NLT:
2Tim.
3:1.
You should also know this, Timothy, that in
the last days there will be very difficult times.
:2.
For people will love only themselves and
their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to
their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.
:3.
They will be unloving and unforgiving; they
will slander others and have no self-control; they will be cruel and have no
interest in what is good.
:4.
They will betray their friends, be reckless,
be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.
:5.
They will act as if they are religious, but
they will reject the power that could make them godly. You must stay away from
people like that.
Are
we living in the living in the Last Days?
Are times more difficult now than it was back then?
Are people more lovers of themselves and
their money? Are they boastful, arrogant and full of pride? Are people today
ridiculing God and his word? Is disobedience to parents at an all time high?
What’s considered sacred in this day and time?
Don’t
be so quick to answer the above questions, but rather seriously consider them
in relations to what’s going on in our society today; And without a shadow of a
doubt the only logical answer you’d be able to come up with is this
“We
are living in the last days”
As
you’re reading this article kindly take a quick glance at the first part verse (2)
two of the above passage of scripture and see how quickly the word SELFISH
jumps out at you.
For the true meanings
of this word selfish or selfishness is being displayed or demonstrated everyday
within and outside the church.
If
there’s one set of people that should be demonstrating the genuine love of God /
Yahweh, it must be those of us who are called by his name.
But to the contrary; some of the most
selfish, mean spirited, unforgiving people in our communities today are
church-folks / Religious Christians.
Here’s
a sad fact!
It’s a dangerous thing to
fall into the hands of such religious persons (for to be financially in debt,
to be employed or to be at the mercies) can be liken to having a rattle snake
as a pet. It’s not if the snake is going to strike; but rather when.
We’re
living in a day and time where people are taking great delight in pride fully,
boasting about their accomplishments and victories; even though such
accomplishments and victories would have come at demised of another person’s professional
or private life career.
Notwithstanding
that these persons know full well and are quite familiar with the following
verses of scripture.
Prov.6:
16.
These six things doth the LORD hate: yea,
seven are an abomination unto him:
:17.
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that
shed innocent blood,
:18.
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,
feet that be swift in running to mischief,
:19.
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he
that soweth discord among brethren.
We’re
living in a time where whether within or outside the church nothing is regarded
or respected as sacred.
How is it that from
within the church; a leader (The Pastor, Choir Director / Praise & Worship
Leader, Moderator / Service Leader, etc;) can live any kind of ungodly
lifestyle, and without fear of God or reverence for the things of God boldly
get up in the pulpit and perform their religious duties?
A
Preacher / Man of God, is not exempt from going through life’s challenges, test
and trials.
As such test, challenges and
trials doesn’t disqualify one from being a chosen vessel of God / Yahweh, but
disobedience will. For or a Preacher / Religious Leader to live an alternative,
sexually impure, homosexual, fornication, adulterous lifestyle or being a pulpit
pimp / charlatan that’s preaching and twisting the gospel for financial gain speaks
volumes of these being the last days.
The
church that we’re seeing today or that which we’re calling the church is definitely
not the CHURCH that Yahshua Messiah (a.k.a. Jesus the Christ) spoke of when
speaking to Peter in Matthew.16: 18.
Matt:16:
18.
And I say also unto thee, That thou art
Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall
not prevail against it.
The
church / ekklesia, ek-klay-see'-ah; Yahshua spoke of was and yet is a community
of believers / disciples that will walk in total obedience to His word /
teachings. The church that we’re seeing toady are mega structures that’s being erected
by religious leaders and various denominations to conduct or carry out their
religious duties at the financial expense of their loyal followers. These churches
/ mega structures eventually becomes the religious leaders pride and joy which
is later handed down or over their sons and daughters and is treated like the
family business; forget the fact that these edifices were erected on the backs
of their financially faithful members, the church / edifice belongs to the
Religious Leader.
This is why or how a today’s
church is identified as or called Bishop’s Boom, Boom Church or Pastor’s Ray,
Ray church; and even worst, congregations ends up in a court battles with
religious leaders over church building and properties.
These
are the Last Days:
Pastors
Matthew & Brendalee Allen
Kingdom
Minded Fellowship Center Int’l
