Persevering to the End

“The last days” is a subject of much interest, debate, and speculation. And, to be sure, “the last days” deserves to be a subject of great interest because it is a topic of significant importance.

Also, “end times” should remain a matter of thoughtful debate (conducted in humility and good faith), because we should want to get this important truth right.

Also, and unfortunately, the “end of the age,” “the return of Christ,” and everything else involved will continue to be a matter of much speculation because we have the regrettable tendency to use our God-given imaginations to satisfy our curiosities and to prefer what is interesting over that which is true and good.

On this topic, and in all theology, we must be self-controlled in our thinking; diligent to search out the knowledge that God has given us while careful to accept that there are things that He has not revealed.

All too often, when “end times” events are being considered, our minds go immediately to natural disasters, global conflicts, the Antichrist, the mark of the beast, and maybe even an asteroid or two. While these elements may be a part of the big picture, the Bible speaks about other concerns as well. Consider this warning from the Apostle Paul to Timothy:

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (2 Timothy 3:1–5, ESV)

Before all the natural catastrophe, above all the supernatural phenomena, we have a picture of society that characterizes “the last days,” one marked with greed, immorality, selfish indulgence, unrestrained behavior, and disingenuous religion. While we are encouraged to recognize certain events surrounding the end times, we are warned against the subversive societal climate of those same end times.

The warnings are more pressing than the events.

Surely both are important. But recognizing end-times events is only of value if our faith perseveres through the caustic end-times culture. We need to pay more attention to the warnings.

This description of society, as history barrels toward its conclusion, is a frightening portrait! How are we, as believers, to remain faithful in the midst of such wickedness? It’s as if we are being tossed into the deep end of a dangerous “no swimming” cove while a thunderstorm rages – rip tides, waves, and rocks all conspiring to undo us.

How are we to make it, because as I look at that list, I see every one of those qualities abundantly present in today’s world?

Paul goes on to give us a few anchor points:

1. Avoid associating with those who walk contrary to God’s Word. (3:5) We will walk like those we walk with. Maintaining relationships with those who live a self-ruled life is dangerous. We must develop a fearful awareness and maintain wise boundaries to avoid increased hardship and corruption.

2. Remember God’s justice. (3:6-9) The arc of history bends toward God’s justice. This is a warning and an encouragement. Our hearts are protected to the degree we remember that our Lord will return and execute perfect justice and no one will escape.

3. Follow faithful people. (3:10-11) In Paul, Timothy had a mentor who taught faithfully and lived faithfully. We need real people to follow, people who may not be perfect, but they live, learn, and suffer faithfully.

4. Continue to walk in Christ. (3:14-15) Translate the genuine faith of those who have invested in you into motivation and encouragement to hold fast in faith and persevere in suffering.

5. Anchor deep in the Scriptures. (3:16-17) The Word of God is sufficient for all our needs. We cannot know who is faithful or walk in Christ apart from a deep and abiding knowledge of God’s Word – not as we want to understand it, but according to its timeless, Spirit-breathed intention.

The Apostle John affectionately declared, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 4)

This is my earnest desire for my children and for my church: that we will all walk in the truth. This is the end to which I pray: that each of us will endure til the end, faithfully resisting the riptides of culture, and standing as faithful representatives of the divine royal kingdom to come. I pray that we will persevere in the truth so that we might all experience the joy of Christ and marvel at His ability to save and preserve His people as we praise Him for all eternity.

Amen.