Tag: 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Light in the Last Days – Day 59

On By KateIn Devotionals, Light in the Last DaysLeave a comment

The “super-sign” of the end times has always been the nation of Israel. While the world revolves around politics and power, God’s prophecy revolves around His chosen people and their Messiah. After a long period of exile and spiritual wandering, Israel’s return to her land on May 14, 1948, serves as the ultimate starting gun for the final lap of human history. The “prophetic clock” is no longer dormant; it is ticking loudly toward the return of Christ. Here is how we know the hour is late:

Isaiah 11:11-12  And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.  (12)  And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

Ezekiel 20:33-38  As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you:  (34)  And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.  (35)  And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.  (36)  Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD.  (37)  And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:  (38)  And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

There is an abundance of scripture regarding Israel’s return to the land, but these two passages clearly illustrate the point: the prophetic clock is ticking. This miracle serves as our “finish line” marker, signaling that the end times are here. Paul and Peter acted as watchmen, describing exactly what society would look like in this era. Their warnings are more relevant now than ever—just take a look at these verses:

1 Timothy 4:1-3  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;  (2)  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;  (3)  Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

2 Timothy 3:1-5  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  (3)  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  (4)  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  (5)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

2 Timothy 4:3-4  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  (4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

2 Peter 3:3-5  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,  (4)  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.  (5)  For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

It is undeniable that our world has reached this sobering threshold. Today, we see “churches”—to use the term loosely—brazenly preaching that homosexuality and other forms of sexual immorality are acceptable to God. At the same time, other congregations have become so entangled in man-made traditions that they’ve abandoned the Word of God as their final authority. These institutions often clutter the beautiful simplicity of the Gospel with extra requirements. Yet, God made the path to salvation so clear and accessible that even a child can grasp it!

Matthew 19:14  But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Romans 8:16-17  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:  (17)  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

There is only one sure way to Heaven, and that way is through Jesus Christ alone. Salvation is not found in a denomination, it isn’t hidden in the dreams of a self-proclaimed prophet, and it cannot be reached through “enlightenment” or gods who promise a higher plane of existence. Jesus didn’t just point to the truth; He is the Truth. Any other path is a distraction from the only Name under heaven by which we must be saved.

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

God didn’t want us lost in a maze of conflicting opinions or shifting directions. He made His path straight and narrow so there would be no mistaking it. Choosing this road often means walking against the crowd, as many choose not to follow. However, for those who do, the way is always clear because God’s Word acts as a constant, steady light for every step.

Psalm 119:105  NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Oh friend, you must be born again in order to participate in the Rapture, no matter what viewpoint you hold. Friend, if you are not born again, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Light in the Last Days – Day 29

On By KateIn Devotionals, Light in the Last DaysLeave a comment
Photography by Chris Michaud

2 Timothy 4:3-4  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  (4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Forty-six years ago, as a young convert in 1980, I read Paul’s warnings about the end times thinking it was in the distant future; I simply couldn’t “see” such a falling away happening in the Church. Today, that vision is no longer obscured. As we look at the state of the modern faith, it becomes clear why Paul was so insistent that the Thessalonians recognize this specific apostasy as the true harbinger of the end.

2 Thessalonians 2:2-3  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

The “falling away” described in Scripture is no longer a distant prophecy; it is our current reality. We see it in a church culture that has traded the foundational message and power of the Bible for messages that prioritize personal and feel good comfort over those leading to salvation. When we choose motivational speeches over the Word of God, we trade true transformation for a mere “form of godliness” that refuses to face sin. This turning away is the apostasy of the end times. Reader, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Please, I ask you to keep reading.

2 Timothy 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

The largest churches in our nation are often built on a half-truth: the “positive” without the “negative.” While speakers like Joel Osteen avoid the uncomfortable, Jesus embraced it because He knew it was the only way to save us. He spoke of sin, Hell, and the absolute necessity of being born again. To filter out the “negatives” of the Gospel is to provide a diet of spiritual junk food, it lacks the vital nutrition needed to sustain life. Eventually, this imbalance leads to spiritual malnourishment and, ultimately, an eternity separated from God. We need the whole Gospel, or we have no Gospel at all.

Pay close attention next time you are in a service: is the word being preached feeding your ego, or is it piercing your heart with conviction? The heart of the Gospel is that God loves you and wants you to be saved, but 2 Timothy 4:4 reminds us that many will wander away from this reality. Never forget that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; any message that deviates from Him is no message at all.

