The apostle Paul warned Timothy, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come” (2 Timothy 3:1). The phrase “last days” properly references our own time, which began on Pentecost in Acts 2, and will continue until Jesus comes again. In history there was a Patriarchal age, A Mosaical age, and then with the ascension of Christ to His throne, our own Christian age. The Bible clearly establishes the Christian age will continue until all is destroyed (cf. 2 Peter 3:1-13).
What we know from history is that perilous times have been present since Pentecost. At some points in history it has been less chaotic, and sometimes much more, but peril is always present, especially for the child of God. Thus the reason for Paul’s warning. The apostle goes further to explain the why of such dangers. He writes, “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…” (2-5a).
The problem of sin lies directly at our own feet. Thus, the evil that is in the world, described in part by this text, is our responsibility. Many do not recognize this. They lay the blame on God. You have heard it, “If God exists (or was truly good), He would not let such suffering or shameful conduct to occur! This shows a fundamental misunderstanding of God’s relation to His creation. He has given us the great gift of free will, allowing us to choose whether or not to serve Him. With this gift there are consequences. If men choose not to obey, evil enters the world. This is not God’s fault, it is ours! James wrote, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (James 1:13-14).
So we live in perilous times. Times of narcissism, greed, arrogance, unbelief, truancy, hate, excess, violence, vice and all sorts of evil. These traits of men lead to self-destruction, and the mistreatment of the righteous. Paul here though, attributes these traits to some who claim to be among God’s children. This is true and dangerous, giving credence to the importance of Paul’s warning.
His instruction to Timothy: “And from such people turn away!” (5). These individuals will lead the gullible astray, and do great harm, if we let them. Paul warned the Ephesian elders on another occasion that “savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29). As Timothy, we must beware. We must “turn away” from false brethren!
