Facing Changing Times

In Matthew 24:10-12, Jesus warned. “And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”

Paul warned Timothy about the false prophets and how they would use traditions, satanic doctrines and distortions of scripture to mislead people in I Timothy 4, setting their own standards, and focusing on physical health and activities rather than on spiritual things.  In II Timothy, he warns him that over time the moral standards will change, and these changes will even creep into the church. 

II Timothy 3:1-7 describes the attitudes that will develop.  “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: from such turn away.  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

As Paul says, things will become dangerous because people become increasingly selfish, wanting what others have.  They will become proud, bragging about things and tearing down others to make themselves look better.  They will have little respect for their parents or appreciation for what they have.  They will be immoral and not develop natural relationships.  They will have little loyalty and think nothing of lying about people.  They will lack self-control, being cruel and hating those who have a moral standard.  They will betray those closest to them without hesitation, convinced they are smarter and more deserving.  Even those who are religious will place their own pleasure ahead of obedience to God.  They will practice religious traditions, but not actually believe them.  Unfortunately, these attitudes can seem very exciting and attractive to the immature and those who just go along with the crowd without thinking things through, bouncing from teacher to teacher and never really settling on what is true.

We need to avoid these popular attitudes and teachers, because they are standing against the truth, as Paul tells us in II Timothy 3:8-9.  “Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.”  Before long it will be obvious that they are not of God because as Matthew 7:20 tells us, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”  Just watch what they produce. 

Paul directed Timothy to compare what these people do with what he had done to see how things should be, in II Timothy 3:10-12.  “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”  Just because something is popular does not prove it is from God.   

Many will turn to other teachings, but we are not to let those attitudes and behaviors influence us, but are to stay true to the scriptures as II Timothy 3:13-4:3 instructs.  “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

It is critical we focus on the scriptures, because as Jesus said, in Matthew 24:12, “…because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”  II Timothy 4:3-4 warns, “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 unto fables.”

We must not allow ourselves to be drawn into the attitudes and beliefs of those around us, even when it leads to conflict with other people.  II Timothy 4:3 commands, “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”  We still need to share the gospel and do the things God has commanded.