Creator, Father, King #317

In the last days there will be very difficult times.

THINK ABOUT HOW FAR we’ve come as humans in the last century. Here’s a small list of modern conveniences—some might say necessities—that didn’t exist a hundred years ago:

• smartphones
• televisions
• computers
• Internet
• video games
• microwaves
• penicillin
• shopping malls
• mass air travel
• refrigerators
• automobiles
• texting, e-mail, and all forms of social media

How did people in earlier times live without all of this?!

These days, we can communicate with anyone instantaneously. Many diseases that used to ravage entire countries, like polio or measles, are less of a threat. And technology continues to advance at breakneck speed.

From a secular viewpoint, it’s easy to see how someone could think humans are evolving and life is getting better all the time. To some extent, that’s true. God’s common grace allows us to gain and use knowledge about our world.

Yet the Bible also says, “In the last days there will be very difficult times” (today’s verse) and things will get progressively worse. Is Scripture contradicting itself?

No, not at all.

What’s It Mean?

When the Bible mentions the “last days,” it’s referring to a period from Jesus’ ascension (i.e. the start of “the church age”) to his future second coming—a time period of approximately two thousand years and counting.

What’s more, today’s verse has nothing to do with the marvels of human achievement. It’s focusing on the human heart.

As time goes on, human science, medicine, technology, etc. might improve, but our morality won’t, according to Scripture. The apostle Paul specifically details the increase of godlessness in the last days in 2 Timothy 3:1-9. People will become more selfish, arrogant, greedy, and hateful. They will scoff at God and mock all that’s good.

This is important to know because it affects all Christ followers. We shouldn’t be surprised by this. Rather, it should inform how we live.

Remember, dear believer, this world is not your home. Ultimately, there’s nothing to cling to here.

But while we’re here, we need to be spiritually vigilant. The last days are now, not in the distant future. One day, the Lord Jesus will return and destroy all evil and bring us to our eternal home. Until then, our job is to be a salt-and-light preservative (Matthew 5:13-16), helping to keep the darkness at bay with the powerful gospel of Christ!

Now What?

Read 2 Timothy 3, keeping in mind that verses 1-9 present the problem, and 10-17 reveal the solution. (Also see 2 Peter 3.)

Did You Know?

Why are the “last days” so long (by human standards)? Second Peter 3:8-9 gives some clues.