"THE TIME IS COMING!"

2 Timothy 4:1-5         (ESV)
"1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
3 For "THE TIME IS COMING" when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,
4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."



During my early years in high school I had to ride the bus to school, as my family was not of the wealthy, affluent class!  Arriving at school 30 minutes or so before class began, I frequently went to the library to read a state-wide newspaper.  Being a teenage boy, the sports section was my favorite as I began reading.  Soon I migrated to the front page, and even to the obituaries!  My appetite was usually driven by ability to be inside of a warm building on cold mornings instead of my wanting to read the paper though!

The Apostle Paul understood that the 'nature' of people would soon overcome their 'spirit' and they would surround themselves with teachers who would "suit their passions"!  Today, many teachers are not GOD-called, rather they are charismatic, wordy speakers who deliver feel-good messages that are non offensive to the hearers.  These people have a desire to be seen with their friends at a gathering on Sundays.   Judging by the Sunday evening and Wednesday evening attendance though, their desire is short lived.

Hebrews 4 tells us "the word of GOD is a two-edged sword" that discerns the "thoughts and intentions of the heart".  We can make this life a game in our minds and do what "we think" is best, but very soon the game will be over and folks will discover the rules they played by were for the wrong game!  The great deceiver is seeking to take as many with him as he can.

"THE TIME IS COMING" when people will realize that reading the section of the paper that they want is not a profitable thing!  The rules to the game they are living by are for some other game.  The enemy (and our culture) wants us to live life in such a hurried pace that we don't have time to recognize and worship our Creator.  "THE TIME IS COMING" though when there will be plenty of time as HE will return!  Who will you be worshipping then?  "THE TIME IS COMING!!"