Last Days

There is a lot of talk these days about signs that we are living in “the last days.” Nothing stirs up more interest than tantalizing tidbits that the apocalypse is upon us. Much of it is sensationalism, would-be teachers who measure their ministries by the number of clicks. I seldom see accurate information. The public is gullible as they are given cause to fear, but most of the fear is the kind people indulge in for a thrill—like a scary movie. It alleviates the boredom as it stimulates a release of cortisol and accompanying pleasure hormones.

For many, the very idea that the world is about to burn provides a morbid satisfaction—a kind of “I told you so.” It is religious people and conservatives “flipping the bird” to the world. “There. Take that, suckers!”

Our “Christian” attitude is quite different from Christ’s: And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. (Luke 19:41–44)
I do believe we are in the last days, described by the apostle Paul as he communicated with Timothy. Meditate on this passage from 2 Timothy 3 and consider each prediction one at a time. Your knowledge of current events will give you a clear perspective.

II Timothy 3

1 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, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses [sex chatting], and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Public schools and large Christian schools are the cesspool of total depravity. Public education is the devil’s church. There are still a few lazy “Christians” who say their little, local public school is different, representing old-fashioned morals. Too late they will come to know better. The text provides us with a wrap:
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.