Title of the message: “The Perilous Generation”
Introduction: What is to be so perilous about living in the perilous generation? What is it that this generation will have to overcome?
I have read the Book of Revelations. I know of the horrors that will ensue following the rapture of the Church. However, “persecution” is not the great concern mentioned by the Apostle Paul in this chapter. It is rather the “temptations” that this generation will have to overcome!
Certainly it seems that Paul is describing here in this text is our current generation. It seems that we are nearing the end of the dispensation of the gentiles. The rapture must be close at hand.
It is the area of the “temptations” that I want to address in this message.
When all of the saints of all time are gathered as one in Heaven, there will certainly be ample time for discussion among the new family members. Certainly one of the topics that will come up time and time again will be, “and in what time frame did you live in while you were alive on planet earth?”
And we will say, “I was in that last generation just prior to the rapture of the Church. I lived in the the generation of men as mentioned by the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy Chapter 3.
The next question will be, “And what difficulties did you have to overcome in your generation of time?”
And that is the subject of the following message!
1. I had to overcome: Being brought up in a Good Family!
Read (2 Tim 3:1,2) This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Note that the persons of this generation had good families, but they were disobedient to their parents. They were unthankful for the blessings of being raised in a godly household.
2. I had to overcome: Living in a Good Community!
Read (2 Tim 3:3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Note that they had good leadership in this text, but this generation “despised those that were good!”
3. I had to overcome: Having the convenience of a Good House!
Read (2 Tim 3:4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Note that the persons in the last generation were “lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.” I picture this person living in a beautiful home with an indoor swimming pool, overlooking a golf course. On Sunday mornings, he had to make a choice between playing golf, or going to Church!
4. I had to overcome: Being a member of a Good Church!
Read (2 Tim 3:5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
This generation had many good Churches in which they could have chosen from. A good Bible preaching Church was on every street corner, but they choose to “deny the power” of the Bible messages that were preached from the pulpit.
5. I had to overcome: Having Good health and Good Looks!
Read (2 Tim 3:6) For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
Every night was a party night. The person in this text, mentioned in this last generation, could have lived a different “fantasy” every night. The girls (or guys) would have catered to their every lust.
6. I had to overcome: A Good Education!
Read (2 Tim 3:7) Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
This last generation prided itself in giving children a good education, but they would suppress the truth from them.
7. I had to overcome: A Good Television Set, Lap Top Computer, and a Satellite Dish Network!
Read (2 Tim 3:13 KJV) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Satan could bombard this generation with every kind of seduction known to mankind!
Conclusion: How did you do it?
As we continue our conversation in Heaven, the person will then ask of you, “how is it that you were able to overcome all of the temptations mentioned in the last generation?”
The answer is the same answer of how every generation became an overcomer:
By taking heed of the Word of God!
(2 Tim 3:14-17) But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
If you will stay in the Word of God, you will stay in love with God!
