Living in the last days… (5 points)

• 1^st – What we MUST know… vs. 1 (3 points)
  • 1^st – KNOW (imperative) this…
    • KNOW – ginōskō – to know something by learning / experience…
    • We are to KNOW we are living in the LAST DAYS (more on that in a moment) …
    • HOW are we to KNOW – by being mindful of the WORD!
    • II Peter 3:2 – “Be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior…”
    • The result of being in the Word – is that we will KNOW (present / active / participle) …
    • The inference is that if we are not in the Word – then we will NOT know…
    • If we are not well grounded in the Word of God – we are vulnerable…
    • Satan would love nothing more than to trick us – deceive us – keep us from following Jesus…
    • And if we listen – we will be tossed around by every wind of doctrine – Ephesians 4:14
    • We will never know where we are – where we came from – or where we are going!
    • It is only as we are grounded in the Word – that we will know truth from a lie!
    • John 17:17 – “[Jesus said to the Father] Your word is truth.”
  • 2^nd – In the LAST Days…
    • LAST DAYS – eschatos – the term Last Days is often misunderstood…
      • The phrase THE Day of the Lord – used 32 times in the Bible – 27x in OT / 5x in NT…
      • Refers to the book of Revelation – the conclusion of the story…
      • The companion term that PRECEDES the DAY of the LORD – is the LAST DAYS…
      • Peter uses both terms on Pentecost in Acts 2:17-21 in reference to the birth of the church!
      • But the LAST DAYS began when the Holy Spirit was poured out on Pentecost – Acts 2:17
      • And will CONCLUDE with the RAPTURE of the church – I Thessalonians 4:16
    • In-between these two events – are the LAST DAYS – when anyone can call Jesus!
      • No matter who we are / our background – anyone can be saved – Romans 10:13
      • There is LIMITED window of opportunity – we do NOT know when the end will come…
      • No one thinking clearly wants to go to hell – or through the Tribulation…
      • But most just do not think about it – they put off the decision till another day…
      • After they have SOME FUN – then they will make the time to GET RIGHT with God…
      • The problem is God does not guarantee tomorrow – right now is the time to believe!
      • II Corinthians 6:2 – “Today is the day of salvation…”
  • 3^rd – PERILOUS times will come…
    • PERILOUS times – chalepos – only used two times in all of the New Testament
      • The other time it is used is in Matthew 8:28 – the two demon possessed men…
      • When Jesus came to the east side of the Sea of Galilee – two men met him…
      • They were so VIOLENT (same word) no one could pass by that way…
      • Even when the people tried to chain them up – they broke the chains!
    • Paul is telling us in the last days things are going to get VIOLENT…
      • In basketball – the first three quarters do not matter as much – as the 4^th quarter…
      • The team will play its hardest – because they know the final bell is moments away!
      • Satan knows his time here is coming to an end – so he is trying his hardest!
      • He is going to get VIOLENT – hold nothing back – to try and keep people from God!
      • You turn on the TV and see advertising showing all the things you NEED to buy…
      • You see add of women in scantily clad clothing – giving you impure thoughts…
      • Every cult / false teaching / and lie he can come up with is everywhere you look!
      • So – we need to be wise – not underestimate the dangerous times we live in!
      • II Corinthians 2:11 – “Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

