1 This know also: that in the last days perilous times shall come.

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

3 without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, without selfcontrol, fierce, despisers of those who are good,

4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God,

5 having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof. From such turn away.

6 For of this sort are those who creep into houses and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth -- men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

9 But they shall proceed no further, for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

11 persecutions, afflictions which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra -- what persecutions I endured. But out of them all, the Lord delivered me.

12 Yea, and all who will live a godly life in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing from whom thou hast learned them,

15 and that from childhood thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

17 that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly equipped for all good works.

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This to me is a powerful chapter.  It sounds like the times we are currently in and yet it also sounds like Paul is telling Timothy that he will be living in the end times.  Whether the trumpet has already sounded as some believe in 70AD or whether they are yet to come, this is sound doctrine that as Christians we should keep in the forefront of our minds.

Periless times, people will claim to be Christians but then not live a Godly life.  Are you prepared to live a true Godly life and not a life that is common in the world today?  It is not easy to put aside the things of the world as we are surrounded by them, but as Christians we must.  If we allow the ways of the world to distract us and corrupt us, we could lose our salvation.

All Christians will suffer with trials, tribulations and persecutions.  Can you except this?  If you are a true Christian, you have to!!

Blessings, Alice