Paul wrote to Timothy, saying,
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
Paul was not here apprising Timothy of some worsening of man's nature
which would arise two thousand years in the future. but rather warning him of the
corruption which is in men by nature and which would manifest
itself in his own lifetime. Many modern-day futuristic prophets
teach that the last days is referring to a period which is yet to take
place in the earth. Yet a perusal of the scriptures
without such preconceived notions leads us to see that these days
in which the Apostle lived, as well as the present age in which
we currently abide, are the last days which were ushered in when
Christ appeared in the earth as the final and great prophet
of God. God, who at sundry times and
in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the
prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son. John recognizes truth quite plainly,
saying, Little children, it is the last time. And as ye have
heard that Antichrist shall come, even now are there many Antichrists,
whereby we know that it is the last time. The Lord is pleased
to gather his children to himself when and as he sees fit. It is but a testimony to the
corruption of men and the purpose of God that during these end-gatherings
there are also many false disciples who are drawn in among the saints,
but having no root, soon wither or are eventually choked out
by the cares of this world, as he taught in the parable of the
sower. Paul spoke of this sobering truth to the Ephesian elders
when he told them that of their own number there would arise
teachers of perverse things which would reinforce the message of
the wolves sent to deceive the church of God. So strong are
these deceptions that even the very elect of God would be carried
away by them if it were possible. While the elect of God cannot
be destroyed by these ravening wolves and those who lie in wait
to deceive, they are nonetheless sometimes wounded and scattered
by them. Thus the exhortations abound
in the scriptures, urging the sons of God to be diligent and
watchful, being wise as serpents, but harmless as doves. Take heed,
brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief
in departing from the living God. Paul mentions those who
have a form of godliness and admonishes Timothy to turn away
from such. To entertain or encourage these
deceivers and their deceived is to be a partaker of their
sins. They must be warned, rebuked,
and admonished with the word of God, if perhaps there be among
them a brother who might be recovered. Satan has a counterfeit for nearly
every truth that the Lord is pleased to work in His people.
It is often very difficult to discern between the precious
and the vile. And thus the Spirit of God prompts
the sons of God to watch and be diligent, shunning error and
cleaving to those things which are sound and true. The scriptures
warn us of those who have a form of godliness. They appear to
be genuine, yet they miss the mark in very important details.
Most especially, they deny the power which produces true godliness. Some of these forms are the preaching
of salvation by the free will of men, There is probably no
greater error that has been introduced into so-called gospel preaching
than the notion that a man can be saved whenever he chooses
to be, the preaching of the new birth as a result of faith rather
than the new birth being the cause of faith, and thirdly,
the supposition that God is pleased with the good deeds of men. To
hold this view is to deny the scriptures which tell us that
even our righteousnesses are as filthy rags before the Lord.
Man has nothing in himself whereby he might be found acceptable
in God's sight, regardless of whether he is a Democrat or a
Republican, Gentile or Jew, teetotaler or libertine, for all have sinned
and come short of the glory of God. And finally, the practice
of outward displays of worship in order to be seen of others.
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers
shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth.