“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” 2 Timothy 3:1.
We are living in unconventional times. Wars, genocide, disasters, violence, corruption, chaos and fires are breaking out unexpectedly all over the world. In the Congo, they are experiencing wave after wave of ethnic violence as people are being massacred. Gangs of men are attacking and killing their rivals with machetes at night while their victims are sleeping. 60,000 people have been displaced and thousands more have been killed due to the violence.
But this unprecedented period of crisis is also sweeping the entire world as political and social tensions are escalating everywhere. Here in America tensions are boiling over between the White House, the U.S. Congress and our intelligence agencies. Accusations of corruption and finger-pointing are pushing our nation to high levels of anxiety and stress. The whole world is on edge as they watch the daily drama being played-out.
Even if we are blessed with a short period of peace, the next catastrophe and disaster is lurking around the corner. It seems that there are tragic events just waiting to happen with the next one coming in just a matter of days and weeks. We are living in “perilous times.” They are not coming; they are already here. Long-term periods of peace and harmony have now become almost non-existent throughout society – and even within the church.
This “perilous times” describes in Scripture is for both the world and the church. The faith is being corrupted as our teachings become more secular and less Biblical. Decided steps must be taken by the faithful to preserve its purity. We cannot allow God’s work to become paralyzed because many refuse to remain faithful to the gospel message.
“Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Revelation 12:12.
The very thought of a coming defeat to sin only enrages the devil to attack God’s people with greater determination. This is what we are contending with and this is what we are seeing today. This verse describes the work that the devil is doing in this world.
The gospel with its saving truth is not just going to reach the world automatically without a fierce battle. Good is not just going to effortlessly triumph over evil. The church is not just going to magically cleanse itself of all worldliness. We have to contend for the faith (Jude 1:3). God’s people must take a stand and resist the evil found both in the world and church. This is not an easy work because truth is a threat to many. Truth is a threat to some who are in positions of authority and they will resist any effort to conform to God’s word.
This is a time for God’s people to rise and shine and move forward with the final invitation of mercy to the world in spite of the challenges. The present crisis and disasters we are seeing are opportunities to reach souls for Christ’s kingdom. People see what is happening and they are searching for answers – answers that we have. The answers to the calamities in our world are related to the fact that men and women have rejected the truths found in Revelation 14:6-12. This is what God’s word reveals. We need to let the world know this truth – one soul at a time.
These are the scenes described by prophecy that would exist on earth just prior to the second coming of Jesus. They are not coming; they are here! These will not be times of peace. The truth is, we are living in a time of war.
“The tempest is coming and we must get ready for its fury by having repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord will arise to shake terribly the earth. We shall see troubles on all sides…The end is near, probation is closing. Oh, let us seek God while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near!” (Last Day Events, p. 24).
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