From bad to worse

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 Timothy 3:1

But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. You, however… 2 Timothy 3:13-14a, emphasis added

I’ve heard several Christians say that they don’t like to intercede about current events because they’re concerned they might pray against the will of God. “After all,” they confide, “we’re in the end times. The Bible says that things will go from bad to worse. If we pray for things to change, aren’t we in danger of praying against the plan of God?”

Although a survey of 2 Timothy 3 paints a very stark picture of what to expect in the last days, a closer look also reveals great hope for effective Christian witness and prayer.

Notice the wording of verse 13. Paul wrote that evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse. Often, when I hear Christians discuss our times, they refer to this verse but say it this way: “In the last days, things will proceed from bad to worse.” I understand that thinking; I, too, have said that about the last days. But a beam of hope radiates from the true wording of this thought—it’s the evil men who will proceed from bad to worse according to the Word. The times and culture will only decline because of the ascendency of evil men (stirred up by the devil who knows his time is short). Therefore, since the gospel extends to evil men and women (and gives believers authority to bind and loose in the realm of the spirit), I believe that hope exists for individuals—even evil ones—to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ in the last days.

But get real, I can hear someone saying. Can evil men and women really be saved in the end times?

We know that the apostle Paul wrote that such people will proceed from bad to worse, but does that indicate that once the last days have arrived, every single wicked person has lost their opportunity for a saving relationship with Jesus?

As long as the Church is alive on the earth, we remain in an age of grace. Therefore, I believe that as long as an individual has a heartbeat and can breathe, the Word extends hope for their salvation. We know for certain from both the Old Testament and New that God takes no delight in the death and eternal damnation of the wicked. Ezekiel, by the Spirit of God, said, “Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the Lord God, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?’” (Ezekiel 33:11.)

Likewise, the apostle Paul wrote, “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time” (1 Timothy 2:3-6).

The fact that evil men and women will proceed from bad to worse in the last days does not negate the depth of God’s love for them or the fact that the Lord Jesus died on the cross for each one of them. But His love—demonstrated in the Lord’s sacrificial death on their behalf—does not guarantee their salvation. Evil men and women—just like you and me when we were dead in our sins—must acknowledge their sin and need of salvation, turn to God through faith in Jesus, and repent of their evil ways. It’s always been that way in the age of grace, and as long as we live in this age, it will continue to be this way.

Remember the story of the man who tossed stranded starfish back into the ocean? The starfish were not universally saved; but several were due to the compassionate efforts of the man. In a similar way, in the last days, many evil souls will remain marooned in their sins, going from bad to worse. But due to the prayer, compassion, and bold witness of faithful believers (combined with the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit), there will be men and women—including some shockingly antagonistic ones (think Saul of Tarsus)—who will come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will (see 2 Timothy 2:26).

Sure, many evil men and women will proceed from bad to worse. But you, however, are in Christ; you have access to the Father; you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit; you are covered by the blood of Jesus; and you wield the Sword of the Spirit. And like that beachcombing man whose act of compassion meant salvation for many starfish, you, too, by prayer, the Word of God, and direction from the Holy Spirit will be able to launch rescue missions for human “starfish” stranded on the beach of their sins—whether one at a time or by dozens or hundreds, by thousands or millions or billions.

You were born for such a time—and assignment—as this.

Dorothy

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. 2 Thessalonians 2:7

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

…with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:25, 26