Paul’s Prophecy

Paul’s Prophecy

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money . . . .”

Paul wanted Timothy to know this, and how much more do we not need to know this now? Almost all Christians are agreed that we live in the last days, and this makes it even more urgent for us to know the state of affairs in these days.

What is it that is so perilous in our days? The peril is that people will have an appearance of godliness but deny its power. Who has this appearance of godliness? It is all those people who live in all kinds of sins and still call themselves Christians. Therefore it is so difficult for those who want to be saved. People don’t know where they should look. There is an appearance of godliness everywhere. Never has it shone as brightly as in these days. Never before has the Bible been so widely distributed; never has there been so much missionary activity, so much Christian work, and so many Christian denominations. Just think of the many radio and television broadcasts, as well as telephone missionary work, etc. It is heard and “appears” almost over the entire world.

But what is lacking, seeing that there is so much activity? What is lacking is the power of godliness. There is no power in all this appearance. They do not stop sinning. Then what is the point of all this activity if they do not stop sinning? If they do not stop sinning then all this activity is just a deception!

Furthermore, Timothy is exhorted to use the time very well. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” 2 Tim. 4:3-4.

In other words, in the last days there will be a heap of such people who will spread this appearance of godliness without power. Usually people are so engaged in what is going on that they do not see clearly. But shall we not believe Paul’s prophecies? Many people speak about the last days and the signs of Jesus’ return, but why do they not speak about these prophecies of Paul? It is because they do not love the truth.

Jude writes about those who, in those days, crept in unnoticed, who turned the grace of our God into licentiousness. Jude 4. When grace is being perverted, they preach a false grace and not a true grace. 1 Pet. 5:12. Perverted grace is grace without power. It appears to be grace, but there is no help in that grace to come out of sin! On the other hand, the grace that Paul preaches is full of power for victory.

“But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more . . . .” Rom. 5:20. “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” Rom. 6:14. “Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be strengthened by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.” Heb. 13:9.

One can easily be deceived by all these appearances, these “many and various” doctrines. This is an apt statement when we think of all the various religious denominations of our days, and people almost always ask, “What do you teach?” It is rare for someone to ask, “How do you live?” What profit do you derive from the way you teach? Unfortunately, most people are satisfied as long as it appears to be godliness.

“For it is good that the heart be strengthened by grace . . . .” You have been deceived if your heart is not strengthened by the grace you receive so that you are set free from sin—it is just an appearance of grace.

True grace strengthens the heart. Then you have power to overcome sin. Therefore Jesus came full of grace and truth to set us free from sin. John 1:14; 1 John 3:5. “Wake up in earnest, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.” 1 Cor. 15:34.

It is high time to wake up! The essence of the whole matter is not to sin anymore! Those who learn to know God cease to commit conscious sin!