“…know this, that in the 1LAST days 2PERILOUS times will come…” (2 Tim. 3:1) 1eschatos: the FINAL element in a significant series. Peter spoke this on the day of Pentecost, “…this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “‘In the LAST DAYS, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” (Acts 2:16-17)
The last days began on the day of Pentecost but what Paul is talking about is the “LAST” or “FINALITY” of the last days is the coming of perilous times 2chalepos: harsh, fierce, savage. The only other New Testament occurrence of chalepos is in the story of the two Gaderene demoniacs who were as savage and untamed as wild beasts and whom Matthew describes as “so exceedingly 2FIERCE that NO ONE could pass that way” (Matt 8:28)