THE BRUTAL HATRED OF THESE LAST DAYS

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0><script type="text/javascript" src="http://hb.lycos.com/hb.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://ratings.lycos.com/ratings/lycosRating.js.php"></script> <script type="text/javascript"><![CDATA[//><!]]></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://scripts.lycos.com/catman/init.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-start.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-middle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-end.js"></script> <noscript> <img src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/img/common/ot_noscript.gif?rand=102231" alt="" width="1" height="1" />  <iframe frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" width="728" height="90" src="http://ad.yieldmanager.com/st?ad_type=iframe&ad_size=728x90&section=209094"></iframe>  </noscript> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=95 BGCOLOR="#330066" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="048005f0dkblkv.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Preach The Word</b></FONT><B>     </b><B>|    </b><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </b><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Preach The Word"><U><B>home</b></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2 Timothy"><U><B>2 Timothy</b></U></A><B>   l   </b><A HREF="id54.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DANIEL"><U><B>Daniel</b></U></A><B>   l   </b><A HREF="id69.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ZECHARIAH: "><U><B>Zechariah</b></U></A><B>   l   </b><A HREF="id70.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MARK"><U><B>Mark</b></U></A><B>    I    </b><A HREF="id136.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TOPICAL STUDIES"><U><B>Topical Studies</b></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=385 BGCOLOR="#DDDDDD" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>THE BRUTAL HATRED OF THESE LAST DAYS</b></div> <div> 2 Timothy 3:3c-f</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>1.  PEOPLE IN THESE LAST DAYS WILL BE MALICIOUS GOSSIPS.</b> (3c)</div> <bR> <div> "People will be…slanderous"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" ><B>"diabolos"</b></FONT>: "diabolical".  "Diable" = Devil.   <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >"Diabolos"</FONT> literally means <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >"Accuser"</FONT> and is used 34 times in the New Testament as a title for Satan.</div> <bR> <div> So, in reality, when a person slanders another, he's doing whose work? The Lord's work?  No.  He's doing the devils work.</div> <bR> <div> "Accusing falsely…given to finding fault with the demeanor and conduct of others, and spreading their innuendo's and criticisms in the church… they are false accusers" <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >Vines</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> "Slander: A false and malicious statement injurious to anothers reputation… to defame." <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >Webster</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Synonyms</U></b><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >: </FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >Misrepresentation / Smear / Malign / Slur</FONT></div> <bR> <div> To slander is to lie about someone in order to smear, if not destroy, that persons honor and reputation. </div> <bR> <div> It comes from a venomous, bitter and hating heart. Not surprising that it's one of Satan's names, right?  Did you know that Satan slanders you in God's face on a regular basis? There's nothing the devil loves more than to propagate lies about Christians. Even better if it's scandalous.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U>Jesus on Satan</U></b></div> <bR> <div> "There is no truth in him.  When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." John 8:44</div> <bR> <div> "The accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night." Rev. 12:10</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U>Example of Slander in the Family</U></b></div> <bR> <div> "You speak continually against your brother and slander your own mother's son." Ps.50:20</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U>A Characteristic of Unbelievers</U></b></div> <bR> <div> "With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor." Prov. 11:9</div> <bR> <bR> <div> So, in other words, slander and malicious gossip is a thing to be found in the devil's mouth and the Unbelievers mouth but what about the Christian?  Is it OK for us to do it?  Well, let me put it this way; Is it OK for a Christian person to do the devils work? You know the answer.  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U>Deacon's Wives</U></b></div> <bR> <div> "In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers…" 1Tim.3:11</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Older Women</U></b></div> <bR> <div> "Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers…" Titus 2:3</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>The Better Way</U></b></div> <bR> <div> "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what</div> <div> is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefits those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit…"  Ephesians 4:29-30</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>2. PEOPLE IN THESE LAST DAYS WILL ABANDON RESTRAINT (3d)</b></div> <bR> <div> "People will be… without self-control"</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>"</b></I>Akrates<I><B>"</b></I><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >: Impotent, powerless in morals. Unrestrained.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> It carries the idea of being shameless. Doing whatever they want no matter who's there or where it is.  They've shut down all circuits that lead to their conscience so they can participate in all sorts of sin without being in the least bothered by it. </div> <bR> <div> Look at Canadians or United States Citizens.  Just a few decades ago it was considered shameful to swear in public / divorce your spouse / call an elderly person by his/her name.  Homosexuality was simply unheard of.  Public authorities were feared.  When guests arrived home, or in a public setting, the young people left their seats to make sure they had ample seating to choose from.  We've come a long way!</div> <bR> <div> Now, don't forget the root where this unrestrained behavior comes from: <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Selfishness (2a)</FONT>.  Unrestrained people have always existed. It's just that the more we approach the Coming of the Lord the worst and more widespread it's gonna get.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U>Some Biblical Examples of Unrestraints</U></b></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U>The Rebellious Son</U></b></div> <bR> <div> "This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a profligate and a drunkard."  Deut.21:20</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>The Adulterous Woman</U></b></div> <bR> <div> "Come, let's drink deep of love till morning; let's enjoy ourselves with love!  