SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Introduction
Paul, in this section, turns from his specific instructions to Timothy concerning his service for God, to the way in which society will degenerate with the passage of time.The verse which bridges this transition is 2:26 with its reference to the devil and those he captures to do his will.
It’s a corrupting society which could easily wreck Timothy’s life and that of the church (5).
In this study we shall think primarily about the characteristics of this society and the direction in which it is moving.
1.Characteristics of corrupt society (1-8)
Examine Paul’s description:
(a) Depraved minds - this phrase from v.8 sums up many of their attitudes.
i. Depravity has its own kind of love.What are they described as loving (2)?On which two things is their love concentrated?
Why is self-love destructive?What does it do?
How is this illustrated in the lives of various Old and New Testament characters?How is it expressed in people today?
What does love of money do to people?Think again about 1 Tim. 6:9, 10, 17; also Josh. 7, espec. vs. 20,21; Acts 5:1,2.
How is this attitude expressed in today’s society?With what results?
ii. Take the other characteristics mentioned in vs. 2-4.How do these describe everyday life?
If you have time, see how these attitudes are expressed in any of the tabloid newspapers of this week.
How does all this relate to Rom. 1:22-32 and Gal. 5:19-21?
(b) Corrupt faith is also a characteristic to which Paul refers (5a,6-9)
i. Think about v.5a and recall the characteristics of some of the religious cults of modern times.
ii. Are vs. 6,7 sometimes mirrored in the tactics of modern sects?
for example, think about the approach of Jehovah’s Witnesses.Any others?
Note: Jannes and Jambres were possibly among Pharaoh’s magicians who opposed Moses (Exodus 7:6-13; see also 2 Cor. 11:13-15).
iii. How is it that true believers can also sometimes reveal some of the same characteristics?
What about the effects of the affluent society on us, the influence also of the mass media, relativism and a permissive society?
How are we to cope with its influences?
How are we, in practice, to implement vs. 5b?
Think about the implications of 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Eph.
4:8-32; Gal. 5:16-18.
2.The destiny of a corrupt society (9)
Note ‘the last days’ (1) may be understood as the period between Christ’s ascension and his second coming, with an escalation of evil as the coming draws closer and culminates in the ‘day of the Lord’ (1 Thess. 5:2).
(a) It’s good to know that God has set a limit to man’s evil (9).
How has God already demonstrated this?Remember how he acted concerning Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19)?What other incidents can you recall?
2 Peter 2:4-10 demonstrates how God has acted, and will yet act.
(b) In the meantime what is God’s call to his people (2 Peter 3:10-14)?