Greetings once
again and welcome back to Daily Bread and our study of the second letter
from Paul to Timothy. In this chapter, Paul tells what kind of behavior we
can expect from people near the end of time. When you recognize these
things, it’s a sign that the
End Times will be
occurring soon.
This is a scary
thought for some people. Because of fear, many will refuse to believe that
the End will arrive in their own lifetime, and in turn, they shy away from
learning about it. This is most unfortunate, because Jesus told us to watch
and be ready,
Matthew 24:42-44. It’s also true that if you become knowledgeable about
something, it is less fearful.
Chapter 3 begins
with Paul saying, Know this, too, that in the last days, perilous
(dangerous) times will come. Because men will be lovers of their own selves
(selfish), covetous (greedy, money lovers), boasters (braggers), proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural
affection, trucebreakers (irreconcilable), false accusers (liars),
incontinent (no self-control), fierce (mean), despisers of those that are
good (jealous), traitors, heady (reckless), high minded (conceited), lovers
of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness (a
different kind of religion) but denying the power of God: from these people,
turn away.
These are the kind
of people who sneak into houses and lead captive silly (foolish, weak) women
laden (burdened) with sins, led away with different desires, always
learning, and never able to learn the TRUTH.
Paul has described
this day and age, the era in which we now sit, so perfectly, that it’s
difficult to believe that he didn’t just write that today. That can only
mean one thing, that we’re nearing the last days. Watch the news one night,
and ask yourself if a vast majority of the stories you hear, include people
that fit into one or more of the descriptions that Paul mentioned in this
letter to Timothy.
He continues, Now
as Jannes and Jambres (Pharaoh’s magicians,
Exodus 7:11, 12,
22; 8:7;
9:11) stood up
against Moses, these people will also resist the TRUTH. They were men with
corrupt minds, reprobate (unworthy) concerning the Faith. But they shall
proceed no further, because their foolishness will be clear to all men as
the magicians’ also was.
But you have fully
understood my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, Faith, longsuffering,
charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions which happened to me in
Antioch, in Iconium, and in Lystra. You know what persecutions I endured,
but the Lord delivered me out of them all. Yes, and all who live godly in
Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (Matthew
5:10, Luke
21:12, John
15:20). But evil men and seducers will become worse and worse, deceiving
and being deceived.
Remain faithful in
the things you have learned and have been assured of, knowing who you
learned them from, and that since you were a child, you’ve known the Holy
Scriptures which are able to make you understand Salvation through Faith
which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and
is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction
in righteousness (2
Peter 1:20-21), that the man of God may be perfect (complete),
thoroughly supplied with all good works.
That’s a real
important thing to remember right there, and a wonderful reason to be sure
and read the Word of God every day. Come on back soon and we’ll complete our
study of Paul’s second letter to Timothy, right here at Daily Bread.
