We are now living in
The Last Days
Whether some want to believe it nor not!
                                                                    By Pastor F. M. Riley
                                                                                                      May 9,  2017
     "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," 2 Timothy 3:1-7.  
Introduction  
      This is one of the most important "last days" prophecies to be found in God's Word, and yet one of the most ignored or overlooked by many of God's people today.   There are several similar passages in God's Word, but none of them worded exactly as this inspired passage is worded.  This passage is particularly important for identifying "the last days."      
     In this passage, the Apostle Paul was instructing Timothy.  Timothy was a young preacher, whom Paul had "taken under his wing," so to speak, instructing Timothy in the Word of God, and how a true preacher of the Word should conduct himself as he ministers the Word to the church of God, 1 Timothy 3:15.  
    The Apostle Paul gave to Timothy a description of how mankind on the earth would be living during "the last days."  As our readers go over this study, remember that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself said, "And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man," Luke 17:26.  How was it in "the days of Noah?"  Genesis 6:5 says, "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."  Folks, the general population of mankind on the earth today has arrived right back at that very same immoral condition.  It is not coming!  It is here!  The Apostle Paul in these Scriptures was then instructing Timothy how to deal with such people, and thereby how we who are true believers should deal with them today.  Hello!    
     Any honest reader should be able to recognize that the Apostle Paul was describing in detail the general population  in the very days in which we are presently living.  Welcome to the "last days," whether some readers choose to believe it or not!  
For your Bible study
     This subject is large, making a great Bible study for those readers who really enjoy studying Bible prophecy.  Following is a list of the particular expressions used in the Scriptures regarding this subject, along with the number of times they occur in the Scriptures.   
     Last days                  8 times              Latter days          12 times
     Last day                    7     "                   Latter end               7    "
     Last end                    3     "                   Latter time             2    "
     Last time(s)             5     "                  Latter years            1    "
                                                                       Latter rain              9    "  
     If any reader desires to check this list out for themselves, I made the list using Strong's Exhaustive Concordance.  I did not list the Scripture references, for it would require too much space in this study, and too much time.  I would far rather use the space and time to set forth for our readers what this text has to say about the people Paul was describing, and the "last days."  
The Inspired Description
     In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, the Apostle Paul began by saying, "This know also...."  Paul wanted young Timothy, and all others who would read this prophecy during this present dispensation, to absolutely "know" the truth about unbelieving fallen mankind, and "the last days" which Paul describes in this inspired passage.  Now what is it that Paul wanted us who are true believers to know???
Perilous Times
     First, that in "the last days perilous times shall come."   The Greek word translated as "perilous," is the word, "chalepos."  This word literally means, "dangerous; violent; fierce; grievous;  challenging; difficult; harsh; hard to bear."  See Thayer's Greek Lexicon, page 664, Strong's No. 5467.
      Would any honest reader deny that this is a perfect description of the very days in which we are living?  I often watch the evening news on TV,  because I want to know what is happening in the world, in view of Bible prophecy being fulfilled, pointing to our Lord's soon coming.   There is hardly a day goes by, but what one or more cold-blooded murders are reported on the news, along with kidnappings, rapes, robberies, assaults, and other assorted wickedness.  Yes, Paul got it right!  We today are living in a dangerous world, and it is steadily becoming more so with every passing day.
The Reason Why
     But the Apostle Paul didn't stop there.  He told Timothy why the "last days" would be "perilous."  It is not because things  "just happened" to work out the way we see them today, nor is it because the Lord wanted it this way.  Not at all!  Rather, the world is this way today because of the apostasy and wickedness on the part of the unbelieving lost world as described by Paul in verses 2-5.....
     In these Scriptures Paul gives to Timothy an inspired description of the apostasy and unbelief of religious people in "the last days."  He lists 21 sins commonly displayed in the lives of most of unbelieving mankind living in these  "last days."   
      Following is a list of each depraved sin named by Paul.....
     "For men [mankind in general] shall be.....
     [1]     lovers of their own selves
     [2]     covetous
     [3]     boasters
     [4]     proud
     [5]     blasphemers
     [6]     disobedient to parents
     [7]     unthankful
     [8]     unholy
     [9]     without natural affection
     [10]   trucebreakers
     [11]   false accusers
     [12]   incontinent
     [13]   fierce
     [14]   despisers of those that are good
     [15]   traitors
     [16]   heady
     [17]   highminded
     [18]   lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God
     [19]   having a form of godliness
     [20]   but denying the power thereof
     [21]   ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of
                 the truth
Coincidence?  
     Notice that there are 21 sins in this list, and there are 21 judgments to be poured out upon God hating and Christ rejecting mankind left on the earth during the coming Tribulation period.  Do our readers believe this is just "coincidence," or could it be that Almighty God is applying His own Law in regards to the unbelieving, Christ rejecting, lost world?  See Exodus 21:22-25.
