Hebraic Musing – According to Paul, Are We in the Last Days?
Paul begins 2
Timothy Chapter 3 with an ominous, or prophetic, warning for us to watch
for. “But know this, that in the last
days perilous times will come:” NKJV Thankfully, Paul also describes what to
expect in those “last days.” As I read,
listen and digest the daily news, I find all too many events, attitudes, lusts,
sins, etc. that make me cringe as I continue reading Paul’s warnings.
What are we to watch
for
according to Paul? “For men will be
lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers,
disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers,
without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty,
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but
denying its power.” 2 Tim.3:2-5a NKJV Are all those problems rampant in today’s news
(in America as-well-as in the International World)? To what extent has today’s technology become
Omniscient, Omnipresent and Omnipotent?
Might Almighty God become jealous?
In Today’s culture
we
have politicians being bought because of pride, power and love of monetary
rewards. They blaspheme subtly against
Christianity. Respect for parents and
elders is disappearing. Children and
youth and younger generations have not learned respect for authority, parental
responsibility and self-control (an oxy-moron).
The populous is spoiled with the pleasures afforded by today’s
economy. We have many who claim to be
Christians, but their behavior betrays their claim; they have denied the power
of our LORD! The prevalence of ”Woke”
and “Cancel” cultures has drawn the world away from a God-centered
approach to social justice, to a man-centered approach to social
justice.
·
man-centered approach sees government in the
role of savior, seeking utopia through government policies.
·
God-centered approach sees Christ as ultimate
Creator and the Savior who will bring heaven to earth when He returns to restore
perfect justice. Until then, we Christians
are to choose to express God’s love and justice by showing kindness and mercy
to those less fortunate.
How are we to
react? Paul continues to tell
us what to do; and he also reveals the techniques of the enemy. “And from such people turn away!
For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of
gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always
learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Tim.3:5b
– 7 We have the popular “Woke” movement
being aggressively promoted which is contrary to the Bible and undermines much
of what we old-timers were taught growing up.
The Solution is
not easy,
and the problem gets worse! Paul warns
of a price we will pay in vs.12 -13. “Yes,
and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse,
deceiving and being deceived.” Is
our faith strong enough to actually desire to submit to the Lordship of Jesus
Christ knowing that that desire will lead to persecution?
Available Solution! Paul continues in v.14 “But you must continue
in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom
you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy
Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through
faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
How important is
our Bible?
“All
Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God
may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim.3:16-17
This advice reminds me of a song
my children learned in Sunday School. ♫ Read
your Bible. Pray every day. And you’ll grow, grow, grow. Don’t read your Bible. Forget to pray. And
you’ll shrink, shrink, shrink. ♫
Points to ponder
Us old-timers
grew up with respect for God, country and one another. Where is that respect now?
Does “Cancel Culture” encourage loving one’s neighbor?
Does the LORD
expect us to fight unrighteousness by relying on His Holy Word?
Is our desire
to be an overcomer strong enough to withstand the inevitable persecution?
♫ I shall not be, I shall not be moved. Just
like a tree that's planted by the water, I shall not be moved ♫
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)” Weekly “Hebraic Musings” insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com
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