But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them. 2 Timothy 3: 1-5 AMP
If a pregnant woman’s contractions begin in earnest — will they tend to get smaller and allow the woman to get more comfortable as the birth progresses? (Matthew 24) Or will they get bigger and closer together as the birth gets closer? It’s obvious. Are we in the ‘last days’? That is the question. But even now for the non-believer the ‘signs’ and ‘contractions’ are coming more frequent and harder and harder, and the ‘time’ is becoming much more difficult all around the world — not just in our country.
How should we as followers and disciples of Jesus navigate these days? ‘Signs’ really shouldn’t bother us as we should already be listening to the ‘Words’ of the Holy Spirit to our minds as we daily work to do what He is asking us to do. Signs are just confirmation to us — while the signs are scary to those who are sitting on the fence. And many will dismiss the ‘signs’ as ridiculous and celebrate them and hail them as something to ‘enjoy’. So we will have a huge mosh pit of people all moving in different directions.
But for those who are pressing into His life — the opportunities to ‘stand’ in faith are becoming much more frequent as the world is quickly devolving into chaos. False teachers, and false prophets abound as to confuse and deceive as many as they can. The Truth is censored, belittled, and persecuted at every step. There are many parallels between Hitler’s Germany and the Christian Churches at that time and the American Churches of today. The need for the indwelling ‘witness’ of the Holy Spirit is growing exponentially as so much of the Body of Christ is immature in their faith and relationship with Him. So many currently sitting in the institutional Churches have not developed any depth of relationship with the Holy Spirit and are not taught how to recognize His Voice within them.
Paul is explicit with Timothy about the ‘last days’. Things will NOT get better, they will get worse as the end gets closer. This is plain and clear. The list Paul gives in 2 Timothy is now a checklist that mirrors our current society and country. Did you notice the word ‘brutal’ and ‘reckless’? And that there would be people who were ‘irreconcilable’? Also that there would be a form of ‘godliness’? How important is discernment now? How important is it for you personally to be able to ‘hear’ and heed the Voice of the Holy Spirit for yourself? Is it your priority to draw even closer to Him during these days? Is it your goal to be able to hear Him with even greater clarity? Are you increasing your scripture reading and prayer conversations with Him?
Actually for those who are looking forward to His coming and their soon arriving reunion with Him find this ‘time’ to be exciting, important, and a privilege. Our obedience to the Holy Spirit to actually ‘do’ the divine appointments He has set out for us is vital — so that ‘salvation’ may come to those searching for Him. Not just spiritual salvation but also salvation in all parts of their lives.
Now is the time to press in with Him. Listen. Ask questions. Go deep with the Holy Spirit. Ponder. Observe. Allow Him to speak to you. Be ready.
“Speak Lord – for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10)