Signs of the Time
Last week we learned that one of the signs that show we are entering the Last of the Last Days.
More I watch social media, the more I realize, that people are (ex-Christians) slowly bringing unbelief in those who are unskilled in the Word of God!
This is not something to scare people, rather it should motivate us to be the Light in the Darkness, the salt of the earth!
Est 4:13,14
13 Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: "Don't think for a moment that because you're in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. 14 If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?" NLT
More passages about the Last of the Last Days!
2 Tim 3:1-9
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. KJV
2 Tim 3:1-9
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
This: markers of an explanation or a clarification
Know: knowledge of a particular object in mind that absolutely must be known
Last days: final, the extreme end
Damon’s Translation
You emphatically must know what I am about to tell you! In the very last part of the last days, in the very end of the age
Perilous: Grievous, hard to bear, distressing, referring to the times
Luke 21:34-36
34 "Watch out! Don't let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don't let that day catch you unaware, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 36 Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man." NLT
Damon’s Translation
You emphatically must know what I am about to tell you! In the very last part of the last days, in the very end of the age, hurtful, harmful, dangerous, unpredictable, uncontrollable, high-risk periods of time will come.”
What is the culture going to look like? (Sign)
2 Tim 3:1, 2a
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves,
MenMen: (Anthrpos) human race
Lover of their own selves: fond of ones self
Damon’s Translation
You emphatically must know what I am about to tell you! In the very last part of the last days, in the very end of the age, hurtful, harmful, dangerous, unpredictable, uncontrollable, high-risk periods of time will come.” The human race will be utterly consumed with themselves; their every motive will be about them and what they can get!
What does Jesus call us to look like?
Luke 10:25-37
25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: "Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 Jesus replied, "What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?" 27 The man answered, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.' And, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" 28 "Right!" Jesus told him. "Do this and you will live!" 29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"30 Jesus replied with a story: "A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. 31 "By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. 33 "Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, 'Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I'll pay you the next time I'm here.' 36 "Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?" Jesus asked.37 The man replied, "The one who showed him mercy." Then Jesus said, "Yes, now go and do the same." NLT
Matt 5:38-48
38 "You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow. 43 "You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. NLT
- Mockers
- Passively, walking away from the foundation they once had in Christ for the present-day culture, which twist the truth to fit their desired lifestyle.
- This will lead them to loss and ruin!
More I watch social media, the more I realize, that people are (ex-Christians) slowly bringing unbelief in those who are unskilled in the Word of God!
This is not something to scare people, rather it should motivate us to be the Light in the Darkness, the salt of the earth!
Est 4:13,14
13 Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: "Don't think for a moment that because you're in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. 14 If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?" NLT
- Like Ester, we have been called and anointed to live in these last days!
More passages about the Last of the Last Days!
2 Tim 3:1-9
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. KJV
2 Tim 3:1-9
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
This: markers of an explanation or a clarification
Know: knowledge of a particular object in mind that absolutely must be known
- The Holy Spirit is wanting to bring clarification and particular knowledge of something that must be known!
Last days: final, the extreme end
- The last month of the year; the last week of the month; the last day of a week; or the very extreme end of the age.
- In other words, the word eschaton doesn’t merely describe the last days in general, but the very last of the last days.
Damon’s Translation
You emphatically must know what I am about to tell you! In the very last part of the last days, in the very end of the age
Perilous: Grievous, hard to bear, distressing, referring to the times
- Hurtful, harmful, dangerous, unpredictable, uncontrollable, high-risk periods of time will come.”
- Hurtful and emotionally hard to bear.
Luke 21:34-36
34 "Watch out! Don't let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don't let that day catch you unaware, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 36 Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man." NLT
Damon’s Translation
You emphatically must know what I am about to tell you! In the very last part of the last days, in the very end of the age, hurtful, harmful, dangerous, unpredictable, uncontrollable, high-risk periods of time will come.”
- But why did the Holy Spirit forewarn us about these events?
- Were His prophetic warnings intended to scare or to fill us with fear? No!
- The Holy Spirit is wanting to prepare God’s people so they could be spiritually alert and ready “to live in such a time as this” minister to people who suffer harm as a result of the events that will grip the world at the end of the age.
What is the culture going to look like? (Sign)
2 Tim 3:1, 2a
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves,
MenMen: (Anthrpos) human race
Lover of their own selves: fond of ones self
- This verse presents the picture of people who are self-focused, self-centered, and self-consumed.
- Utterly consumed with themselves
- People are being told to love themselves, to put themselves first, and to pursue their best interests first.
- This has led to the rise of people in society that are self-centered and who are driven by selfish carnal ambitions
- The Problem with self-ambition, it is a well with holes in it and God knows that!
Damon’s Translation
You emphatically must know what I am about to tell you! In the very last part of the last days, in the very end of the age, hurtful, harmful, dangerous, unpredictable, uncontrollable, high-risk periods of time will come.” The human race will be utterly consumed with themselves; their every motive will be about them and what they can get!
What does Jesus call us to look like?
Luke 10:25-37
25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: "Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 Jesus replied, "What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?" 27 The man answered, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.' And, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" 28 "Right!" Jesus told him. "Do this and you will live!" 29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"30 Jesus replied with a story: "A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. 31 "By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. 33 "Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, 'Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I'll pay you the next time I'm here.' 36 "Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?" Jesus asked.37 The man replied, "The one who showed him mercy." Then Jesus said, "Yes, now go and do the same." NLT
Matt 5:38-48
38 "You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow. 43 "You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. NLT