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Last week we looked briefly at the conditions that God’s Word reveals will be extant in the church in general in the last days. These things were occurring then as a type - with the antitype to be occurring and progressively intensifying, at the very end time of the "end times" (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2). There is a time for all things "under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 3:1). All things include God’s "things", that will bring to a close the times and seasons for bringing sin to final judgment, and His children into His eternal family.

In 2Peter chapter 3, Peter states his purpose again - to emphasize the danger described by the prophets and the Apostles. The danger had become reality, and will intensify greatly just prior to the end. Some will begin to say things perhaps only occasionally heard today (except in some scientific academia): "Above all, understand this: in the last days blatant scoffers will come, being propelled by their own evil urges and saying "’Where is his promised return? For ever since our ancestors died all things have continued as they were from the beginning of creation.’"(2 Peter 3:3-4 NET, all). Many will say, "Yes, everything continues to evolve just as it has for millions of years. Everything is the same...", etc. Others, with Christian orientation begin to become discouraged by the seeming accuracy of the world’s estimate of the way the world and creation seems to be working. Everything does seem to be moving slowly, with only temporary accelerations of events. There is an ebb and flow - two steps back, and then one forward, which all seems to confuse and give illusions about history and the future. This has worn heavily on the church, due to the deceptions of the deceivers and their life styles discussed last week - and it is destined to increase (v.5-8). However, God is still in control. And it is all a blessing in disguise, from a very patient God (v.9).

But everything is about change on the world scene. An even greater darkness will, as "times and seasons" progress (Acts 1:7), eventually engulf the world...

The Apostle Paul describes for us more about this crisis at the end. Eventually, there will have developed a mindset of a kind of passive security. It has been so long...and things seem to be getting better, at lease in many ways. There is an air of optimism - a kind of infectious hope, strengthened by many types of deceivers, religious and secular: "Now when they are saying, "’There is peace and security,"’ then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will surely not escape" (2 Thessalonians 5:3-4). Finally when evil comes to the full and reaches God's limit: "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; when it comes the heavens will disappear with a horrific noise, and the celestial bodies will melt away in a blaze and the earth and every deed done on it will be laid bare" (2 Peter 3:10). There is a time coming when everything done in the dark will be flooded with light! (Luke 12:3) This prospect should not disturb you or me if we truly belong to Christ. If we do not belong to Him, we will be subject to the judgment of the world (2 Peter 3:7). If we belong to - and are conquered by Him now, we should have no fear of the judgment coming on the world (Romans 8:1). Notice Paul’s encouraging words: "But you, brothers and sisters are not in the darkness for the day to overtake you like a thief would. For you all are sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of the darkness." (1 Thessalonians 5:4-5).

If we are Christ’s and not of the darkness, we must remain in the light as He is light. During these terrible times - whenever they may come (they will come) - there will be increasing pressures from every quarter to compromise, become lukewarm and complacent, to go to sleep spiritually. Up until then, the world will have moved so slowly, cunningly, and with such deception, it may all seem, as we have seen, perfectly normal - as it has always been. "So then we must not sleep as the rest, but must stay alert and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night and those who get drunk are drunk at night" (1 Thessalonians 5:6-7). It will become increasingly difficult to discern differences in issues, good and evil, right and wrong. Spiritual discernment will be increasingly needed - and increasingly difficult if not impossible without the Holy Spirit's guidance.

Much of this will be the result of an almost complete abandonment of God’s law. Even if some do not blatantly reject it, it will have been so compromised and diluted as to be worse than a total rejection - sugar makes the poison palatable, and go down easier. One of the best (worst) ways to deceive is to present only a part of the truth - a "half truth". Mixing truth and falsehood can be practiced to where it is almost impossible to seperate them. However, if we are close to Jesus Christ, constantly in fellowship with Him, it can be done! At the same time, it will be increasingly easy to blend in with the world. It will seem like "peace and safety". It will make sense to many at the time. "But since we are of the day, we must stay sober by putting on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet our hope for salvation. For God did not destine us for wrath but for gaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ" (v.8-9). But utter darkness will be the reward of those who deceive and lead the people of Jesus Christ astray, "for whom the utter depths of eternal darkness have been reserved" (Jude 1:13).

The Apostle Peter then describes what our attitude and conduct must be: "Since all these things are to melt away in this manner what sort of people must we be, conducting our lives in holiness and godliness while waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God. Because of this day the heavens will be burned up and dissolve, and the celestial bodies will melt away in a blaze But, according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness truly resides. Therefore, dear friends, since you are waiting for these things, strive to be found at peace, without spot or blemish, when you come into his presence...be on your guard that you do not get led astray by the error of these unprincipled men (lawless ones), and fall from your firm grasp on the truth. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the honor both now and on that eternal day" (2 Peter 3:11-14,17-18)

The darkness is coming. I pray that you are not, or will not remain, in the shadow of that coming darkness (John 3:20-21). Storm clouds of spiritual darkness are steadily gathering - as they always have - and always will, until it engulfs this world with God’s judgment, and the Light returns to make us "lights" that help lighten eternity together with Him (Revelation 21:25; Daniel 12:3; Philippians 2:14-16).

While darkness envelopes the world in a darker and darker cloud of deception, is God waiting patiently - for you? There is time right now to escape the darkness into the light. It is still the "times and seasons" of repentance and surrender. The Light is patiently, lovingly - still waiting...

"...to those who are called, wrapped in the love of God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ, may mercy, peace, and love be lavished on you! Now to the one who is able to keep you from falling and to cause you to stand, rejoicing without blemish before his glorious presence, to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen." - Jude 1:24-25

"Voice of Inspiration" from Andy Castro

Pretzel Love-Psalms 91:14