Traitors
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 NKJV.
On September 6, 1781, Benedict Arnold, the traitor, led a force that burned New London, Connecticut. Why Arnold defected to the British is not entirely understood. Perhaps he thought that the American side was a losing effort, and he began sending information to the British to hedge his bets against the American side losing. But when his spying was discovered, he crossed over to actively fight against the colonials. After the British lost the war, Arnold fled to England where he died at the age of 60.
At one time, there were national “burning the traitor” festivals in many cities of the new nation although they died out with the Civil War. New London has resurrected the “Burning the Traitor” festival where those participating march through the streets shouting, “Burn the Traitor!” Some fire muskets along the way to where the actual burning of the Benedict Arnold effigy takes place. (AP 09.09.23; The New York Times 09.20.23)
Since the War of Independence there have been many more traitors and depending upon your political views there are a multitude of traitors in the American government at the current time. But let’s talk about an even more important issue, which is spiritual treason.
In the last days there is a list of evils in 2 Timothy 3 which will characterize people in the last days. Of course, people who demonstrate these qualities have always been present, but this will grow worse in the last days. We can look around and see an overwhelming number of people with these evil qualities now.
Let’s focus in on one characteristic which is on the list: traitors. We have an example of a spiritual traitor in Judas Iscariot. We know that Iscariot was not an actual believer, and it is likely that you know someone like that now. It would be someone who appeared to do everything other believers were doing attending church, praying, even witnessing (Mark 6:7-12). But like Iscariot, they went out and by their actions are actively opposing the Kingdom of God.
To a lesser degree there are many of us who are betraying our faith. When you fail to assemble with other believers, when you fail to pray, fail to read, and study the Bible, fail to give, fail to serve, fail to extend kindness, and on and on. Let us renew our spiritual fervor if we are participating in any degree of spiritual treason. Let us pray for a fresh anointing, a fresh filling of the Spirit that we would be empowered to do ALL the Lord would have us to do and be.