November 2021 – Page 2 – Maranatha – Awaiting Christ's Return

Are We in the End Times? Day 3

On November 22, 2021

(2 Ti 3:2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Isn’t today’s picture appropriate for the word, “covetous”? It’s like you are looking out into the world and desiring what it has, doesn’t it? We know this cardinal isn’t doing that but use your mind’s eye 😉

The word “covetous” is very much an indicator that we are in the end times! The minute something new comes out in the world of fashion or technology, lines form in order to purchase it. Look at the latest iPhone releases! Who would imagine paying $1,000 for a cell phone! Or even paying $800 for a pair of sneakers! 😲

Let’s see what we can glean from today’s word. Noah Webster defines the negative aspect of the word covetous as:

COVETOUS, a.

Inordinately desirous; excessively eager to obtain and possess; directed to money or goods, avaricious.

Never has there been $1,000 cell phones in history but we sure have them today. The sad thing is that Christians, as well as the rest of the world, will gladly pay this! Why? This is truly the definition of avaricious! People have the insatiable, inordinate passion for property!

Strong’s Greek word for covetous is:

φιλάργυρος
philarguros
fil-ar’-goo-ros
From G5384 and G696; fond of silver (money), that is, avaricious: – covetous.
Total KJV occurrences: 2

As you can see there are only two occurrences of this Greek word in the New Testament: once in today’s verse and the other is in Luke 16:14:

(Luk 16:13-14) No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (14) And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

It’s interesting to note that the ones who were covetous in Luke 16:14 were the Pharisees! They were the leaders of the Jewish faith! Wow! Furthermore, what did the Pharisees do when they heard they couldn’t serve God and riches? They laughed, ridiculed and mocked Jesus! How applicable is that to the world today??? Today’s world is definitely laughing, ridiculing and mocking Jesus, aren’t they? They may not necessarily all be using words, but their actions certainly do.

Is it any wonder that this action is included in a sign of the end times? Remember, Paul was making a point with Timothy so that he would be able to recognize the signs. Even though the end times didn’t occur in Timothy’s lifetime, it surely is a warning to us! All believers should be honing in on what to expect when Christ will allow the antichrist to usher in the Tribulation. All believers should recognize these signs and know that the end is at the door!

Dear friend, don’t be naive! Be a reader and student of God’s word! Recognize where we are in God’s timing and don’t be deceived.

If you happen to be reading this and are not saved, it is no coincidence. God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Jump to Day 4.

Are We in the End Times? Day 2

By Kate Plourde

On November 19, 2021

In Devotionals, End Times

2 Tim 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

I once read an acronym “JOY” to describe what the believer’s priorities should be: Jesus, Others, You. Priorities based on this acronym will result in “joy” in the Christian’s heart! It used to be that way once upon a time. One only needs to read history books to find out what communities would do when someone’s barn burned to the ground. Everyone would set aside their own chores to help build a new barn for their neighbor. It is a practice that is still done in the Amish communities. Not that I approve of their doctrine, but I applaud their moral compass. They have managed to keep the world out of their daily lives.

The world does not have this desire any longer. They love themselves first and their thoughts are all about being self absorbed. We can see this evidence in the decline of church attendance and the moral decay of believers. But are we taught this in God’s word? No! In fact, quite the oppositie. The bible says:

We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. (1 John 4:19–21)
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt. 22:36–40)

We are taught that our goal is to love God first – it’s not to be our goal to love ourselves.

The world’s idea of self love revolves around doing anything that makes one feel good and look appealing to others. People take “selfies” and post them online for the world to see. Who truly cares? They go to the gym so they can have the best built body. They get plastic surgery, tattoos, piercings – all so others notice them. However, that is not what the Bible teaches us.

Is it any wonder that it is one of the signs of the end times? It is the first sign mentioned in 2 Tim. 3:2! We are known as the “me generation” and it is very evident in today’s world.

If you happen to be reading this and are not saved, it is no coincidence. God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Jump to Day 3.

