When most people think of end-times Bible prophecy, they think of wars and rumors of war, earthquakes, pestilences, 666, and Antichrist. They think of massive disasters and a new, totalitarian global order—big picture items. But the Bible also talks about individual human beings. It says a series of deadly changes in attitude and outlook will infect most of humanity. It talks about seemingly small things among individuals—things like ungratefulness and disobedience to parents—that will have a massive, cumulative effect on the whole world.
2 Timothy 3:1 warns that “in the last days perilous times will come.” It then describes some of those perils, but it does not mention the four horsemen of the apocalypse or other great judgments of God described in Revelation. Instead, it illustrates end-time perils by pointing to individual human proclivities.
In verses 2-5, this passage says the last days will be perilous, “For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”
“For” is a translation of the Greek word “gar.” It assigns a reason. In this context, it means the same thing as “because.” Perilous times will come and here’s why: because “men will be…” and then it gives a list of things that will describe most of humanity in the last days.
It’s interesting that—like war, deception, and other signs of the end of the age—each of these things have always existed in human beings. The prophecies refer to a dramatic increase in all these matters as we get closer to the Lord’s coming. Like war and deception, lack of self-control and blasphemy will grow worse. People will become even more headstrong and haughty; prouder and more selfish.
It’s perilous to live in a world where people’s greatest love is the love of self and of money. Ungodly pride makes humans dangerous; makes them easily offended and quick to vengeance. When brutality becomes the norm, society grows more perilous. When people hold truth in low regard, slander becomes widespread, and widespread slander erodes all systems of justice.
Volumes could be written on how these things have already taken hold and are right now being cultivated in human hearts, especially by our educational system and in entertainment. When I watch the seething rage against Jews and Israel for defending themselves against terrorists, I wonder how much further humans can fall. Yet the Bible says it will get worse. Zechariah 14:2 foretells a time when all the nations gather for war against Jerusalem.
Revelation 13:4-8 says that at one point in the future, the world will not only follow, but also actually worship the Antichrist. He will at first support the Christless religions of the world—they which have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof.
We’re not there yet. Satan’s plan for Antichrist is held back by the special presence of the Holy Spirit that began at Pentecost. That restraint will be removed when the Church is removed at the rapture. In the meantime, “evil men and seducers… wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13, KJV).
These are good days to walk in the security of God’s will, plan, and purpose for your life—to live close to Him and according to His Word.
