IN THE LAST DAYS

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,” (1 Timothy 4:1)

“Understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (2 Timothy 3:1–5)

The two scriptures passages we have quoted outline some of the ills that will characterize the behaviour and attitudes of many people in the last days. The future tense mood in which passages have been written should not confuse us. The believer needs to understand that we are already in the last days. The last days are upon us and the characteristic effect as described by our texts can be seen everywhere you look.

Specifically, the Last Days was kicked into play by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the concept also indicates the conditions brought on by his coming, including the experiences of the Church. The writer of Hebrews noted, “But as it now is, He [Christ] has once for all at the consummation and close of the ages appeared to put away and abolish sin by His sacrifice [of Himself]” (Hebrews 9:26, AMP). That’s right; the coming of Christ marked the beginning of the Last Days. He came at precisely “the right time to take away all sin by sacrificing himself” - only once and for all time! We are on God’s time clock and the final countdown is on.

The Last Days’ clock is ticking – in the last days there will come times of difficulty – There is already a sense of urgency in the spirit as never before. The witness of the scriptures is borne out by evidence as we see people departing from genuine faith in Christ by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons; impatience, selfishness and recklessness grow. But there is also an urgency to pray, to proclaim the gospel and teach the truth to the ends of the earth.

There is urgency for the believer to awake from spiritual slumber and recognise the desperation of the enemy of his or her soul. The devil knows that “the Last Days” means the beginning of his end; he has become desperate like a drowning man, like an injured beast or a hungry lion. God is rising from His seat and is preparing to bring “time” as we know it to a close and restrain the devil forever.

“In the last days there will come times of difficulty…” It will be difficult to continue steadfastly on the path of sanctification and perfecting holiness in the fear of God as you endure the buffeting of your adversary the devil and you see some departing from the faith and giving in to deceitful spirits and false teaching. There are many today about whom God simply says, “Avoid such people”! These include “lovers of self, lovers of money… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

“Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power” is very reminiscent to appreciating the subtlety and nature of the Last Days’ deception. As I reflect on this, the phrase “Looking Good, Being bad” (title of one of Adrian Plass’ book) comes immediately to mind. Don't be taken in by appearance.

Christian, you need to stay focused by looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of your faith as you press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ. Be strong in the Lord and understand that the devil does not grow stronger, but your faith and spiritual strength can grow weaker.

Only those who know their God by experience are able to grow from strength to strength in faith and do exploits in these Last Days. Your faith alone will see you through difficult times and secure the victory. You cannot live on someone else faith – “the just shall live by their own faith in and faithfulness to God” (Habakkuk 2:4).

Know the Lord Christ for yourself and walk with Him: Know His love, know His power, know the suffering and the contradictions He faced for you, and know His faithfulness. Put your trust in the Lord because you know Him and you will not be seduced and drawn away from the faith!