Does it speak of men within or without the visible church?
Upon this entirely depends our present use of the prophecy. If it is to be understood as referring to the heathen world, or to those who openly reject the name of Jesus, it would of course throw no light on our present subject. Before we can really apply it to our argument we must ascertain clearly that it speaks of those within, and not without the visible church of professed believers.
A slight reference to the words will suffice to set this point at rest.
(1.) In v. 5, the persons described are said to retain “the form of godliness:” “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away.” There is no rejection of the outward rites of Christianity. They are not like socialists, infidels, or heathen idolaters, persons who make no profession of a faith in Jesus, but they have all the specious appearance of true religion; they are members therefore of the visible church of Christ.
(2.) In v. 7, they plainly lay claim to “the truth:” “Ever learning, and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.” By “the truth” is meant the pure truth of Christ’s Gospel, the message of salvation which God has given us in his word. The study of the truth implies an outward avowal of it. They do not attain, but they profess a knowledge of it. So also in v. 8, they are described as “reprobate concerning the faith:” possessed of the appearance, but devoid of the reality. They look like men of faith, but when proved by divine tests they are found fictitious and defective. They are like false coin which cannot stand the refiner’s fire. But all this implies profession, and it once more appears that the persons described belong to the visible church of Christ.
(3.) The same may be gathered from the Apostle’s charge to Timothy, as given in ch. iv. 1–4.—“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
These words describe the danger as falling within the range of the church’s discipline, as arising in the midst of that very body in which Timothy was then called to labour as a Bishop. The church at Ephesus, with Timothy at its head, was the type or representative of the church in the latter days in the heart of which this evil should arise. Nor is this point unworthy of our careful observation, for it proves the important fact that we must look for error in the midst of the most perfect ecclesiastical arrangement. In the church at Ephesus we see the church’s order in its purest and most perfect form. The whole was arranged under Apostolic authority. St. Paul himself gathered in the converts, ordained the first elders, and placed the Bishop in his diocese. There was needed no long chain of questionable links to establish the fact of Apostolical succession; the whole came from the fountain head. The machinery of the church was perfect; the ordination, government, and discipline were Apostolic. Bearing in mind, therefore, that Timothy was addressed as the representative of those who in the latter days should fill his office, we are brought to the conclusion that we must look for the great defection in the very midst of Apostolical order. The most perfect ecclesiastical authority will be insufficient to secure the truth. Danger will arise not merely within the visible church, but within its purest and most Scriptural form.
III. The state of things which the words foretell.
(1.) A wide-spread departure from Christian morals. “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;” iii. 2–4.
How sad a picture, but how true! It is surely drawn from what God foresaw in present life! We have here a class of men sealed unto Christ by baptism, and, while they bear his name, dishonouring his kingdom. There is no evidence that they are born again of God, no fruit of the Spirit, no sign of his inward guidance. Love they have, but it is absorbed by self, and become hateful. For heavenly-mindedness, they are carried on by worldly covetousness; and, instead of wrestling for God, they are grasping, labouring, speculating for money. In the pride of wealth and intellect they grow boastful of their successes, and blaspheme the Lord who gave them. Parents are neglected and disobeyed; and, as is usually the case, when the earthly parent is set at nought, the heavenly Father is disregarded also; for self-confidence and self-pleasing reign in the unthankful and unholy heart.