With a passion, I want for you to be people "that have understanding of the times" 1 Chron 12:32 "to know what Israel (God's people today and yourself in particular) ought to do." Doesn't that make sense for all of us?
The last days
"But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth" 1 Tim. 4:1-3. It becomes obvious as you really study, that "the latter times," the "last days" started even in the days of Paul. What he is saying is describing conditions all through the church age until the very end. These conditions described above go back to the early centuries of this age. These warnings are to keep us aware that Jesus could come any minute and keep us living right.
Perilous times
"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy" (2 Tim. 3:1,2). This describes so vividly the early rulers of Rome, Egypt and other places where they declared themselves to be gods.
The rest of the story
"Disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affections, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good" When I was a kid, in the thirties and forties, you never heard the term "juvenile delinquents." O, we were not perfect but it was rare to find kids deliberately, defiantly, disobedient to parents. Today, it seems wholesale. Back then, "the all American boy" the good kid, was extolled and admired. Today, he is scorned if he or she remains a virgin until marriage. He is ridiculed as "mama's boy" if he does not go along with the crowd.
The beginning of birth pains
Along with "wars, famines, pestilence's and earthquakes in various places" Matt. 24: 4-7, "men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken" Luke 21:26. These are all "the beginning of sorrows" Matt. 24:8. The Greek word for "sorrows" is "birth pains." Now that tells a lot. When the pains first start, you don't run immediately to the hospital and panic. As the pains become more frequent and intense you know the event (the birth) is getting near. "But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" Luke 21:28.
We have 5 children. I remember well the birth of each. When the pains were as frequent as the pains described in the Bible, I would RUN TO THE HOSPITAL like mad. Dear people "the signs of the last days" are so frequent and intense we must "prepare to meet your God" Amos 4:12. "Remember also, prophecy is not to satisfy your curiosity but to stir your character.
Prayer: Father, bless Your dear people and help us to see and heed the signs of the last days so that we set our affections on things above and for your glory, in Jesus name.
"Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation" 2 Peter 3:3-4. No, it hasn't. More on this later.
And I love you, all because the Lord Jesus suffered and died for our sins, paid our debt in full and rose again so we can be forgiven and go to heaven, sumner. Do you believe in that alone for your salvation? Believe and pray to receive Him as your Savior right now. "He that has the Son, has life"
