II Timothy Chapter 3
Jesus told us that no man knows the day or the hour that He will return, but He did give us a vivid description of what the world will be like that will help us know when the last days have arrived. The last days began when Jesus arrived on the earth, but in this particular passage the last days refer to a time just preceding the Lord’s return. More specifically, Paul in this chapter gave us a description of what people will be like in the last days, people who have rejected the gospel.
“We should note what the hardness or danger of this time is in Paul’s view to be, not war, not famine or diseases, nor any of the other calamities or ills that befall the body, but the wicked and depraved ways of men.” [Calvin]
Most unbelievers think that our world will eventually right itself. They think that somehow some thingor some one will come along and fix all the problems in the world and all will be well. The Bible paints a completely different picture, because of the depravity of man’s heart. The only solution to the depravity of man is the redemption of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Let's Reflect
1. Why does Paul advise believers to avoid spending too much time around those who are lovers of pleasure?
2. What is the underlying problem that unbelievers have in the last days – who do they love?
3. In the last days there will be an abundance of wicked men who can do magic like the men who mimicked God’s miracles in the Old Testament when Moses told the Pharoah to let his people go. What were the two men’s names who were magicians empowered by evil spirits? (Note: their names are given here but not in the account…God knows everyone’s name.)
4. To be fair, the description Paul gives here in this chapter has described mankind for a long, long time. I think what Paul is describing is a time when it feels like the world is at a breaking point because of the wickedness that is so prevalent. I know I can’t imagine a world any more wicked than it is now, but when Christ comes to take the believers out of the world it will become worse here on earth, much worse. Paul is calling for us to open our eyes and see that we (today) are at that breaking point and to be ready for Christ’s return.
5. Are there things you see in our world that are really wicked and strange that you have never seen before in your lifetime?
6. Paul suffered at the hands of wicked men in his time, he was persecuted, beaten, and imprisoned. Who did Paul give credit to for his survival?
7. What is the only solution for believers to not be deceived by the craziness of the world and its false teachings and perverse practices? See verses 14-15.
8. What can reading the Word of God daily, do for you?
