“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.... And the earth was filled with violence.” Gen. 6:5-11.
Note.—In a sermon delivered at Savannah, Ga., Dec. 2 1912, Bishop A. W. Wilson (Methodist) said: “Old Rome in her worst days never harbored such conditions of vice as are prevalent in our highest social circles. Never at any period of the world's history has the moral stratum been so thin or so low.”
3. How did Paul characterize the last days?
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” 2 Tim. 3:1.
4. What did he say would make those times perilous?
“For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than [pg 348] lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” Verses 2-5.
5. Are things to grow better or worse before the Lord comes?
“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” Verse 13.
Note.—“Even to the end of time there will still be occasion for the same complaint; the world will grow no better, no, not when it is drawing toward its period. Bad it is, and bad it will be, and worst of all just before Christ's coming.”—Matthew Henry, on Luke 18:8.
6. According to the parable of the wheat and the tares, how long are the good and bad to remain together?