PFHL Course 406-- Challengers in the Last Days and the Solution
 
Directions:  Write an essay about how you personally relate or have experienced the following Bible verses.  Use a style as if you are trying to warn a new Christian.  This assignment is worth 2 units, so write at least 2 quality pages (single spaced lines and no redundancies).
 
2 Timothy 3:1-5 & 15-17
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,
                  incontinent,
                  fierce,
                  despisers of those who are good,
4                traitors,
                  heady,
                  high-minded,
                  lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God,
5                              having a form of Godliness,                      
                                    but denying the power thereof:
                       from such turn away.
15   And that from a child you have known the holy Scriptures,
           which are able to make you 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 furnished
                              unto all good works.
Direct and Implied Commandments to True Christians
   Found in Contexts Mentioning Christ`s Second Coming
 
Note: Try to see the links between the verses and determine the reasons why they are in the order they are in.  Also try to determine the reasons why each line is indented in the position it is.  Look for relationships of coordinate and subordinate ideas.  Finally, there are reasons why some words/phrases are in bold print and some words/phrases are underlined.  You could use this study for a spiritual inventory of your lifestyle.
 
1.)     “Now the just shall live by faith.
                But if anyone shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him or her."
                But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed,
                       but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.”  [Hebrews 10:38 & 39]
2.)     “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.
              It teaches us
                  to say 'No` to ungodliness and worldly passions, and
                  to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
                     while we wait for the blessed hope-
                         the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
                              Who gave Himself for us
                                     to redeem us from all wickedness and
                                     to purify for Himself a people that are His very own,
                                          eager to do what is good.”   [Titus 2:11-14]
3.)     “Nevertheless, in keeping with His promise
                 we are looking forward to a new Heaven
                     and a new Earth, the home of righteousness.
          So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this,
                make every effort to be found
                     spotless,
                     blameless and
                     at peace with Him.”   [2 Peter 3:13 &14]
4.)     “But since we belong to the day,
                let us be self-controlled,
                      putting on faith and love as a breastplate,
                           and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”   [1 Thessalonians 5:8]
5.)     “Don't let anyone deceive you in any way,
                 for that day (of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ)
                     will not come until
                          the rebellion (falling away) occurs and
                          the man of lawlessness is revealed,
                              the man doomed to destruction.”   [2 Thessalonians 2:3]
6.)     “The Lord knows how
                to rescue godly people from trials and
                to hold the unrighteous for the Day of Judgment,
                    while continuing their punishment.”   [2 Peter 2:9]
7.)     “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow
                for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
          May He strengthen your hearts
                 so that you will be blameless and holy
                     in the presence of our God and Father
                         when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones.”  
                                                                                         [1 Thessalonians 2:12 & 13]
8.)     “And we urge you, brothers and sisters,
                 warn those who are idle,
                 encourage the timid,
                 help the weak,
                 be patient with everyone.
                Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong,
                       but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.”
                                                                                          [1 Thessalonians 5:14 & 15]
9.)     “But you, dear friends,
                 build yourselves up in your most holy faith and
                 pray in the Holy Spirit.
                 Keep yourselves in God's love
                      as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ
                         to bring you to eternal life.
                Be merciful to those who doubt;
                      snatch others from the fire and save them;
                 to others show mercy,
                      mixed with fear--
                      hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.”   [Jude 20-23]
10.)  “Be joyful always;
           pray continually;
           give thanks in all circumstances,
               for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
          Do not put out the Holy Spirit's fire;
          do not treat prophecies with contempt.
          Test everything.
          Hold on to the good.
          Avoid every kind of evil.”   [1 Thessalonians 5:16-22]
 
Note: Bill Stevenson did this study in of May 1981 after a close friend and fellow staffer in a Christian curriculum development ministry flipped out due to personal stress.  In September 1987 and in February 1998, Bill retyped it and slightly altered it.
Note:   Consider ordering some of the Preparation for Heavenly Living Correspondence School Courses.  I would be glad to fill any requests, no charge (but hopefully, you might want to send an offering for copying/printing and postage expenses determined by how much you are blessed).  Contact me at wls8ger@gmx.de.
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