• 2^nd – What men will LOVE… vs. 2 / 4 (3 points)
  • 1^st – Men will be LOVE themselves (adjective) … vs. 2
    • Men WILL BE – (future / indicative) – Paul was looking towards what men would become…
      • But as we look at this list – I think you will agree – this is who we ARE…
      • Because we are living in the LAST DAYS – in VIOLENT times!
    • LOVE THEMSLVES – philautos – only here in the NT
    • The most important command from God is we LOVE Him above all else…
    • Matthew 22:37-38 – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.” – Deuteronomy 6:5
    • But in the last days people will be encouraged to LOVE themselves – rather than God…
    • This is not hard for us to do – since we by nature tend to focus on ourselves!
    • Ephesians 5:29 – “No man ever hated his body, but nourishes and cherishes it…”
    • When we wake up in the morning – our first thought is about us – food / bath…
    • We tend to think the world revolves around our lives – it is easy to forget about God…
    • Which is why Jesus tells us to DENY ourselves – and follow Him!
    • Luke 9:23 – “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
  • 2^nd – LOVERS of money (adjective) … vs. 2
    • The result of men loving themselves – is they will LOVE money!
      • LOVERS of money – Phil-argyros – 2x in NT – literally to LOVE silver…
      • I Timothy 6:10 – “The love of money [same root word] is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
      • The ROOT of ALL EVIL – kakos – the lesser of two NT words for evil (poneros) …
      • Which is why many translations add the word – kinds (not in the Greek) …
      • Loving money is not THE EVIL – but it certainly can cause all kinds of EVIL!
    • Some have STRAYED from the FAITH…
      • STRAYED (passive) – to lead away from the truth into error…
      • In GREEDINESS (active) – to stretch in order to get something that is out of reach…
      • PIERCING with many SORROWS – to impale with consuming grief!
      • Too many people have walk away from the FAITH – for money!
      • The problem is people make MONEY their god – instead of Jesus!
      • We cannot dedicate our lives to MONEY and possessions – and to the Lord…
      • We waste our life on possessions that do not last – rather than on eternal rewards!
      • If we desire more MONEY – we are missing the greatest riches of all – Jesus!
      • Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters… he will hate the one and love the other… You cannot serve God and [money]…”
  • 3^rd – LOVING pleasure – more than LOVING God… vs. 4
    • LOVING pleasure – philēdonos – only here NT – to LIVE for PLEASURE…
    • The problem is – if we are living for pleasure then we are NOT living for God!
    • James 4:3-4 – “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures [same root] … Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
    • Go to a Bible study – or go to the bar / read our Bible – or watch the latest show on TV…
    • It is not hard to see that we are living in the last days – loving pleasure more than God!

