The End Times: What does Bible Prophecy say, part 2

What does the Bible say about the end times?

#2

in a series on what the Bible says about the End Times

2 Peter 3:3-4

“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”

I could fill many a page with scripture that repeatedly warns of the sin, indifference, rebellion, and dismissal of God’s sovereign Word, but I think the point has been made.  What’s more important, is what these verses should compel us to do, namely cling to Christ our Lord, by faith, and not give heed to the strange doctrines and soothing voices of the wolves among us that would wrench us from the loving embrace of our God, and plunge us into a darkened and deplorable condition, far from His love, far from His grace, and far from His presence.

The signs are there for all to see, however, and tragically so, the church refuses obstinately to confront them, while even the world is pointing them out to us.  Those that dare utter words of reprimand concerning the deplorable condition, are quickly silenced, dismissed with the wave of a hand, being told in confidence, that the church does not want to hear of such things, for they are in a better place than they have ever been, having grown rich, powerful, and influential.
–Michael Boldea, The Signs Within, part 2

“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,”

One question that needs to be answered: If these are the last days, then there should be scoffers walking after their own lusts, right?  How does the reader answer this question?  Are there scoffers?

More to the point: are there scoffers in the church itself?  Because there have always been those who mocked and scoffed in the world.  If these are truly the last days in which we are living, are there mockers and scoffers in the church?

ROB BELL: SCOFFER

First off: what is a “scoffer?”

Scoff (skf, skôf)
v. scoffed, scoff·ing, scoffs

v.tr.

To mock at or treat with derision.

v.intr.

To show or express derision or scorn.

n.

An expression of derision or scorn.

Here’s a quotation which might help answer any questions.  It is from Emergent Church superstar, Rob Bell.  It is taken from Bell’s promotional video for his book, What We Talk About When We Talk About God.   In the video, Bell compares God, the creator of heaven and earth, to an old beat up Oldsmobile that Bell once owned–presumably when he was younger and more foolish.

“Things have changed. We have more information and technology than ever. We’re interacting with a broader, more diverse range of people than ever. And the tribal God, the only one many people have ever heard of, appears more and more small, and narrow, and irrelevant—and in some cases just plain mean—and other times not that intelligent.”

Bell’s defenders would claim that maybe that kind of talk isn’t mocking or scoffing.  And they would be right.

It’s blasphemy.

But Rob Bell is not alone by any means.  The “Christian” church is full of many Bells–and worse.  Anyone with a little time, a home computer and the inclination to do a little research can find many, many quotations which mimic Mr. Bell’s.

MORE:

This last link is a good example of the type of thinking in these last days which enables men like Rob Bell in what was once the Christian church in America.  The author makes no mention of right or wrong–that has become an outmoded way of thinking among the tragically hip and progressive members of what were once Christian churches.

The article also makes no mention of Jesus.

The “Christian” church in America 2013 is full of talk of most everything–except the pervasive ugliness of sin, the finality of Hell, the necessity of repentance, the miracle of forgiveness and He who made eternal life possible for the believer, Jesus Christ.

This author, like Bell himself: there is smoke; there are mirrors; there is very little mention of Jesus.

Dare we say it: more scoffing?

Titlepage of the New Testament section of a Ge...
Titlepage of the New Testament section of a German Luther Bible, printed in 1769. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

THE END TIMES: ONE BIG CONSPIRACY THEORY

“And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the
fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning
of the creation.”

The “Christian” church in America can be broken down into several parts; each group differentiated by its attitude regarding the End Times.  One of these groups clearly is represented by those who are convinced that the times in which we live are nothing special.

Why I believe we are not living in the last days

Are These the Last Days?

“Everyone is familiar with the kooks and oddballs who stand on street corners shouting, “Repent! The end is near!” Hollywood has depicted many of them. Of course, no one takes such people seriously.”

Of course.

Is this not more scoffing?

Why We cannot preach “These are the last days”

Are These the Last Days?

A personal opinion: there is much in these articles which fits the description in 2 Peter 3:4 to a “T.”

Undoubtedly, the reader himself is familiar with acquaintances who also hold such beliefs.  Certainly, the reader is familiar with those “Christians” who are so wrapped up in the cares of this world that they cannot be bothered by serious discussions of the next.

If the reader has a television: hold your nose–and your ears and eyes–turn it on.  Watch it for a few moments.  Watch the commercials.  Listen to how the actors talk–even when they are trying to act “normal.”

We live in a land of scoffing, populated with a scoffing people.

Scoffing is an American specialty.

WHY IT MATTERS: PERSECUTION

It’s important to discern the times in which we live.  Why?  Because men don’t just scoff. What first they ridicule; next they likely will persecute.

Ask the Jews who lived in 1920s and 1930s Germany.  Hitler didn’t start out by murdering all the Jews he could get rounded up.  First, he ridiculed.  It’s not a matter of opinion: it’s history.

Bible-believing Christians be aware: Men will persecute those who point out the need for a savior in a lost and dying, sinful world.

Those Christians willing to stand for Jesus need to prepare spiritually: persecution is not just beginning.  It’s here.  It may not have come to every locality–yet.

But it will. The Bible assures us of that.

“Yea, and all who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
–2 Timothy 3:12

It will get worse.  Much worse. The Bible also assures us of that.

But the Bible also comforts believers with the words of Jesus, “…lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” [Matthew 28:20]

Don’t believe that persecution will occur in “The Land of the Free”?  None of the talking head Christians on American TV are talking about it?

As Jesus warned, “Take heed that no man deceive you.”

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by Jeremiah J. Jameson

image: ETPR

© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-13. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Author: Jeremiah J Jameson

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