“The Last Days”

What if I told you Jesus is coming back soon and I am going to tell you the signs to look out for…

Is that exciting?

Essentially, that is what this chapter is about. Its Paul writing to Timothy so he is prepared and so he can prepare us

1. (V3) In the last days perilous times will come

a) Jesus teaches we should discern the signs of end times

In Matthew 16:1-4, Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of His day because they did not or would not understand the meaning of their times:

Matthew 16:3 “You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.”

It is possible that Jesus would have the same rebuke for some Christians today who are unaware of the last days and the soon return of Jesus Christ.

b) More verses that pertain to end times

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,”

Some will depart giving heed to deceiving spirits

2 Peter 3:3 “knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts,”

Scoffers will come in the last days walking according to their own lusts

2. (V2-V4) The signs of the time

a) The signs of the time

Our society is lovers of themselves

The generation of the selfie or the selfish generation

Here I am at the beach, here I am at the gym, here I am on a date, here I am, look at me

The opposite of the example Christ has left for us

Examples of the life of Christ

At times, if were honest with ourselves, this example may describes us

3. (V5) Having a form of godliness

(NLT) They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly Titus 1:16 “They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:13 “But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.”

a) Just because people say they are Christians doesn’t make them a Christian

In picking friends, future spouse

Why is important to pick your friends wisely?

4. They deny His power and from such people turn away from

My family says they believe in Jesus Christ, but they also believe in evolution.

They deny the power of God as they reject the claim that God spoke the world into existence

a) When you recognize a person claims to be a christian, but deny Him through their actions, turn away from such people

Two reasons why

In hopes they turn from their sin

Turn away so you are not influenced

Long-standing Jewish tradition says that Jannes and Jambres were the two chief magicians who withstood Moses and Aaron in Exodus 7. “Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs” (verses 10-12). Later, these same sorcerers duplicated the changing of water into blood (Exodus 7:22) and the production of frogs (8:7).