In the Last Days Scoffers will Come
Scoffer in the New Testament comes from the Greek noun empaiktes. Empaiktes means; derider, false teacher, mocker, scoffer.
In the organized church, there are a few who deny outright the fact of the Second Coming of Christ. However, while most pastors, teachers and elders would not be so bold to say they deny the Second Coming, they do deny it by their actions. They deny what Christ says and Scripture teaches by avoiding the topic of the Second Coming. After all it was Jesus Himself who commanded us to keep watch for His return, and most are not.
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch (Matthew 24:42-43).
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour (Matthew 25:13).
When Jesus said, therefore keep watch, did he mean we should watch for His return once in a while or occasionally? No, He said to, keep watch which means to maintain a watch, or watch continuously.
"Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).
Today, the organized church chooses to avoid this key doctrinal topic of the Gospel. Why is that? Is it because they dont believe it? By ignoring this command of Christ to keep watch they are scoffing at the Second Coming. This is both unbelief and disobedience to the Word of God. Is your church teaching about the Second Coming? Why not? Are you reading your Bible? Why not?
Let's read and understand about scoffers in the last days.
First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers [empaiktes] will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 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. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 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 in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat (2 Peter 3:3-12).
But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers [empaiktes] who will follow their own ungodly desires." These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 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. To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy-- to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen (Jude 1:17-25).
It would appear that the scoffers have their own agenda for scoffing at the Second Coming.
Be aware, that proclaiming a Gospel without teaching about the Second Coming is proclaiming half-truths. Half-truth is no truth! Do not be deceived, read the Bible and keep watch!
Now, is the proper time to give the Church their food.
Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? (Matthew 24:45)
Compare these prophecies about scoffers in the last days.
Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you (Acts 13:40-41).
Paul quotes from the prophet Habakkuk, below. This prophecy in Habakkuk has not yet been fulfilled. Perhaps it is a prophecy for our time.
Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted. "Look at the nations and watch-- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwelling places not their own (Habakkuk 1:4-6).
Richard H Perry
