2 Timothy 3:1 “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.” (NASB)
Paul was writing to Timothy who seemed to be discouraged with the way his life and the world were going. In my vernacular Paul seems to be saying, “You haven’t seen anything yet. It is only going to get worse.” The New Bible Commentary: Revised says, “The sinfulness of human self-will will find full, unrestrained expression in deed, word and thought. The practice of reverence, dutifulness, gratitude, love of kindred, and covenant-keeping will cease.”
“The last days” refers to at least two segments of time. First, the time of the church from being birthed at Pentecost until the return of Christ is the most common reference. Second, I believe that the phrase “the last days” in 2 Timothy 3:1, refers to the consummation of the age. So the time in which we live should not take us by surprise, nor unprepared. God, through Paul and Peter’s (2 Peter 3:3-4) writings has warned us that we have not seen anything yet. Even during these difficult times that seem to be worldwide, we can look up because we know “that our redemption is drawing near.”
The truth of this promise is good for any difficult time. If these are not “the last days” before the consummation of the age and these are just difficult days we experience until Christ’s return, we still look up. He is still our Deliverer. He is the Rock of our salvation and He is our Strong and Mighty Tower. We can trust Him in all our “difficult times,” whether they are personal, regional, national, or global like they are now. Remember He is still on the throne regardless of the tidal surge of bad news we seem to be deluged with...and you can trust Him.
This article was originally posted on The Stand. By Bert Harper
