"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel... By which also ye are saved... unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

In the apostle Paul's second letter to Timothy, he writes of the worldwide moral disintegration that would befall the church in the last days. This was the last warning by Paul to the church, and in much detail he described the self-centered humanistic behavior that would characterize mankind which we can evidently see worsening (v.13) year by year. This would be one of the signs in the last days before the return of Christ. The primary cause of this moral disintegration within the church is the rejection of the Word of God and a love of pleasure.

The command "thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might" (Deuteronomy 6:5) would take second place behind the love of self, with mankind "fulfilling the desires of the flesh" (Ephesians 2:3), rather than submitting to the will of God. They would be "lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God". The phrase "lovers of pleasure" comes from the Greek word "philedonos" and is only mentioned once in the Bible. That word is derived from two Greek Words "philos" , which is always translated "friend", and "hedone" which is translated either "pleasure" or "lust". Hence we have the term "lovers of pleasure", or "friend of lust".

This Greek word hedone (pleasure, lust) is mentioned five times in the New Testament and is found first in the parable of the sower. The seed that was sown among the thorns are they who have heard the Word of God, and "when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures (Gr. hedone) of this life , and bring no fruit to perfection" (Luke 8:14). Paul wrote to Titus saying, "For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures (Gr. hedone)" (Titus 3:3). Being the servant of pleasure was to be a characteristic of the old nature that we were to have "put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts" (Ephesians 4:22). And was to find no place in the "new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:24).

Peter uses this word (Gr. hedone ) in his chapter on false prophets and teachers, who would be "among you" (2 Peter 2:1) , saying that they are "selfwilled" (2 Peter 2:10), who "count it pleasure (Gr. hedone ) to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you " (2 Peter 2:10). When by being among the Christians in the holy banquets which the Church keeps, they would seem by that to be true members of the Church, yet they are indeed but blots on the Church, who are not only polluted themselves, but such as defile others. They spent the day of their life in their pleasures, placing their happiness in present enjoyments, having "forsaken the right way" (v. 15), being unmindful of a future judgment and an eternal state.

James says that the lust of pleasure leads to wars. "From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts (Gr. hedone ) that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts (Gr. hedone ) . Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" (James 4:1-4).

Perhaps we can remember in 1990 when Saddam Hussein looked down upon the indefensible jewel of Kuwait, and he lusted after it thinking to make it his own. His lust for power and wealth he thought he could increase by taking what was not his by force, to build up his empire, and many in the process perished because of one mans lust.

But Paul wrote Timothy about lovers of pleasure within the church. It is sad to say that only 23% of Canadians attend church on Sundays. We only need to compare the number in attendance at church on Sunday with those on pleasure outings to see that we are indeed living in the perilous times that Paul described. It is even sadder to say of that 23%, how many are hearing the gospel? Today, the glorious gospel of God is not heard in most churches.

The end result of those who do assemble on Sunday are "one hour a week Christians" who spend the rest of the day and week ignoring Christ, spending no time witnessing to the lost, studying the Bible, praying, and living for Christ rather than self. They find no time for Christ for they are caught up in the world with all its programs and all the pleasures it has to offer. The fact of the matter is that they do "not like to retain God in their knowledge" (Romans 1:28), so the end result is a "Christian" nation having "a form of godliness but denying the power thereof" (2 Timothy 3:5).

Today the modes of entertainment are legion. These forms of amusement may make you feel good for a while, they may titillate you for a season, but in the end you will be disappointed. Whether it is sports, or the theatre and concerts, or television and games, dream vacations and various events of all sorts, if you be given to them they will all very subtly turn your affections away from the Lord. May we say like David, "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me." (Psalm 101:3)

The focus for many today is on retirement, "freedom 55" as one advertisement suggests, so that we can "kick back and enjoy life" and "say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry" (Luke 12:19). The attitude of the world is, "let us heap up treasure for the golden years". But as one man said, who recently retired but thereafter was smitten with a deadly cancer, "those golden years are fools gold", and he died the next day.

The world is concerned with things, but "the kingdom of God is not meat and drink" (Romans 14:17). Physical indulgences have no place in it. The song of the day is "take me out to the ball game", rather than "teach me the Bible and how to pray". Never before has there been so much leisure time and so much money spent in order to provide pleasure. The apostle Paul wakes us up to the reality of this lifestyle saying, "But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth" (1 Timothy 5:6).

Leisure time was in part the sins that led to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah for they spent that time filling up their own lusts. "Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride , fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good" (Ezekiel 16:49-50).

Idle hands are the devils tools for mischief and many are assisted these days by the governments unemployment and welfare programs to sit back and wait for the check to come in, and thereby many "learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not." (1 Timothy 5:13) The Bible clearly says, you don't work you don't eat. "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread" (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12).

In the beginning, man was commanded "Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work" (Exodus 20:9). "Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening" (Psalm 104:23), "but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD" (Exodus 35:2). God ordained a six-day workweek to commemorate the six days He worked in the beginning, "for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth" (Exodus 31:17). These days, mans dawn to dusk, six day work week has given way to a four or five day, 40 hour work week leaving him much time for play and recreation.

