5
Theme: THE END OF THE WICKED
Text: “Now the spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.” – 1 Timothy 4:1, 2.
Comment: The Bible shows clearly that wickedness will multiply in these last days which St. Paul called the “latter times”. It is an age when many people will veer away from the truth and righteousness of God, in an intensive and accelerated manner – to the extent that they do not care what spiritual and physical harm they are doing to people by their devilish teachings and actions. They will be crafty and deceitful but will be hypocritical about it, giving people the impression that they are honest and God-fearing. These perversions and evil practices mean that the consciences of those who do such things are dead. They no longer have human feelings because they are under the control of evil spirits. People of God should pray and strive not to be under Satan’s captivity. (2 Timothy 2:26). We should pray to live up to the standards required of us so as to be like the members of the early Church some of who were commended for non-compromise with immorality, (Revelation 2:20-22), for not tolerating false doctrines and impostors who claimed to be apostles, (Revelation 2:2) for their faith in spite of tribulations; (Revelation 2:9,13,19) and for hating evil deeds. (Revelation 2:6). St. Paul exhorts us thus: “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world”. – Philippians 2:15