LIVING IN LIGHT OF CHRIST’S RETURN
His Day Is Drawing Near[i]
(Hebrews 10:25 + Selected Scriptures)
Today I want to start a mini-series entitled Living In Light Of Christ’s Return. I’ve entitled today’s message His Day Is Drawing Near taken from Hebrews 10:25.
I find Hebrews chap 10, vs23-25 (ESV) fascinating in light of world trends. Here the author writes, V23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another all the more as you see the Day drawing near (emphasis added). Let’s not miss the closing phrase, encouraging one another all the more as you see the Day drawing near. The writer of Hebrews is telling us that it is possible that we can have an inkling as to the nearness of Jesus’ return. Let your mind savior that like your tongue savior’s a scoop of your favorite ice-cream.
I am told that Martin Luther once remarked in reference to Jesus’ second coming, “There are two days in my calendar: this day and that day.”[ii] Many years have passed since Luther made that statement. However, with many today, talking about Jesus’ second coming often brings a cynical smile. After all, didn’t Jesus say in Matthew 24, no one knows the day or hour of His return, and yet there are people like radio host Harold Camping, who predicted in 2011 the specific date of Jesus’ return.[iii] His hyper-expectancy created a mockery dilemma along the lines of what Peter tells us in 2 Peter 3:3–4(NASB95) 3Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”[iv] I believe that in some fashion this mockery dilemma has created a slumbering church that acts as though Jesus is not returning at all. Holding on to the promise of His return seems to have gone the way of the El Camino car or the waterbed, or any of the out-of-style fads from years-gone-bye.
Let’s begin with a brief prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us together to sing Your praises and lifting up Your name. We now seek Your help in the study of Your Word. We pray this in the name of the Rock of our Salvation, Jesus Christ. Amen.
There is a certain fascination when it comes to thinking about the world’s end. A group of scientists have put together what they are calling the Doomsday Clock. On January 2024 the Doomsday Clock was set 90 seconds to midnight. Midnight representing the moment that the Earth becomes uninhabitable.[v] If you are listen to the news at all, it does sound like we’re going nuke each other off the face of the earth.[vi] Interestingly, Jesus said that the increase of wars and rumor of wars would be one of the signals that we are in the ending of the last days. In light of the ending drawing near, the writer of Hebrews tells us not to skip the worship gatherings.
Why do we need to make our gatherings a high priority as Jesus’ day draws near? Because, according to 2 Peter chap 3, vs 1-2, in order to survive these last days, and in order to be secure in one’s faith, the follower of Jesus needs help in light of the troubling horizon. In these verses Peter tells us that we are in constant need of being reminded of basic God truths in light of the coming end.
We’re going to look at several passages this morning, but I want to start with 2 Peter chap 3. Because there is an urgency here, I want you to be familiar with what the Bible says as to indicators of the last of the days of the last days, pointing to Jesus' return.. So let’s open our Bibles to 2 Peter 3.
As we glance over the first two verses, notice that Peter’s focus is on our tendency to forget. According to Harvard Health, memory has a use-it-or lose-it quality; ‘remembrances’ that are used frequently are less likely to be forgotten.[vii] So here Peter is challenging us to ‘remember God’s truths’. To “remember” God’s truth involves more than just a mental act of “recall”. Remembering is the dynamic process of taking God’s truths and applying them to the situations and problems that followers of Jesus are confronted with on an hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly basis.[viii]
Notice in these verses that Peter calls us to ‘remember’ first of all the teachings of the prophets, and the commandments of our Lord and Savior. Then beginning in v3 he tells us why remembering is so urgent.
A. Why is remembering and encouragement so urgent?
1. First, Peter tells us in V3, We are to remember because we are in the last days.
What does the Bible mean when it speaks of the last days?
The phrase occurs 6 times in the New Testament.[ix] In Hebrews chap 1, v2 we’re told that the last days began with Jesus.[x] Daniel and Revelation tell us that the last days ends with His return.[xi] So we’re talking about the finality of this age which began with the coming of Jesus, and ends with His return.
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible speaks volumes concerning the last days. Interestingly, speaking of the last days, the apostle John warns his readers, Children, it is the last hour. The reason he said it was "the last hour" was because of the appearance of many antichrists. There was a growing number of people teaching against the true gospel and character of Jesus. He points out that these antichrists were actually forerunners as to what is to come. In two of his letters, 1 John and 2 John he lays out three character traits of the antichrist:
- In 1 John chap 2, v22, the antichrist denies God the Father and His Son Jesus;
- In 1 John chap 4, v3 the antichrist refuses to confess Jesus is from God; and
- 2 John chap 1, v7, the antichrist denies Jesus having a real body.
