Perilous Times Shall Come 2 Timothy 3:1

As Paul the apostle continued sharing with Timothy concerning those who promoted “profane and vain babblings” and false teachings, he told Timothy to instruct them “in meekness” because there was the possibility that God “will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth”, and when he does, “they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will”. In chapter three and verse one, Paul shifts his attention toward “the last days” where he proclaimed, “perilous times shall come”. We read:

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

The verse begins, “This know also,...” Paul continued his thought with, “This know” which means “what is about to be declared have knowledge of, understand, perceive and feel” “also” or “moreover, and, additionally”. We must keep in mind that originally the scriptures were not divided into chapters and verses but were continuous thoughts and ideas conveyed in letter and writings form. Paul went directly from sharing with Timothy concerning false prophets in the church to the idea he is about to present, and he desired for Timothy to pay close attention to what he was about to write.

The verse goes on to say, “...that in the last days perilous times shall come.” Paul continued, “that in the last” which means the “in the extreme, uttermost part and the end” “days” which is “used of the natural day, or the interval between sunrise and sunset, as distinguished from and contrasted with the night” “perilous” or “hard to do, take, approach and bear, troublesome, dangerous, harsh, fierce and savage” “times” which means “due measure, measure of time and opportune and seasonable periods” “shall come” or “be in place or among, put in, be upon, impend, threaten, be close at hand and present”. Paul's warning and prophecy to Timothy was that in the “times” of the “last days”, “dangerous, harsh, fierce and savage periods” will be among us.

As we think through Paul's words, we can almost sense the warning tone in his words. Though Timothy was going to have to manage those who pontificated “false teachings” and ideas, that was only the beginning of his difficulties. Paul's prediction was for there to be more and more “dangerous” surroundings as we approach the “uttermost or end days”. When we look around today we can see that his prophecy was correct, and the safety and security of most people is threatened greater now than ever before. While we enter this new area of study, let us pray that we will see the Lord Jesus in light of His word and the conditions surrounding us, and may we study to align ourselves with the words He shares with us by His Holy Spirit through Paul the apostle concerning these “perilous last days”.

Next time Paul tells Timothy, “men shall be lovers of their own selves”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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