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

No one enters Heaven except through Christ, making the message of salvation the absolute core of our faith. But after you are born again, the Bible transforms into the greatest “self-help” book ever written! It unfolds the story of God’s nature and plan through the Old Testament and His glorious gift of grace in the New. It even provides a blueprint for holy living in the Book of James. However, remember this: the Bible will mean nothing until a soul is first anchored in salvation.

Acts 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

I remember a time, starting in 1980, when salvation was the primary theme of the Church—a theme that feels increasingly rare today. I am deeply thankful for the few who continue to preach this vital message despite its declining popularity elsewhere. While YouTube is filled with teachers who steer clear of the Gospel’s core, the pandemic era helped launch a powerful group of online voices who are standing strong and unashamed on the Word of God.

We live in an age of spiritual confusion where “many paths” are preached, but the Bible remains the only authority: Jesus is the only way. While some religious groups demand extra books or rituals, the truth of salvation is found in God’s Word alone. Given these clear signals, the Rapture is no longer a distant hope—it is at the door. Forty-six years ago, the stage was being set, but today, the total apostasy Paul warned about is our undeniable reality.

Let’s get back on topic of 2 Timothy 4:3-4. In the world today, there are many religions. According to reference.com, it is mind boggling how many there are:

The precise number of religions in the world is not known, but available estimates show the number to be about 4,000, according to Psychology Today.

Wow—pay close attention to verse 4! When a pulpit moves away from Christ as the sole way to the Father, it begins spinning fables that lead people astray. This “falling away” is happening right before our eyes, as seen in the United Methodist Church’s decisions to embrace practices that contradict Holy Scripture. We must be students of the Word to detect these errors quickly. God’s Truth doesn’t change, and He doesn’t offer alternative paths. If salvation could be found elsewhere, Christ’s death would have been a tragic waste rather than our only hope.

2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

This tells us to study ourselves approved unto God, not to be approved by men! Study what? The answer is the word of truth! Jesus tells us what “the word of truth” is as He’s praying to His Father in Heaven:

John 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

God’s Word stands alone as the Truth, exposing all man-made doctrines as deceptions. This is the root of the “falling away” we are currently experiencing: a widespread rejection of the Bible in favor of comfortable, feel-good teaching. Although this apostasy has been building for a long time, it is now clearly visible to anyone with eyes to see. If you want to understand Christ’s heart on this matter, read His letters to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3. He made it clear that turning away from the Truth has eternal consequences.

In the evil days we live in, many hearts have grown cold to the idea of revival. Instead, they are being primed for the end times and the coming Tribulation, ready to follow a one-world religion because they can no longer discern the Truth. My prayer is that these words will prick the heart of someone searching for answers today. If that is you, I urge you: do not give in to the fables of this world. There is still time to be saved.

2 Timothy 4:4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

You may say that this has been going on for a long time and things are no different today. However, the Bible says that apostasy will increase more and more. Paul warned of this:

2 Timothy 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Could this be describing you? Is it possible that you have been part of the end-times apostasy without even realizing it? The time to change your path is now. My friend, God’s hand is in this—He has led you to these words for a divine purpose: to open your eyes and bring you into a saving relationship with Him. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Soar As Eagles – Listen With Intent

On By KateIn Devotionals, Soar As EaglesLeave a comment

Galatians 1:6-9  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:  (7)  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.  ( 8 )  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  (9)  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Podcasts and YouTube videos have become quite popular amongst Christians. They listen to their favorite teachers and preachers while driving to work or when working around the house, finding inspiration and guidance in their messages. I’m not saying that this isn’t good, as it is indeed a great use of one’s time, providing spiritual nourishment in the midst of a busy life. However, what I am saying is be careful who you listen to; not all voices in the Christian community are rooted in sound doctrine. We are living in the end times and there is a lot of deception out there. It is essential to discern the teachings presented and ensure that you have researched this person’s beliefs—are they truly aligned with the Bible and its teachings? Always compare their messages with Scripture and seek counsel if you’re uncertain, as this due diligence helps to safeguard your faith and understanding. Engaging with content that is biblically sound will not only deepen your relationship with God but will also equip you to deal with life’s challenges more effectively.

