & 17 “For I was envious
at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked….Until I went into
the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.”
Scripture is also clear in declaring
that those who love God will suffer in this world, but it also declares that
our obedience will be well rewarded in eternity.
John 16:33 “….In the world ye
shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Acts 14:22 “Confirming the souls of the
disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must
through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”
1 Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is
written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart
of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
Matthew 5:10–12 “Blessed are they which
are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all
manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding
glad: for great is your reward in heaven:”
Colossians 3:23–24 “And whatsoever ye
do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of
the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord
Christ.”
Those that “have a form of godliness” are
professors of faith but not possessors of faith; they are
hypocrites. These people deny the power of God to save souls and
change lives. This is the most discouraging aspect of the “church”
today. It is the most telling trait on this list in my opinion
regarding the “last days.” The “church” today is in the
process of “emerging” and morphing into the ecumenical church of end
times. The word of God is being misused. The focus of the
church is more on social work than on teaching the truth of God’s word and spreading
the gospel. The practices of mysticism are being incorporated into
worship. Tolerance and unity among faiths are being promoted in
disregard of the exclusive truth of scripture.
John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto
him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but
by me.”
Matthew 7:13–14 “Enter ye in at the
strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way,
that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto
life, and few there be that find it.”
The power of God is being disregarded
for the power of men and evil spirits. Many popular “Christian”
books promote the wisdom of the author—not the wisdom of God as revealed in
scripture. Others present God and/or spiritual teaching according to
their own imagination and desires rather than as instructed or described in
scripture. Many “new age” beliefs are being promoted and
marketed in writings openly identified as revelations from spirit
guides. Visions of the Virgin Mary and mysterious phenomena are
identified as “from God” when it is obvious that they are contrary to scripture
and, therefore, are occurring according to the powers of the “god of this
world”—Satan. I am reminded that scripture warns us that our fight
is with evil spirits and that Satan has the ability to work lying wonders
within the parameters that God allows him (as evidenced by Job).
Ephesians 6:11–12 “Put on the
whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles
of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
2 Thessalonians 2:9 “Even
him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and
signs and lying wonders….” [speaking in
context of the Antichrist]
Deuteronomy 13:1–3 “If there arise
among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign
or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof
he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou
hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of
that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your
God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all
your heart and with all your soul.”
Matthew 7:22–23 “Many will say to me in
that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy
name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that
work iniquity.” [“wonderful works”
= miracles in the Greek]
As I come to the end of these blog
series, I pray that fellow believers have been encouraged as they are reminded
of these truths and that those who have not yet chosen to place their faith in
will be encouraged to do so. God’s word
is true. It is not true that everyone
will go to heaven. In fact, the
scripture indicates that there will be few relative to the whole that choose
that path.
Matthew 7:13–14 “Enter ye in at the
strait gate: for wide is the
gate, and broad is the way,
that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because
strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life,
and few there be that find it.”
Not everyone that claims to be a Christian is truly a follower of
Jesus.
Matthew 7:21–23 “Not every one that
saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that
doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that
day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast
out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess
unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Salvation is a gift that is yours for the asking. You cannot earn it.
Ephesians 2:8–9 “For by grace are ye
saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the
world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt
confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that
God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Don’t put it off…the time is short!
