Pulpit Today

In reading 2 Timothy 3:1, one is struck by Paul’s warning to Endtime Christians.  With foreboding words he wrote, "Realize this, in the Last Days difficult times will come.”  Note that—“difficult times will come.”  No doubt, this in an era of scientific genius and progress; life flows with speed and pleasure.  But from an apostolic perspective, this is a “perilous . . . grievous . . . terrible . . . and difficult” time.  Why?  Paul explained his warning in verses 2-8 when he cataloged eighteen characteristics of the Endtime generation.  The Holy Spirit exposed a time when men would be so depraved, deluded, and treacherous that few other generations would compare to it.  Consequently, its menace would ultimately threaten the cause of Christ during that time and Paul cautioned Christians to “realize this"!  He wanted believers keenly aware of the difficulty they would face in proclaiming God’s Word in the Last Days.  If Christians—especially ministers—aren’t aware of this Endtime admonition, they could become dispirited.

Today’s pastors and Christian leaders are fighting worldviews, doctrines of devils, and moral corruption with unprecedented resistance.  People are difficult to deal with.  Paul’s usage of the Greek word for difficult is the word Matthew used to describe the resistance the two demoniacs posed to the people of Gadara.  Matthew noted that with these two insurgents present, “no one could pass by that way” (8:28).  Their presence and resistance made that territory off-limits.  Today, there are times it seems almost impossible for the Gospel to advance.  That’s because, like the demoniacs of Gadara, this generation is filled with the resistance of hell.  However, Truth has always been resisted.

Centuries ago, Moses stood before Pharaoh and demanded in Israel’s behalf, “Let My people go”!  But Israel did not escape Egypt without difficulty!  Pharaoh contested Moses every step of the way.  Paul appears to recount this imposition in 2 Timothy 3 when he mentions Jannes and Jambres, who as magicians, worked their sorcery against Moses in Pharaoh’s Court.  These sorcerers withstood Truth.  They withstood God’s servant.  They repeatedly interfered with God’s intentions, making it hard for Israel to find freedom.  But God gave Moses advance warning of his arduous assignment, just as Paul cautioned us.  Hear his warning again: “It is imperative that you realize this—the Last Days will bring difficulty” (2 Timothy 3:1).

But in the face of all difficulty, know this—Truth prevails!  Paul carefully reported the demise of Jannes and Jambres, saying that God exposed their folly before everyone (3:9).  The day came when the power of God impugned their incantations and their wands lost their wonder.  In one night’s time, the sea parted and Israel leaped from slavery to freedom and the magicians were left to bury the dead.  As the two demoniacs of Gadara discovered, when “no one [else] could pass by their way” Jesus could approach with ease, speak one word, and the demons would jump off a cliff (Matthew 8:32)!  Difficult as our assignment may be, with men “waxing worse and worse,” we must know that all opposition to Truth will be exposed as “folly” and, at some point, its resistance will fall helpless for all to see.  The answer today remains the same: “Preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction” (4:1).