The Scriptures foretell that the time before the prophesied End of Days would be “perilous” (χαλεπός) and full of moral depravity: “Understand this, that in the last days perilous times (καιροὶ χαλεποί) shall come” (2 Tim. 3:1). In the entire New Testament, the only other place we find this word translated “perilous” (i.e., χαλεπός) is in Matthew 8:28, where it describes savage demonic activity. Indeed, the word likely comes from a Greek verb (χαλάω) that means “to let down from a higher place to a lower,” thereby creating a sort of spiritual “chasm” or rift, which again suggests that Satan’s activity will be unleashed upon the earth. In the “End of Days,” then, a wave of fierce demonic activity will appear upon the earth that will menace and terrorize others. If you can stomach reading the daily news, you will see that this peril is a regular feature of our world today.
Are we then to be in dread of these things? No. “There is no fear in God’s love” (φόβος οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ). God gives truth and grace to help us navigate our difficult situation; he understands the character of the times in which we live… Notice that the Greek word translated “times” in the phrase “perilous times” (καιροὶ χαλεποί) is also translated “appointed times” (מוֹעֲדִים) throughout the Scriptures. In other words, God has appointed this time to be one of judgment upon the world system, and we are here forewarned so that we can speak the truth and offer healing to others who seek deliverance… The Lord will never leave us nor forsake us; He will shelter us in Goshen (גּשֶׁן, lit. “drawing near”) before the hour of his wrath; He will walk with us through the waters, and through the fires (Isa. 43:2). Our Lord knows how to calm the storms around us…
Hebrew Lesson:
We must use godly discernment regarding to whom we should listen and accept as a valid authority. The latest “news” and gossip of this evil world is inherently deceptive, a carefully crafted dialectic of social engineering devised by Satan that is intended to divide people into warring factions in order to enslave them to their fears. We are not to follow the madness of the crowd or be victims of such devices (1 Pet. 5:8-9). Indeed the “news” of this world is a lie, collectively considered, since it (i.e., the script writers of the major news outlets) illicitly assume that there is no God, there is no salvation in Messiah, no judgment to come, etc., and that people are therefore helpless and must rely on their own devices…
The irony in all of this is that there is indeed a “dialectic” of the Spirit in motion, a dialectic that will make the various conflicts of this world look like a “tempest in a teapot” in comparison. The great day of the LORD approaches, and the elements will all be burned with fervent heat, as it is written: “But the Day of the LORD (יוֹם־יְהוָה) will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a horrific roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and every deed done on it will be laid bare” (2 Pet. 3:10). As was also foretold in our prophets: “Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed” (Isa. 51:6). Instead of giving credence to the fearmongering and propaganda of this godless and insane world, we must follow the LORD God Almighty and to submit to His leadership despite the madness that surrounds us. Amen, and may God give us greater grace and wisdom for these desperate days…
Hebrew Lesson:
