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2 Timothy 3

Faithfulness in the face of Godlessness

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Preface

Written by Paul to Timothy, an apostolic representative leading churches in and around ephesus
Written sometime between 64 and 68 AD and during the reign of Nero around the time of Paul’s second Roman imprisonment, and just before Paul’s death.
2 Timothy is a farewell discourse. Paul can feel his impending death and is making preparations

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“... in the last days perilous �time shall come...”

vs 1-9

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When are the last days?

Some say that the description of “men” in this chapter is directed at the church (not just the world).

http://davidtue.com/meaning-2-timothy-3/

https://bible.org/seriespage/8-church-last-days-2-timothy-31-9

The time span is current for timothy (Paul seemed to think the last days were already upon them), and certainly stretches to the current time.

See Hebrews 1:1-2

There will be “times (kairos)” in the “last days”. Indicating that the last days will be long enough that there will be seasons (stretches of time) where things are bad.

James 5:3,

Acts 2:17. and it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon 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 Peter 3:1-9

1. This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2. that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior: 3. 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: 6. whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished. 7. But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

This explains why the “last days” has been so long. God has allowed the “last days” to linger (because he in longsuffering) so that as many as possible may come to repentance.

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Why are the last days perilous?

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Definitions

Lovers of their own selves (selfish)
Covetous (greedy)
Boasters (arrogant/proud)
Blasphemers (lacking respect for God)
Without natural affection (unloving towards family)
Incontinent (without self control)
Fierce (savage)
Heady (rash)
High minded (inflated with self conceit)

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Definitions

Lead captive women laden with sins
Ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth
Resisting the truth because of corrupt minds

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What does Paul mean when he tells us “from such turn away”?

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“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned ...”

vs 10-17

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Why should we expect persecution if we live in Godliness?

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What role does scripture play in all of this?