“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty” (2Tim 3:1).
The local TV meteorologist sometimes calls for severe weather. A radio traffic guy will warn you that the morning commute is going to be a nightmare. Financial gurus may predict an economic downturn or even a recession. And no telling what the digital doomsayers’ flavor-of-the-month is on the World Wide Interweb.
But that’s nothing compared to Paul’s projection in his second letter to Timothy. “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty” (v1). The apostle’s not just dropping a casual warning about storms, gridlock, or a bursting economic bubble. According to him, what’s headed our will make those look like a Caribbean cruise.
Don’t mistake Paul for some sort of biblical Chicken Little. He’s not one of those crazy street corner scaremongers. He takes no pleasure in telling Tim and everybody else reading this little letter that dark days are not only ahead but unavoidable. He issues a prophetic forecast that calls for a 100% chance of danger.
Let’s not forget the context of what we’re reading. The apostle is firing off this note to Pastor Tim in the final days of his life. He’s walking the Green Mile on Death Row deep inside Caesar’s Supermax (2Tim 1:15; 2:9; 4:6-7). He’s rapidly writing down his final instructions for the young preacher after he’s gone (2Tim 2:1-4:5) as well as hoping for one final visit (2Tim 4:9, 21). In light of that, Paul has no reason to sugarcoat the situation. Let’s cut to the chase. We need to be very clear about will eventually go down.
The writer of this letter clearly wants his protege’s full and undivided attention for what comes next. “But understand this” (v1). It’s his way of grabbing him by the shoulders and giving him a shake. This is important. VERY important. Don’t miss this. Hello, McFly! Paul uses the word “understand” (Gr. γινωσκω/ginosko) which describes an intimate knowledge through personal experience. That’s why it’s also a biblical euphemism for sexual intimacy (Mt 1:18, 25; Lk 1:34).
This verb paints a picture of such a deep and personal experience of something that you can be totally sure about it. Jesus told His followers, “You will know (Gr. γινωσκω/ginosko) the truth, and the truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32). Once we experience the reality of God’s truth, we’ll never be a prisoner to our own sin again. In a prayer to His Heavenly Dad, our Savior said this firsthand knowledge of God as the key to life with Him forever. “This is eternal life, that they know (Gr. γινωσκω/ginosko) You the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom You have sent” (Jn 17:3).
Check out how the various translators of the NT handle the opening phrase of verse one.
“This know also” (KJV)
“But mark this” (NIV)
“But realize this” (NASB)
“But know this” (NKJV)
“But be certain of this” (BBE)
“You should also know this” (NLT)
“But understand this” (AMP)
“Don’t be naive” (The Message)
Each translation different but with all the same idea. Paul wants our full and undivided attention. We can be absolutely sure of this. Take it to the bank. It’s a stone cold, lead pipe lock. A true no doubter. You’ve heard of the Five Day Forecast. Well, the apostle is releasing his Last Days Forecast. And he says there’s no wiggle room in what’s to come. There’s 100% chance of danger.
So just exactly are these “last days” the writer is talking about? We don’t need to get into the weeds on Bible prophecy, bust out all sorts of crazy charts with blood moons, or play a rousing game of “Pin the Tail on the Antichrist.” Let’s just simplify things. Paul’s talking about the period of time after Jesus’ first appearance on Earth and the day He makes His spectacular encore.
In both the Old Testament, this is one of prophets’ favorite phrases in describing the thrilling conclusion of God’s grand story. Evil is punished (Jer 23:20). Heaven on earth returns. The good guys win.(Is 2:2: Jer 49:39; Ezek 38:16; Hos 3:5; Mic 4:1). Or rather, the Good Guy wins! You DO realize Jesus wins, don’t you? If not, go ahead and take a peak at the end of story. It’s okay. I promise.
Let’s move on to the NT. In Peter’s famous first sermon at Pentecost, he quotes Joel the prophet quoting God Himself. “And in the last days it shall be, God declares that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams” (Acts 2:16-17). Later in one of his own letters, Pete lets us know how “scoffers will come in the last days” and laugh at folks for following Jesus while the follow their own self-destructive lifestyles (2Pet 3:3).