My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon." Prov. 7:18-20</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>The Violent Young Men</U></b></div> <bR> <div> Turn to: <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Proverbs 1:10-19</FONT></div> <bR> <div> But, here again, the true Christian can be light and salt in the midst of a generation of people with no conscience by demonstrating self-control.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U>The Fruit of the Spirit</U></b></div> <bR> <div> "The fruit of the Spirit is love… patience… gentleness and self-control." Gal. 5:22</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U>King Saul (in his better days)</U></b></div> <bR> <div> "But some trouble makers said, "How can this fellow save us?" They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent." 1 Sam.10:27</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>The Lord Jesus</U></b></div> <bR> <div> "Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" But Jesus remained silent."  Matt.26:62-63</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U>A Display of Profound Wisdom</U></b></div> <bR> <div> "A fool gives full vent to his anger, But a wise man keeps himself under control." Prov.29:11</div> <bR> <div> "A fool shows his annoyance at once, But a prudent man overlooks an insult." 12:16</div> <bR> <div> "A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, But the heart of fools blurts out folly." 12:23</div> <bR> <bR> <div> So, the message is "written on the wall", isn't it? It doesn't take a genius to say and do whatever he wants to anywhere he likes.  Any "fool" can do that.  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >"It's better for you to stay silent and appear to be wise, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."<I> </I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >Dr Howard Hendricks</FONT></div> <bR> <div> But, it takes a deeper and wiser person to refrain from stupidity and choose a much more respectable and commendable way. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>3.</b><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B> </b></FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#800000" FACE="Arial" ><B>PEOPLE IN THESE LAST DAYS WILL RUTHLESS. (3e)</b></FONT></div> <bR> <div> "People will be… brutal."</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >"Anemeroi"</FONT>: "Untamed and savage. Wild and fierce." <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >Vine</FONT></div> <bR> <div> God is telling us here that people are going to behave more and more like wild beasts. It's going to become more and more common that people will attack their enemies and tear them to pieces. People will become more and more insensitive, malicious and brutal with time.  It's the mentality that says, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >"You get in the way of my plans and I'll beat you to a pulp!  I'll hurt you, if I have to."</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#800000" FACE="Arial" ><B><U>Examples:</U></b></FONT>  The Aryan Nation</div> <div>                        The Klu Klux Klan</div> <div>                        Child Custody Battles</div> <div>                        Abortion</div> <bR> <div> You see, a selfish person comes to view himself as a god.  And to go against his will is a major offense. And so, in the selfish mind, nothing is too brutal for the one who is restraining him from having his way.  So when it happens, he has no hesitation but to strike full force in order to punish you for not bowing down to his will. </div> <bR> <div> The Church should be totally ashamed today because this type of brutality has nothing to do with the name of Christ whatsoever.  What is a Christian to do when he's offended, abused or insulted?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U>Leave Vengeance to God</U></b></div> <bR> <div> "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:19,21</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Follow David's Example</U></b></div> <bR> <div> "Abishai said to David, "Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of my spear; I won't strike him twice." But David said to Abishai, "Don't destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless? As surely as the LORD lives," he said, "the LORD himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. But the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD's anointed."  1 Samuel 26:8-11 </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> </b><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B> </b></FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#660000" FACE="Arial" ><B>4. </b></FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#800000" FACE="Arial" ><B>PEOPLE IN THESE LAST DAYS WILL HATE WHAT IS GOOD (3f)</b></FONT></div> <bR> <div> "People will be… not lovers of the good."</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >What does he mean, </FONT><I><B>"</b></I>not lovers of the good?<I><B>"</b></I><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > It means, what the Creator gives us as </FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>"</b></I>something good<I><B>"</b></I></FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > the people will hate it.  What God will bless us with, we will curse. </FONT></div> <div>  </div> <div> <B><U>Some examples</U></b><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > of God's Blessings that our modern society curses are:</FONT></div> <bR> <div> (1)  <B>Marriage</b> (<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >Karen</FONT> on Big Brother)</div> <div> (2)  <B>Children</b></div> <div> (3)  <B>Authority</b></div> <div> <B>             - The Bible</b> (<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >Rich</FONT> on Survivor)</div> <bR> <div> This is getting really towards the limit<B> </b>of what God can tolerate. This is blatant rebellion. This is looking God in the face and saying, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >"How great it would be if you would leave." </FONT>And so, as you can imagine, this attitude is just crying for God's Judgment. </div> <bR> <div> "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." Isaiah 5:20</div> <bR> <div> "Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent - the Lord detests them both." Prov.17:15</div> <bR> <div> "See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness." Luke 11:35</div> <bR> <bR> <div> So, again, that's where the Christian is light and salt in this dark and dead society.  </div> <bR> <div> Turn to: <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Ephesians 4:17-24</FONT></div> <bR> <div> We live in spiritually dark times today in North America. And the people know it.  The question is, those who know you, do they see a difference in your life, because you're a Christian?  Does the fact that you know Christ and have regular Bible Teaching make a difference in you? </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."  Psalm 19:14</div> <bR> <div> Amen and God Bless You All.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>