The Bible Edge
Everyone needs an Edge, Believers can have the Bible Edge
II Timothy 3:1
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
Not all unconditional promises of God’s Word are welcome. Today’s is not. It is not a welcomed thought that perilous times shall come, but they will. This is a promise found in God’s Word that should be addressed. No one in their right mind desires perilous times. Not wanting them, however, will not stop them. They will come as sure as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west; perilous times shall come.
Concerning prophecies about coming events concerning the end of the world there are many things that are unclear. But not today’s promise. It is clear, crystal clear. We may not like it, may not want it, and even try to do everything to stop it, but it is a promise. An unconditional promise that cannot and will not be stopped. There is no condition tied to this promise, in other words it will not take place because the conditions are met. It is the condition, the condition of the world in the last days, meaning that perilous times are the conditions brought about by the actions of humans as known by God and relayed by Paul. So, He warns us. He warns anyone who will hear so that they/we might not be caught off guard.
Perilous times will come, they will cause hardship, difficulties and perhaps pain. But know this. The Lord knows they will come, and He knows how to care for His own. He warns us to prepare us. He warns us so that our faith will not be shaken. He warns us so that when these days take place, we can rest assured that all is still under control. He warned us to comfort us before they take place, while they take place, and after they take place. For after the last days, the first days of our eternal home in Heaven will commence. Whether in context or not, I know not, but this one thing is sure; the Lord’s words of Luke 21:28 seem appropriate; And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
An unconditional promise of the men in white apparel in Act’s 1:11 is…this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. As much as that is true and is the blessed hope of the saints so too is our verse today true. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. Today’s edge, today’s Bible Edge is this: trust in all of the unconditional promises of God’s Word. The ones that bring us joy and comfort and the ones that bring us angst and sorrow. As my mother used to say, and many others have said before her: “A word to the wise should be sufficient.” We will never be able to change this promise, but we can understand, and live in light of it.
William T. Howe, Ph.D.
Comments