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.
* * * * *