“Seriously?” By Jeannette Haley

To say that we live in “interesting times” is an understatement. Based on the Word of God, we are living in the days described by the Apostle Paul to Timothy, such as the following prophetic facts, beginning with, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come” 2 Timothy 3:1. We all have our own interpretations, ideas or conclusions as to what “perilous” means to us according to our personal perspectives and attitudes about the current state of the world based on what we may know, perceive, or think we know. Some Christians, including Bible scholars, neatly tuck such serious warnings into their box labeled “Israel” or the “Jews” while ignoring the global turmoil, political upheaval, ongoing martyrdom of thousands of Christians, and deep-seated evil beyond comprehension. As for the institutional, organized church system, the word “perilous” is just too serious to even consider, so let’s simply ignore it and move on. However, before moving on, consider that the word “perilous” in the Greek means “reducing the strength; difficult, dangerous, furious, fierce or perilous.”

Those who prefer to believe only that which is “positive” or “pleasant” may try to ignore the Greek definition of “perilous,” but to ignore truth always results in a person remaining ignorant of what God’s Word has established as being so. Jesus said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” Matthew 4:4. This commandment poses a problem for those who are determined to ignore Scriptures that simply cannot be changed to fit into their imaginary “happy place, perfect, positive” little worlds. This is one reason we live in perilous times because this ridiculous man-centered formula for success in controlling health, wealth and even God Himself (which isn’t possible) through visualization has “reduced the strength” of much of the professing, organized church. Because not every word that has proceeded out of the mouth of God is revered, respected, believed, and lived (obeyed), the un-persecuted churches in “free countries” have become comparable to the church of Laodicea. (See Revelation 3:14-22.)

What Paul wrote to Timothy by the power of the Holy Spirit is prophetic and must be taken seriously because it is true. If we love the truth, then we will pay close attention to what the Word tells us. Paul did not write that “perilous times shall come” and then move on to another subject. Rather, he went into detail as to why such times should come. “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” 2 Timothy 3:2-5, [Emphasis added.]

“Seriously?” someone might ask. “How is it possible to ‘have a form of godliness’ and yet be so ungodly?” It’s not only possible, but probable because the human bent is towards the world, the flesh and seducing spirits. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” 1 Timothy 4:1. [Emphasis added.] So, we see that in the last days there will be some within the Christian religious system who are not lovers of God even though they may have an outward appearance of godliness, and those who visibly walk away from the faith because they prefer the lure of metaphysical mysticism, and other “doctrines of devils.” Innocent, inexperienced, trusting, gullible sheep are the easiest to deceive, and sadly, this has been proven to be true over and over again. That is why the Bible clearly warns us of wolves in sheep’s clothing and tells us to “test the spirits” and pray for discernment.

The Church has been commissioned to preach the Gospel and to make disciples. That means disciples of Jesus Christ, not disciples of a pastor, or church, or converts to religious traditions, practices or “new” unbiblical twists on sound doctrine. On the surface it may appear that this is being carried out, especially when you read a rather impressive and lengthy list of all the weekly church activities, events, meetings and programs that a person can become involved with. You can run your head off and knock yourself out staying busy day and night, but where does it all lead? How much of it is impacting your life to the depths of your soul with greater spiritual revelations of Christ, causing you to draw closer to God, while changing your prayer life, attitudes, desires and direction? On the other hand, how much of all the busyness keeps you at a safe, surface level while leaving you with a mind-numbing, quasi-feeling of self-satisfaction?

The truth is, nothing scares people more than the thought of losing control of their self-life, yet our LORD made it very clear that this we must do if we are to truly become His disciples. I call it “the great exchange”. Jesus gave His life for us, and if we would “live, and move, and have our being” in Him, we have to come to the point of giving our life to Him. Not just bits and pieces, here or there, when it’s convenient for us such as in the church’s outward observances, traditions, habits, activities, and works, however “good” they may be. God is real with us, and He is looking for those who want to truly get real with Him. There must be the “great exchange” of our life for His so that we can honestly say with the Apostle Paul, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” Galatians 2:20.

