I cannot say this strongly enough, we are living in the last days and Peter in his second letter written just before his crucifixion warns us that we are. He also warns us what our responses must be to these things. A few things will be common as the last days draw to an end, let's take a look at them. "Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.”
2 Peter 3:3-4 NLT. Scoffers will be in abundance making gest of Christianity and the message of salvation. Secondly, there will be a concerted effort to live for the flesh and follow sinful desires. Also, in the last days, false teachers will be in abundance; "But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered.
2 Peter 2:1-2 NLT. A result of this will be the persecution of believers and the censoring of the truth. They will try to shut out the voice of truth by outrightly banning the sharing and teaching of the Bible and Christians practising and sharing their faith will gradually become offensive. "Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.
1 Peter 4:12-14 NLT. These are all signs of the end times. Our response is simple; we must continue to grow in our faith and hold on to our testimonies in Christ Jesus; "In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:5-8 NLT. "And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him—
2 Peter 3:14-15 NLT. Thank you Jesus for the privilege to witness the endtimes.
