1 Tim 4:1 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;
1 Tim 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
1 Tim 4:3 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.
1 Tim 4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
The attributes of the “latter times” of which Paul wrote mirror the exactness of our days. In a recent study, more people are rejecting marriage. Paul wrote: “forbidding to marry.” Live-ins; Tinder hook-ups; and casual relationships are more preferable than long-term unions. The study also shows a decline in the length of marriages. The 5 to 8 year span is about the length of time a marriage will last. Europe, Japan, and Canada are showing lower statistics. Young adults would rather have a car, cellphone, and a nightlife than a fixed home with a spouse.
Paul wrote of “seducing spirits” – akin to sensuality, which is rooted in our American culture. He categorized the last days with a culmination of false doctrines, lies, and the rejection of morality. Lastly, Paul wrote against vegans, which is the refusal to eat meat. Paul was dealing with the false belief that cattle, sheep, goats, etc, deserved the same treatment as humans. The early church was dealing with gross darkness.
While sin prevails, I believe that we are poised to see things we have never seen. The Latter Times are here! The darkness of this world is both prevalent and invasive. This is not a ‘live and let live” environment. The spirit of the age is aggressive. We are not to tolerate sexual perverseness; but we are told to celebrate it or be fired.
However, the Greater the Darkness, the Brighter the Light. We, you, are a city set on a hill which cannot be hid. To be an Apostolic Pentecostal in doctrine, worship, lifestyle, and conduct is a light unto itself. It is and will be impossible to be hidden! We are Salt and the Light, which means that no one is going to look past you. Our calling is to speak Truth and Life to a world lost in sin. We have the answer! His name is Jesus! We have the soul-saving Gospel found in Acts 2:38. We know the way: it is the Way called Holiness. It is time for each of us to speak the Word to everyone we meet. These are the latter times!
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole