Sermon Central
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The End Time Outpouring
Contributed by Charles Jones on Jul 21, 2022 (message contributor)
Summary: We are living in the last days. Theologians have debated whether or not the Bible speaks of an end-time revival before the return of Jesus.
The End Time Outpouring
We are living in the last days. Theologians have debated whether
or not the Bible speaks of an end-time revival before the return of
Jesus. Those who say there will not be a revival point to the rise
of evil foretold in Scripture. Certainly, the Bible tells us that there
will be increased demonic activity in the end-times.
The apostle Paul was very explicit in his writings to Timothy about this matter:
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some
will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits
and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience
seared with a hot iron.
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will
come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,
boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control,
brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather
than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And
from such people turn away!
For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine, but according to their own desires, because
they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves
teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
The phrase “latter times” means a little later on, not far out in the future. That is, false teachers are going to arise within the church almost immediately and continue on through our day and until the end of time. The point that is being made to us as believers is very well made: the church and the genuine believers have to be constantly on guard against false teaching. The terrible danger of false teaching always confronts the church and believer. And note: this is a revelation of the Spirit of God Himself. It is not the idea of some preacher seeking recognition because of his novel idea. It is the warning of God’s Spirit.
The Spirit has spoken expressly (rhetos), that is, in specific terms, in plain words, distinctly, so that there can be no question about what is being said. False teachers will arise in the latter times.
This is suppose to be a picture of the future—a terrible picture of what the last days of human history will be like. But if you would notice it.....I want you to note a shocking fact here: this sounds very much like the society of today. We just do not think of our day as being so terrible; we seldom sit down and study the godless marks of society. But this is exactly what this passage does: it discusses the godless marks of the last days, marks that come close to painting a picture of our present day and time. This fact points to our day as being part of the last days. It is very possible that the Lord’s return is at hand. One thing is sure, we must do just what Christ said: be prepared for His return, for He can return at any moment.
Perilous times means difficult, troublesome, trying, uneasy, hard, violent, threatening, and dangerous days. The picture is that of people turning to and fro, here and there, not knowing which way to turn. “The last days” is a Biblical term that points to the end of the present age, the days right before the return of Christ, and the end of the world.
The second mark of the last days will be a godless world. Why will the last days be perilous? Because the world will be godless. Note how the terrible marks of the last days sound very much like a picture of today.
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And
from such people turn away!
Even as Paul was writing these words some false teaching had already seeped into the church, and the future was not looking too bright. This was a prediction of Scripture; Paul was prophesying that the false teaching was to spread. The day was coming when apostasy was to sweep throughout the church. The idea is that the apostasy would be great—many would follow after the false teaching and the whole church would be affected.
Yet in the midst all of this Satanic assault upon the earth, there will remains the Church of the Living God which is the Pillar and Ground of Truth, which has been washed in the Blood of Jesus Christ and Filled with the Holy Spirit! Unquestionably, the Church is in the hour of its greatest spiritual conflict. The devil knows that his time is short and he is unleashed to deceive and devour as many as possible.