Are We in the End Times? – Day 1

By Kate Plourde

On November 18, 2021

In Devotionals, End Times

2 Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

In the 40+ years that I’ve been saved, I’ve seen such a change in our world. People are no longer tender toward God’s word like they used to be. That’s why I picked today’s topic to be the first new post in this next series on my blog. We are going to cover 2 Timothy 3:1-9.

Granted, one can say that the events described in other parts of Scriptures can depict the times in which they were written. However, Paul goes into much detail in these nine verses.

Paul continues to say to Timothy in verse 13:

(2 Ti 3:13) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

There was a time when the evening news would report facts but in the years of my salvation, I’ve seen the development of the media’s agenda against truth, having been purchased by the rich and powerful. All events today are pointing toward a one-world government. You may think that I am a conspiracy theorist but that’s the furthest thing from the truth. I am going to let the Scriptures prove my point and not the media. God’s words are truth and everything in its prophetic pages will come to past.

(Mat 5:18) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

(Luk 16:17) And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

The Apostle Paul begins this chapter by telling Timothy that perilous times shall come. I’m sure that Christians who lived during Nero’s reign thought they were living in perilous times. However, Paul was being very precise here. Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines it as:

PER’ILOUS, a. Dangerous; hazardous; full of risk; as a perilous undertaking; a perilous situation.

The Greek word for perilous only appears twice in the New Testament: Matthew 8:28 (where it refers to the word fierce) and here in 2 Tim. 3:1 referring to the end times. The word is defined as:

χαλεπός
chalepos
khal-ep-os’
Perhaps from G5465 through the idea of reducing the strength; difficult, that is, dangerous, or (by implication) furious: – fierce, perilous.
Total KJV occurrences: 2

The Greek language has several words to define one English word (examples are “love” and “wine”). But when you see a specific Greek word used only twice in the New Testament, we should be on alert. We should wonder why!

We are to have inquisitive minds when it comes to references like these. Jesus was very careful as to what was to be put in His word. His Holy Spirit’s job was to document God’s word so mankind would have access to it.

(2Pe 1:20-21) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. (22) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

(2Ti 3:16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Therefore, we know that each word, each jot and tittle, is in the Scriptures for a reason. The Lord chose the word “perilous” so that we would pay attention. Its uniqueness is what I’m trying to convey to you. Why do I think we are living in the end times? I believe we are because the world has become fierce, not just in a particular country but all over the earth. Sin is prevalent and is running rampant. The world says that certain sins are now good and good is now sin (example: abortion). Isaiah prophesied of this back in 740-700 BC:

(Isa 5:20) Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

We lived in very dangerous times where neighbors 2343 reporting unvaccinated people to authorities, Covid-19 passports were being implemented in various countries, and people couldn’t travel without one (as in Australia). Have we ever been in this kind of situation – ever? It may have been true in Hitler’s time but not all over the world as it was then. The next pandemic’s framework has been set. This is definitely one of those things that we believers consider “perilous.” The whole world is transitioning and it’s coming to a point where nations will want a global solution to their problems.

So strap yourself in and we will work through each verse and compare that verse with the world’s end-time temperature. It’s not like we can do a lab experiment or run a series of tests. But what we do have is God’s word and it is never wrong.

If you happen to be reading this and are not saved, it is no coincidence. God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Jump to Day 2.

Single or Married

By Kate Plourde

On November 16, 2021

In Single or Married

Are you thinking of getting married? Have you met the man that you’re certain is the one that the Lord selected for you? Are you going into marriage with the thought that it is a permanent one and not one where you can get a divorce? These are all questions that you should ask yourself before you move forward. Too many women are in love with the idea of marriage and don’t stop to think there will be repercussions.

This is a devotional originally written in 2007 and is geared specifically toward these unmarried women who are seeking to be married. It comes from a different perspective since I was saved after I was married. It also reveals the difficulties of being married to someone who isn’t saved.

I pray you are blessed!

1 Cor. 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Month: November 2021

Are We in the End Times? Day 3

Are We in the End Times? Day 2

Are We in the End Times? – Day 1

Single or Married