1. What does the apostle Paul tell us will be the general moral condition of the world in the last days?
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." 2 Tim. 3: 1.
2. What does he say will be the cause of these perilous times that are to come in the "last days"?
"For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God." 2 Tim. 3: 2-4.
3. What does the apostle say further in regard to these people who will make the last days perilous because of the sins they are committing?
"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." 2 Tim. 3: 5.
NOTE.—Study closely what we are to "know" of the conditions that will obtain in "the last days." The foregoing texts from the apostle Paul make the matter too plain to need any special comment. First, he says that we are to "know" that the "last days" are to be perilous because of certain things. Secondly, he assures us that the things that will make the last days perilous are a great array of sins that will be general in the world. And, thirdly, he says that these sins will be among those who have "a form of godliness." The "form" of godliness is found only among professing Christians; the out-and-out worldling makes no pretension to any of the forms of religion. Hence these people who hold to the forms of godliness, but who deny its power, are base hypocrites. This is the clear teaching of the word of the Lord, and the responsibility of the utterance is with Him. Let the reader ask himself the question, "How many of my acquaintances who make a profession of godliness are living in harmony with their professions?" Not that it is expected that the professors of Christ will make no mistakes, but they should keep from being apparent and glaring hypocrites.
4. What does Christ say will result from a general condition of iniquity?
"And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." Matt. 24: 12, 13.
5. What question does the Teacher ask concerning faith at the time of His coming?
"Nevertheless when the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?" Luke 18: 8.
Knowledge to Be Increased.
6. What does the prophet say in regard to knowledge at the end of time?
"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Dan. 12: 4.
NOTE.—Various translators and commentators on this text quoted from Daniel make it quite evident that the prophet refers particularly to the increase of knowledge in regard to the Bible and its prophecies that are to specifically mark the "time of the end." But no matter in what direction we look in this time we see an almost bewildering array of the increase of knowledge. Bibles have been multiplied, and the knowledge contained in the Bible has been spread before this generation so that every one may have it if he wants it. And then general knowledge of the arts and sciences, covering every field of investigation, is prodigially abundant.
A Cry of Peace and Safety.
7. Will there be a time when men generally will be talking of peace and safety?
"But of the times and seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." 1 Thess. 5: 1-3.
NOTE.—They will be saying "peace and safety," and this talk of "peace and safety" is in connection with the time when the "day of the Lord" is the theme before the world. And "when they are saying, Peace and safety," as the American Standard Revised Version puts it, then it is that "sudden destruction cometh upon them," and they shall not escape from it. If people are saying "peace and safety" in the face of sudden destruction, it must be that they do not have sufficient ground on which to base their claim of "peace and safety."
Signs in the Heavens.
8. Will there be signs in the sun, moon, and stars to betoken the second coming of Christ?
"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." Luke 21: 25-27.
In this diagram are nine lines of prophecy, and eight special signs, there are many more), all showing unmistakably that Christ's coming is near. The Bible-reading above merely touches upon six of these signs. Study them, reader. "When ye see all these things, know ye that He is nigh, even at the doors." Matt. 24:33. A.R.V.
Last-Day Scoffers.
9. Will men scoff at the doctrine of the second coming of Christ?
"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days, scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." 2 Peter 3: 3, 4.
NOTE.—Unless some one was preaching the second coming of Christ, and presenting evidence to show that the event is near, there would be no occasion for people to ask in derision, "Where is the promise of His coming?" And the people thus deriding the doctrine try to brush their convictions aside, and to quiet the convictions of others, by saying that everything is just as it was since the beginning of the world. The people that talk in this way are in themselves one of the signs of the times in which we live. It is wonderful that the Lord could tell so far in advance that the people would talk in this way.
Concerning Crime and Injustice.
10. What description does the prophet give in regard to the crimes and wickedness that would be in the world which call for the Lord to strike it with His vengeance of righteousness?
"For our transgressions are multiplied before Thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them; in transgressing and lying against the Lord, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity can not enter. Yea,7truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the Lord saw it, and it displeased Him that there was no judgment. And He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore His arm brought salvation unto Him; and His righteousness, it sustained Him. For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation upon His head; and He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak. According to their deeds, accordingly He will repay, fury to His adversaries, recompense to His enemies; to the islands He will repay recompense. So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him." Isa. 59: 12-19.
11. What is the apostle Paul's testimony in regard to the wickedness that will be in this world?
"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." 2 Tim. 3: 12, 13.
NOTE.—Many important and plain scriptures are presented in this Bible study. These scriptures are the plain word of God. Study them carefully in all their connections. They mean much to the people of this generation.