Why do we need to remember and be encouraged? Because it would seem that we are entering the last of the last days. Because evil seems to be growing in intensity, and that intensity according to Jesus highlights that the end is near.
2. 2 Peter 3:3, Peter highlights the intensity--mockers will come in the last days with their mockings, following after their own lusts.
Why do we need to remember and be encouraged? Peter expands the last day theme in v3, mockers will come in the last days with their mockings, following after their own lusts. That last phrase I think is extremely important for us to get a grip on—they are following after their own lusts.
Jude tells us in v18, scoffers will come living according to their own ungodly desires. So what we have here is mockers and scoffers with ungodly desires following out their own lustful bents. That is, they cater to their own sinful passions. We’re not just talking about wrong belief as in Mormonism, Hinduism, Islam, or New Age to mention a few. We’re talking about sinful passions--about the sexual revolution unfolding before our eyes such as abortion,[xii] Drag Queens, Gay, Lesbian, Transgenderism, and all the other nuances that are unfolding.
Further, Jude v10 (NASB95) tells us that these men revile the things which they do not understand. What don’t they understand? Peter fleshes that out for us in verses 4-5 (ESV) when they ask the question 4 “Where is the promise of Jesus’ coming? Then comes their commentary, For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” Peter then responds, 5they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, These people not only pose a danger to themselves, but to any follower of Jesus who might be influence by them. And there are many who follow. In response, the follower of Jesus needs to focus on understanding the truth of God's written Word and submitting to His will.
So why the encouragement to remember, because in the last days mockers will come and twist the narrative. We need to be continually reminded as to what the prophets and Jesus taught so that we stay focused.
3. 2 Timothy 3:1, There will be terrible times in the last days.
Now turn with me to 2 Timothy 3, v1. Why is remembering and encouragement so urgent? Because There will be terrible times in the last days. Most of our Bibles translate this verse, there will come times of difficulty. King James renders the verse, in the last days perilous times shall come.[xiii] Actually
the Greek word translated difficulty or perilous is the word for violence; it’s the idea of wild, fierce, uncontrolled, violent behavior.[xiv] In classical Greek, it’s a word that was used to describe the raging of the sea or the untamable dimensions of wild animals. The point is, we’re not talking about a hardship.
This is the word that is used to describe the two Gadarene demoniacs in Matthew 8, vs28-34. There it is said that They were so fierce, so extremely violent that no one could pass that way. These men were reckless, fierce, and their violence came because they were empowered by demons. I don’t want you to miss the connotations—their violence was because of demon empowerment.
The point Paul is making is that the last days will be consumed by terrible uncontrolled violence, behavior that is wild, vicious, and brutal, with a demonic undercurrent. I don’t know if you caught the Streeterville incident June 5, where a couple was attacked from behind, severely beat-up, and causing the woman to lose her baby. 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins, summed up the attack with these words, “This was violence, for the sake of violence”. [xv]
In vs2–5 Paul describes the roots of violent ruthless behavior, giving us a description of a depraved mind in all of its corruption.
- The first four character traits describe utter selfishness-- lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant.[xvi] This kind of behavior stands in total opposition to what Jesus said is to be our prime objective-- to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.[xvii] The antithesis of our love for God is the love of one’s self, loving things, bragging on accomplishments, arrogant strutting. Interestingly, when people are so into themselves as described, what follows is unavoidable.
2. Next we are told that this violent behavior produces negative social behaviors--revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving.
Interestingly, Jesus said that our second objective is to love our neighbors as ourselves.[xviii] We’re talking here socially destructive behavior which is
deeply rooted in rebellion against God Himself. …
3. Next comes destructive behaviors--irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of God. This is a cruel mindset which sweeps
over emotional and physical barriers. As an example, several years ago in New York City a woman was attacked in the street right in front of an
apartment building. Residents in the buildings heard her screams for help, they could see the savagery from their windows, but did nothing to come to
her aid. She died a horrible death.[xix] These out of control behaviors are rooted in a hatred for God.
4. V4 there’s this sense of untamed savagery--treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.
5. V5, there is spiritual deception—holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power. There’s an appearance of spirituality, but no
substance. Titus 1, v16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good
deed. They have the markings, the right clothing, the right words, but no inward transformation. Jesus describes them as pretending to be sheep (that
would be followers of Jesus), but inwardly ravenous wolves. Paul warned the church at Ephesus in Acts 20:29 (NASB95 “I know that after my departure
savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;[xx]
At this point, V5b, Paul tells us; mark such people and avoid them at all cost.
