End Times Bible Prophecy - 13. "Broken Families" - 2 Timothy 3:1-17

In 2 Timothy chapter 3, verses 1-9, Paul describes the last days apostasy.  The word "apostasy" comes from the Greek "apostasia", which is translated "falling away" in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. The word is closely related to the Greek word for "divorce." Apostates are those who fall away from the true faith, abandoning what they formerly professed to believe. The term describes those whose beliefs are so deficient as to place them outside the pale of true Christianity. For example, a liberal denomination that denies the authority of Scripture or the deity of Christ is an apostate denomination. True Christians do not apostatize. Those who fall away into apostasy demonstrate that their faith was never real to begin with (1 John 2:19). While the church has always been plagued by false teachers, false apostles, false pastors, false preachers and false Christians; meaning those who name the name of Christ and claim they represent God, but, in fact, the represent Satan. They are deceivers who create confusion and disorder in the church. Just as Jesus warned us about them in Matthew 24, the apostles have also written at length about them warning us to be aware, to be sober and vigilant, and here the apostle Paul instructs us, "from such turn away" or withdraw yourself from their company and influence. Paul describes these times as "perilous times." The word "perilous" can be translated "fierce" or "furious." Men's hearts will be wicked and perverse. Not only will they practice sin, they will force it upon society, as they do the world becomes more dangerous, and violent. These are not times that are coming, these are the times we are living in. This is evidence of the truth of scripture. Paul makes clear the signs of apostates. They are described as lovers of their own selves, covetous, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures mor than lovers of God. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.  There will be little distinction between the secular world and the religious world in the last days. The second section instructs us how to confront and overcome apostasy and false teaching (2 Timothy 3:10–17). The primary means of defense against error is the God-inspired written word (2 Timothy 3:16).Believers must be committed to the Word of God despite all those who are stubborn, perverse, willfully obstinate and disobedient to God and His Word. Scripture reveals that they will oppose, deny, pervert, deceive, slander, persecute, and will hate the truth, the Lord and the believer. Perilous times are here, and persecution will come, but we are to continue on in the faith, to abide in Christ and remain stedfast in His Word.  There is no better instruction for believers than to immerse themselves in the Bible. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine or reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."