The Bible’s description of why perilous times will come in the last days, at first glance, appears “normal” for the present state of, not only America, but the entire world. Even so, since such sinful, wicked and evil behaviors have been wrought throughout the entire history of mankind, one could logically question just what makes it so different, and especially “perilous,” for the latter days. Perhaps the answer can be summed up in one word, “globalism.” And, globalism can be summed up by “Babylonian system” and the head of the Babylonian system is Satan. That is why the latter days are so perilous. Ungodliness will not be merely a localized or sporadic phenomenon relegated to only certain areas, territories, or nations—it will be global in scope. Paul warned, “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” 2 Timothy 3:13.

It’s past time for the church to wake up. Now is not the time to assume that just because much great evil is being exposed and disposed of all around this earth that a great time of peace and prosperity will be ushered in “for a thousand years” as some are prophesying. There can be no true and lasting peace for any amount of time without the Prince of Peace ruling with a rod of iron. (Revelation 19:11-16.) So, what should the church be doing to be prepared for the end times, which are clearly upon us? First, we must build our lives on the Word of God, and that means studying it from cover to cover in order to build a solid foundation rather than a “stick house” built upon with platitudes and a few favorite Scriptures taken out of context. Jesus said, “Take heed that no man deceive you” Matthew 24:4. This warning was followed by His warning that “many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” (See Matthew 24:5.)

On the surface, it might be easy to shrug this off by thinking that no imposter could possibly deceive you, but Satan knows our weaknesses, and we all have them. He also knows that our strengths can be used as our greatest point of weakness if we fail to discern and test the spirit behind those whom we rush in to save from themselves. Dependency upon facts or feelings in a situation, rather than the Word of God and leading of the Holy Spirit can result in unwise and often devastating decisions, especially when we take pride in our strengths. Pride is always an open door for Satan, or demons.

For example, we know that the description of what mankind will be like in the latter days aptly describes the ungodly who are all around us, but how can we recognize those traits in modern Christendom? First on the list is “lovers of their own selves.” What has been taught in the post-modern churches for the last few decades? Has it been “deny yourself,” or “humble yourself” or, rather, has it been some form of “self-esteem” and “love yourself so you can love your neighbor?” Of course, nowadays, self-love has become the platform upon which the shrine to “divine self” has been built, and through contemplative meditation, silencing and emptying the mind to find the “divine within” one is yoked to pure New Age, eastern mysticism, or metaphysical delusion.

The Bible declares that such men will be covetous, boasters, proud, and blasphemers. “Seriously?” a sheep may ask. “In the church? How can this be?” Volumes could be written of all the false workers who have exalted themselves in the Name of Christ to become rich and powerful at the expense of undiscerning sheep. Building mega churches, writing bestselling ear-tickling, blasphemous and unscriptural books, some of which have been channeled by familiar spirits; and those who boast of their “great anointing” while deceiving thousands and making millions. Such deceivers will have their reward, but God help the deceived who hang on their every word, and defend and adore them. Jude wrote, concerning the coming of the LORD, “To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage” Jude 15, 16.

Yes, seriously! The Church needs to wake up to the perilous times we are living in, and believe the warnings of God who tells us, both individually and as an assembly (church) to separate from the ungodly, the unbelieving, the wicked, and yes, the compromisers. Yes, we know that God is love, and that the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Ghost; however, we cannot use “love,” sympathy, or compulsion as an excuse to disobey God who has warned us repeatedly of those things that we must overcome and separate ourselves from if we are to serve Him in order to maintain godliness in our assemblies and our own lives. There can be no comprise, or agreement, with that which is unclean, profane, perverted, or ungodly in His sight even if we have to separate from those who are near and dear to our hearts. (See Matthew 10:34-39.)

When will the lukewarm church get seriously “bottom line real” in these perilous times and be willing to “come out and be separate” regardless of the cost in order to truly please God? “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1b).