James talks about how we can actually make investments in our spiritual 401k before his big Brother comes back. “You have laid up treasure in the last days” (James 5:3). The writer of Hebrews uses this phrase when describing all the different ways God has communicated with people throughout history. “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, Whom He appointed the heir of all things, through Whom also He created the world” (Heb 1:1-2).
“The last days” is a very important reminder that God’s story isn’t finished. The frat boys from “Animal House” were wrong. It’s not over until HE says it’s over! You can bet it’s going to get worse before it gets better. But the Author of the story has it all under control. Jesus is THE Hero of THE Story. He’s the Rescuer that God promised to send all throughout the OT. All the way back in the garden (Gen 3:15). To Abram (Gen 12:1-3). To his son Isaac (Gen 26:3). To his grandson Jacob (Gen 28:13-15). To Moses (Ex 24:7-8). To David (2Sam 7:9-16). Jesus Himself makes the incredible claim that the entire Hebrew Bible is all about Him (Lk 24:27; Jn 5:39, 46).
Jesus may have headed home to Heaven but God is still writing His incredible story. I know it sounds crazy but He’s inviting you and me to be a part of it! Now, don’t get me wrong. We’re NOT the Hero. He wrote that part specifically for His Son. But we get to play a part in the Greatest Story the universe will ever hear.
Meanwhile back in Paul’s second letter to Timothy, the apostle gets specific about what’s going down in these last days. “There will be times of difficulty” (v1). Not “may be.” Not “might be.” Not “there’s a chance of.” There’s absolutely no wiggle room here in what will happen. No need to consider any other possibilities. We’re talking about a 100% chance. There. Will. Be.
So we know it’s coming but just what exactly are these “times of difficulty” (v1) we need to get ready for? “Difficulty” doesn’t sound so bad. Maybe I’m just going to lose my car keys. Maybe the boss is going to need me to work a weekend or two. Maybe I’m going to seriously crave Chick-Fil-A on a Sunday. I mean, I can handle THAT kind of difficulty.
Oh, if that’s ONLY what Paul is talking about! Let’s just say I don’t think our good friends at the ESV did us any favors here. The original Greek word here is χαλεπος (chalepos). This is worse than simply being inconvenienced. A LOT worse! This term is talking about big trouble. It means something violent, fierce, perilous, dangerous, painful, severe, savage, miserable, or angry.
The choice of “difficulty” seems to soft sell it just a wee bit. It only shows up one other time in the Bible and that appearance seems to back this up. Matthew uses the same word uses to describe the savage and violent nature of two demon-possessed dudes who terrorized a local cemetery. This demonic duo was “so fierce (Gr. χαλεπος/chalepos) that no one could pass that way” (Mt 8:28).
So the apostle’s words to Timothy here remind me of that classic scene from “Rocky III.” Just before his rematch with Balboa, a TV reporter asks Clubber Lang (played by the one and only Mr. T!) for a prediction to the fight. Clubber turns his eyes straight into the camera and answers in a single word. “Pain.” Two thousand years before Sylvester Stallone started his never-ending franchise, Paul made a similar prediction. “In the last days there will come times of difficulty” (v1). He’s calling for a 100% chance of danger.
The man from Tarsus isn’t exactly going rogue with his forecast. God’s spokesmen have been talking about it for centuries. It’s mega-theme throughout all of Scripture. Things will go from bad to worse. From worse to awful. From awful to terrible. Paul says the very same thing just a little later in this letter (2Tim 3:13; 4:1). Now I don’t know if we’re looking at post-apocalyptic wasteland straight out of “Mad Max” or this is the apostle’s way of describing SkyNet going active in “Terminator.” But one thing is for sure, so buckle up, boys and girls.
Don’t let this prophetic prediction cause you to throw in the towel. As bad as the bad news is, the Good News is even better! Remember what Jesus told His boys just before His own betrayal and murder. “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33). Christ didn’t promise His followers a life full of rainbows, unicorns, and an endless supply of Skittles. This world is full of trouble. Big trouble. But our Great Big God dwarfs any of the crap the world throws our way.
