Last Days

We find that the term “Last Days” covers the entire period from the first to the second advents of Christ (Heb. 1: 2).   Noted also is defection and apostasy, among other things, will characterize that entire period (2 Tim. 3: 1).  Therefore the presence of apostasy is not in itself indicative of the end of the Church Age however, the increase of this activity is. As a condition, apostasy is both present and future, when the climatic apostasy will occur that leads to the religion reign of the man of sin during the Tribulation period (2 Thess. 2: 3).  Consequently it is not surprising to see apostasy becoming more widespread as we draw nearer to the Tribulation Days.
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The apostle John gives us two characteristics of apostasy.  They include (a) a denial of the doctrine of the Trinity (1 John 2: 22-23), (b) a denial of the doctrine of the Incarnation of Christ (1 John 2: 22, 4: 3; 2 John 7). And the apostle Peter gives us a third (c) a denial of the return of Christ.

Finally, with the lifestyle characteristics of apostasy we find a decline in eighteen morals as listed by the apostle Paul (2 Tim. 3: 1-5).  Those being love of self, love of money, a spirit of pride, blasphemy, disobedience to parents, lack of thankfulness, lack of holiness, lack of natural affection, unceasing enmity so that man cannot be persuaded to enter into treaties with each other, slander, lack of self-control, savagery, opposition to goodness, traitors, headiness (rashness or recklessness), high-mindedness, love of pleasure, and a pretense of worship without godliness of life.

Though these events do not sum up the future pre-tribulation pre-millennial events they none-the-less should help us to have some frame of reference for all the upheaval around us. Moreover, we do not have to go off into some half-cocked ism as if it is the sole problem in the world today.  On the contrary, knowing these facts should help us to remain well grounded in the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge, the fear of the Lord, and with righteousness. 

Author: Herb Ragland

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