Definitions   
     Most of the words in this list will be understood by our readers.   However, it is possible that some of the words are not familiar to our readers.  So I want to briefly set forth the meaning of each of these words.
       "For [because] men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud....."  
     These first four words are all related.  Mankind in general has become extremely self-centered, filled with pride in man's boasted accomplishments and selfish.  The "me first" attitude glaringly  prevails in the general populace today.  Just look at the "push and shove" in the stores today when some popular item is put on sale.  
     Blasphemers.....This word is not commonly used today, as it once was.  This word literally means "to insult; to slander; to speak against maliciously."  See Thayer's Greek Lexicon, page 102, Strong's No. 988.
     Today most of mankind has cut the Lord God out of their lives.  They deny the very existence of the God of the Bible, and His holy name is customarily used today only as a curse word by the lost world.  I am well aware that people today are not living under the Mosiac Law which God gave to the children of Israel, Romans 10:4.  This doesn't change the truth that God's name is still meant to be respected and revered. Using God's name as a curse word, is "blasphemy,"  an insult to God, yet it goes on all the time, clearly indicating that we are living in "the last days."
     Disobedient to parents.....What has this got to do with "perilous times" in these last days?  Everything!
     Children who are not disciplined and taught to do that which is right, when they are young, are going to grow up thinking the whole world revolves around them.  How long has it been since our readers who have small children believed and practiced  Proverbs 10:1, 10:13, 13:24, 15:20, 17:25, 19:13, 19:18, 22:6, 22:15, 23:13-14, 26:3, 29:15, and Ephesians 6:1-4?
     We believers today need to pray for the little children.  Many little children today receive no discipline, and little loving instruction on how to grow into a mature adult who will be a blessing to others.  And it shows!  Even in public places today, many little children act like spoiled "brats," whom their parents have turned loose on the public.  
     Unthankful and unholy.....Little children allowed to grow up without proper discipline and love, will never be thankful for anything.  Because in their self-centeredness and selfishness, they will feel that they deserve to have everything they want or receive, even if they have to steal, lie, cheat, or even kill to get it.  They will consider nothing or no one "holy" in their eyes.  Now look around you today.  All of these crimes being reported on the evening news are committed by people who were once little children.  Hello!  
     Without natural affection.....Today nearly every city in this country has an "abortion clinic" in it.  In these so-called "clinics," expectant women come to have their innocent unborn babies callously murdered.  This speaks loud and clear about women "without natural affection," and about their men who condone and allow their unborn children to be aborted [murdered].  Exodus 20:13 is still in the Bible!  So is Isaiah 49:15.  Plain enough?
     Trucebreakers.....This word in the Greek text literally means, "unforgiving; not reconcilable."  In other words, one person says or does something that another does not like, and this is used as an excuse to  part company.   Now take a look at the divorce rate in this country, and in other countries around the world.  What happened to "until death do us part?"  
     False accusers.....There are many today who are so self-centered and selfish, that they will stoop to anything to make themselves look good, even if it means lying about others.  We live today in a world filled with such people.  False accusations today extend into business, politics, the work place, homes and marriages, and even into churches and spiritual matters.  The Lord God hates such "false accusations" and the "false accusers" who make them.  Read it for yourself in Proverbs 6:16-19.    
     Incontinent and fierce.....These two words are closely related. The word "incontinent" literally means, "lacking self control."  See Strong's No. 193.  Look around you today and notice the thousands of people who simply cannot control their appetites; people who yield to every impulse of the flesh, and who have no will to change. As for the word, "fierce," look at the people involved in "road rage" incidents today, who become so enraged that a tragic death often results from merely being "cut off" in traffic.  
     Despisers of those that are good.....This is speaking of wicked unbelievers who literally hate and despise those who are true believers.  There are actually people today, who, when a true, dedicated, Christian believer shows up in a room or a gathering, the unbeliever will deliberatly begin to use foul language, cursing, and vulgarity, to show their contempt for the dedicated Christian believer.  Such does happen frequently today.  
     Traitors.....This word relates to the previous word, inasmuch as some today will do anything they can to undermine God's true servants, and make them look bad.   I have often warned young preachers taking the pastorate of their first church,  to look out for those who first  come running to them, just gushing over with "love" and "flatteries" for them, when they don't really even yet know them.  These are the people who will usually first stick a knife in the pastor's back [figure of speech].
     Heady; high minded.....Again, these two words are related in meaning in the Greek text.  "heady" literally means, "to be or become reckless, rash, thoughtless, and unreasonable, due to pride in one's self."  The word, "highminded," literally means, "to be or become conceited; proud; lifted up; superior to others in one's own eyes."  Do our readers ever run across such people today?  Well...??
     Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.....Should I even bother to mention the "bawl games," and other sporting events, which draw thousands of people to watch their favorite team, while most of the church services today are very poorly attended?   Hello!
     Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.....Nearly every person one meets today is "religious."  Most people don't want to be thought of as a God denying atheist, so nearly everyone has a chosen religion.  When the subject is brought up, they can "talk" a good "religion," yet they show by their lives that they don't really believe in the power of the living God.  Read Titus 1:16.  
     Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.....These same "religious" people today, who have "a form of godliness," do generally attend some church and supposedly study the Bible. Yet it is glaringly obvious that they don't believe what the Bible actually and literally says, but rather give the inspired Word  a "spin" of their own.  While they do perhaps learn how to find the different books in the Bible, yet they never are able "to come to the knowledge of the truth."  Folks, one cannot reject Him who is "the way, the truth, and the life," and ever hope to understand the great truths of God's Word.  Read 1 Corinthians 2:11-14.  One cannot have God, while rejecting His Son, John 3:18-21.
Be careful how you read God's Word
      Paul was not speaking to the people he was describing in these Scriptures, with a view of evangelizing them.  Rather, he was speaking about these people, warning Timothy, and other future true believers, who would one day read Paul's message.  The people being described by the Apostle Paul are all lost unbelievers even though some may "profess" to be Christians.  How do we know this?  
     In 3:2 these people are described as being "unholy."  Again, in 3:3, Paul stated plainly that these people are "despisers of those that are good."  Then in 3:4, he says that they are "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God."  In 3:5, he says that they "have a form of godliness, but deny the power [of God] thereof."  And finally, in 3:7, Paul told Timothy that these people are "ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."  In other words, Paul is describing people who are lost, doomed, damned, and even with their "form of godliness," are as certain for hell, as if they were already there.  
     But Paul sealed his description of these people in 3:5, by telling Timothy, "from such turn away."  In other words, Timothy,  don't waste your time on such people. Trying to convert such people to Christ is an exercise in futility.  No less a Scriptural authority than the Apostle Paul himself points out in these Scriptures, that people with these characteristics are not interested in God, Christ, God's Word, or  salvation, and it will only be a waste of time, effort, and money trying to convince them that God and eternity are real, and that they need to seek the Lord as their Savior.  
     No, Paul never said not to witness to these people, but he made it clear that true believers are not to waste their time, energy, and efforts on trying to win them to Christ.  Why not?  
      Well.....is this statement of Paul to Timothy a part of the inspired Word of  God, or is it not?  Don't hem or haw around!  Just answer the question honestly.  If this statement of Paul to Timothy is part of the inspired Word, and it is, then it is obvious there are many people living in these "last days," that true believers should not be wasting their time on, because these people are not even remotely interested in God or Christ, or the Word of God, and will only reject the message and continue on in their willful lifestyle.
     But how are we believers to know?  Tell me, does the believer reading this study ever seriously and earnestly pray for the Lord's guidance and leadership about witnessing to others?  Do you ever seriously ask the Lord to bring someone into your life, or to bring you into someone's life, with whom He wants you to share the gospel of Christ, and the way of salvation?  And to give you spiritual discernment to recognize your opportunity?   Are these requests a part of your prayer life?  If not, why not?  
     Dear readers, thousands of souls around us today are lost in sin and unbelief, and are on the road to hell.  I personally have a great burden for the lost, greater than I have ever previously had at any given time in my life.  Why?  Because as I look at the teeming hordes of people on the earth today, I am made to realize that most of them are in no way prepared to pass into eternity, yet every one of them soon will.  The Lord has impressed upon me that we are living in "the last days," and the time for us to witness to and win the lost to Christ is growing shorter with every passing day.  We believers will use the time we have to love and serve the Lord, and to be witnesses for Christ, or we will regret it when we stand before our Lord Jesus, real soon, to give an account of our stewardship, 1 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Corinthians 5:10.  Oh, may the Lord have mercy upon His people, and upon lost seeking souls, while there is still time for them to be saved.  And may He guide His people, bring us together with those who are truly seeking the Lord for salvation.  Luke 21:36 is still in the Bible!  Father God, help us to be the witnesses for Christ that we truly want to be!
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     Permission is granted to any true believer, or Bible believing Christian ministry to reproduce this study to share with others, or to quote from it in context as written.
      Thank you again, beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, for your prayers and your gifts.  Now I would like to request special prayer for my eyesight.  I am getting where it is difficult to even see my computer screen, and if it comes to that place, then my Bible study ministry, my personal Bible study, my church attendance, all will be over. Please make this a matter of earnest prayer.  Thank you.
     Please address all comments, questions, and correspondence to me at: Pastor F. M. Riley, 14275 County Road 8120, Rolla, Missouri 65401.  I know that many of you folks have had difficulty reaching me on the phone.  This old phone of mine is worn out, and I am going today to try to purchase another and better phone.  Hopefully my number will remain the same, 573-201-0491.  
     God bless you all is my prayer.  
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