Furthermore, just because it appears that your favorite speaker uses the Scriptures, it doesn’t mean that he or she isn’t twisting their meaning in order to accomplish his own goals. Satan was seen as a serpent in the Garden of Eden, a creature that symbolizes cunning and deception. The most prominent feature of a snake is its forked tongue, which can be likened to the devious nature of those who misinterpret divine teachings for personal gain. False teachers adopt the deceptiveness of their father the devil and have that forked tongue as well, cleverly manipulating words and concepts to suit their agendas. They change the meaning of Scripture just enough to deceive their listeners, appealing to the uninformed. Look at what happened to Eve! “Hath God said”? (Genesis 3:1) The enemy has succeeded in deceiving many, leading them astray from the authentic message of God’s Word. A mere online search will show you who the top ten preachers are, and all of them are either millionaires or close to it, living lifestyles that starkly contrast the teachings of humility and sacrifice. This alarming trend begs the question: how many are genuinely called to shepherd their flocks, and how many are simply masquerading as guides, all in pursuit of financial enrichment?

Be careful who you listen to, as the voices around us can often lead us astray. Instead, turn to your audio Bible when you find it challenging to read, allowing the powerful words of Scripture to wash over you and fill your heart. Make your Bible your final authority in every area of your life. There are no lies within its pages; instead, it is filled with the pure and untainted words of truth that guide us through difficult times and light our way. Protect yourself from false teachers! Let the Holy Spirit be your teacher – He will never steer you wrong! So listen with the intention of hearing from God because not all preachers are what they seem.

2 Timothy 4:3-4  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  (4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

2 Peter 3:3  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

Any Day Now – Day 59

On By KateIn Any Day Now, DevotionalsLeave a comment

How do we know that we are living in the end times? We know that all of prophecy revolves around Israel and her Messiah. Israel turned from God and God allowed them to lose their country. Then on May 15, 1948, Israel once again became a nation. This started the prophecy clock ticking moving forward with the end times. We know this because of:

Isa 11:11-12  And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.  (12)  And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

Eze 20:33-38  As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you:  (34)  And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.  (35)  And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.  (36)  Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD.  (37)  And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:  (38)  And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

There are more verses revolving around Israel becoming a nation once again but for brevity’s sake, I’ll leave it with these two. As a result of this miracle, we know that the world entered into its last days. The Apostles Paul and and Peter warned us about the conditions of the world during these end times. Just take a look at the following verses:

1Ti 4:1-3  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;  (2)  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;  (3)  Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

2Ti 3:1-5  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  (3)  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  (4)  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  (5)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

2Ti 4:3-4  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  (4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

2Pe 3:3-5  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,  (4)  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.  (5)  For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

We can see that the world we currently live in has reached this point. We have “churches” (and I use the term loosely) who preach that homosexuality and other sexual immorality is acceptable in God’s sight. On the other hand, we have churches that are hung up on man-made traditions rather than relying on the Word of God for instruction. These same churches add to the simplicity of the Gospel. God made salvation so easy to grasp that even a child can understand its meaning!

Mat 19:14  But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Rom 8:16-17  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:  (17)  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

There is only one sure way to Heaven and that is through Jesus Christ: not the church, not some prophet who had a dream, not some god with who takes you to a higher plane.

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The Lord did not want us confused – He didn’t want us to follow a path that led me one place and then another. No! His path is straight and narrow. There is no mistaking it. You proceed in one direction and not many go with you. But it is a clear path and is well lit by God’s Word:

Psa 119:105  NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Oh friend, you must be born again in order to participate in the Rapture, no matter what viewpoint you hold. Friend, if you are not born again, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Any Day Now – Day 29

On By KateIn Any Day Now, DevotionalsLeave a comment
Photography by Chris Michaud

2 Ti 4:3-4  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  (4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

As I first read these verses (above) when I was first saved in 1980, I could not “see” this happening in the Church yet. Now, 44 years later, I see it so clearly! This is why Paul was reminding the Thessalonians that they were not in the end times yet because a great falling away had not occurred yet:

2Th 2:2-3  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Current events are proof to us that we are in the end times. When we look at the church today in comparison to early American days, we see that people have been drawn away from the Scriptures. The Scriptures can change the heart and draw the unsaved to salvation in Christ. We see people who are more interested in listening to a motivational speaker like Joel Osteen than hearing and learning the Scriptures. This is the “falling away” which is also called apostasy. It simply means they have turned away from the original foundation of the Scriptures. They prefer to hear messages that make them feel good so as not to expose their sin. They appear religious because they are “attending church” – having a “form of godliness”! Can you put your name here? Please, I beg of you, keep reading!

2 Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Those who “profess” Christ but are not born again fit perfectly in this passage. Joel Osteen is known to pastor the largest church in our country. He says he’s not there to preach the negative but to preach the positive. What does the Bible say about preaching of this kind? Jesus preached on the negatives and made it clear that one must be born again (John 3:3, 3:7). He pointed out sin to the woman at the well. He preached about Hell. The whole Gospel must be preached, not just the feel good stuff. It would be like only potato chips three times a day. You would not have a balanced diet and you would become malnourished, lacking vitamins and proper nutrition. The long-term effects of such a diet would lead to clogged arteries and death. It’s not any different from hearing only the positives. This also will make you spiritually malnourished and will lead to spiritual death and eternity in Hell.

