You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
(2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT)
I’ve heard it from the time of a small boy, “Surely the returning of the Lord is near”. For in my parent’s eyes there were happenings that were in such contrast to the way they had been taught that it could only mean Jesus’ coming is soon. Soon to a seven year old boy was not the same as soon to a rationalizing adult who understood and felt the time is at hand and even if they lived out their life without seeing the Lord’s return that in no way lessoned what they knew to be true in their heart of hearts.
I am no longer a boy but a middle-aged man and now standing where my parents stood all those years ago. I too feel the Lord’s returning will be “soon” knowing God’s measurement of time is a little different than our own. King David said this about the Lord, “For You, a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours.” (Psa 90:4) yet that doesn’t take away from the urgency that has been placed within my own heart. What has changed that led me to this place, you may ask. Look around you do not difficulties grow at an alarming rate? People make decisions without regard for others and seem to be ever scheming to put more money in their pockets or to get even for the wrongs they have endured. They are boastful and proud and they disregard the wisdom of their parents regardless of their calls in this spiritual darkness. Pleasure is sought after instead of righteousness but this has been going on for generations you say, as far back as the recorded history of man. Yes, but each time man became bold and brazen in his self-righteousness God was there to prove man was not all that he thought himself to be. Remember the Israelites and those who opposed them, remember their endless wondering in the wilderness, remember Noah and the flood, and many more Old and New Testament examples. Are we not stepping out on the plank today? Have we not walked up the steps to the hangman’s noose? Yet we become all the more arrogant shaking our fists at the sky. The mercy of our God is great and His Holy Spirit directs His people into prayer, effectively holding the door open to those who would humble themselves before the will of the One who commands the great storm on the horizon.
So those with spiritual eyes and ears to see and hear what your parents heard all those years ago do not be surprised at the difficulties in your life or the happenings in the local news for they are but reminders of what our spirits already knew – Jesus’ returning is close. How do you prepare yourself and your family for the coming storm? Know God’s Word and remain obedient, do not be led by your eyes but know the leading of God’s Holy Spirit. This flesh that our spirits now inhabit is only temporary God knew us before we were formed in our mother’s womb, for we were created in His image. God is not flesh and blood but of the spirit and so is it for us. Once this temporary home returns to the dust we will once again see clearly whom we have been made to be. The question at hand is will we awaken to remember who we are in time or will we remain blind by the wants and desires of the temporary and allow the everlasting to wither in the dark corner, chained, moaning for salvation, the ray of hope that can restore it to God’s purpose? This temporary life has been given so that we can choose whom we will serve – ourselves or God. One brings about spiritual death and darkness and the other brings hope and salvation. You see it is not good enough to say we will serve God but we must show him by this very life He gave us, this is our opportunity to prove what our own spirits long to say but first we must awaken from this slumber.
Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:12-17 NLT)
Like sheep, they are led to the grave, where death will be their shepherd. In the morning the godly will rule over them. Their bodies will rot in the grave, far from their grand estates. But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave.
(Psalms 49:14-15 NLT)
