PERILOUS TIMES!

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” 2 Timothy 3:1 (KJV)
The Bible gives us many signs by which we can tell that the Coming of Jesus is ‘Near, even at the door’. We will look at some of them in other Slideshows, but perhaps one of the most visible is found in man himself!There has been given to us a character profile whereby we can KNOW where we are in history. You can find it in 2 Timothy 3:1-7
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” 2 Timothy 3:1 (KJV)
The last days will be perilous times. No other place in the Bible is the word "perilous" used. Perilous: very dangerous: involving exposure to very great danger. Any way you look at it, the end times will be bad! BUT WHY?

1) … lovers of their own selves,
Have you noticed the shift in focus in these last decades? Where formerly a man was admired as he sacrificed for family; country; God. But now a man boasts of ‘Doing His Own Thing”, and people do not question it. Abandoning others so one can ‘Live His Own Life’ is the ‘IN’ thing!
And what about all the emphasis on ‘Self Gratification & Self Esteem ? ‘Treat yourself: You deserve it!’ “Pamper yourself!”
Where in the not too distant past, people lived worked and co-operated for the sake of their extended families; these days see even teens wanting their “Own Apartments” so they can ‘do as they please.’

2) Covetous !
People now want and want and want, even when they can't afford to have. Even what they have no right to have!

Never before in history have people been more caught up with ‘things’ and the latest gadgetry. Never before has credit been so available but still the cry is More! More! More!

3) Boasters !

Dictionary: to praise yourself, or speak arrogantly about things you possess or have achieved.
Just listen to people talk about themselves! We even have countless Talk-Shows for this purpose.

4) Proud !You may recall that it was pride that led to the fall of Lucifer out of heaven. Pride and Self-exaltation made a demon out of the brightest angel! The Bible teaches that the proud and arrogant will not be in heaven. Think about it, if God allowed anyone in heaven that fit the descriptions of this text, He would have to apologize to Lucifer and invite him back into heaven. People are so prideful, even those that claim to be “saved”!
Lucifer stated "I will" five times, in his proud boast about how he would take the place of God and overthrow the heavenly host of angels.
…”I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. Isa 14:13-15

5) Blasphemers !
The Bible states that a blasphemer is a person that claim themselves to be God or to assume His authority. There are groups that claim that man, over a process of time, can be god. Think about that! God has placed his signature on all of creation. He has created something from nothing. No man or devil can do this!
A Blasphemer is also one who denies God or insults Him. In our age we are seeing such Heaven-daring rudeness to God as even criminals of the past would have feared to speak or do. And most people laugh at it!



6) Disobedient to Parents!
In the past people still very much respected their parents. Today we see even small children screaming “I Hate You!” at their parent when they have been denied some small indulgence.
Children will tell the parent what they are going to do, like it or not! They have become manipulative of the parents for their own selfish desires. “As for my people, children are their oppressors…” Isaiah 3:12

7) Unthankful!
Dictionary: without feelings of gratitude. People are not thankful. They believe that the world owes them a living whether they earn it or not.
Parents have taught their children to expect gifts just because of what day it is - and the attitude is that this is their right!
They also have no sense of the debt they owe to their Creator and Redeemer!

8) Unholy !
The Bible states that we are to be holy because God is Holy. The character of God is that He cannot tolerate SIN. Yet we as a people of God tolerate sin in our body on a continual basis. We explain it away by saying, “Surely God.........” (Before we finish the statement.... that is blasphemy). We cannot begin to imagine what God would allow in our body. We cannot begin to imagine how God thinks! We must take heed to His Word!
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isa 55:9