THESE ARE THE LAST DAYS!

Continue with FEATURES OF THE LAST DAYS

"Men will be . . . lovers of money." (2 Timothy 3:2)  In lands around the world, people seem to have an insatiable hunger for greater wealthy.  "Success if often measured by the size of one's paycheck, "accomplishment" by how much one owns. "Materialism will continue to be one of the driving forces in American society . . . and an increasingly important force in other major markets as well," declared the vice president  of an advertising agency. Is this happening where you live?

"Disobedience to parent." (2 Timothy 3:2)  Present-day parents, teachers, and others have firsthand evidence that many children are disrespectful and disobedient. Some of these youngsters  are either reacting to imitating their parent's misbehavior. Increasing numbers of children are  losing faith in-and rebelling against-school, the law, religion, and their parents.  "As a trend," says one veteran schoolteacher, "they seem to have very little respect for anything."  Happily, though, many God-fearing children are exemplary in behavior. 

"Fierce." (2 Timothy 3:3) The Greek word translated "fierce" means 'untamed, wild, lacking humans sympathy and feeling.'  How will this fits for many perpetrators of today's violence!  "Life is so traumatic, so bloodied with horror that it takes a cast-iron stomach to read the daily news,"  said one editorial.  A housing-police sergeant noted that many youths seem to blind themselves to the consequences of their actions. He said:  "There is a feeling that, "I don't know about tomorrow. I'll get what I want today.' " 

"Having no natural affection." (2 Timothy 3:3) This phrase is translated from a Greek word meaning "heartless, inhuman" and denoting a "lack of natural, family affection."  (The New International Dictionary of the New Testament Theology) Yes, affection is often missing in the very environment in which it should  flourish-the home. Reports of abusive treatment of marriage mates, children, and even of elderly parents have become disturbingly common.  One research team commented:  "Human violence-be it a slap or a shove, a knifing or a shoot-out occurs more frequently within the family circle than anywhere else in our society." 

Next time: THESE ARE THE LAST DAYS! / Conclusion of FEATURES OF THE LAST DAYS

From the book: KNOWLEDGE That Leads to Everlasting Life