“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come.”
2 Timothy 3:1
Paul told Timothy that “in the last days perilous times would come” (2 Timothy 3:1). The word perilous is chalepos in the Greek. It has the thought of being difficult, dangerous, hard to deal with, or savage. This same word is used to describe two demon-possessed men who lived in the tombs and were exceedingly fierce (Matthew 8:28). This reminds us of what Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 4:1: “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.”
He goes onto describe these last days as a time when “men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:2-4).
As you and I look at the world around us, it is not hard to believe that we are living in the last days. The very things described by Paul describe our culture to a tee! As we think of all this, it is easy for our hearts to be overwhelmed and troubled. But the words of the Lord Jesus should provide great comfort, as He declared, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
As the Great Overcomer, He desires for you and me to be overcomers and not to be overcome by our culture!
It would be easy to let the chaos and confusion of our culture take control of our minds and hearts. Timothy also felt timid and fearful as a young man seeking to live for the Lord. Paul would remind him that as Christians we have not been given “a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
Anchor For Today:
It is the sweet portion of the Believer to have a heart ruled by the peace of Christ in the midst of a world of chaos.