If you sit in a church service long enough and truly listen to what is being preached, you can tell if what you’re hearing is appealing to your flesh or pricking your heart. The single most important truth of Scripture is that God loves you and wants you to be saved. The truth of 2 Timothy 4:4 is just that: Jesus is the way, the TRUTH, and the life!

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

No one can enter Heaven except by Him. The Gospel message on how to be saved is the core of Christianity. After salvation, the Bible becomes the best self-help book there is! It teaches you all about God, His plan and His character (Old Testament), His wonderful salvation (New Testament), how to live our lives (i.e., the Book of James for example), etc. However, the Bible will mean nothing to the reader without salvation.

Act 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

I heard a lot of people talking about salvation when I was first saved in 1980. Now, not so much. Fortunately, the church I attend is blessed to have a Pastor that believes in preaching about it. When you look through YouTube, you hear many preachers who don’t. But if the Pandemic brought out anything good is that we now have on-line preachers who stand on the Word of God!

There has never been more “other ways to get to heaven” than today. That path is only through Jesus Christ and Him only. Some churches have added to this doctrine and claim there are a bunch of things you have to do or you have to have another book to go along with the Bible. Jesus made it quite clear what needed to be done in one Book and that is His Holy Word alone. If we see these signs of the end times, does it not stand to reason that the Rapture is at the door? It seemed “at the door” when I was first saved; all the more now. Now I see clearly that in 1980, the total apostasy had yet to arrive. It surely has arrived now.

Let’s get back on topic of 2 Timothy 4:3-4. In the world today, there are many religions. According to reference.com, it is mind boggling how many there are:

The precise number of religions in the world is not known, but available estimates show the number to be about 4,300, according to Adherents.com. 

HTTPS://WWW.REFERENCE.COM/WORLD-VIEW/TOTAL-NUMBER-RELIGIONS-WORLD-FF89AE17C6068514

Wow! Pay attention to what verse 4 says! If these religions are not preaching Christ as the only way to Heaven, they are preaching fables to their congregation and adding to this great falling away. Unfortunately, many fables are preached in “Christian” congregations as well. The United Methodist Church has announced that they will marry homosexuals. They also allow homosexual pastors. That is why it is so important for us to be familiar with our Bibles so that we can easily spot errors quickly. The Lord God would not lie to us nor would he have many roads to Heaven. If He did, what would have been the point of Christ coming to earth to die for our sins?

2 Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

This tells us to study ourselves approved unto God, not to be approved by men! Study what? The answer is the word of truth! Jesus tells us what “the word of truth” is as He’s praying to His Father in Heaven:

Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

God’s Word, the Bible, is truth. If the Bible is truth, then all other books or man-made doctrines are not! Is it any wonder why in these end times there is a great falling away? This great apostasy has been around for a while but it is a lot more noticeable now! Those who are part of the apostasy have turned away their ears from the Truth (God’s Holy Word) and they only listen to what makes them feel good. One only has to read Revelation chapters 2 and 3 which have the letters to the different churches of John’s time. Jesus had much to say about them.

The hearts of man today don’t want revival because of the times we live in. The times are evil and the hearts of men are primed for these end times and the Tribulation. They will follow the one world religion because they cannot discern what is truth. Hopefully this pricks the searching heart today and one person will want to be saved. If you are this person, don’t give in to the fables of this world.

2 Ti 4:4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

You may say that this has been going on for a long time and things are no different today. However, the Bible says that apostasy will increase more and more. Paul warned of this:

2 Ti 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Be honest, is this you? Are you part of the apostasy of the end times? It’s not too late to change that. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

The Rapture – Day 29

On By KateIn Devotionals, End Times, RaptureLeave a comment
Photography by Chris Michaud

2 Ti 4:3-4  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  (4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Good morning! With my cup of coffee in hand, I’m ready to keep writing about my favorite topic 😀 Have you been enjoying this series? I’d love to hear from you – give me your thoughts thus far! As I first read these verses (above) when I was first saved in 1980, I could not “see” this happening in the Church yet. Now, 42 years later, I see it so clearly! This is why Paul was reminding the Thessalonians that they were not in the end times yet because a great falling away had not occurred yet:

2Th 2:2-3  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Current events are proof to us that we are in the end times. When we look at the church today in comparison to early American days, we see that people have been drawn away from the Scriptures. The Scriptures can change the heart and draw the unsaved to salvation in Christ. We see people who are more interested in listening to a motivational speaker than hearing and learning the Scriptures. This is the “falling away” which is also called apostasy. It simply means they have turned away from the original foundation of the Scriptures. They prefer to hear messages that make them feel good. They appear religious because they are “attending church” – having a “form of godliness”! Dear Reader, does this sound like you? Please, I beg of you, keep reading!

