“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come” (2 Timothy 3:1).
“For men shall be… unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good” (2 Timothy 3:3).
Introduction
This series is a study examining the societal characteristics of the last days that Paul wrote about in 2 Timothy 3.
Admittedly, and not surprisingly, this series might very well be considered offensive to the world. This study is viewed through the lens of the Creator’s revealed character and expectations of His creatures found in the Word of God.
The Savior has commanded His children to love all people, including our enemies. Jesus Christ proved His love to all of humanity as He prayed for His executioners while being crucified and, ultimately, paying the penalty of every human being’s sins on the cross, satisfying the Father’s wrath against us.
The truth is, we all were an abomination in the eyes of a Holy and Just God before realizing our desperate need for a Savior and giving our lives to Him. May our love of God and mankind always be our guide as we witness to a lost and dying world, directing them to the one true God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Part 1 can be found here: Societal Characteristics of the Last Days: Part 1 :: By Mark A. Becker – Rapture Ready or Societal Characteristics of the Last Days Part 1 | FaithWriters
For Men Shall Be… Unholy
The Greek word for “unholy” is 462 anósios (an adjective, derived from 1/A, “without” and 3741/hósios, “reverence for what should be hallowed”) – properly, utter disregard of what is sacred, i.e., willful (arrogant) disrespect of the things of God; “impious; wicked” (J. Thayer). [All definitions from Biblehub.com]
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).
Marriage is sanctified and sacred before God, and to mar what God has ordained in his created order is an abomination according to the Lord and His Word. But man thinks he knows better than his Creator and is actually promoting that which is diametrically opposed to God’s stated purposes for mankind.
Protections for a class of people based upon sexual attraction is enveloping the world. Norway just passed legislation that would imprison anyone for speaking against the LGBT+ community in public for up to three years and in the privacy of one’s own home for up to a year.
Laws like these are being enacted all over the earth that protect alternative sexual attractions and behaviors while suggesting these activities are civil rights issues.
Culture at large has embraced the agenda – mainly through educational indoctrination and governmental laws – and permeates all sectors of society. Once traditional Christmas movies on Hallmark have made the transformation.
I have somewhat of a riddle for the reader to consider in regard to those who claim that people who have alternative sexual attractions are “born that way,” even though there is not one iota of evidence to this assertion.
Identical twins have the same exact genetic makeup (although I would note that mutations can occur, but the basic genetic code is identical), yet one can be a heterosexual and the other a homosexual. What does this tell us, scientifically? Think it through. You may have an “Ah-ha!” moment.
“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!” (Isaiah 14:12a).
God, Himself, is most sacred and not to be equaled. To turn one’s self from the Creator and giver of all life to the one who opposes all that is God’s and desires to usurp His eternal throne, is the definition of “unholy.”
Satanism no longer lurks in the darkest recesses of society. Evil has come out of the darkest shadows and has prominently risen into the light of day.
Rejection of God is regarded and exalted as “enlightenment” and, as they believe Lucifer to be the “light-bearer,” this is front and center in the hallowed halls of academia, media, entertainment, and government.
“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).
The Luciferian cults have infiltrated all sectors of societies. Examples abound, from the “secret societies” and ancient mystery religions of the Illuminati, The Rosicrucian Order, and Knights Templar, to the local societal institutions of Masonry/Freemasonry and their offshoots Scottish Rite and Shriners, along with other local “Lodges” and “Orders” (only the hierarchy of the leaderships of these groups have knowledge of what they truly believe), to the governmental and economic indoctrination centers and “think tanks” of the world’s leadership that include The Bilderberg Group, Skull and Bones, Bohemian Grove, Trilateral Commission, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), and The Club of Rome (with many others), lies the undercarriage and foundation of all that is Luciferian and Antichrist.
Not to mention the New Age, Gaia-worshiping United Nations and world institutions working together for globalization such as World Economic Forum (WEF), World Trade Organization (WTO), World Bank Group (WBG), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Again, with many other “foundations” and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) united in purpose to usher in the globalist New World Order.
