Are we there yet is a question every parent hears a thousand times if they are going on a long trip. We always lived many hours away from our families, so traveling to minimize our children’s anxiousness required strategic planning on my part. You would be surprised how many ABC games you can play in 12.5 hours. Yet, the question often remained. Are we there yet?
In our text today, we see a destination that is not noted by landmarks or mileage charts. Attitudes, actions, and deception distinguish it. It refers to the last days before the end of this world.
In II Timothy 3:1, these last days will be noted by perilous times. These will be times of danger and persecution for the Christian. In II Thessalonians 2:2-4, Paul tells us to “not be shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.” We are to be aware that some will try to “deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” Satan will set himself up as God. Godliness and righteousness will be in short supply as Satan sells his lies as truth, or tolerance, and those who are lured into believing tolerance is love follow his path like a lamb to its slaughter.
II Timothy 3:1 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”
What are some of the signs we are to look for that distinguish these last days? In verse 2, people are exhibiting and promoting what is called self-love. This is selfishness! It is an attribute that is not like Christ at all. He was a servant and commanded that we be also. This person is living to take care of themselves first. They do not consider others’ happiness but are concerned about getting what they desire. It has the attitude of “if it makes me happy, do it.” There is no thought given to what God says is right. They are covetous; money and things are their goal in life. They boast about themselves and are very proud of themselves. This is also mentioned as a character trait of the unrighteous men in Romans 1:30 “Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents.” Nothing about these people is godly.
II Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
The next element we see about the end times is mentioned in verse 3. They are without natural affection. These are those who do not exhibit the natural affection for their children and family. This would also include those who live a lifestyle of homosexuality. Abuse and depravity are rampant in our society today. This verse also mentions trucebreakers, people who do not keep their word. This is evidenced by the number of lawsuits we see today. Other signs to indicate where we are in the economy of the Lord’s return include incontinent, which is no self control over the passions of the flesh, they are brutal, traitors, conceited, lovers of the pleasures of the flesh rather than lovers of God.
II Timothy 3:3-4 “Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.”
They will also be great pretenders. They appear to be godly, but they are not! They take advantage of women who are easily flattered. They are led into sin easily. These people are always learning but never grasp the knowledge of truth. Those who are so full of themselves are arrogant, prideful, and unteachable. They are deceived and seek to deceive others like themselves.
II Timothy 3:5-7 “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
So, are we there yet? Is Jesus’ return soon? Our world certainly shows all the signs. How do we react to the knowledge that the signs indicate the coming is near? We are to be busy doing the work that God has left us here to do. We are to warn others of the destruction to come. We will one day stand before God and give an account of how we have lived our lives for Him. He knows every time we have neglected to read our Bible, pray, or witness to someone in our path. We have been given a job to do after we are saved. We are to tell others about Him, seek to win them, and then to disciple them. That is our responsibility, and we must fulfill it and warn people that Jesus is coming soon. No one knows when they will die or when His return will be, but it is certainly closer than it has ever been.