2 Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Those who “profess” Christ but are not born again fit perfectly in this passage. One of the most famous preachers of today and is known to pastor the largest church in our country, says he’s not there to preach the negative but to preach the positive. What does the Bible say about preaching of this kind? Jesus preached on the negatives and made it clear that one must be born again (John 3:3, 3:7). He pointed out sin to the woman at the well. He preached about Hell. Reader, the whole Gospel must be preached, not just the feel good stuff. It would be like only eating bacon and eggs three times a day. You would not have a balanced diet and you would become malnourished, lacking vitamins and proper nutrition. The long-term effects of such a diet would lead to clogged arteries and death. It’s not any different from hearing only the positives. This will make you spiritually malnourished and will lead to spiritual death and eternity in Hell.

Friend, if you sit in a church service long enough and truly listen to what is being preached, you can tell if what you’re hearing is appealing to your flesh or pricking your heart. The single most important truth of Scripture is that God loves you and wants you to be saved. The truth of 2 Timothy 4:4 is just that: Jesus is the way, the TRUTH, and the life!

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

No one can enter Heaven except by Him. The Gospel message on how to be saved is the core of Christianity. After salvation, the Bible becomes the best self-help book there is! It teaches you all about God, His plan and His character (Old Testament), His wonderful salvation (New Testament), how to live our lives (i.e., the Book of James for example), etc. However, the Bible will mean nothing to the reader without salvation.

Act 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

I heard a lot of people talking about salvation when I was first saved in 1980. Now, not so much. 😢 Fortunately, the church I attend is blessed to have a Pastor that believes in preaching about it. When you look through YouTube, you hear many preachers who don’t.

There has never been more “other ways to get to heaven” than today. Friend, that path is only through Jesus Christ and Him only. Some churches have added to this doctrine and claim there are a bunch of things you have to do or you have to have another book to go along with the Bible. Jesus made it quite clear what needed to be done in one Book and that is His Holy Word alone. If we see these signs of the end times, does it not stand to reason that the Rapture is at the door? It seemed “at the door” when I was first saved; all the more now. Now I see clearly that in 1980, the total apostasy had yet to arrive. It surely has arrived now.

Let’s get back on topic of 2 Timothy 4:3-4. In the world today, there are many religions. According to reference.com, it is mind boggling how many there are:

The precise number of religions in the world is not known, but available estimates show the number to be about 4,300, according to Adherents.com. 

https://www.reference.com/world-view/total-number-religions-world-ff89ae17c6068514

Wow! Remember what verse 4 says, reader! If these religions are not preaching Christ as the only way to Heaven, they are preaching fables to their congregation and adding to this great falling away. Unfortunately, many fables are preached in “Christian” congregations as well. That is why it is so important for us to be familiar with our Bibles so that we can easily spot errors quickly. The Lord God would not lie to us nor would he have many roads to Heaven. If He did, what would have been the point of Christ coming to earth to die for our sins?

2 Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

This tells us to study ourselves approved unto God, not to be approved by men! Study what? The answer is the word of truth! Jesus tells us what “the word of truth” is as He’s praying to His Father in Heaven:

Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

God’s Word, the Bible, is truth. If the Bible is truth, then all other books or man-made doctrines are not! Is it any wonder why in these end times there is a great falling away? This great apostasy has been around for a while but it is a lot more noticeable now! Those who are part of the apostasy have turned away their ears from the Truth (God’s Holy Word) and they only listen to what makes them feel good.

The hearts of man today don’t want revival because of the times we live in. The times are evil and the hearts of men are primed for these end times and the Tribulation. They will follow the one world religion because they cannot discern what is truth. Hopefully this pricks the searching heart today and one person will want to be saved. If you are this person, don’t give in to the fables of this world.

2 Ti 4:4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

You may say that this has been going on for a long time and things are no different today. However, the Bible says that apostasy will increase more and more. Paul warned of this:

2 Ti 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Be honest, is this you? Are you part of the apostasy of the end times? It’s not too late to change that. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!