There's disobedience, and then there's disobedience

2 Timothy 3:1-5 is a long list of indicators of how people will be behaving in the end time. I wrote an essay a few months ago on one of the listed indicators, that "men will be...'brutal'". In looking to the Greek the word doesn't mean a physically violent act but an untamed, uncivilized one. Always look deeply at the scriptures and ask the Spirit to reveal its deeper truths, more wisdom, that is, and He will, without reproach.

In this same verse, Paul wrote that people will be "disobedient to parents." What could this mean? When we think of disobedience we think of kids stomping their feet, saying "NO!" to bedtime orders. Or talking back over homework. Kids have always been disobedient, so what's the difference? But the Greek root word for disobedient shows so much more. The Greek word is an article ("a") and peitho; meaning a kind of deep disobedience that is unpersuadable, i.e. contumacious, according to Strong's. Contumacious means stubbornly perverse or rebellious; willfully and obstinately disobedient. That's a lot more than stomping your feet and saying no to broccoli!

Apeitho or disobedience pops up 6 other times, once in Romans 1:28-30 when Paul discusses unbelief and its consequences. Well, today the news reported something about two young girls that shocked and saddened me.

Two girls rob Symmes Twp. Bank
"Authorities say two young girls entered 1st National Bank on busy Fields Ertel Road on Tuesday afternoon, handed a bank teller a note demanding money and made their getaway.  With helicopters flying overhead and at least one police canine on the ground, the two girls – who police believe are 14 to 15 years old and 12 years old – got away with cash. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office would not say how much. The girls entered the bank at 9015 Fields Ertel Road at about 3:20 p.m., according to sheriff’s office spokesman Steve Barnett. The older girl is described as black, heavyset, 5-feet 4-inches to 5-feet 5-inches tall, and wearing a dark knit cap, dark hooded sweat shirt and blue jeans. The younger girl is described as black with a thin build, and 5-feet tall to 5-feet 2-inches tall. She was reportedly wearing a baseball cap with the round tag still hanging from it. Authorities say the girls implied they would harm bank employees, but did not appear to have any weapons. The sheriff’s office would not say whether surveillance equipment caught pictures of the girls and did not release any surveillance photos."

Two girls robbing banks, threatening adults with harm, eluding helicopters and dogs, and stealing, seems to me to be an act that indicates an out of control willful, rebellious disobedience. 2Peter 3:3-4 says "knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” Some people would undoubtedly say that people being disobedient to parents is not such a big deal, heck, kids have been disobedient since the beginning of time. Like what this guy is saying:

"The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers." The guy complaining was Socrates and he was complaining about youths in 450BC! So, see, say the scoffers, nothing has changed.

Yes they have. The end time is characterized by deepening iterations of events and behaviors that seem out of control. (Seem, because God is always in control.) The times we are in now are far worse than Socrates bemoaning teens crossing their legs at the table. I believe by any stretch of the imagination that 12 year olds robbing banks fits the definition of perversely and rebelliously disobedient. For heaven's sakes, the police description stated "It was not known whether either was wearing braces."

Lord, come quickly!