The web that Satan has developed, in regard to absolute control of this world system, is nothing short of astounding.
“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:4).
“Unholy” and wicked? Satanic and Luciferian? Absolutely – and in plain sight!
For Men Shall Be… Without Natural Affection
The Greek word for “without natural affection” is 794 astorgos, without natural affection, unloving, devoid of affection. From a (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of stergo (to cherish affectionately); hard-hearted towards kindred — without natural affection.
“The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law” (Luke 12:53).
While Jesus had in mind the division in one’s own home-life regarding those who would give their lives to Him and those who would not, it sure seems like a vivid picture of what the loss of “natural affection” in today’s world looks like.
The glaringly obvious symptom of this characteristic is the divorce rate and how easy it is for one to “fall out of love” with one’s mate.
Other abominable examples of the loss of natural affection in the family unit include: Parents injecting their children with heroin to keep them sedated and quiet; child abuse – mental, physical, and sexual; infanticide; newborn babies found in garbage dumpsters; etc.
Consider the inhumane, selfish, and brutal act of killing the unborn child for evidence that this characteristic is profoundly universal in our day. To kill one’s own child in the name of “choice” and “personal freedom” is nothing short of Satanic wickedness that arises from the pit of hell.
If a child does make it out of their mother’s womb, they can still find themselves subject to a myriad of examples from the culture that shines a dark light on humankind’s loss of natural affection.
For me, seeing what we are doing to our children in the name of “tolerance” in our school system is just the tip of the iceberg. Teaching our children “alternative sexual lifestyles” and describing, in detail, what all that entails is as diabolical as it comes. So I thought.
Then came the “Drag Queen Story Hour” at our local libraries. This, of course, played out in our actually encouraging our little boys to dress and act like girls or grown women, and our little girls to dress and act like prostitutes and, sometimes, boys and/or men. Confusion abounds.
Now, we even have “no gender” clothing lines because we don’t want to intrude on what sex our children may perceive themselves to be. After all, their genitalia isn’t a determining factor — so they say.
All of this lays the foundation for parents to decide for their children what sex they think they should be. As shocking as it is, we have judges siding with one parent over another, who would like to “transition” their little boy into a girl. Why? Because the parent either thinks their little boy is “exhibiting female tendencies” or they would just rather have a little girl instead of the boy God gifted them with. This abomination has even been encouraged and celebrated in the so-called “church.”
Can we lose any more natural affection? It’s hard to believe, but I think we can.
For God’s people, we have a command, and we do well to live by it:
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40).
The world has most certainly lost its natural affection, but we, as God’s ambassadors, can fight this loss of love with our love of God and love of others. Our greatest “knock-out punch,” of course, is sharing the gospel with a lost and dying world and directing their hearts to the Savior of their souls, Jesus Christ. The more people we bring into the Kingdom of Christ, the less there will be who will have lost their natural affection.
For Men Shall Be… Trucebreakers
The Greek word for “trucebreakers” is 786 áspondos (an adjective which is the negation of spondē, “a libation-sacrifice” used for making treaties and covenants) – properly, unable to please (placate) someone; implacable. Implacable, irreconcilable. From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of spendo; literally, without libation (which usually accompanied a treaty), i.e., (by implication) truceless — implacable, truce-breaker.
“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease” (Daniel 9:27a).
The Antichrist will break his covenant with Israel and the “many” in the middle of the Tribulation. This can be considered the ultimate in “truce-breaking.”
Breaking a truce is a daily newspaper headline. Truces made in the interest of peace, cessation of violence, or remedy of national disagreements and disputes are a common theme in geopolitical tensions.
But what about in everyday life today?
“Truce-breaking,” or the breaking of promises, seems to be a prerequisite in the political field. How many politicians keep their word when running for office? Promises made/promises kept? I think not.
What about in our daily experiences? In the workplace? Friendships? How about family?
I’m sure we all have our stories of those who have broken our hearts when we have a mutually agreed-upon truce, agreement, or promise that was eventually forgotten or, worse yet, annulled for selfish reasons.
