“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”
Who wrote that? Paul the Apostle, in his second letter to Timothy-about 66 A.D. How could he know way back there? God told him. There is no other possibility. Only God, who knows the end from the beginning, could have seen the conditions that would exist 2000 years later.
Paul was no stranger to perils. He wrote in a letter to the Corinthians that he had been “in perils of waters, in perils of robbers...in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea.” Notice what a large part natural dangers played in his experiences.
Now technology has eased some natural perils for us. Many of earth’s fault lines have been mapped, and it would be a very foolish person who built his home directly above one. Volcanoes are constantly monitored for seismic tremors that may foretell an eruption. Storm warning systems are in place, with warnings, shelters and evacuation routes. Even with our still limited knowledge we can prepare. But in Paul’s letter to Timothy (2 Tim. 3:1-51This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:1‑5)), there is no mention of natural disasters. That does not mean they are not still prevalent (in fact, increasing, along with “wars and rumors of wars”), but the focus is on evil men-on the evil that is in the human heart.
Paul says, “Perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers...truce-breakers, false accusers,...fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors,...lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” That is not the whole list, but that is enough to show the trend of the time.
What time? Our time! Here and now! As if natural perils-such as earthquakes and hurricanes-were not enough, the tragic events of September 11, 2001, prove that these are truly perilous times.
Read the whole statement again: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” We are living in the last days.
If the storm warning flags are flying (and who can say that they are not), how can we prepare? We can arrange our earthly affairs as wisely as possible, as being aware that every day may be our last on earth. We can move away from the earthquake zone, check the hurricane evacuation route and the location of the nearest shelter, be as alert to terrorist activity as possible, and be as prudent in our daily lives as we can-but it is not enough. The one great, vital matter should be settled first. Every other effort is wasted, if we do not find first a shelter for our soul.
A shelter? The shelter! There is only one! “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe” (Prov. 18:1010The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. (Proverbs 18:10)). Safe forever.
It is readily accessible and-today-has room for all. Tomorrow? We cannot answer that. “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Prov. 27:11Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. (Proverbs 27:1)). Tonight the edict may go forth: “This night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall these things be?” (Luke 12:2020But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? (Luke 12:20)).
If all our possessions, treasures, hopes and dreams are on earth, then truly we have heaped up our treasure for the last days. “The last days.” Those words again. Don’t forget them!