Last Days Religion (DMM-MAR19)

It seems that some have missed the point of the apostle Paul’s warning about pow- erless religion because they have delayed it to some future last days. He is clear that he is not speaking of some distant future, but the last days that were present then and are present now. Paul was living in the last days of the Old Testament era, as it was being fulfilled in Jesus and his new people. This era officially ended in 70 AD when Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed by Rome. Paul also is aware that the last days of history began with the resurrection of Jesus and would extend until his final consummation. During these last days, the powers of hell would come against the truth of God’s finished work through Jesus, the final sacrifice and reigning king. He spent much time warning the early believers to watch out for the wolves that would come in to devour the freedom of the new believers. The Jewish leaders who rejected Christ were relentless in their efforts to thwart the growth of the people of God. Governments ruled by demonic ideologies tried to marginalize and mock the group they called, “The Way.” We are still in these last days. The battle over the truth of God’s word still rages. Though the authority of the principalities has been stripped by Jesus’ death and resurrection, they seek to dominate by deception. Only the truth as revealed in Christ can displace the lies.