Perilous Times

The remarkable picture of the present age given in the prophecy of Paul in 2 Timothy 3, is breathtaking both in scope and detail. Humanly speaking, not even the massive intellect of the apostle could have led him to see the unique features of apostasy in today's western world. It is the voice of God that speaks in this passage, providing his people living in days of apostasy with the explanations, warnings and guidance so sorely needed for their safety and survival. Do we have an adequate understanding of such times of unusually severe godlessness? What are the special dangers? Where must we most carefully set watch against the wiles of the devil? Do we know exactly how atheism will reshape society, and influence even true churches?

The media and the world of education has decided that there is no God, no soul, no absolute standard of right and wrong, and that no one has the right to challenge others on these things. Everyone is entitled to do that which is right in his own eyes. This is an age of unprecedented arrogance and self-determination, no former age having seen such extensive 're-programming' of the human conscience to 'call evil good, and good evil'; to 'put darkness for light, and light for darkness'.
       
Society's tremendous resistance to witness and evangelism is also dangerous to churches, because, as we have noted, pastors and people become demoralised and disheartened, and faith fails. Some good churches have already given up evangelism, and have lapsed into introspection and decline, while even more have fallen into an entirely different trap by redesigning their churches and methods to make themselves more attractive to worldlings.

Worship has been turned into entertainment; something for the pleasure of earthly-minded people, and not something for God. Numerous churches have become little more than social clubs, but with an added benefit attached the supposed favour of God towards the members, along with a place in Heaven.

God’s people today are deeply disappointed at the slow progress of their evangelistic efforts, feeling almost crushed when they read of the success and blessing of past worthies. But these are days of unique hardness 'perilous times' and Scripture here tells us how to recognise and respond to them.

So far, the last days have amounted to a period of over 2,000 years, and within this period there have already been a number of seasons of conspicuous godlessness, characterised by abandonment of the faith and hostility to the Gospel.
   
According to Paul these extreme anti-Christian seasons will come and go in cycles (but not necessarily uniformly throughout the world). They are to be expected from time to time throughout the Gospel age, and God's people must beware, and take special precautions. These evil times or seasons will not arise without warning. The words of Paul 'perilous times shall come' indicate that such seasons will set in, or settle in, rather in the way that a great storm comes. There will be a build-up of indications: a spiritual chill, a darkening over of Gospel knowledge, and a developing wind of cynicism. There signs are currently in our nation Nigeria. Formally, we hear of bombings, killings, burning of churches, and all sorts but right now have come to us. All these signs have been manifested in Britain over the last fifty years.

What Should I Know/Do?

The brokenness of society prophesied in 2 Timothy 3, needs to be taken account of by us, so that our outreach may be relevant, and our protection of God’s people adequate for the time. So we turn to the features of ­behaviour in a time of apostasy.

Lifting Prayers

Dear Jesus, I thank you, Lord, for granting me this precious moment to be with You. Thank You for Your provisions today: for food, for shelter and for hearing my prayer. I know that nothing escapes You, and that even now, You are aware of everything going on in the world. Despite great despair and pain, You are watching, leaning in, and listening for the cries of Your children.
 Today Lord, I am crying out to You. Lord, I see the suffering of so many. I sense their pain, and I see the chaos around me. Each day, it intensifies. When will it end, Lord? I see so many deceptions, countless lies and unspeakable evil. I see so many who are struggling to see Your Light, while others do all that they can to hide it from them. Arise Lord, Multiply grace to your Church, Heal the broken hearted, set the captives free, heal the sick, grant unto us boldness to reach out to the Lost and endue your Church with power in this challenging times. Amen!