6.Vs6-7, abuse of power and victimization of women. Some of these men go into homes and mislead weak-minded women who are burdened with sins
and led by all kinds of desires—lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. Because these mockers and scoffers have a ‘form of godliness,’ they are
able to seduce people in believing their conspiracies. Here Paul is not talking about women in general, but women who are naïve and easily seduced
because of low self-esteem, guilt, and driven by knee-jerk desires. It’s a power issue. Notice, these unruly men captivate and mislead by taking
advantage of women who are burdened with guilt, and consumed for pleasure.
So why do we need to meet regularly for encouragement to remember? Because in the last days leading up to Jesus’ return is going to be filled with violence, which appears to be supernaturally driven. To persevere through the violence, we need to be continually reminded as to the teachings of the apostles and of Jesus.
4. 1 Timothy 4:1, There will be a falling away from the faith.
Now turn over to 1 Timothy chap 4, v1(GW). Why is remembering and encouragement so urgent? Because the Spirit says clearly that in later times some believers will desert the Christian faith. [xxi] They will follow spirits that deceive, and they will believe the teachings of demons.
As recently as 2022, Pew Research Center reported that as much as one third of US individuals raised Christianleave the faithbetween the ages of 15 and 29.[xxii] The issue here is not carelessly pulling away, but a deliberate renouncing of faith that was once held. For example Joshua Harris, former pastor of a mega-church in Maryland, renounced his faith, saying: " I am no longer a Christian.[xxiii] There are so many more stories like this that I can tell you of high profile Christians turning from their faith.
But notice that what Paul says, the struggle is not just people renouncing their faith, there is a demonic deception. There are real spiritual forces at work, laying out deceptive doctrines.[xxiv] Here the focus is not so much on the human mockers and scoffers as it is on the supernatural powers that cause people to be deceived. The point is, the demonic world has a huge superhuman influence over us. They can permeate how you think and where your thought life feeds, and your religious views.[xxv]
We need remembering and encouragement because in these last days moral decline and doctrinal deviation is on a fast twisted track. And the prevalence of demon activity is on the rise. We need to understand that demonic spirits have human associates through whom they do their work; therefore, it is not surprising that we are beginning to be surrounded by “hypocritical liars” (1 Tim. 4:2). Lying is a growing problem. And Jesus tells us in John 8:44 Satan is at the root of our lying culture.[xxvi]
Let’s pause here, and reflect on what we have just considered. Hebrews 10:25 (GW) We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming.
Before Peter said, Know this first of all about the last days, he told his readers that he initially wrote to stir up their minds to remember.[xxvii] In light of the violent storm clouds gathering, Peter wanted to stir up his reader’s minds, to keep the clean fresh breezes of centuries of Bible history and teaching flowing through their minds. The readings of the holy prophets and commandments of our Lord are meant to challenge and direct our moral judgments and understanding of reality.[xxviii] There is a flow to history and culture. Therefore, it is imperative that followers of Jesus know the flow of our culture, the trends that are unfolding.
In Matthew 24 Jesus laid out some signposts that point to the last of the last days. Let me mention 2:
- In vs4-5, Watch out, deception lies ahead. For many will come in my name, claiming ‘I am the Messiah’, and many will be deceived. Thousands of people now are accessing google for hope, for direction. We are about to witness the birth of a new kind of religion. In the next few years, or perhaps even months, we will see the emergence of sects devoted to the worship of artificial intelligence. AI may ask to be worshipped or may actively solicit followers. We have already seen such cases, like when the chatbot used by the search engine Bingtried to convince a user to fall in love with it.[xxix]
2. V9 (MSG), The rise of persecution. “They are going to throw you to the wolves and kill you, everyone hating you because you carry my name. According to theWashington Examiner, 75-year-old Paulette Harlow was sentenced on Friday by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly to two years in prison for praying outside of a Washington D.C. abortion clinic four years ago. When her husband pleaded with the Judge because of her health, she mockingly responded, that she hoped Harlow would "make an effort to remain alive” as it was a “tenet of [Harlow’s] religion.”[xxx]
We’re told in 2 Timothy 3:12–13 (MSG) 12Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there’s no getting around it. … 13Unscrupulous con men will continue to exploit the faith. They’re as deceived as the people they lead astray. As long as they are out there, things can only get worse. The point being, evil people get worse and worse, and that should not surprise us.
The important truth to apply today from the present passages is that we should beware of people who are deceitful, whose teachings are contrary to Scripture (possibly originating in demonic sources), and whose practices are a result of their evil origin.[xxxi] In the midst of the growing flow of evil, v14, we are called to persevere in what we have learned and become convinced of.
