II TIMOTHY: Don't be Deceived by the Devil; "continue in the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus!"

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! (II Timothy 3:1-5)

Well, if we had any doubt that the the Word of God still speaks throughout eternity, we shouldn't after this passage.  This description is so very accurate of society today. Paul started off by say, in the last days perilous times will come. Regarding the last days, Jesus said, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Mark 13:32; Matthew 24:36)

However, even though no one knows the day and hour when the Day of the Lord will be, Jesus did say look out for certain signs: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:5-8; Matthew 24:4-8) 

"And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. (Markk 13:10-13) 

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:9-14)

"For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.  But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand. (Mark 13:19-23; Matthw 24:22-25)

Jesus did not paint the picture that things would be easy for Christians.  As a matter of fact He's very clear that it will be the opposite. We can follow some of the cases that Liberty Institute is dealing with regarding religious freedom, and we can see just how bad things are getting.  But we shouldn't be surprised. Jesus said, "But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand." "But he who endures to the end shall be saved."

Paul went in to more detail about just how these lovers of themselves, lovers of money, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God would act and behave. Remember, the first four commandments compel us to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’" (Mark 12:30; Exodus 20:1-11; Deuteronomy 5:6-15) And the last six compel us to "love your neighbor as yourself.’" (Mark 12:31; Exodus 20:12-17; Deuteronomy 5:16-21) The further society gets away from these moral standards, the further it moves from immorality to amorality. Amorality precedes destruction.

We who are Christians have to stay rooted and grounded in our faith in Christ Jesus and God's Word.  God is so merciful towards us that, unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.  Therefore, we are not to be like those who having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (I John 2:15-17)

For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses [Exodus 7:8-13], so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was. (II Timothy 3:6-9)

Interesting analogy Paul uses, the magicians of Pharoah, who were able to throw down his rod, and they became serpents. (Exodus 7:12) Even though they were able to deceive the people by doing a similar trick as what Moses and Aaron did, But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. (Exodus 7:12) Two things to get from this: 1. the devil will try to deceive us with promises of happiness and pleasure apart from a relationship with God. (Genesis 3) He may even appear to be able to do and give us all the things that God has for us. (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13) 

But He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. (John 8:44) ...your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. (I Peter 5:8-9)  

With that being said: 2. God has the final Word, the final say! Pharaoh's wise men, sorcerers an magicians were able to do similar tricks, but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was. God's prophets had the final Word and the proof was in the final results.  Everything God had prophesied would happen, has happened, and what has not come to pass yet, we can rest assured that it will, based on His track record. 

Until that day comes, we have to make sure we stay the course.  Paul encouraged Timothy, and the same applies to us, that we are to stay committed to and follow what we know is the Truth, the Word of God.  But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. (II Timothy 3:10-11)

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (II Timothy 3:12-15) AMEN!