The Old Testament has "at its root is the idea of a holy, spiritual, self-revealing God, the free Creator of the world, and its continual Preserver."

"As correlative to this, and springing out of it, is the idea of man as a being made in God’s image, and capable of moral relations and spiritual fellowship with his Maker; but who, through sin, has turned aside from the end of his creation, and stands in need of Redemption."

"In the heart of the history, we have the idea of a Divine purpose, working itself out through the calling of a special nation, for the ultimate benefit and blessing of mankind."

"God’s providential rule extends over all creatures and events, and embraces all peoples of the earth, near and remote. In view of the sin and corruption that have overspread the world, His government is one of combined mercy and judgment; and His dealings with Israel in particular are preparative to the introduction of a better economy, in which the grace already partially exhibited will be fully revealed."

"The end is the establishment of a kingdom of God under the rule of the Messiah, in which all national limitations will be removed, the Spirit be poured forth, and Jehovah will become the God of the whole earth. God will make a new covenant with His people, and will write His laws by His Spirit in their hearts. Under this happy reign the final triumph of righteousness over sin will be accomplished, and death and all other evils will be abolished."

I say, "let's get to the last chapter." Enough already.

There will be terrible times in the last days.

Check.

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. 2 Timothy 3:2-5

Check, check, check, check, check, check, check, check, check, check, check, check, check, check, check, check, check, check, check.

It is a little frightening that so many of the items on Paul's list are so pronounced in our day. J. C. Ryle was consoled in his day (the 19th century), by reasoning that since these verses are so immediately verifiable proves that Scripture was right.

I believe that the widespread unbelief, indifference, formalism, and wickedness, which are to be seen throughout Christendom, are only what we are taught to expect in God's word.

Troublous times, departures from the faith, evil men waxing worse and worse, love waxing cold, are things directly predicted. So far from making me doubt the truth of Christianity, they help to confirm my faith. Melancholy and sorrowful as the sight is, if I did not see it I should think the Bible was not true.

But the fact that the Bible is true does not lessen the weariness we feel by living in such a world. So, what is our source of hope, with such a bleak prospects for change? C. H. Spurgeon points to the second coming - the Blessed Hope.

Apart from the second Advent of our Lord, the world is more likely to sink into pandemonium than to rise into a millennium. A divine interposition seems to me the hope set before us in Scripture, and, indeed, to be the only hope adequate to the situation. We look to the darkening down of things; the state of mankind, however improved politically, may yet grow worse and worse spiritually.

These words, preached 150 years ago, have a prophetic exactness that more than proves true in our day. Part of Paul's advice to Timothy, words that we should heed as well, is that Timothy would watch over his life, and stay awake, doing all in his power to keep his name from being added to the junkpile of faith.

Paul seems devastated that Demas has defected, and that former co-worker Alexander has now joined the enemy camp. The warning is clear. Timothy, the times are perilous, so watch your life and your doctrine closely.

Here comes 2011. May we have the same confidence that Paul displays as he closes out his second letter to Timothy....

The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Given the day we live in, that's a promise to claim. The return of Christ may happen this year. It could happen! Regardless, let's watch and wait and hope and pray, longing and yearning, with our lamps lit.

Maranatha.

Lord, come soon.