If you read the second letter that Paul wrote to Timothy, starting from chapter 3, verses 1\u20139, you will notice how Paul begins by explaining to Timothy the events that would occur in the last days. He starts by saying:<\/p>\n
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come” (2 Timothy 3:1, ESV).<\/p>\n
Ask yourself: why did he say this? Paul said it because he foresaw a wave of people who would appear godly outwardly\u2014those who seem like servants of God\u2014but internally deny His power, leading many astray.<\/p>\n
These people will only appear in the last days. They seem like servants of God and may even lead people in what appears to be truth, but behind the scenes, they reject the power of God.<\/p>\n
So, what is this \u201cpower of God\u201d?<\/p>\n
The Bible tells us:<\/p>\n
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18, ESV).<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, Paul calls the Gospel the \u201cpower of God\u201d (Romans 1:16). The Gospel that focuses on the redemption through the cross, bringing people to repentance, forgiveness of sins, and salvation\u2014that is where God\u2019s power truly lies.<\/p>\n
Nowhere does the Bible say that God\u2019s power resides in wealth, business, or magnificent buildings. Those things cannot grant eternal life. People of this nature will rise within the church, pretending to preach the Gospel, but they focus on their own agendas, ignoring repentance and the true power of salvation.<\/p>\n
Some may even encourage religious rituals, such as reading rosaries or performing prayers for the dead, but when asked if they themselves are saved, they confess ignorance. Imagine a person like that\u2014how will they enter heaven? They follow leaders who appear godly but deny God\u2019s power.<\/p>\n
Paul likens such people to Jannes and Jambres, who opposed Moses in the wilderness:<\/p>\n
“Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and reprobate concerning the faith. But they will not make further progress, for their folly will be evident to all, as theirs also was” (2 Timothy 3:8\u20139, NKJV).<\/p>\n
Jannes and Jambres were Pharaoh\u2019s magicians, performing signs to oppose God\u2019s messenger. The difference between them and Moses was not miracles\u2014they could perform signs too\u2014but the difference was the message. Moses came with the message of liberation:<\/p>\n
“Thus says the Lord, let my people go, that they may serve Me.”<\/p>\n
The magicians, however, had no message except to oppose and entertain Pharaoh\u2019s court. Similarly, today, someone might perform miracles or signs but have no message of deliverance from sin\u2014they are modern-day Jannes and Jambres, servants of Satan.<\/p>\n
Paul warns that these are the very people appearing in perilous times. Examine your own spiritual life: have you grown closer to God? Are your relationships with Him deepening? If not, you may be under the influence of these modern Jannes and Jambres.<\/p>\n
Moreover, these deceivers prevent people from turning to Christ and seeking holiness. They create distraction through signs and wonders, yet neglect teaching the truth of repentance.<\/p>\n
Remember:<\/p>\n
“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on… their works follow them” (Revelation 14:13, ESV).<\/p>\n
Your wealth, religious leader, or worldly success will not accompany you\u2014only your works matter. If your leader has guided you towards worldly pursuits instead of heavenly treasures, you alone will face your works at judgment.<\/p>\n
Paul encourages us to test ourselves:<\/p>\n
“Examine yourselves, whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?\u2014unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Corinthians 13:5, NKJV).<\/p>\n
Do not wait until death to realize the wrong path. Awake from spiritual sleep and correct your life:<\/p>\n
“Awake, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light” (Ephesians 5:14, NKJV).<\/p>\n
Maranatha!<\/p>\n
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