May 28 “THIS KNOW….” 2 Timothy 3: 1-5
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, BaptistTabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “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, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Timothy 3: 1-5)
When Jesus ascended back to Heaven, two heavenly beings assured the Disciples that HE would return in the same fashion that HE left, so the Disciples began to look for HIS soon return. The early Disciples, by this time, were thoroughly convinced that Christ was going to do exactly what HE said that HE would do. First of all, He said that HE would die and HE did! Next, HE said that HE would arise from the Grave, and HE did! And now, HE said that HE would return…HE said, in John 14:2b-3, “… “I go to prepare a place for you, And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” Jesus said that HE was going to come back and they believed it! There is much talk today about Christ’s return being really soon, however, how many are living as if they actually believe that HE is coming again? I John3:3 says; “And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as HE is pure.” Do we actually see folks trying to live “pure” lives? From my narrow prospective, I see a majority of this world’s people living as Noah’s generation before the Flood, as Matthew 24:38 clearly says, “For as in the days that were before the Flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the Ark.” Noah’s message of repentance went over like a “lead balloon” with the crowd that he was preaching to. Noah didn’t hear, “Preach on Brother,” or “Amen,” from that crowd. He probably heard, “Shut up and go home!” Amazingly, we don’t want to hear about the judgment of God. Noah knew that the time was at hand, and I truly believe that the time is at hand again, when God is going to “COME AGAIN!” Ready or not, HE IS COMING AGAIN! Paul, in his writings to young Timothy, gives the countdown. He says to Timothy, “THIS KNOW…” Many people say that you cannot know when the Lord is coming back, however, I absolutely do not know the year, month, week, hour, minute or the second, but, the Word of God says that HE IS COMING AGAIN, and that I believe!! Our scripture today, speaks about conditions of the world before God raptures the Church and it seems to be getting clearer and clearer. “This know also; that in the last days, perilous times shall come.” Are conditions right? 2 Timothy 3 seems to be a check-off list for preparation for “Liftoff.” How about, “For men will be lovers of their own selves,” and in these perilous times that there “Shall be People Full of Covetousness and we will see this everywhere!” We will see “Boastful and Proud” folks and in the Perilous age, we will see “Blasphemers!” Keep looking…”Children will be Disobedient to Parents” and “Men shall be Unthankful” and “Unholy” and “Without Natural Affection,” and “Trucebreakers?” Do we see any of this today? Notice the last the last part of the scripture text…”HAVING A FORM OF GODLINESS, BUT DENYING THE POWER THEREOF!” Friends, there will always be “Religion,” but in the last days, “Religion that the world finds acceptable, will be “POWERLESS” and “EMPTY!” GOD said, “THIS KNOW…” KNOW WHAT? KNOWTHAT HE IS COMING AGAIN AND WE NEED TO BE READY!! WHEN IS HE COMING? When “PERILOUS TIMES SHALL COME!” Are the conditions right? Do we need to get ready? Are we living so that our lives are reflecting the Love of God to this depraved and dying world? What if today is the day of HIS return, are you ready? Circumstances, Situations, Problems, Disasters, Pandemics, Pleasures, nor anything else should alter our “TRAVEL PLANS” with Jesus! Let us pray… “COME QUICKLY, LORD!” Stay Strong, Stay Focused… Remember, THE BEST IS YET TO BE!