The plain where Sodom was situated was "well watered every where" (Genesis 13:10) and was like the Garden of Eden. The fertile plain produced an abundance of crops supplying them with the "fullness of bread" , which was a "gift of God" (Ecclesiastes 5:19). Undoubtedly, those bumper crops reduced the time required to labor in the fields leaving them with an "abundance of idleness" which could have been used to "strengthen the hand of the poor and needy" but instead was used to commit abomination before the Lord. Perhaps this could be likened to the church of the last days, just before "the Son of man is revealed" , for we are told "as it was in the days of Lot … so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man … they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded" (Luke 17:26-30).

The church having comfortably settled into this world says, "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing" , but the reply of Jesus is that they "knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (Revelation 3:17). The fullness of bread could have been regarded as a blessing for Sodom. But "when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened" (Romans 1:21). Instead it became iniquity, which God judged.

Luke reminds us to "Remember Lot's wife" (Luke 17:32). Although she was very near to Lot and seemed to have passed out of all reach of judgment, her heart was in the city to which she looked back, and she heeded not the admonition of God's messengers. They were told "Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed." (Genesis 19:17) "But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt." (v. 26) Jesus said, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62)

We are told "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:2). Let us not be deceived. Where is your affection? Is it "above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God" ? Or is it on this earth? Is your "delight … in the law of the LORD" (Psalm 1:2)? Or is your "delight in the frowardness of the wicked" (Proverbs 2:14), and your "pleasure in them that do them" (Romans 1:32)?

Today many may be churchgoers and may be close to other Christians, but let me ask, where is your heart? Is it yet in Sodom? Those like Lot's wife may profess, but do not posses the genuine experience of saving faith in Christ. They may be "attenders" but are really just "pretenders". Jesus said, "broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat" (Matthew 7:13). Many will come to Him on the day of judgment and say "Lord, Lord" , but He will "profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:23)

If our hope and affections has been centered upon earthly things, we will be found seeking them even in the hour of judgment as Lot's wife. God turned "the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes [and] condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly" (2Peter 2:6). That is, an example for all who would identify with Christianity but yet live, act, walk, and talk like the world. The admonition to us all is "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves" (2 Corinthians 13:5). For "the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men" (2 Peter 3:7).

"Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked." (Psalm 26:1-5)

Satan's Throne

As Christianity continued to embrace the world, Jesus told the church at Pergamos, "I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is". Where is Satan's throne? First, let us remember what Jesus said regarding his kingdom, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36), but He gave us an example to pray, "thy kingdom come thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven" (Mt. 6:10). Today Christ is seated at the right hand of His Father till his enemies are made his footstool, and we can be sure that this prayer shall be answered when Christ returns as He promised.

In the mean time, the Bible tells us "the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not" (2 Corinthians 4:4), and that it is "Satan, which deceiveth the whole world" (Revelation 12:9). He is the "prince of the power of the air" who "as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour."

We are told, " be not conformed to this world " (Romans 12:2), for "the whole world lieth in wickedness" (1John 5:19), and "that the works thereof are evil." (John 7:7) Therefore we are reminded, "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life (world) ; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier" (2 Timothy 2:4).

A church that calls itself Christian and yet courts alliance with the godless system of this world commits spiritual adultery. The apostle James says, "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God ? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God ." (James 4:4) Jesus said, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." (John 15:18,19)

Therefore, " Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world . If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15) It is Jesus "who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world , according to the will of God and our Father" (Galatians 1:4) "Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world , according to the prince of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2).

I believe we can safely say that Satan's throne for the time being is on planet Earth. He is "the prince of this world" . (John 12:31) When Satan offered the kingdoms of this world to Christ (Mt. 4:8-10), I believe he could rightly do so. When Adam sinned he sold out his right to the rulership and dominion of this world that God had given him, somewhat like when Esau sold his birthright for a pot of porridge to Jacob.

Christ said, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). During the tribulation we find an angel who pours "out his vial upon the seat of the beast ; and his kingdom was full of darkness." (Rev. 16:10) Another angel sounded, and there were great voices from heaven saying, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever." (Rev. 11:15)

Jesus Christ is indeed going to set up his kingdom on this earth and reign forever, but His kingdom is yet to be manifested on this earth. For now, He is gone "into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return." (Luke 19:12) One day he will return and sit upon the throne of his father David. When He sits upon the throne He will "put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet." (1Cor. 15:24-25) May our focus be on Jesus Christ and His coming, and not preoccupied with the things of this world, which amount to nothing for Christ and His kingdom.

If we could learn from history, we would see that trying to mix Christianity with the world system, results in apostate Christianity. If only Christendom could see, that getting involved with the affairs of this world, only result in the Christian becoming more like the world, not the other way around. The Apostle Paul would tell the carnal Corinthians, "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame" (1Cor. 15:33-34). Is that not always a problem in the church, that we "have not the knowledge of God" ? That we spend far too much time entertaining ourselves rather than in the study of God's Word and hiding it in our heart that we might not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11)?

