Is This The Writing On The Wall?

by R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Category: General | Jan 1983

It is admitted by men generally that the violence, immorality, corruption, fear, hatred, greed, insecurity, and economic uncertainty prevailing in the world today are possibly unmatched in human history. Taking a spiritual view, the Christian associated these tragic, universal symptoms with the nearness of the Lord's coming for His redeemed ones.

Is this what Paul also had in view when he wrote so emphatically to Timothy almost 2,000 years ago? "But know this", he said, "that in the last days grievous times shall come" (2 Tim. 3:1). He then proceeds to catalogue an almost incredible list of attitudes characterizing men. Are we perhaps witnessing many of these things today? Are we seeing the writing on the wall?

One of the meanings of the word "grievous" is "hard to handle". We question whether there is a person with any kind of authority in dealing with people who will not admit that we are living in times that are difficult to cope with, hard to handle.

Please consult Paul's list, and consider the suggested meanings for some of the nineteen expressions he chooses. Here is just a sample:

Lovers of self-thoughtless of others, selfish, "seeking their own, not the things of Jesus Christ".

Lovers of money- closely related to the previous phrase; affection for humans transferred to wealth, the love of which is a root of all kinds of evil.

Boastful, haughty, are the "swaggerers", the arrogant ones, who love to assert their authority.

Railers, "believe in making known their thoughts" in a

cruel, hurtful, vilifying, scurrilous, blasphemous way. The tongues of many people today are uncontrolled in their filthy language and criticism of others.

Implacable-those who cannot be placated or satisfied, no matter what is done to meet their ambitions or demands.

And so the list continues.

Ominous, indeed, are the times in which we live, and while the Christian is not told to look for signs, there are certainly indications that we have possibly entered "the last watch", the last hour before the dawn. Perhaps our "boat" is nearer to the harbour of heaven than we realize; and as in reality the coxswain gave the shout of encouragement to the rowers for the last, strong pull as they came to the end of the race, we might also hear very shortly the shout from our Leader. It will tell us unmistakably that the Lord is here, and we will be simultaneously caught up to meet Him in the air (1 Thess. 4:16-18).

Oh, the blessed joy of meeting,

All the desert past!

Oh, the wondrous words of greeting

He shall speak at last!

The grievous times will then be over. Left behind will be the stress, tension, selfishness, boasting, and arrogance, and the many other undesirable things which have blighted the lives of men and women. Replacing it for the Christian will be an environment of peace, joy, contentment, and happiness for changeless, endless days. "Come, Lord Jesus, take Thy waiting people home".

R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Jan 1983
General