Life and Ministry in the Last Days – “Wolves in sheep’s clothing” – 2 Timothy chapter 3 verses 1 to 9
Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing!
The Last days
3 But mark this: there will be terrible times in the last days.
2 Timothy 3:1
The Bible is clear – the “last days” started at Jesus’ first coming and will end with his second coming. This is this a warning for today, not some time in the future. Paul and Timothy were in the midst of these times of strife, and so are we.
What people will be like
2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power.
2 Timothy 3:2-5a
Why such perilous times? Because people naturally love themselves more than God or others.
How to respond
Have nothing to do with such people.
2 Timothy 3:5b
Avoid them. Harsh? Not really – see what comes next.
What people will do
6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected.
2 Timothy 3:6-8
Unlike the dog, their bite is worse than their bark. They are fleecers of the flock. Note: it is not only the women; Paul values them, eg, Lois and Eunice.in chapter 1:5. But women were being targeted by such men in Timothy’s day, and he must be on his guard. Rather the focus is on the men, false teachers, who were like Moses’ opponents Jannes and Jambres.
God’s Assurance
9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.
2 Timothy 3:9
Fodder for the pessimists? All doom and gloom?
No, for “they will not get very far”. Like Pharaoh’s magicians they will be defeated and forgotten.
Here is the word for optimism. Be encouraged. The truth of the gospel will triumph.