Pastor Dan Nickerson
May 16th, 2023
Have you ever wondered if we are in the last days as is described in the Bible? We are certainly one day closer than when Paul wrote to Timothy. Paul describes the kind of people who will live during the last days. So let us continue with (part 4) of Paul’s letter to Timothy, warning Timothy of what is to come. In the last days there will be men who are far away from the norm, which will be to them an ushering in the coming Judgement from the Lord. Certainly, there will be amongst us. Let’s continue our thought of the last days…….
Paul tells us that these the population of the last days will be characterized by wickedness and evil, but that they will be a religious people! We are seeing this trend in our society. While morality continues to decline, 94% of Americans claim to believe in God. Over 70% claim that they have had a “born again” experience. There is a glut of churches in our society. Paul says that these people will have a “form of godliness.” The word “form” means a “semblance.” in other words, they will claim to be good and decent people, but their claim is false! Their problem is the fact that they have a desperately wicked heart. The way they live proves that their claim of faith is false.
Their Denial – You see, Paul says that people in the last days will be religious and they will have that appearance of godliness. In other words, they will go to church and talk the language of the church. And, friends, whether you know it or not, we are living in a day when people are considered spiritual, saved and heaven bound if they are a member of a church! But, Paul says, while they possess the form of godliness, they deny the power thereof. What does he mean? Simply put, a relationship with Jesus Christ is a vital, life altering relationship. No man can meet Jesus and remain the same (2 Corinthians 5:17). If a person claims to be right with God and still manifests all the characteristics of a lost person, then that person is still in sin! Of course, we know that all people sin from time to time, even the redeemed (1 John 1:8-10). The last days will be characterized by people who want the security of a relationship with God, but who refuse to have Him rule their lives. They want a god of their own creation and blatantly reject the cross and its life changing message! What is the bottom line? The world will be filled up with people who are religious but lost. There will be an increase in powerless, Christ-less religion. Religion that cannot save, cannot change. Do you see it yet? We are close to Christ’s return. Even so Lord Jesus. Come quickly!