Nevertheless, all throughout history there was always a faithful remnant who would stand up for the truth of the gospel and counted themselves as "strangers and pilgrims on the earth", who "desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city." (Hebrews 11:13,16) Abraham, the father of the faithful, did not look to this world for a kingdom. "By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." (Hebrews 11:8-10) The Bible tells us that " we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18) When the saints go marching in, will you be found in that number?

From 100 Years Ago

Even a hundred years ago this pleasure-seeking trend that is consuming this generation, was seen and observed to be out of hand. The following excerpt is taken in part from the book, "Thoughts for Young Men" by J. C. Ryle (1816-1900).

Youth is the time when our passions are strongest,---and like unruly children, cry most loudly for indulgence. Youth is the time when we have generally most health and strength; death seems far away, and to enjoy ourselves in this life seems everything. Youth is the time when most people have few earthly cares or anxieties to take up their attention. And all these things help to make young people think of nothing so much as pleasure. "I serve lusts and pleasures:" that is the true answer many a young people should give, if asked, "Whose servant are you?"

Young people, time would fail me if I were to tell you all the fruits this love of pleasure produces, and all the ways in which it may do you harm. Why should I speak of reveling, feasting, drinking, gambling, theater-going, dancing, and the like? Few are to be found who do not know something of these things by bitter experience. And these are only instances. All things that give a feeling of excitement for the time,---all things that drown thought, and keep the mind in a constant whirl,---all things that please the senses and gratify the flesh;---these are the sort of things that have mighty power at your time of life, and they owe their power to the love of pleasure. Be on your guard. Be not like those of whom Paul speaks, "Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God" (2 Tim 3:4).

Remember what I say: if you would cleave to earthly pleasures,---these are the things which murder souls. There is no surer way to get a seared conscience and a hard impenitent heart than to give away to the desires of the flesh and mind. It seems nothing at first, but it tells in the long run.

Consider what Peter says: "Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul" (1 Peter 2:11). They destroy the soul's peace, break down its strength, lead it into hard captivity, and make it a slave.

Consider what Paul says: "Mortify your members which are upon the earth" (Col. 3:5). "They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with its affections and lusts" (Gal. 5:24). "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection" (1Cor. 9:27). Once the body was a perfect mansion of the soul;---now it is all corrupt and disordered, and needs constant watching. It is a burden to the soul,---not a helpmeet; a hindrance,---not an assistance. It may become a useful servant, but it is always a bad master.

Consider, again, the words of Paul: "Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof" (Rom 13:14)....

Remember, again, if you will cleave to earthly pleasures, they are all unsatisfying, empty, and vain....

Go and take your fill of earthly pleasures if you will;---you will never find your heart satisfied with them .... There is an empty place there [in the heart], which nothing but God can fill. You will find, as Solomon did by experience, that earthly pleasures are but a vain show,---vanity and vexation of spirit,---whited sepulchers, fair to look at without, full of ashes and corruption within. Better be wise in time. Better write "poison" on all earthly pleasures. The most lawful of them must be used with moderation. All of them are soul-destroying if you give them your heart. "Pleasure," says Adams on Second Peter, "must first have the warrant, that it be without sin;---then the measure, that it be without excess."

And here I will not shrink from warning all young people to remember the seventh commandment: to beware of adultery and fornication, of all impurity of every kind. I fear there is often a want of plain speaking on this part of God's law. But when I see how prophets and Apostles have dealt with this subject,---when I observe the open way in which the Reformers of our own Church denouce it,---when I see the number of young people who walk in the footsteps of Reuben, and Hophni, and Phinehas, and Amnon,---I for one cannot, with a good conscience, hold my peace. I doubt whether the world is any better for the excessive silence which prevails upon this commandment. For my own part, I feel it would be false and unscriptural delicacy, in addressing young people, not to speak of that which is pre-eminently "the young people's sin."

The breach of the seventh commandment is the sin above all others, that, as Hosea says, "takes away the heart" (Hosea 4:11). It is the sin that leaves deeper scars upon the soul than any sin that young people can commit. It is a sin that slays its thousands in every age, and has overthrown not a few of the saints of God in time past. Lot, and Samson, and David are fearful proofs. It is the sin that young people dare to smile at, and smooth over under the names of gaiety, unsteadiness, wildness, and irregularity. But it is the sin that the devil peculiarly rejoices over, for he is the "unclean spirit"; and it is the sin that God peculiarly abhors, and declares He "will judge" (Heb 13:4).

Young people, "flee fornication" (1Cor. 6:18) if you love life. "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience" (Eph. 5:6). Flee the occasions of it,---the company of those who might draw you into it,---the places where you might be tempted to it. Read what our Lord says about it in Matthew 5:28. Be holy like Job: "Make a covenant with your eyes" (Job 31:1). Flee talking of it. It is one of the things that ought not so much as to be named.... Flee the thoughts of it; resist them, mortify them, pray against them,---make any sacrifice rather than give way. Imagination is the hotbed where this sin is too often hatched.

Consider the caution I have been giving. If you forget all else, do not let this be forgotten.