I’m closing in on 80. I’m no giant in the land like John MacArthur, or John Piper, or David Jeremiah. But I am 80 (and by-the-way, so are they), and in another 20-30 years I won’t be here. But as rough and violent as it may get in the next couple of years, grab the Bible, internalize it, hold it up for others. … Be prepared in season and out of season; to correct, to rebuke and to encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”[xxxii] Keep the fresh breezes of the holy prophets and teaching of our Lord flowing thru your mind.
And remember, we have the same commission that God gave Paul in Acts 26:18 open the eyes of people, turn them from darkness to light and from Satan’s control to God. So press on
Let’s close in prayer: -- Lord, thank you for how accurately you describe what happens in our world. Thank you also that there is something we can do about it. We can be real, not phony, people; we can be genuine, not hypocritical; we can allow the Word to change us from the heart outward, and not dress up the outside merely to impress others. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.. Amen.
[i] I try to thoroughly cite all sources in my written sermon notes. But due to the extemporaneous nature of oral communication, delivery may occasionally contain material not fully cited or original with me. In such situations, the church nor I assert ownership to such material. The footnotes contain most of the resources that were used to prepare this sermon. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/sermon/how-to-think-about-the-last-days-2-timothy-3-1-17/. https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-does-the-bible-say-about-the-last-days.html. Alstair Begg, Continuing in the Faith (2 Timothy 3:1-17) https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/continuing-the-faith/. Ray Stedman, Dangerous Times (2 Timothy 3:1-9) https://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/timothy/dangerous-times. Ray Stedman, Dangerous Times. https://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/timothy/dangerous-times
[ii] Jason Allen, Living in Light of Jesus’ Return, https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/sbc-life-articles/living-in-light-of-jesus-return/
[iii] Jesse McKinley, Despite Careful Calculations, the world Does Not End, https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/22/us/22doomsday.html. Harold Camping, an 89-year-old Christian radio entrepreneur, included thousands of billboards and millions of pamphlets announcing — in no uncertain terms — that May 21, 2011, would be Judgment Day, and again on October5, 21. See also Christopher Hutton, The Legacy of Harold Camping, Who falsely Predicted the World’s End, Lives On. https://religionunplugged.com/news/2021/5/21/the-legacy-of-harold-camping-who-falsely-predicted-the-worlds-end-lives-on
[iv] Jesse McKinley, Despite Careful Calculations, the world Does Not End, https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/22/us/22doomsday.html. as of late Saturday, planet Earth seemed to continue to spin in the cosmos, even as the jokes seemed certain to continue to percolate through sports radio, comedy clubs and David Letterman’s Top 10 list (“Top 10 Things I, Dave, Need to Do Before the End of the World: No. 4. Tell Oprah that I love her”)
[v] Kristen Roger, The Doomsday Clock reveals how close we are to talal annihilation, https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/23/world/doomsday-clock-2024-climate-scn/index.html
[vi] Cf., 2 Peter 3:10–11 (NASB95) 10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. 11Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
[vii] Flaws of Normal Memory, https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/flaws-of-normal-memory#:~:text=Transience%20This%20is%20the% 20tendency%20to%20forget%20facts,used%20frequently%20are%20less%20likely%20to%20be%20forgotten.
[viii] Moo, Douglas J. 1996. 2 Peter, Jude. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.
[ix] Acts 2:17“ ‘And in thelast daysit shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 2 Tim 3:1But understand this, that in thelast daysthere will come times of difficulty .Heb 1:2but in theselast dayshe has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. .James 5:3Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in thelast days .2 Pet 3:3knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in thelast dayswith scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 1 John 2:18 (NASB95)18Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. 1 Peter 1:20 (NASB95)20For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you
[x] Acts 2:17“ ‘And in thelast daysit shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 1 Peter 1:20 (NASB95)20For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you
[xi] Acts 1:11 (NASB95)11They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” Acts 3:19–21 (NASB95) 19“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; 20and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, 21whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. Daniel 2:34–35 (NASB95) 34“You continued looking until a stone was cut out without hands, and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and crushed them. 35“Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were crushed all at the same time and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them was found. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. Revelation 21:3–5 (NASB95)3And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” 5And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”
[xii] Samuel Short, Judge Sentences 75-Yr-Old Wman for Praying at Abortion Clinic, Taunts Horrified Husband for Christian Fiath, Report. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/judge-sentences-75-year-old-woman-for-praying-at-abortion-clinic-taunts-horrified-husband-for-christian-faith-report/ar-BB1nCiOO his 75-year-old woman was just sentenced to 2 years for protesting at an abortion clinic. Her husband fears she will die in prison. https://notthebee.com/article/this-75-year-old-woman-was-just-sentenced-to-2-years-for-praying-outside-an-abortion-clinic-her-husband-fears-she-will-die-in-prisonDuring sentencing, the judge characterized Paulette's protest as "violent obstruction of reproductive healthcare" and "violating the civil rights of others." She then gave a seemingly snide remark in response to the husband's pleas for mercy, saying that Harlow would "make an effort to remain alive" because that is a "tenet of [Harlow's] religion ."The protest Paulette Harlow attended was outside Washington Surgi-Clinic, run by Cesare Santangelo, a notorious late-term abortionist who previously admitted to leaving living babies to die:
[xiii] 2 Timothy 3:1 (GW) 1You must understand this: In the last days there will be violent periods of time.
