Paul told Timothy that in the last days, perilous times would arise because of the sinful nature and attitude of humanity. We daily see the attitudes Paul described being displayed in society and the media. We find people being lovers of themselves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God (II Timothy 3:1-4). Paul was just telling Timothy in greater detail the same thing Jesus told his disciples. Jesus said that in the last days, it would be like it was in the days of Noah and Lot (Luke 17:26-30).
In spite of the sinfulness and darkness that we see in our times, there are several things which the scriptures tell us that give us comfort and confidence:
1. We know that we are children of God and that we have not received the spirit of bondage to fear, but the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father (Romans 8:15).
2. We know that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world (I John 4:4b). The Spirit of God in us is greater than the Spirit of the age.
3. Jesus came to give us abundant life (John 10:10), which means even in difficult times and situations, there is a way through the Lord to have abundant life.
4. We are not created by accident but with a purpose, meaning that the Lord knew the situation we would be born into and have to live in. Like Esther, we are created for such a time as this (Ephesians 1:4, 3:11; Esther 4:14b).
5. The book of Daniel tells us that in the last days, the people who know their God will be strong and do exploits and instruct many (Daniel 11:32-33).
We must keep our eyes on the Lord Jesus and remember that we are called for a time such as the one we live in and created us for adversity. Psalm 91 tells us that if we dwell in the secret place of the Most High, that the Lord will protect us.
We know that the Day of Pentecost represented a harvest of the firstfruits, but the Feast of Tabernacles was the feast of ingathering of the rest of the harvest. This type and shadow lets us know that there will be a great harvest in these last days, Let's keep our eyes on Jesus and remember...the Lord is in control of all things!!