• 3^rd – What men will be like… vs. 2-3 (12 points)
  • 1^st – Men will BOAST (noun) … vs. 2
    • BOAST – 2x NT – 2x NT – pretending to be something they are not – Romans 1:30
    • BOASTING is not what they do – it is the very definition of who they are (noun)…
    • Someone who has REJECTED God – and thinks they can do life on their own terms!
    • Romans 1:21-22 – “Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools…”
  • 2^nd – Men will be PROUD (adjective) … vs. 2
    • Because men are BOASTFUL – they will become PROUD…
      • PROUD – only used 5x in NT (always negative) – thinking you are better – Romans 1:30
      • One day Satan decided he was as good as / equal to God – PROUD – Isaiah 14:14
      • The result was he was kicked out of heaven – separated from God!
      • I Peter 5:5 / James 4:6 – “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
      • The word resist – antitasso – used 5x in NT – means to set up for battle – prepare for war…
      • And if God is preparing to go to war with us – we are in trouble – we will LOSE!
    • Therefore – it is incredibly important that we are NOT prideful!
      • Pride can be tricky – it is not always easy to see – but it always sets us up for a fall…
      • Pride can be – I think I know it all / I am never wrong / I do not need correction…
      • Pride can also be – thinking I am nothing / being shy / pride means its all about me…
      • Whether it is arrogance / or false humility – if I am the focus it is pride…
      • If I am the focus – then I am not looking to Jesus – and DESTRUCTION is sure to follow!
      • Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction, an arrogant spirit before a fall.”
  • 3^rd – Men will be a BLASPHEMER (adjective) … vs. 2
    • BLASPHEMER – speak evil – or harmful words against…
    • Because men are BOASTFUL – they will become a BLASPHEMER…
    • They do not think they need God – so they mock His name – make it a curse word!
    • Ephesians 4:29 – “Do not use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
  • 4^th – Men will be DISOBEDIENT (adjective) to parents… vs. 2
    • Men are BOASTFUL – they will have children who are just like them…
    • Since they were disobedient to their FATHER in heaven – PROUD / BLASPHEMER…
    • Their children will likewise be disobedient to them!
    • Our kids are like sponges – they soak up every word we say…
    • Our kids are like mirrors – they reflect everything we do!
    • God calls us to be the example to our children of how to follow the Lord – Ephesians 6:4
    • Our children are watching – learning – what example do we give to them!
  • 5^th – Men will be UNTHANKFUL (adjective) … vs. 2
    • UNTHANKFUL – acharistos – 2x in NT – to NOT have GRACE…
    • People who think they deserve more than they already have been given in life…
    • As if somehow the world owes them – are UNTHANKFUL for what they already have!
    • We deserve to be judged by God for our sin – we deserve to be sent to hell…
    • But God had MERCY on us and did not give us what we deserve…
    • Instead we got GRACE – what we did not deserve – we were given the gift of salvation!
    • But men in the LAST DAYS will be UNTAHNKFUL – they will reject GRACE!
  • 6^th – Men will be UNHOLY (adjective) … vs. 2
    • UNHOLY – anosios – 2x NT – not living a HOLY life – not being dedicated to God…
    • Because they do not have the GRACE of GOD – they are not dedicated to God!
  • 7^th – Men will be UNLOVING (adjective) … vs. 3
    • UNLOVING – astorgos – 2x NT – refers to not having any LOVE for your family…
    • In the LAST DAYS men will abandon their wives and children!
    • In a recent survey there were over 14 million single parents in the Philippines…
    • An epidemic of single moms – children with no male role models!
  • 8^th – Men will be UNFORGIVING (adjective) … vs. 3
    • UNFORGIVING – 2x NT – someone who breaks a covenant…
      • In the last days men will be unwilling to FORGIVE others – no matter what the sin…
      • But if we are unwilling to forgive – then God will not forgive us!
      • Not just in words – but also sincerely – forgiven from the heart!
      • Matthew 6:15 – “If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
    • Considering how much we have been forgiven – how could we not forgive!
      • We have entered into the NEW covenant of Grace – where we are both FORGIVEN…
      • And as a result also REQUIRED to FORGIVE others…
      • Matthew 6:12 – “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors…”
      • Jesus went to the cross to pay for our sins – ALL of our sins…
      • He was willing to forgive everything we ever have done – or will ever do!
      • How then could we not forgive someone for the little sin they have done against us!
  • 9^th – Men will be SLANDERERS (adjective) … vs. 3
    • SLANDERER – diabolos – to be a FLASE accuser…
    • Satan is THE accuser – Revelation 12:10 – wants to see us condemned to hell…
    • Men in the LAST DAYS will act like satan – because they belong to him!
    • John 8:44 – “You are of your father the devil [diabolos], and the desires of your father you want to do… for he is a liar and the father of it.”
  • 10^th – Men will not have SELF-CONTROL (adjective) … vs. 3
    • SELF-CONTROL – only here NT – to NOT have STRENGTH…
    • Not speaking of physical power – but the POWER to live a HOLY life…
    • Ephesians 6:10 – “Be strong in the Lord and in the POWER [same root word] of His might.”
    • All of us want to be strong – to have a solid foundation in life to stand on…
    • People try all kinds of things – money / work / relationships…
    • But strength does not come from us – it comes from the Lord!
    • II Corinthians 12:9-10 – “My grace is sufficient… My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
    • In truth we are weak – but it is in our weakness we find true STRENGTH…
    • When we realize we are weak we learn to depend on the STRENGTH of God…
    • Only in Jesus are we truly strong – only then do we have the ability to live for Jesus!
  • 11^th – Men will be BRUTAL (adjective) … vs. 3
    • BRUTAL – only here NT – take pleasure in the suffering of others!
  • 12^th – Men will be DESPISERS of GOOD… vs. 3
    • DESPISERS of GOOD – aphilagathos – NOT to LOVE what is morally GOOD (agathos) …
    • When men become their own guide for what is GOOD – the rules begin to bend…
    • It is a crime to pray / bring a Bible into school / mention the name of Jesus…
    • But it becomes the moral high ground to protect homosexuality – and abortion!
    • Up is down / right is wrong – and THE truth becomes spoken of as evil – Isaiah 5:20