The local TV meteorologist sometimes calls for severe weather. A radio traffic guy will warn you that the morning commute is going to be a nightmare. Financial gurus may predict an economic downturn or even a recession. And no telling what the digital doomsayers’ flavor-of-the-month is on the World Wide Interweb.
But that’s nothing compared to Paul’s projection in his second letter to Timothy. “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty” (v1). The apostle’s not just dropping a casual warning about storms, gridlock, or a bursting economic bubble. According to him, what’s headed our will make those look like a Caribbean cruise.
Don’t mistake Paul for some sort of biblical Chicken Little. He’s not one of those crazy street corner scaremongers. He takes no pleasure in telling Tim and everybody else reading this little letter that dark days are not only ahead but unavoidable. He issues a prophetic forecast that calls for a 100% chance of danger.
Let’s not forget the context of what we’re reading. The apostle is firing off this note to Pastor Tim in the final days of his life. He’s walking the Green Mile on Death Row deep inside Caesar’s Supermax (2Tim 1:15; 2:9; 4:6-7). He’s rapidly writing down his final instructions for the young preacher after he’s gone (2Tim 2:1-4:5) as well as hoping for one final visit (2Tim 4:9, 21). In light of that, Paul has no reason to sugarcoat the situation. Let’s cut to the chase. We need to be very clear about will eventually go down.
The writer of this letter clearly wants his protege’s full and undivided attention for what comes next. “But understand this” (v1). It’s his way of grabbing him by the shoulders and giving him a shake. This is important. VERY important. Don’t miss this. Hello, McFly! Paul uses the word “understand” (Gr. γινωσκω/ginosko) which describes an intimate knowledge through personal experience. That’s why it’s also a biblical euphemism for sexual intimacy (Mt 1:18, 25; Lk 1:34).
This verb paints a picture of such a deep and personal experience of something that you can be totally sure about it. Jesus told His followers, “You will know (Gr. γινωσκω/ginosko) the truth, and the truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32). Once we experience the reality of God’s truth, we’ll never be a prisoner to our own sin again. In a prayer to His Heavenly Dad, our Savior said this firsthand knowledge of God as the key to life with Him forever. “This is eternal life, that they know (Gr. γινωσκω/ginosko) You the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom You have sent” (Jn 17:3).
Check out how the various translators of the NT handle the opening phrase of verse one.
“This know also” (KJV)
“But mark this” (NIV)
“But realize this” (NASB)
“But know this” (NKJV)
“But be certain of this” (BBE)
“You should also know this” (NLT)
“But understand this” (AMP)
“Don’t be naive” (The Message)
Each translation different but with all the same idea. Paul wants our full and undivided attention. We can be absolutely sure of this. Take it to the bank. It’s a stone cold, lead pipe lock. A true no doubter. You’ve heard of the Five Day Forecast. Well, the apostle is releasing his Last Days Forecast. And he says there’s no wiggle room in what’s to come. There’s 100% chance of danger.
So just exactly are these “last days” the writer is talking about? We don’t need to get into the weeds on Bible prophecy, bust out all sorts of crazy charts with blood moons, or play a rousing game of “Pin the Tail on the Antichrist.” Let’s just simplify things. Paul’s talking about the period of time after Jesus’ first appearance on Earth and the day He makes His spectacular encore.
In both the Old Testament, this is one of prophets’ favorite phrases in describing the thrilling conclusion of God’s grand story. Evil is punished (Jer 23:20). Heaven on earth returns. The good guys win.(Is 2:2: Jer 49:39; Ezek 38:16; Hos 3:5; Mic 4:1). Or rather, the Good Guy wins! You DO realize Jesus wins, don’t you? If not, go ahead and take a peak at the end of story. It’s okay. I promise.
Let’s move on to the NT. In Peter’s famous first sermon at Pentecost, he quotes Joel the prophet quoting God Himself. “And in the last days it shall be, God declares that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams” (Acts 2:16-17). Later in one of his own letters, Pete lets us know how “scoffers will come in the last days” and laugh at folks for following Jesus while the follow their own self-destructive lifestyles (2Pet 3:3).