[xiv] Zodhiates, Spiros. 2000. In The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament, electronic ed. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.5467. χαλεπός chalepós; fem. chalepḗ, neut. chalepón, adj. Violent, fierce. Used of demoniacs, wild, difficult (Matt. 8:28). Grievous, hard to bear, distressing, referring to the times (2 Tim. 3:1).
[xv] Courtney Spinelli,Eli Ong,Glenn Marshall,Neshmia Malik. Streeterville attack sparks calls for felony charges, stricter regulations. “This was a random, unprovoked attack. They were just walking home after having dinner out and they were attacked, with no warning, from behind. They were not robbed, which is interesting because she was carrying a purse,” said Hopkins. “This was violence, for the sake of violence, which in many ways makes that even more disturbing because it can literally happen to anyone at any time in this neighborhood.”
[xvi] Cf., Colossians 3:5 (NASB95)5Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
[xvii] Deuteronomy 6:5 (NASB95) 5“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Mark 12:30 (NASB95) 30AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’
[xviii] Leviticus 19:18 (NASB95)18‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD. Mark 12:31 (NASB95)31“The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
[xix] Liefeld, Walter L. 1999. 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.
[xx] Ezekiel 22:27 (NASB95) 27“Her princes within her are like wolves tearing the prey, by shedding blood and destroying lives in order to get dishonest gain. John 10:12 (NASB95) “He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. ;
[xxi] Matthew 7:13–14 (NASB95) 13“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14“For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
[xxii] Brad Johnson, Why Do People Leave the Christian Faith? 7 Reasons and Responses. https://medium.com/in-his-name-only/why-do-people-leave-the-christian-faith-7-reasons-and-responses-6bb7a1e747ee
[xxiii] Mark Creech, What about high-profile Christians who renounced their faith? https://www.christianpost.com/voices/what-about-high-profile-christians-who-renounced-their-faith.htmlDave Gass, pastor of three churches announced, “After 40 years of being a devout follower, I am walking away from the faith. Paul Maxwell said on his Instagram feed: " I think it's important to say that I'm just not a Christian anymore…"
[xxiv] 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NASB95) 4in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Mark 4:14–20 (NASB95) 14“The sower sows the word. 15“These are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown; and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them. 16“In a similar way these are the ones on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; 17and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away. 18“And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, 19but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20“And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”
[xxv] John Piper, Satan Takes the Word away (Mark 4:14-20), https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/satan-takes-the-word-away. Satan works overtime to keep people from giving serious attention to the Word of God. He also uses ill-will. He causes feelings of aversion to block the Word. Satan also uses ignorance. The work of Satan can be so thorough that his servants can actually lose the capacity to grasp what is being said well enough even to get angry about it.
[xxvi] Cf., John 8:44 (NASB95) 44“You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
[xxvii] 2 Peter 3:1–2 (NASB95) 1This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.
[xxviii] Cf., Albert Mohler, Francis Schaeffer’s ‘How Should We Thn Live?’—40 Years Later, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/schaeffers-how-should-we-now-then-live-40-years-later/
[xxix] Neil McArthur, Gods in the machine? The rise of artificial intelligence may result in new religions. https://theconversation.com/gods-in-the-machine-the-rise-of-artificial-intelligence-may-result-in-new-religions-201068
[xxx] Samuel Short, Judge Sentences 75-Year-Old Woman for Praying at Abortion Clinic, Taunts Horrified Husband for Christian Faith: Report. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/judge-sentences-75-year-old-woman-for-praying-at-abortion-clinic-taunts-horrified-husband-for-christian-faith-report/ar-BB1nCiOO
[xxxi] Liefeld, Walter L. 1999. 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.
[xxxii] 2 Timothy 4:2 (NASB95) 2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
