Bible Reading: II Timothy 3:1-7
Key Verse: Verse 1 - “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”
Key Words: This know also
II Timothy, chapter 3, gives nineteen characteristics that will be present in the last of the last days. Now, while there are nineteen characteristics of these last days, there are five keys to understanding this particular portion of Scripture.
First, Paul tells Timothy to know this. Simply put, Paul was saying - “understand these things, mark these things, highlight it, don’t miss it.”
Second, note the words last days perilous times shall come. The word perilous means “difficult,” but it is in a progressive state. In other words, as time passes, each generation will grow worse and worse. (See II Timothy 3:13.)
Third, we need to recognize that the conditions described in our text are conditions within the church. Obviously, those kinds of sins have always existed, but in the last days they exist within the church. We are warned in II Timothy 3:5, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power [authority of God over our life] thereof: from such turn away.”
Fourth, the seemingly chief of all the sins of the last days, the one that opens the gates of hell for all the others to enter in is, “men shall be lovers of their own selves.” (vs 2). People will be consumed with self. Now, the horror of that is that men only see themselves as right, which makes them impossible to teach; and this grieves the Holy Spirit and quenches the power of God. That is the reason in the last days there are fewer and fewer revivals, and less and less assembling together, and more and more emphasis is placed on the secular, not the spiritual.
May God grant the remnant that remains faithful to Him His grace to carry on.
What to do:
✞ Put God first, not secular activities.
✞ Sincerely ask God to reveal His will to you for the last days.
✞ Be teachable.
✞ And as always, occupy till the Lord returns.
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