PERILOUS TIMES HAVE COME

 

FROM 2 TIMOTHY 3:1, we read,

“THIS know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”

PERILOUS TIMES refer to a period of extreme difficulty and hazards. The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English defines perilous as “very dangerous.” Perilous times therefore are very dangerous times. In what sense are the times dangerous?

IN THE RELIGIOUS CIRCLES, perilous times are described as times yet in the future when a man called antichrist would torment the people of the earth, starving them with food and liberty and forcing them to accept his mark (mark of the beast) or starve them to death.

I THINK THAT the tale of the antichrist as described above does not fall within the timing of the period Paul the Apostle, speaks of here in this verse. For he said “in the last days.” We are certainly in the last days. Do you believe it? If you don’t, consider some of the marks of the last days.

“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, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

~2 Timothy 3:2-5.

THE PICTURE SHOWN us in this scripture indicates that the last days would witness a period of wickedness and godlessness. There shall be a famine, not of food or money, but of truth and righteousness.

IT SHALL BE A PERIOD where to be good would be strange and all those who want to be good would be scared for reprisals from the ungodly people.

PERILOUS TIMES, according to the Bible, would witness a show of covetousness and greed. Just as people would flourish in the material things, so they would be greedy and fierce in their desire for them. They would kill and maim for riches, because they have lost all natural feelings and affections.

BECAUSE OF THE INCREASED competition for materialism, there would be so much pride in the land. Men would be selfish and would rather seek their own at the expense of the general good of others –“lovers of them selves.” There would be a craze for pleasure of all sorts, behold the avalanche entertainments- sports, music, dances, drinking. “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.”

THE BIBLE DID NOT say that perilous times would witness a cessation of religion and godly proclamations. In fact during the perilous times, many would profess Christ and claim to be His servants. There shall be many churches and many preachers. There would be people who would say that they are Christ. But the difference would be that their religion would be a mere form, because while they make much talk about Christ, it is only in their lips; the power to be a true Christian disciple, they would refuse. So the Scripture says, “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.”

IF THESE CHARACTERISTICS underline the last days and the perilous times, then here we are already. Don’t be confused by false doctrines making the rounds; this scripture was written for Christians to be vigilant; to beware of the times, so that they are not caught unawares. The perilous times are here and we are seeing the wickedness increasing on a daily basis. But we are to turn away from all this.

ALL WE NEED TO DO as saints of God is to draw closer to God in prayers and be valiant for the Lord. Satan is working hard to diminish the radiance of our faith, let us keep it up, for some are already waxed cold according to the prediction of Jesus,

“AND because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold,”

~Matthew 24:12.

THE TIMES ARE HERE; let us rise to the occasion, for only he that endureth to the end shall be saved.