Perilous Times Ahead

2 Timothy 3:1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:

Why are we warned about the future?  Is it to instill fear or to give us time to prepare?  What fruit does fear produce?  If anything, it causes men to cease from producing good fruit.  Their focus get diverted to that which is causing them fear rather than pursuing the path of life.  Men begin taking action in response to fear and miss opportunities to be a blessing.  In Paul’s second letter to Timothy he issues a warning and describes the depraved state of men:

2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,

4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

5 having a form of godliness but denying its power.

If there was ever a time in my life where the above list applies, it would be now.  Are we willing to let those who are included in this list dictate our day?  Do we want to let ourselves be subject to them and relinquish our gifts and calling to their words and actions?  Instead, we should be counteracting their devices and plans.  These men are lovers of themselves, lovers of money, but unloving toward others and should not be followed or empowered by diverting our focus.  We should not give them the time of day but instead from such people turn away!  Each of us has plenty to do without having our attention diverted to those who would suck the life out of us if we allowed it.

Each of us must ask the question: What is the most important thing I should be doing?  This should be in the context of FATHER’S plan, will, and purpose for you.  There are those who would try to convince you that you should be doing something that aligns with their thinking.  We must each hear FATHER for ourselves rather than deferring to another man’s opinion.  Our primary source of information and inspiration should be from Our Heavenly Father in whatever form that takes.  In one of Brian’s videos, he mentions reading a chapter of Proverbs each day according to the day of the month.  This is not meant to be a formula but simply a guide to focusing on HIS Word daily.

6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,

7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Paul warns Timothy of those who seek after knowledge but are missing a vital ingredient… Truth.  It is Truth that sets us free and from whence does it come?  From FATHER!  Does FATHER hide the Truth from us or does HE reveal and expose the Truth as a standard by which we can judge fruit?  The Truth can stand on its own and does not need men to convince us of its validity for it is self-evident.  The Truth is fully supported by the Word of GOD and all else must be judged or assessed accordingly.

If there is anything that the Internet has done, it has increased knowledge among the masses.  However with that comes men’s opinions, interpretations, and bias.  You only need to look at the fruit mentioned in verses 2 through 5 to see that knowledge alone does not produce Godliness.  The word ‘anti-Christ’ refers to opposed to, against, or instead of the anointing.  Men are looking for formulas and alternatives to the anointing imparted by FATHER.  They are willing to buy it if they can.  We are given the example of Simon the sorcerer in Acts chapter 8:

18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,

19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!

21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.

22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”

You can’t buy Love or the anointing from Above.  Men are continuing to look for methods to package the fruit of the Spirit but will not be successful in their quest.  FATHER will not allow such a perversion as HE gave Peter the discernment of Simon the sorcerer’s quest for power.  There are many who are subtle in their attempts to tweak our emotions in order for us to support or follow them in their pursuit of alternatives to FATHER’S anointing.  Let us not be gullible but seek FATHER’S direction in these perilous times ahead.  FATHER will impart power and authority to those HE can trust.  This trust will surely be associated with the maturity of the revelation of Love they walk in.

Paul continues and encourages Timothy:

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Yes, perilous times are ahead but each of us should be preparing for every good work and not let fear dictate our daily walk.  We must seek FATHER’S Voice and HE will respond.  It is not HIS Will that any should perish but have everlasting life!  We should be aligned with HIS Divine Intent of Love for all mankind.

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