How many do you know today who fit the description in 2 Timothy 3:1-9?
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7. Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil (Ecc. 8:11).
The Lord has called us to a time when this world is determined to destroy the Lord and his work, and are in the process of casting (or trying to cast) away God’s cords (Psa. 2:1-4). We pray he will soon have them in derision and vex them in his sore displeasure soon (Psa. 2:5)! He gave the world to many evil rulers in times past, but then his purpose not only includes forming the heart of Christ in his children (Luke 6:40; Matt. 10:24-25) but also in putting his enemies under his feet (1 Cor. 15:24-26). We are thankful for his great wisdom and righteousness, as well as working all things together for good for those he calls to his purpose.
However, it is not encouraging to see how many are his enemies today, and often distressing to see who his real enemies are! As Solomon warned those who seek God’s wisdom, it means increased sorrow (Eccl. 1:18). We pray those of us who love him will fulfill all of his good pleasure, obey all of his commands (Matt. 28:20), and overcome in the fight against sin and Satan (Rev. 2:26-27).
–Beth Johnson