In his pastoral letter to his appointed overseer of the Ephesian church, Paul now calls out the perilous men among the church so they can be purified, by the Holy Spirit, or cast out from the body so to prevent its cancerous destruction to spread onto other areas of the church.
The time is A.D. 67, shortly before Paul’s death. The place is Ephesus, a Roman city located on the west coast of the province of Asia Minor. The reason why this exhortation is important is not to point out sin in men, which is found in all men, the apostle’s mission is to educate Timothy of the signs to look for in those whose trespassing is beyond acceptance.
“1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 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. And from such people turn away!” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
Paul prophecies the end of times, when the second coming of Christ takes the world by surprise, like a thief in the night. The apostle reveals how the heart of men would turn from God, choosing darkness over light, siding with Satan in the destruction of Yahweh’s divine creation.
While the apostle does indeed describe characteristics common to most, if not all generations, the end of times will come when this transgression has become prominent on earth.
“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.” (2 Timothy 3:6-7)
Paul warns believers to keep their house, and the church clean of deceivers, wolves posing as sheep out to fulfill the will of the enemy rather than God’s. Armed with sin and temptation, such evildoers are sent out to battle against and prey upon struggling Christians.
“8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.” (2 Timothy 3:8-9)
Paul compares the wolves within the church to the Egyptian magicians Jannes and Jambres, who were called upon by Pharaoh to battle Moses and the plagues brought on by Yahweh, the God if Israel.
It would be their unbelief, and their choosing that would lead them to destruction. Of their own doing, those who refuse to believe, and surrender, none of those will prosper. Such immature believers should be encouraged to grow in the word, and in deeds for His glory. Let us pray!
Father God;
We thank you for your blessings in our lives and for your servant Paul,
We praise you Lord for his wisdom and for his works through this scripture,
We ask you Lord to inspire us to use these verses in our lives
As we grow in you through the teachings of your faithful apostle.
Lord we ask you to strengthen us each day as we endure through battles,
Allow us to praise and love each other through faith in you Jesus,
Shield us from evil through truth, the gospel, salvation and prayer,
Guide us to abide by your word as we spread your gospel to one and all
Becoming examples of faith through our character as we walk the narrow path.
God we pray that you will continue to bless us, to bless our lives and fill us with hope
We ask you Lord to guide our footsteps and lead us to the way everlasting,
Through faith in you Lord we seek salvation and a place with you in heaven
According to your word, your everlasting wisdom and strength.
May your will be done
In our lives, for your life.
We thank you for your love and all you bless us with each day.
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: DanielStPierre@ThriveThroughChrist.com
