Rightly Dividing The Last Days

1. The Last Days of what? a. There can be “last days” of many things – Months, years, seasons, Jobs, someone’s life. b. In the scripture you see “last days” of feasts – Lev 23:36, Neh 8:18, John 7:37-38. c. You have the last days of prophecy – Isaiah 2:2, Micah 4:1 2. The Last Days a. Prophecy deals with the earth and Christ kingdom come to it and what will take place when he comes to judge and establish His kingdom here. b. The Last days prophesied – Isaiah 2:2, Micah 4:1, Joel 2:28-32, Dan 8:23-26. c. Peter, John, Hebrews all said they were in these last days – Acts 2:16-21, Heb 1:2, 1John 2:18. d. Jesus came in the last days of prophecy – 1Peter 1:19-21, 1John 2:18,4:3. e. Peter spoke of the last time as future but also present – 1Peter 1:5 & 1:20. 3. The Mystery Revealed in the Last Days a. Not only did Christ come in the last days of prophecy but the mystery was also revealed in the days of prophecy – Acts 7:56 – Psalms 110:1, Isa 3:13, James 5:9. But ….. Acts 9, Eph 3, 1Tim 1. b. Jesus talks about a tribulation and judgement in the last days – Dan 8:23-26, Mark 13:17-20. c. He will pour out his wrath in judgement – Mark 13:26, Zeph 1:14-18, Joel 3:1-2, Isa 66:15-16. d. Paul says we aren’t appointed to this day – Rom 5:9, 1Thess 1:10, 5:1-9, 2Thess 2. We have hope of being gathered to Christ – 1Cor 15, 1Thess 4, Phil 3:20-21. 4. Dealing with 2Timothy 3:1 a. Many use this verse to teach Paul is saying the same thing as Jesus and Peter – 2Peter 3:3, Matt 24. b. People will say that this is a prophecy of the last days because of the word “shall” but these same people also insinuate that perilous times had not already happened which was not true for even Paul – 2Cor 11:23-28. c. People say Paul and Jesus said the same because Jesus speaks of perilous times in Matt 24 but….. Matt 24:4-6 – End is not yet - Matt 24:7-8 – Beginning of sorrows - Matt 24:9-13 – Endure to the end for Salvation - Matt 24:14 – Gospel of the kingdom is preached here - Matt 24:21 – Tribulation as never before seen - Matt 24:29-31 – Signs in the heavens/Son of Man appears. d. Paul is not giving a sign of what shall come but sins that shall be. e. “Perilous times” because “men shall be” wicked – Vs 2-4. f. This is not the start of something but a continuation – vs 2-4 compare to Rom 1:25-32. Vs 5 indicates these people already exist “turn away”. Vs 6-8 – “so do these” already. g. General sins are not a sign of anything but the fact the there are reprobates in a present evil world – Gal 1:4 – How much is too much? – Gen 6:5 5. Context is key a. Why is Paul saying this? We must understand the context of 2Tim 3. “This know also” b. This is Paul’s last epistle before he dies (2Tim 4:6-7) He is writing to Timothy to encourage and exhort him to not be ashamed of the testimony and to be faithful – Ch 1. To be strong in grace and prepare for the work at hand – Ch 2. In Ch 3 he deals with being made perfect by the doctrine and word of God. c. Just because you are prepared does not mean perils won’t come. Paul could attest to this. d. He is instructing Timothy to continue in the work and doctrine – 2Tim 3:10,14. e. Just because Christ had revealed the mystery and salvation by grace does not mean things will become easy and the world will be less offended by the word of God. f. Vs 1 “Perilous times shall come”. Vs 13 “men shall wax worse and worse” – Because their were already wicked men in Paul’s and Timothy’s day. g. In the Last days there will be perilous times because of sinners waxing worse, and since it is the “last days” that means that evil prevails because the wicked have not yet been judged and righteousness has not yet been restored.