The "Will" and the "Will Nots" (The Particulars of the Last Days)

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!"  (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

Paul informed Timothy about the character of the last days and then instructed him how to respond. Action must be based on knowledge. The last days began with the ministry of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2) and will continue until He returns. They are called the "last days" because in them God is completing His purposes for His people. Because our Lord has delayed His return, some people scoff at the promise of His coming (2 Peter 3:3), but He will come as He promised. 
In 2 Timothy 3:2-5, Paul lists some nineteen types of evil conduct that will be prominent during the perilous times which will come in the last days prior to the return of Christ. These times require extra dedication to maintain a holy life. 

This list truly describes our time:

1) People will love themselves, more than they love God.

2) People will love money, more than they love God.

3) People will brag.

4) People will be proud.

5) People will say evil things against each other.

6) Children will not obey their parents; will not appreciate what their parents have done for them.

7) People will not be thankful.

8) People will not be the kind of people that God wants them to be.

9) People will not love others.

10) People will refuse to forgive.

11) People will gossip; talk about the personal lives of others.

12) People will not control themselves.

13) People will be cruel.

14) People will hate what is good.

15) People will turn against their friends.

16) People will do foolish things without thinking.

17) People will be conceited; excessively proud of themselves; vain.

18) People will love pleasure instead of God.

19) People will act as if they serve God but will not have God's power.

The Bible teaches this truth: the violence and attitude of the last times is energized by demons (1 Timothy 4:1).

Finally, Paul gave Timothy three instructions to obey during perilous times:
a) Turn away from the false
b) Follow those who are true
c) Continue in God's Word

Contemplation (Philippians 4:8)

What we meditate on and contemplate is the subject of this text.

1) The importance of the thought life

The importance of Paul's exhortation here comes from the great importance of the thought life in a person. We are often not what we think we are, but we are always what we think. We are the product of our thoughts. "As he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). If you do not control your thought life, you will not control your life. Feed material into your mind that produces evil thoughts and you will soon lose control of your life. Someone has said, "Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a destiny." It all begins in the thought life; therefore Paul's exhortations here about your thought life are very important exhortations.

2) The input for the thought life

Paul gives a helpful list of subjects to put into your mind, to contemplate. Follow this text and your thought life will honor God and benefit your life. 

a) First, Honest thoughts. "Whatsoever things are true... honest" (Philippians 4:8). Keep untruth out of your mind. Gossip, propaganda, and false religion needs to put in the trash can. 

b) Second, Holy thoughts. "Whatsoever things are just... pure" (Philippians 4:8). "Just" here means righteous. Holy thoughts keep the mind clean. A dirty mind is a sick mind and will defile you. 

c) Third, Harmonious thoughts. "Lovely" (Philippians 4:8). The meaning of the word translated "lovely" involves harmony. A person needs to have thoughts that promote harmony instead of unnecessary division and schism. 

d) Fourth, Happy thoughts. "Whatsoever things are of good report" (Philippians 4:8). These are not discouraging, depressing thoughts. This does not mean to stick your head into the stand of unreality, but rather to fill your mind with happy thoughts. "Rejoice in the Lord" (Philippians 4:4) will do that. 

e) Fifth, Healthy thoughts. "If there be any virtue" (Philippians 4:8). We speak here of the health of your spiritual life which is more important than the health of your physical body. Dirty books and magazines (things without virtue) do not stimulate healthy thoughts. 

f) Sixth, Heavenly thoughts. "If there be any praise" (Philippians 4:8). This should motivate thoughts of God Who is certainly most worthy of praise. Many things which we praise today are not worthy of praise and will not qualify for the "praise" in this text.

The five principles of Contentment (Philippians 4:10-19)

Philippians 4:10-13 (NKJV)
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 

Five principles of contentment flow from this seemingly mundane conclusion of Paul's letter to the Philippian Church:

1) A contented person is confident in God's providence.

2) A contented person is satisfied with little.

3) A contented person is independent from circumstances.

4) A contented person is strengthened by divine power.

5) A contented person has concern for others.

This simple lesson in contentment may be summarized in five words: faith, humility, submission, dependence, and unselfishness. The preceding virtues characterize all who have learned to be content.