These Are Perilous Times

I heard of a good Christian woman becoming unemployed the other day. It is of no surprise to me as I have been thinking seriously about protecting my family during these troubled times. I seek to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. My own mother argued with me that the economy would get better and things would come back to normal. What? The economic crisis is affecting people big time. Is this crisis going to just end? Are things going to get better? Look I’ll be honest, when I used to hear messages dealing with these dark days, I would turn my hear deaf because that’s what I’ve heard for at least the last ten years of my life, part of which I was not a Christian. From false prophets to true blue Christians, all seem to be saying the world is in troubled times. “These days are bad Karsten!” Yeah and I would think shut up! I advise you, instead of listening to me, or to any man for that nature, listen to God’s Holy Word. Why do I say that? Because some men (Christian or not) are obsessed with these troubled days and are not focused on what really matters: trusting Jesus Christ. Others are troubled because God has revealed to them this biblical truth and men are rejecting them (be of comfort, the bible says they would). Others just want your money and to scare you into a cult etc. So, it’s best to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, who has no intentions of deceiving or striking fear in you (only repent and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ).

So where in the bible does it talk about the rioting, violence, economic crisis, man worship and the United States falling under the judgment of God? It doesn’t say, but it does speak on the issue of troubled times. Let’s see:

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1)

Paul makes it clear to Timothy that KNOW (ginōskō – know, have knowledge, perceive present active imperative) that PERILOUS (chalepos - hard to do, to take, to approach, hard to bear, troublesome, dangerous harsh, fierce, savage) times SHALL COME (enistēmi - to place in or among, to put in, to be upon, impend, threaten, close at hand present: future middle deponent indicative). Before addressing the coming apostasy that Timothy would see, Paul addresses Timothy in this text with certainty that perilous times coming. Paul could have sensed the fear Timothy was having (2 Timothy 1:6-7). Whatever the case he assures him that these days are coming. Why assure someone that these things will happen if they may be afraid or scared about what to do? Good question. If you know read down through the chapter (sticking with the context), you will see why?

But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of [them] all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them]; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:10-17)

The purpose is to make you for perfect, as your God in Heaven is (Matthew 5:48). You are to place your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, so God warns us of these things that we might trust in His Scriptures, putting our hope in Christ. Why do you think Jesus told His disciples this?

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Or in James:

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:2-4)

If you are walking around scared and worried ever time you hear someone talk about the last days, stop it! If God is revealing to you about the times coming, good, stop freaking out because nobody is listening. If you are trying to scare people and take their money, really stop it, and repent. What am I saying? Believe God’s Word! Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t trust a single thing a man says, I don’t care how great or fearful it sounds. It doesn’t matter if the pastor down the street agrees with you. Trust the Word of God. But Karsten, God is telling my spirit to warn them. Good, then warn them. Still you believe what His Word says. Karsten, I am going to pay my tithe to the pastor, because God will take care of me! O foolish person, why do you not trust in the Word of God! These are perilous times; your trust should be in the Lord Jesus Christ only!

And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, [As for] these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign [will there be] when these things shall come to pass? And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ]; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end [is] not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute [you], delivering [you] up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle [it] therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and [some] of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls. And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21:5-36)