We don’t even bother to say in our courts anymore when taking an oath of truth, “So help me God.” What would be the point? Truth has fled away, and the oath is dead.
As Christians, in opposition to the truce-breaking and corrupt world system, we should…
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:12-17).
For Men Shall Be… False Accusers
The Greek word for “false accusers” is 1228 diábolos (from 1225/diabállō, “to slander, accuse, defame”) – properly, a slanderer; a false accuser; unjustly criticizing to hurt (malign) and condemn to sever a relationship. [1228 (diábolos) is the root of the English word, “Devil” (see also Webster’s Dictionary). 1228 (diabolos) in secular Greek means “backbiter,” i.e., an accuser, calumniator (slanderer). 1228 (diábolos) is literally someone who “casts through,” i.e., making charges that bring down (destroy). Satan is used by God in this plan – as a predictable wind-up toy, playing out his evil nature.]
“… for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night” (Revelation 12:10b).
While Satan is the ultimate false accuser of the saints of God, can we see an outbreak of false accusations in the world today?
Most certainly, we can, especially against conservative Christians and those whose standards are based on morality and truth. No surprise here, as these accusations emanate from the master accuser – Satan himself.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).
An unfortunate and universal condition of the believer in Christ is to be constantly accused before a God-denying, Christ-rejecting world of being hypocrites and not living up to the standards they see us encouraging and demanding of them. In some cases, this may very well be true and justified. There are many awful representatives of Christ out there – whether they be backslidden or false converts.
But a true child of God, who stands upon the foundation of God’s Word and lives, to the best of their ability, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, a decent and respectable life is active and fair game to the lost of this world.
Remembering, as the above verse states, that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood” but against Satan, fallen angels, and demonic entities, we need to fight the good fight against those forces of evil who influence and guide lost humanity.
We, too, before coming to Christ, were of this same unregenerative mindset, and we must never forget this truth. This is a real fight with real consequences.
As difficult as it can be, Jesus commanded us to…
“… Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
Jesus wouldn’t have commanded us to do this if we were not able to achieve this. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we…
“… can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth [us]” (Philippians 4:13).
For Men Shall Be… Incontinent
The Greek word for “incontinent” is 193 akratḗs (an adjective, derived from 1/A “without” and 2904/krátos, “prevailing power”) – properly, incontinent, i.e., lacking self-control (self-discipline, self-restraint; used only in 2 Tim 3:3). See 192 (akrasia). [193 (akratḗs) is the opposite (antonym) of 1468/egkratḗs, “enabled from within” (see there).]
“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls” (Proverbs 25:28).
Political riots in the name of “Social Justice,” fighting against real or perceived inequality, and relentless political desires – while destroying property, lives, and the rule of law – characterize our lawless days. People cannot restrain themselves; they are radically out of control, abusive, and violent.
Everybody’s offended. Emotions and feelings rule over rational and logical thought. It only matters how one “feels” and, unfortunately, those feelings are almost always deceptive, usually resulting in rage and ire at the perceived “injustices” of the world.
How can peace be achieved by such unbridled incontinence of emotions that so easily deceives us? We are seeing it play out on a daily basis and on a deadly scale.
But we, as children of God, have…
“… the fruit of the Spirit [which] is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).
For Men Shall Be… Fierce
The Greek word for “fierce” is 434 anémeros Not tame. fierce, savage. From a (as a negative particle) and hemeros (lame); savage – fierce. see GREEK a.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Antifa, Black Lives Matter, anarchists, Marxists/Socialists/Communists, all fiercely screaming, “Defund the police!” “Burn it down!” “We need political enemies hit lists!” “Payback is coming!” And many more despicable slogans that aren’t appropriate for public consumption, all while raging in the streets with riots, looting, burning, and killing.
“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Matthew 24:7a).
“Nation” in this verse is the Greek word 1484 éthnos (from ethō, “forming a custom, culture”) – properly, people joined by practicing similar customs or common culture; nation(s), usually referring to unbelieving Gentiles (non-Jews). A race, a nation.
