What Does Scripture Say About Perilous Times?

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 Timothy 3:1

Realize that “in the last days” refers to right now. We’ve been in the last days for about 2000 years. The last days are the gospel times – the church age. We are neither looking forward to nor waiting on the last days. Instead, we are living them, and perilous times shall come.

There was a story in the news recently about Rev. Louie Giglio withdrawing from President Obama’s second inaugural. He had been asked to deliver the benediction, but there is controversy over anti-gay remarks he made in the past.

In short, Rev. Louie Giglio’s stance is that homosexuality is a sin.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee is now looking for someone whose beliefs are in line with the “administration’s vision of inclusion and acceptance for all Americans.”

Translation: the committee is not looking for someone who stands for God’s Word. We all know that God’s Word is controversial. Instead, they are looking for someone who is not controversial.

Again, perilous times shall come.

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2 Timothy 3:2-5

The world is full of people like this. All you have to do to find one is look around.

In this passage though, as Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible points out, “having a form of godliness” refers not to the folks from outside of the church, but from within or connected to the church. And “denying the power thereof” means that they do not let God have His way in their life. The power of God’s Word has no influence over them. Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible explains it this way: “Opposing the real power of religion; not allowing it to exert any influence in their lives. It imposes no restraint on their passions and carnal propensities, but in all respects, except in the form of religion, they live as if they had None.”

The advice given us about these folks inside the walls of our church or connected to our church is “from such turn away.”

Unfortunately, if the committee really wants someone who has a form of godliness but denies the power thereof, they won’t have any trouble finding that person. It’s easy to be that person. It waxes harder and harder to stand with God.

For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Timothy 3:6-7

These folks with a form of godliness are “ever learning,” but they never “come to the knowledge of the truth.” They cannot come to the knowledge of the truth because they resist it. As long as they resist it, it’s just head knowledge.

We cannot fully understand God’s Word until we live it. We cannot know what it is to walk by faith until we actually do it.

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 3:12-17

Yes, perilous times shall come. Persecution shall come, and evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse. Remember though, everything we need is found in the Word of God. The Holy Scripture is able to make us wise unto salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. Praise the Lord we are throughly furnished!

Steep yourselves in the Word of God.