Levend Water
The Apostle of the Reconciliation - Charles H. Welch
Index - Page 119 of 159
RECONCILIATION AND FAILURE OF THE LAW119
without
natural
affection,
insolent,
proud,
boasters,
inventors of vices, disobedient to
implacable,
slanderers,
of
parents,  without  discernment,
unbridled  passions,  savage,
regardless of covenants, without
unfriendly to good, traitors,
natural  affection,  implacable,
reckless,  vain,  pretentious,
unmerciful' (Author's translation).
lovers of pleasure rather than
lovers of God. Having a form
of godliness, but denying the
power of it; from such turn
away. For these are they also
who are getting into houses,
leading captive silly women
laden with sins, led on by
various  inordinate  desires,
always learning and never able
to come to an acknowledgment
of the truth. Now in the same
manner in which Jannes and
Jambres withstood Moses, thus
these also withstand the truth,
men  corrupted  in  mind,
reprobate concerning the faith'
(Author's translation).
Thus far the awful list. The reference to Jannes and Jambres makes one think of the miracles performed by the
false prophet, which are also alluded to in 2 Thessalonians 2:9. The apostasy at Babel with its idolatry and
corruption, etc., gathers in increased intensity for the final act.
We now return to Romans 1 for further teaching. The nations at the beginning knew the truth. This is evident
from the fact that they are charged with holding it in unrighteousness, with changing it for the lie, and with not
approving to retain God in their knowledge. It is upon such that the vengeance of 2 Thessalonians 1 falls. To
interpret the passage to mean that this awful punishment falls upon those who never knew the truth, or who never
heard the gospel, is monstrous. The charge is against those who would not receive the love of the truth, and who
preferred the lie (see also Revelation).
The question of the knowledge of these early days, however, is lifted beyond controversy by the testimony of
Romans 1:19-21. `What may be known of God is manifest among them', for one all powerful reason, `for God
manifested it to them' (Englishman's Greek N.T.). How He did so we may not fully know, but that He did is simply
a matter of fact according to the Scriptures. Such men as Melchisedec, Job, Jethro, and others, to say nothing of
Abel, Enoch, and Noah, are abundant witnesses to this fact. Long before the written revelation was given, God
revealed Himself to men. Romans 1 proceeds to point out to us the text-book used by God at that time.
`For the unseen things of Him are clearly seen, from the creation of the world, being apprehended by the mind
through the things that are made, even His eternal power and divinity, so as to render them inexcusable' (1:20
Author's translation).
The nations therefore were taught by God, and were under the dispensation of conscience and creation.
In the recorded speeches of Paul we find him, at least upon two occasions, referring to this same dispensation,
speaking of its object and revealing that it had at the time of his ministry been superseded by the reconciliation. At
Lystra the people were so impressed by the miracle performed by Paul that they said:
`The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men' (Acts 14:11).
The priest of Jupiter would have offered sacrifices to these servants of God, indicating one of the ways in which
idolatry originally sprang into being. Paul and Barnabas stayed them from their deed, saying: