In the Last Days Difficult Times Will Come—From Bad to Worse
March 27, 2006
Dear Friends
We began our consideration of 2 Timothy 3 with the assertion that this passage is not concerning the world at large, but the ecclesia itself within the Last Days before Christ’s return. As we have seen, the picture is not a pretty one. The passage concludes with the description of these men as “holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; avoid such men as these.†(2 Tim. 3:5 NASB) Again, we have to ask ourselves, will the world in the Last Days possess a form of godliness? The obvious answer is “no.†It therefore tips us off once again to the point that this passage concerns itself with the ecclesia in the Last Days.
“Holding to a form of godliness†reminds me of a visit many years ago to a Universal Studios lot where they make movies. The tour takes you down tree-lined streets in front of homes used in television and movies. What is hard to see is that these “homes†look to be fully-functional in every respect, but behind the walls is an empty shell. There is no substance to these empty façades. Similarly, it seems, many brethren in Christ in the Last Days will be empty façades. Outwardly putting on the airs of well-manicured, religious respectability; inwardly they are empty and vacuous—mere forms of godliness and void of substance. It is these types of men that the Apostle advises us plainly: “avoid such men.â€
Again, Paul’s message is consistent with what he wrote to the Corinthians. He told them “I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one.†(1 Cor. 5:9-11) This is absolutely consistent with the teachings of Jesus. Jesus touched lepers. Jesus talked with the Samaritan woman. Jesus ate with publicans and sinners. Jesus was extremely sympathetic to the poor, ignorant sinners of the world at large and did everything he could to gently instruct them in a better way of life. On the other hand, Jesus was not gentle at all with those in his day that held merely to a form of godliness. It is virtually impossible to read Matthew 23 without feeling the full contempt that Jesus held for the Pharisees and Sadducees—the religious elite of the day. He tells them “ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.†We need to separate from and avoid these types of men. We are reminded of the rebellion of Korah and Achan in the Old Testament as examples of this urgent need to separate ourselves and more importantly WHY we need to do it. We read God’s command concerning Korah when he told the children of Israel “Depart now from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing that belongs to them, or you will be swept away in all their sin.†(Num. 16:26)
Ironically, the name Pharisee means “separatist.†We must be skilled in the wisdom of God to know when and why to separate. The deluded Pharisees were self-condemned in their misguided form of separatism. While these hypocrites went to extreme lengths to make themselves appear to be set apart or holy for God, they had denied the power of God like those men of 2 Timothy 3. Godliness is not a set of doctrines, traditions or even behavior. Godliness is allowing God’s power to transform us from within. God doesn’t want us to put up an empty façade for people to admire. In fact, there is ample evidence that God despises this hypocrisy above all things. He wants us to change from the heart out. Yes, this transformation includes correct doctrine and correct behavior; but more importantly, it is the transforming process behind the scenes of a deep-seeded faith in God and His power to change us.
On a personal note, I have had the privilege in the last few years to witness amazing examples of God’s transforming power. I have seen brethren literally give up everything (careers, homes, family and all of their worldly goods) for the sake of Christ. I have met brothers and sisters whose life exuded belief in the Gospel. I have met brethren who quite literally exhaust themselves daily in service to our God. These brethren are not forms or shells of godliness, but have been transformed into new creatures in Christ—living embodiments of the Lord whom they serve. I have also been witness to far too many of the people that are described in 2 Timothy 3. As bad as it is now, it is only going get worse. If we have correctly understood these passages, for those who have been transformed, they can anticipate the following coming to pass: “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.†(v. 12,13)
“The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.†(2 Tim. 4:22)
Have a great week!
