Last Days

You may as well know this too, Timothy, that in the last days it is going to be very difficult to be a Christian. For people will love only themselves and their money; they will be proud and boastful, sneering at God, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful to them, and thoroughly bad. They will be hardheaded and never give in to others; they will be constant liars and troublemakers and will think nothing of immorality. They will be rough and cruel, and sneer at those who try to be good. They will betray their friends; they will be hotheaded, puffed up with pride, and prefer good times to worshiping God. They will go to church, yes, but they won’t really believe anything they hear. Don’t be taken in by people like that.

But they won’t get away with all this forever. Someday their deceit will be well known to everyone.

2 Timothy 3:1-5, 9 Living Bible (TLB)

In this passage of Scripture, Paul told Timothy what would occur in the last days. As the time of the end of the enemy of our souls draws near his desperation will be clearly evident. Things just won't seem right because they won't be right. We don't like to think about it, but that doesn't it make it any less the truth. We may not want to believe this part, but that does not mean it's not going to happen. Some of what Paul told Timothy has already happened because the last days began when Jesus came to save us. What do we think He was saving us from? Yet, we must not be discouraged because God is still on the Throne and His plan will prevail. We just have to believe in His plan.

The Word of God reveals much truth to those who believe. We are assured of God's love for His children. We are promised a future and a hope. We are told not to fear anything, not even death. Jesus took care of death when He died on the cross and rose from the grave. However, we are also warned in the Bible what to look out for as we live in this world and await the return of Christ. We are called to be discerning and to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). Why are Christians waiting for Jesus to come back? Are we waiting because it's such a wonderful world? We must fight the good fight of faith each day of our lives on this planet as it is. Even for those who don't believe, this world is not always a happy place. As believers in Christ, we can live through anything as we embrace the joy of our salvation. We can share the gospel with those who don't believe so they too can share in this joy. We are not to be a bunch of "Chicken Littles" running about shouting that the sky is falling, even as we live among people who are just as Paul describes in this Scripture. We are to live with confidence that one day things are going to be completely changed for good. According to God's Word, this will happen when we least expect it and it will be for the good of those who follow Christ. And everyone will know the moment it happens, whether they believe it or not.

One thing is certain: Everything will be all right in the end for those who put their trust in God. If it's not all right now, it's not the end yet. Get ready.