This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof… [II Tim. 3:1-5]
Does any of this look familiar to you? All I know is, I can hardly bear to watch or read the news anymore {or any other media for that matter} because traits like this have become all too familiar these days. Headline after headline, it’s all the same. Just when you think it couldn’t get any worse, you hear of something even more perverted, more appalling, and more heinous than our somewhat normal minds can even comprehend. I find myself reeling and literally feeling ill from the shocking, demented things I see daily in the media.
I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. “Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.” [I Tim 4:1-2] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables.” [II Tim 4:3-4] “… evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” [II Tim 3:13]
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has showed it to them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” [Rom. 1:18-20]
“For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him. Instead, their thoughts turned to worthless things, and their ignorant hearts were darkened. Though claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images that looked like mortal human beings, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles. For this reason, God gave them over to impurity to follow the lusts of their hearts and to dishonor their bodies with one another. They exchanged God’s truth for a lie and worshipped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” [Rom. 1:21-25]
“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful.” [Rom. 1:28-31]
Yet, God’s love for His creation is so great that He warns us in His word, “Woe to them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!” [Isaiah 5:20-21&23]
Though this doesn’t sound very comforting, don’t let it discourage you, it is an admonition for our own good. The rest of the story is “Good News”. “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” [I Tim. 2:3-6]
You see, just as we all find ourselves guilty of one thing or another listed above, God in His infinite mercy and grace, has laid out a plan of redemption for all who sincerely seek the truth and a higher way. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you: For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened.” [Matt. 7:7-8]
Yet, “first of all you must understand this: In the last days mockers will come and, following their own desires, will ridicule us by saying, “What happened to his promise to return? Ever since our ancestors died, everything continues as it did from the beginning of creation.” [II Peter 3:3-4] But, “Don’t forget this fact, dear friends: With the Lord a single day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a single day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some people understand slowness, but is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to perish, but wants everyone to come to repentance.” [II Peter 3:8-9]