“Difficult Times”
The Bible says that in the “last days” difficult times will come. We are living in those times. They are not difficult as far as the standard of living goes. The Bible does not say people will be hungry. It describes difficult times in terms of the surrounding and overwhelming influences toward evil. The difficulty is in maintaining a godly life and active faith in God in the midst of chaos. Notice the description as found in II Timothy 3, and compare it to the things you see everyday on the news and even in your own place: “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy.” These things describe their spiritual condition. It is earthly and carnal. Then it goes on to describe the way they relate to each other: “unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous.” Just listen to the news as people try to tear down the reputation of anyone who may stand in their way as they seek their own power and influence. Then it describes what they do for recreation: “reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” The next section is very descriptive of the many who attend seminars out of curiosity, seem to believe what they learn from the Bible presentations, but are never able to take a stand on truth when it upsets their lifestyle: “holding a form of godliness, although they have denied its power…always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Now let’s look at a few other passages about the end times. Luke 21:26 says that people will be “fainting from fear and the expectations of the things which are coming upon the world.” Today fear is everywhere. Safety and protection remain as the biggest selling points of any product.
Matthew 24:11 and 24 say, “Many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many… false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders.” Many Christians are getting their beliefs about Christ’s coming from the Left Behind series. Others are attracted to the many supernatural manifestations and miracles done within the charismatic churches of today. Still others are convinced by in the Mary apparitions.
We could go on and talk about the very real threats that could easily bring about the final leg of the “time of trouble such as has never been since there was a nation.” If you have read these newsletters regularly, you know
that I believe that the time of trouble such as never was may have begun with the onset of WWI. The statistics of history reveal this to be the case. We have yet to reach the full climax of this period. It is only by the goodness and mercy of God that we have made it so long. We all know that there is the very real threat today of rogue nations headed by crazy people who would like to use nuclear weapons. There are the terrorists who are trying their best to stage another major attack that could destabilize our security and send our stock market tumbling. There is the growing threat of a powerful and elusive China. We could go on. We do not know how it will end, but we can do what Jesus tells us to do when we see all these things lining up: “When you see all these things, recognize that He is near, even at the door,” Matthew 24:33.
Jesus then does not leave us without instructions as to what to do with ourselves when we see the end approaching: “Be on guard, that your hearts may not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap,” Luke 21:34. The word translated dissipation is also translated as surfeiting and debauchery. It literally means: the headache that comes from overindulgence—either in eating, drinking or promiscuous behavior.
A person may be very temperate and not overindulge in eating, drinking or promiscuous behavior, but still be burdened down with the “cares or worries of this life.” How is your life today? Is there anything in the list of warnings from Jesus that you are bogged down by? If so, you are on dangerous ground concerning readiness for His return. It is high time to live a life of faith, integrity, temperance and simplicity.
Have a good week.
Dennis
dennispumford.com Pumford
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