By Naomi Mitchell
For Carter County Times
2 Timothy 3:1 says, “This know (it is mandatory to understand) also, that in the last days 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, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.”
According to Paul, the conduct of the people will create these perilous times. The translated word for “perilous” in 2 Timothy 3:1 is ‘chalepos’, which means troublesome, dangerous, harsh, fierce, full of risk, hazardous, harmful, dreadful, threatening.
Fierce – wild or violent, having or displaying an intense, ferocious aggressiveness. Psalm 11:5 says, “The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.”
Despisers of those that are good – all forms of lies, evil speaking against true believers and godliness. Romans 1:30 says, “Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful.”
Traitors – a betrayer of trust. Acts 7:52 says, “Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers.”
Heady – to be rash, reckless, or head strong. Proverbs 21:29a says, “A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.”
Highminded – those who are full of themselves, puffed-up. 1 Timothy 3:6 says, “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he falls into the condemnation of the devil.”
Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God – all forms of immorality and ungodliness that satisfy the flesh. Philippians 3:19 says, “Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things, whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.”
Being religious but not victorious above sin, outwardly looking good but inwardly rotten in unrighteousness. Matthew 23:27 says, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.”
Scriptures admonish all believers living in the ‘last days’ to turn away from all ungodly practices in order not to be caught in the web of perilous times. 2 Timothy 3:5 says, “Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” As true believers, we must therefore receive the prophecies/warning and always be conscious of it.
We must separate from the company and fellowship of people with the characters listed above. We are living in perilous times. Every believer that wants to get to Heaven must heed the warning, careful to live a separate life from the world and false brethren to please God. Jesus is coming soon! Be ready! AMEN! SO BE IT!
JOYFUL House of Prayer, 2519 Quicksand Road, (P.O. Box 856), Jackson, Kentucky 41339. Send Comments/Prayer Requests: Pastornaomi4god@gmail.com. FB: JoyfulHoprayer. Services: 10am Sunday and 6:30pm Thursdays. Radio Broadcast: WJSN 97.3 FM & WEKG 81.0 AM Sundays 1-2pm.
