How Does it Seem?

2 Timothy 3-Part 1
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  2 Timothy 3:1


LET IT GLOW

Here is what Swindoll's New Testament Insights on 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus has to say:

Paul wanted Timothy to know, ginosko, which is in the present tense. It can be literally translated, "You keep on knowing this!" In other words, " Be ever mindful of this as you carry out your duties!"
What is this? In the last days perilous times shall come. It refers to the time between the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem and His return in Jerusalem to set up His kingdom. The last days are centuries long, and they will go from bad to worse.

Perilous is a word meaning " hard to bear, troublesome, dangerous, grievous; harsh, fierce, savage: of men."
(Thayer's Lexicon)

Was Paul trying to frighten or discourage Timothy? No, he was only telling Timothy what he could expect.
"In the last days, savage times will be upon us," someone said.

The same Greek word that is used to describe the two violent demoniacs of Gadara (Matt. 8:28). This suggests that the violence of the last times will be energized by demons (1 Tim. 4:1). (Wiersbe)

Perilous can also be described as "difficult." Classical Greek used the erm to describe wild animals or a raging sea. (Swindoll)

The word times had to do with epochs, rather than clock or calendar time. Such savage, dangerous eras or epochs will increase in frequency and severity as the return of Christ approaches (verse 13). (MacArthur)

Anyway, it is going to be bad times in which to live, isn't it? Am I ready?

LET IT GROW

Since I have been a pastor's wife for 31 years, experience has taught me that "not all things, and people, are as they appear." So, not everyone in the congregation of a church is what he or she appears to be. Therefore, we must always be alert and lead by the Holy Spirit for discernment. We must be aware of the dangers and prepared to meet them, right?


What reasons did Paul give for such "savage times?"  I will answer this question by using eighteen adjectives and descriptive phrases characterizing human depravity, spoken of by Charles Swindoll in his book, which is mentioned above. However, instead of discussing all 18 today, I will divide them up. (He uses the NAS.)
 

1. Lovers of self. All of us are selfish to a degree, but this describes a deeper level of self-love. Self-lovers see everything in the world only as it affects them. Every event is viewed to bolster their own sense of superiority, significance, or safety. They seek the comfort and promotion of self above all else.
2. Lovers of money. Materialists seek wealth and possessions as a means of power, control, security, personal worth, and even love. Not that there's anything wrong with wealth, but the love of it is what we must avoid. Money-lovers are driven by greed.
3. Boastful. The Greek term describes a con artist, a vagabond who moves from town to town, making big promises, raking in money, and then disappearing overnight. The seek their own glory while providing nothing of worth to those around them.
4. Arrogant. This compound Greek word combines hyper, "over" and phaino. "appear" or "seem," to express the idea of being exalted over others. It was both possitive and negative in the Greeks' use.
5. Revilers. Our English word blasphemer comes from the Greek word blasphemos. To blaspheme is to curse, slander, or treat someone with contempt. It disrespects another.
6. Disobedient to parents. This is the first of fieve terms with the negative prefix a-, which is "dis-" or "un-". The root word is peitho, "to be convinced, be persuaded." These people who have rejected their parents' house rules, reject their counsel as well. With unresolved parent issues, they will have authority issues extending into all aspects of their lives.

All right, friend, are you still with me? We have two more lists to go, so keep walking with me through this chapter and don't go leave me here alone, please. I already have people going through my mind as I read the description by Swindoll. Now I need to ask myself if any of these apply to me personally.


LET IT GO


Be prepared for the difficult, savage times ahead. Trust Jesus and follow His Word.

Don't love myself and money to the extreme.

Don't boast and arrogant, but be humble.

Treat others with love.

Respect my parents, even though they have gone home. Teach my family to be respectful.