In 2 Timothy Paul predicted perilous times that would come in the last days. “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
We need to recognize that these are the times to which Paul refers. Not exclusively this decade or generation, rather the intent of Paul’s reference to “the last days.” In both the Old and New Testaments the phrase is used to refer to the present dispensation, what we might refer to as the Gospel Age. Christ has come and His rule will continue until “He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:25-26). At the end of this era Jesus will come and the final judgment will be visited upon mankind. As Peter put it, “both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10). Truly these are the last days.
Perilous times happened to Christians as the writings of the Bible came to a close. The purpose of John’s writing in the book of Revelation was to bolster their courage as they suffered persecution at the hands of the Romans. Every Christian in every century since has lived in a world that is hostile to their faith. Some have suffered more than others, but Satan remains active in our time, and he is our determined and formidable enemy. The warnings of Paul are relevant to us in our lives today.
Paul’s concern was not the physical welfare of his readers, though perils can include physical danger. It was for their soul. The context directly involves the danger of false teachers and people “of this sort” who take captive Christians who are weak and easily influenced into ungodliness. He desired for Timothy and us to be mindful, (“But know this…”), of his warnings of the dangers and dangerous men who are of “corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith” (8).
We are not always in extremis spiritually. God is good, and faith in Him brings a lasting peace. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). However our bliss should not bring insensibility. We must be on guard. What we have as heirs of God is what our adversary specifically seeks to destroy. The word perilous in our text (chalepos) means — hard, fierce, savage. It is well described in the intent of our chief adversary who “walks about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
For some righteousness is mere pretense. Paul describes men who have rejected truth and God, exalting themselves and their desires. And yet, though they are corrupt, “disapproved concerning the faith” (8) they have influence as they have “a form of godliness.” Do not be fooled. The messengers of Satan are most effective when they maintain a façade of righteousness. In another place Paul describes the same type of men, “For such as false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
Paul’s warnings illustrate the importance of preparation, lest we be “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting” (Ephesians 4:14). Or worse actually become an enemy of truth ourselves!
The knowledge and acceptance of truth is confirmed constantly in scripture to be the antidote. We prepare by immersing ourselves in the thing that God has supplied for us to “be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17), SCRIPTURE. We begin that preparation by immersing ourselves in it, “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). We complete that preparation by applying what we have learned to be so, “as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3).
We are aware that many find our insistence upon authority and unity to be tiresome. We know of those who insist that a “personal relationship with the Lord” trumps a dependence upon what they deem to be legalism. But we know that a true relationship with God can’t be maintained without faithfulness to His will! “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.” (1 John 2:3-5).