“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us” (Psalm 2:1-3).
This is what the end will look like, but the birth pangs are moving and building in frequency and intensity.
We most certainly are living in times similar to the “days of Noah” and the “days of Lot.”
“And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all” (Luke 17:26-29).
The “days of Lot” were filled with sexual wickedness. So were the “days of Noah,” which were also filled with corruption and violence:
“The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth” (Genesis 6:11-13).
The world’s end will be as theirs: Destroyed by the Lord. This time, not by water, but by His wrath being poured on a God-denying, Christ-rejecting world and climaxed at the Lord’s glorious Second Coming.
As believers in Jesus Christ, our characteristics are shown by these fruits of righteousness:
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace” (James 3:17-18).
And this peace won’t be fully realized on this earth until the Prince of Peace comes back.
For Men Shall Be… Despisers Of Those That Are Good
The Greek word for “despisers of those that are good” is 865 aphilágathos (from 1/A, “not” and 5358/philágathos, “a friend, lover of what is good”) – properly, a hater of good describing someone who is hostile to the things of God – i.e., an active opponent (enemy) of God’s kingdom (good).
Christians and Jews are the most persecuted people in the entire world, and yet they are most often the backbone of all that is good in society. This hatred of the Judeo/Christian God and His people has infiltrated every corner of the globe and is accelerating in the western hemisphere at record speed.
The “lock-downs” due to COVID-19 here in the States has shown us, if nothing else, that these unconstitutional government orders are targeting churches and synagogues in the hopes of nullifying any influence the people of God may have on our secular society. Riots and Democratic celebrations don’t seem to be super-spreader events, but worshiping at your local church is putting all of society at risk – physically and culturally – so the “powers that be” say.
“And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations” (Revelation 13:6-7).
Of course, Antichrist will be the ultimate “despiser of all that is good,” and for a short season, will fulfill the mandate from the master-despiser, Satan himself.
Conclusion
Is it me, or are we seeing a sociopolitical theme in these characteristics that are setting up the world for the New World Order under Antichrist? It seems we are witnessing qualities that begin as characteristics present in the individual but actively progress into a collective unity within the masses.
Let’s review the list:
Unholy… Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good.
Unholy: A Satanic and Luciferian New Age, New World Order set up by the political elite and their minions, while God’s sacred plan for the family unit is under assault.
Without natural affection: Murder of the unborn – and protected by despicable “laws” in the name of “choice” and freedom – and the sexualization and mistreatment, of all degrees and stripes, of our children if they are lucky enough to make it out of the womb.
Truce-breakers: Lying politicians, in a desperate and manic desire for power and wealth, along with the truce-breaking in everyday citizens’ lives prevail.
False accusers: Liars and accusers are ruling the world with a Satanic vengeance, and it filters down to the public they are pledged to serve.
Incontinent: The masses are hysterical and out of control as they are instigated by the powers that be and agitated by their own lusts and deceptive “feelings.”
Fierce: Hatred and rage are filling the hearts of all mankind, paving the way for the “Fiercest” of them all – a Satanically energized Antichrist.
Despisers of those that are good: The demonic hunt and persecution of Christians and Jews, their sincere religious beliefs and practices, and – most importantly to the enemy – their God, is the destructive battle cry heard round the world as “the nations rage.”
But for those who have been called and have responded to the love of Christ and have given their lives to Him, we must…
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-24).
Love, grace, mercy, and shalom in Messiah Yeshua, and Maranatha!
[Note: I realize that this study on Societal Characteristics of the Last Days is United States-centric, as this is where I live. My guess is that this series will also ring true in the rest of the Western world. But what I’m really interested in is: Do these characteristics describe the current conditions in the nation of Israel as well? After all, the Bible is Israel-centric. If any of our dear friends in Israel would like to reach out with their take on this study and its relationship to Israel, I’d really love to hear from you!]
Email: mab10666@yahoo.com