[Steve Myers] The NAACP is holding their convention this week, and their President Benjamin Jealous described the events have been happening in America with the Trayvon Martin case as signs that African Americans face times of great peril, and that was his quote. Certainly there are challenges in our country today, but not only those issues are faced by just one single group.

The Bible talks about these perilous times as facing the entire world. In fact, notice what the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy chapter 3. There he describes what the characteristics would be like in the end days. Here's what he says, "In the last days perilous times will come." So we begin to see this is for everyone. "For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents." Now this list goes on and on. And it's interesting as you listen to these words, think for a moment, does this describe our society? Does this describe the culture that we live in today? Listen to these words. He says that, "Men will be unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving." You see, I think these words are descriptive of the kind of society that we live in, the perilous times that we all live in. He goes on to say, "Headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" (2 Timothy 3:1-5). Look up this section in 2 Timothy 3 because it goes on and on and describes these perilous times, these last days that we live in. In fact, he goes on and describes the fact that we are going to face difficulties, every one of us. He says, verse 12, "All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12).

This society will have an impact on us, but ultimately as we strive to live God's way, Paul goes on to describe the ultimate conclusion of the matter. He describes the next chapter over in chapter 4:8, he says, "Finally, there's laid up for me a crown of righteousness." So as we strive to follow God's way, as we are persecuted for righteousness sake, he says there is a reward as we look forward to the return of Christ. He says, "The Lord, the righteous judge" (2 Timothy 4:8).

We don't have to live in these perilous times anymore when the righteous judge returns. He says that the righteous judge Jesus Christ will give him that crown of righteousness on that day. And he says not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. And so that's the day we look forward to as we struggle and we have stress in the society today. We live in these perilous times. We strive to live righteously as we look forward to the return of that righteous judge. He will come, and in that day, that day when He ushers in the Kingdom of God right here on earth. We can look forward to that time and love His appearing. And in that day there will be righteousness. There will be justice, and we can look forward to that day of Jesus Christ.

That's BT Daily. We'll see you next time.