1 Timothy 4:1-5 – “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”  NKJV

It is impossible to read this passage and not realize that this is not coming from an alarmist who walks the streets with a sign saying, “Repent the End is coming!”  It is coming from one of the chief apostles and is a statement from God EXPRESSLY or clearly, distinctly, emphatically, plainly and unambiguously.  This is not a “maybe” but a “definitely” concerning the conditions of the Last Days.

In light of our current world and national conditions, I believe it behooves us to consider what the apostle declares to his son in the faith.  If you will allow me I want to take this somewhat systematically and progressively.

• This Is A Direct Word From God Through the Holy Spirit.

“Now the Spirit expressly says…”  That should attract our attention immediately.  If God is taking the time and exerting the effort to communicate something emphatically we should pay careful attention to what He is saying.

• This Is A Description of Conditions In The Last Days.

“…in latter times…”  What happens in latter times?  What is the message or conditions we should take note of to help us identify our times and seasons?  Consider his list:

Some will depart from the faith.  I suggest it is difficult to depart from that which you have not had, or from a position or condition you have not attained.  What will they do?  They will give heed or accept “deceiving spirits” and embrace “doctrines of demons”.  It would take more time and space than I have to address those two statements but consider how much of the world and even those professing to be followers of Christ are embracing things, lifestyles, conditions, and attitudes the Bible calls “abominable.”  The move to be PC in the Church has the same potential to destroy as it does in our nation as a whole.

He continues that some or even many in the latter times will engage in “hypocrisy”, have their “conscience seared” thus showing no remorse or moral fiber.  The directive of “forbidding to marry” and “abstaining from certain foods” is in itself a worthwhile study.  Jesus taught the He was Lord of the Sabbath and the Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath.  Paul taught that all foods could be received with thanksgiving and prayer.  Therefore, these prohibitions are part of the “doctrines of demons” and falling prey to “deceiving spirits”.

When I consider the attitude of many regarding the destruction of the unborn, at will and the drive to embrace and accept any belief and practice offering alternative paths to salvation other than Jesus and His Sacrifice on the Cross, I see the Last Days.  We are seeing a perversion of the Gospel and even the refusal to preach the Cross in Churches.  I have heard some prominent well-known National Ministers state that there are many paths to God and included Islam and other religions as valid and viable alternatives to the Bible and the Message of the Gospels.  I find that repulsive and completely foreign to the clear words of Jesus, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.”  (John 14:6). 

There is no alternate path and the apostatizing of the Gospel is, to me, a clear sign of the times in which we live.   God bless you and help you to maintain a steady course walking in the Light of His Word.   Blessings abundantly!