Are we really in the last days?

2 Timothy 3:1-5  1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

1Timothy 1:1The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

Jude 1:18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.”

Mathew 24:3-8 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. ⁵ For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. ⁶ You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. ⁷ Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. ⁸ All these are the beginning of birth pains.

We are so much so in the last days that people who are not Christians are questioning the sign of the times.  Christians know that these are the last days because of what the bible says will happen.  The news has been shocking ever since 9/11.  It’s been one disaster thing after another.  It’s all been so surreal!!!  It was hard to hear last week that there was yet another school shooting!

My own niece’s school here on Long Island NY was on lockdown last week because for the second time in 2 weeks there was a weapon on campus.  She had to sit on the floor with her teacher and classmates huddled together in her classroom with the door locked.  They could only whisper to each other.  This went on for over an hour until the all clear was given.

Here are a few things that are important to keep in perspective:                     

1. Don’t fear!!!!!!!! The bible commands us not to be fearful over 300 times.
2. Keep yourself prayed up and bible studied up.
3. Use wisdom and use good common sense about your daily activities.
4. Remember this: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalms 23:4(but also keep in mind all of Psalms 23)
5. Trust the Lord!! 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you!!
6. It’s a time for spreading the gospel and doing our part in this command of God.
7. There are 3 important things we should remember about God.  The first thing is to remember who God is, the second thing is  that He loves His creations (John 3:11) and the third thing is that He made sure the enemy was defeated!!!! Thank you Jesus!

This is my most important advice to you today.  2 Timothy 4:16  Watch your life and doctrine closely.

What is sound doctrine?  Sound doctrine is the biblical truth. 

This is my take on this subject.   The bible is the word of God and is to be studied and obeyed by His creations.  In it has everything we need to guide our spiritual and moral consciousness.  We need to stick to the exact way God set this up for us and not be swayed by mans interpretation.  

When you sense that what you’ve heard is different from what you’ve personally read and understood from God’s word… then you need to listen to that still small voice telling you something is not right.  This is your life and you only get one chance at it… so make sure you pay very close attention to who tells you their interpretation of what Gods word says.  (You can even interpret things wrong yourself so do your homework and research…get a commentary and study!)

Without good sound doctrine your spiritual life will be at risk.   You will begin to feel fear and anxiety and things in you life will stop progressing as you had expected.  You could be at risk for getting off track with Gods plan for your life.

So again….

                   2 Timothy 4:16 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely.

                   1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you

_______________________________________________________________________

The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.!!!!!  (Number 6:24-26 ) 

In Jesus name….Amen

___________________________________________________________________