The Bible has much to say about the last days, and darkness is a recurring theme in these prophecies. What does Scripture mean when it speaks of darkness in the end times? Let’s explore these warnings and see how they might relate to the world we live in today.
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2 Timothy 3:1
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.”
This verse warns that the last days will be characterized by challenging and difficult circumstances. It implies that darkness will prevail as people stray from God’s ways and embrace sinful behavior.
Matthew 24:12
“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.”
As wickedness spreads in the last days, this verse emphasizes how the warmth of love and compassion will diminish in people’s hearts.
2 Timothy 4:3
“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”
In the last days, people will reject the truth of God’s Word and seek out teachers who cater to their own desires, enabling their sinful lifestyles instead of challenging them to live according to God’s standards.
2 Peter 3:3
“Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.”
Scoffers will arise in the last days, mocking the teachings of God and pursuing their own selfish and wicked desires.
1 Timothy 4:1
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
In the last days, some will turn away from their faith in God and instead follow false teachings inspired by deceiving spirits and demons.
2 Thessalonians 2:3
“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.”
In the last days, there will be a great rebellion against God, and a man of lawlessness, destined for destruction, will be revealed.
Jude 1:18
“They said to you, ‘In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.”
False teachers will emerge in the last days, driven by their ungodly desires, and they will scoff at the truth of God’s Word.
2 Peter 2:1
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.”
False teachers will arise in the last days, spreading destructive teachings and denying the authority of the Lord, leading to their own destruction.
2 Timothy 4:4
“They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
In the last days, people will reject the truth of God’s Word and instead be drawn towards fictional and misleading beliefs.
Matthew 24:37
“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”
This verse suggests that the last days will resemble the days of Noah, characterized by widespread immorality and disregard for God’s commands.
2 Timothy 3:6
“They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires.”
In the last days, there will be manipulative individuals who exploit vulnerable people, particularly women laden with sins, who easily succumb to various wicked desires.
Luke 21:25
“There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.”
This verse suggests that in the last days, cosmic disturbances and the turmoil of nations will bring about widespread fear, confusion, and distress.
2 Thessalonians 2:7
“For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.”
In the last days, there will be a hidden force of lawlessness already at work, yet restrained until the appointed time when it will be unleashed.
Matthew 24:24
“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”
In the last days, false messiahs and prophets will emerge, deceiving people with remarkable signs and wonders, striving to lead even the chosen ones astray.
1 John 2:18
“Dear children, this is the last hour, and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.”
This verse affirms that the last hour has arrived, as indicated by the presence and emergence of numerous antichrists, opposing the true message of Christ.
Matthew 24:22
“If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened.”
If the duration of the last days was not shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones, no one would be able to endure the trials and tribulations that would come upon the earth.
2 Peter 2:2
“Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.”
This verse states that in the last days, many individuals will be influenced by the corrupt behaviors and teachings of others, leading to the discredit of the true path of righteousness.
Matthew 24:26
“So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.”
During the last days, false claims about the presence or location of the Messiah will circulate, but believers are warned not to be deceived or swayed by such statements.
Mark 13:22
“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”
False messiahs and prophets will arise in the last days, performing miraculous deeds to deceive people, aiming to mislead even those who are faithful and chosen by God.
2 Peter 3:5
“But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.”
This verse calls attention to the deliberate ignorance of people in the last days who willingly ignore the fact that God created the heavens and the earth through His powerful word.
Matthew 24:39
“They knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”
This verse draws a parallel between the events leading up to the flood in Noah’s time, where people were unaware until destruction came, and the future coming of Jesus, suggesting that people will be caught unaware when He returns in the last days.
2 Peter 2:17
“These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.”
Describing false teachers in the last days, this verse portrays them as deceptive and empty, like dry springs and swirling mists, destined for the darkest depths of judgment.
Matthew 24:42
“Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”
Believers are urged to remain vigilant and watchful in the last days, uncertain of the exact day when the Lord will return.
2 Peter 3:10
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.”
This verse depicts the sudden and unexpected nature of the Lord’s return in the last days, accompanied by cosmic upheaval and the complete exposure and judgment of all things on earth.
Matthew 24:44
“So, you also must be ready because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
Believers are admonished to always be prepared for the return of Jesus in the last days, as it will occur at an unforeseen hour.
2 Peter 3:8
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”
This verse reminds believers in the last days of God’s different perception of time, encouraging them not to be discouraged by the apparent delay but to trust in His perfect timing.