These scriptures (2 Timothy 3:1-8) relate to some specifics about end-times events and apostasy (the church’s departure from the truth). Galatians 2:4 reveals to us that false teachers encourage apostasy during times of trials.
People let down their defenses. That makes sense, because today, we read of more persons who call themselves Christians leaving Christianity to search for some other purported truth. Although, this may be true today, it is an age-old ancient problem. It goes back to worshipping idols.
Even today, people rebel against the truth when we hear “the truth will set you free.” But there is another part to that scripture. There is a caveat, “If you continue in my word, then you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.”
The truth (Christ) is the pathway to a heavenly, spiritual eye and mind-opening knowledge and awareness. By seeking the truth, you find and learn freedom. Truth frees your mind to think on other productive things and ideas.
It is voluntary. Just as Jesus Christ said, “For I always do those things which please the Father.” How would Jesus, the Son of God, know what the Father spoke to Him about, what was said to Him and what to do? Jesus prayed frequently. His prayer life was committed and dedicated. He spent quality time with His Father so that He would know with certainty His mission and timeline.
Paul writes to us during his second imprisonment in Rome. Soon thereafter, he suffers martyrdom. He offers us prophetic wisdom and eye-opening evidence of “what’s going on” during his time to aid those of us who read and study the Bible and those of us who are concerned about what is happening when we hear of and see strange events right now during our current lives. He wants us to be alert and recognize that Jesus Christ will be returning. When? Well, I don’t know. But what I do know is that He has paved the way and informed us of His impending, imminent return without delay.
We are accustomed to knowing times and dates. Even though we don’t know exactly when Jesus will return, nevertheless, those of us who walk by faith, what we do know is that the Lord has given us signs and warnings relating to a timetable specifically addressing and confirming His return. In 2 Timothy 3:1-8, Paul said that in the last days dangerous times shall come. Although it says men, that’s talking about women and children too.
For people shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous [they want what belongs to others], boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, won’t keep their word and won’t honor contracts, falsely accusing others, no self-restraint, [having] a violent and cruel nature, wild-acting, out of control, scorning others and looking down on others, thinking they are better than others and hating those who do good; going against friends, betrayers, (like Judas and many others unnamed), arrogant, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; people wanting to party and have fun and just do whatever they want to do without principles with unbridled passions; may look godly, but deceitful.
Get away from them! Or you will become just like them and become corrupt and arrogant, boastful, and greedy too. Not only that, eventually they don’t distinguish right from wrong. Their moral compass is blurred and indistinguishable to know truth from a lie.
Run! Get away! Some are burglars, rapists’ robbers, peeping toms and whatever their evil passions drive them to. As the scripture reads, “For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with all kinds of lusts.”
They are ever learning because they don’t stop to think about their actions will lead them to hell. They think they can go on forever with no consequences. Can you believe it? Yes, I know you can; but it sounds unbelievable. Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
“Now as Jannes and Jambres (highly skilled magicians) withstood Moses, these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate (Romans chapters 1 and 2) concerning the faith.” Those chapters relate about God turned them over to become reprobate minds.
But they will continue no further in their foolish ways and will be seen by everyone and want to lock them up justly or unjustly. Let’s take this opportunity to see what’s going on around us.
Thanks for reading! Jeanette Grattan Parker is Founder-Superintendent Today’s Fresh Start Charter School 4514 Crenshaw Boulevard, LA 90043 323-293-9826 www.todaysfreshstart.org (Ask Dr. Jeanette TM) Inquiring Minds Want to Know” All articles are copyright. All rights reserved © Errors? Let me know. Join Sundays for music & message: 11:30am {1-712-775-8971—code 266751} References: (The Holy Bible) Don’t stop praying and hoping.