James talks about how we can actually make investments in our spiritual 401k before his big Brother comes back. “You have laid up treasure in the last days” (James 5:3). The writer of Hebrews uses this phrase when describing all the different ways God has communicated with people throughout history. “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, Whom He appointed the heir of all things, through Whom also He created the world” (Heb 1:1-2).
“The last days” is a very important reminder that God’s story isn’t finished. The frat boys from “Animal House” were wrong. It’s not over until HE says it’s over! You can bet it’s going to get worse before it gets better. But the Author of the story has it all under control. Jesus is THE Hero of THE Story. He’s the Rescuer that God promised to send all throughout the OT. All the way back in the garden (Gen 3:15). To Abram (Gen 12:1-3). To his son Isaac (Gen 26:3). To his grandson Jacob (Gen 28:13-15). To Moses (Ex 24:7-8). To David (2Sam 7:9-16). Jesus Himself makes the incredible claim that the entire Hebrew Bible is all about Him (Lk 24:27; Jn 5:39, 46).
Jesus may have headed home to Heaven but God is still writing His incredible story. I know it sounds crazy but He’s inviting you and me to be a part of it! Now, don’t get me wrong. We’re NOT the Hero. He wrote that part specifically for His Son. But we get to play a part in the Greatest Story the universe will ever hear.
Meanwhile back in Paul’s second letter to Timothy, the apostle gets specific about what’s going down in these last days. “There will be times of difficulty” (v1). Not “may be.” Not “might be.” Not “there’s a chance of.” There’s absolutely no wiggle room here in what will happen. No need to consider any other possibilities. We’re talking about a 100% chance. There. Will. Be.
So we know it’s coming but just what exactly are these “times of difficulty” (v1) we need to get ready for? “Difficulty” doesn’t sound so bad. Maybe I’m just going to lose my car keys. Maybe the boss is going to need me to work a weekend or two. Maybe I’m going to seriously crave Chick-Fil-A on a Sunday. I mean, I can handle THAT kind of difficulty.
Oh, if that’s ONLY what Paul is talking about! Let’s just say I don’t think our good friends at the ESV did us any favors here. The original Greek word here is χαλεπος (chalepos). This is worse than simply being inconvenienced. A LOT worse! This term is talking about big trouble. It means something violent, fierce, perilous, dangerous, painful, severe, savage, miserable, or angry.
The choice of “difficulty” seems to soft sell it just a wee bit. It only shows up one other time in the Bible and that appearance seems to back this up. Matthew uses the same word uses to describe the savage and violent nature of two demon-possessed dudes who terrorized a local cemetery. This demonic duo was “so fierce (Gr. χαλεπος/chalepos) that no one could pass that way” (Mt 8:28).
So the apostle’s words to Timothy here remind me of that classic scene from “Rocky III.” Just before his rematch with Balboa, a TV reporter asks Clubber Lang (played by the one and only Mr. T!) for a prediction to the fight. Clubber turns his eyes straight into the camera and answers in a single word. “Pain.” Two thousand years before Sylvester Stallone started his never-ending franchise, Paul made a similar prediction. “In the last days there will come times of difficulty” (v1). He’s calling for a 100% chance of danger.
The man from Tarsus isn’t exactly going rogue with his forecast. God’s spokesmen have been talking about it for centuries. It’s mega-theme throughout all of Scripture. Things will go from bad to worse. From worse to awful. From awful to terrible. Paul says the very same thing just a little later in this letter (2Tim 3:13; 4:1). Now I don’t know if we’re looking at post-apocalyptic wasteland straight out of “Mad Max” or this is the apostle’s way of describing SkyNet going active in “Terminator.” But one thing is for sure, so buckle up, boys and girls.
Don’t let this prophetic prediction cause you to throw in the towel. As bad as the bad news is, the Good News is even better! Remember what Jesus told His boys just before His own betrayal and murder. “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33). Christ didn’t promise His followers a life full of rainbows, unicorns, and an endless supply of Skittles. This world is full of trouble. Big trouble. But our Great Big God dwarfs any of the crap the world throws our way.
Paul’s calling for 100% chance of danger. But the long-range forecast certainly makes up for it.
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