• 4^th – What men will become… vs. 4 (4 points)
  • 1^st – Men will be TRAITORS (noun) …
    • TRAITOR – 3x in NT – the same word used to describe Judas Iscariot – Luke 6:16
    • The end result of men loving themselves – pretending to be something they are not…
    • Their definition (noun) becomes that of Judas – one who rejected Jesus Christ!
  • 2^nd – Men will become HEADSTRONG (adjective) …
    • HEADSTRONG – 2x in NT – to act rashly – literally to jump before you look!
    • Men will take no thought to the consequence of their actions…
    • Seize the day – live for the moment – turn a blind eye on their eternal destiny!
  • 3^rd – Men will become HAUGHTY (adjective) …
    • HAUGHTY – typhoō (perfect / passive) – 3x in NT – to be filled with smoke…
    • The picture is of someone who is puffed up / arrogant – but with NO substance!
    • I often hear people make plans for the future – and treat them as if they are fact…
    • But we do not see the future – so our plans never last long – they tend to fall apart…
    • The only one who knows the future is the Lord – only He can see tomorrow!
    • James 4:14 – “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away…”

Because like with Moses – the POWER of God will be victorious in the end!

5^th – What men will do… vs. 5-9

1^st – Men will have a FORM of GODLINESS… vs. 5

FORM – morphōsis – 2x NT to have the outline or shape of something…

Men in the LAST DAYS – will have a FORM of GODLINESS…

But they will DENY (perfect) the POWER (dynamis) of God to make them GODLY!

Men will follow RELIGION – but they will not preach the Gospel / the Word of God…

They will talk about Jesus – but they do not encourage people to know Him!

Therefore – there is no POWER in their faith – no FORGIVENESS of their SINS!

From such men TURN away (present / imperative) …

If you walk into a church – and they are not preaching the Word – leave…

Because if people are not pointing us to Jesus – then they are trying to take us away!

2^nd – Men will always LEARN… vs. 6-7

For of this sort – those who have a FORM of godliness but deny the POWER…

Are those who SNEAK into houses – and try and capture GULLIBLE women…

Women (people) who are burdened down by sins / lusts – are looking for answers!

People know in their hearts that they have a need for Jesus…

Which is why satan is always out there trying to keep them from hearing about Jesus!

These men are ALWAYS learning…

But they are NEVER able to come the KNOWLEDGE (epignōsis) of THE TRUTH…

They will tell you the answer is in LEARNING – but never give you Jesus!

Not very different from our culture today – EDUCATION is the answer…

If you want a better life – if you want a meaningful life I- get an education…

But an education – apart from the cross – only becomes an escape from the truth!

More often than not today – universities are turning out fools!

Because they are not teaching the Bible / about the consequences of sin…

Instead the students are told there is no right or wrong – it is all relative…

There is no sin – as long as you think it is ok – it is good!

Judges 21:25 – “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

3^rd – Men will be like Jannes and Jambres… vs. 8-9

When Moses brought the 10 plagues onto Egypt – Exodus 7-8

These men could duplicate SOME of the miracles – staff to snake / water to blood…

But when Aaron struck his rod on the dust – all the dust became lice…

The magicians tried to copy it – and they could not (or any that would follow) …

They called it the FINGER OF GOD – fingerprint – proof God was behind the plagues!

Their motive in trying to duplicate Moses – was to keep Pharaoh from listening to God…

And it worked – because of them Pharaoh hardened his heart!

If we are like Pharaoh and do not listen to the Lord / His Word…

And instead listen to men – we will end up with a HARD HEART towards Jesus!

Men in the LAST DAYS will act like them…

They also RESIST the TRUTH – trying to stop the message of the Gospel…

Men of CORRUPT (perfect / passive) minds – their minds have been corrupted by sin…

DISAPPROVED – adokimos – or not accepted by God concerning THE FAITH!

But these men – just like Jannes and Jambres – will have their folly revealed…