Having considered the terms used by the apostle to indicate the different `times', namely, `the after seasons', `the

days at the extreme verge' and the `perilous' character of these closing days we now retrace our steps in order to

discover the characteristics of the apostasy prophesied, so that being warned by the faithful Word and so knowing

the times, we may, like the children of Issachar know what we ought to do. The first item that calls for attention is

the word `now' (Greek de) with which 1 Timothy 4 opens. In English `now' indicates either the present time, and

would translate the Greek nun, or it is used without reference to time, `to form a connection between a preceding

and a subsequent proposition, or to introduce an inference or an explanation of that which precedes'. This would be

the translation of the Greek connective de, `always implying antithesis, however concealed'. The antithesis of

1 Timothy 4:1 is the Mystery of Godliness of 1 Timothy 3:16; and inasmuch as this great revelation is `a pillar and

ground of truth and confessedly great', the departure from the truth of which the Spirit expressly warns us, must be

in essence a departure in the first instance from this great and fundamental revelation.

Aphistemi `to stand away' is used sometimes of mere physical departure, as in Luke 2:37, but in the epistles it is

employed in a spiritual sense. It is found three times in 1 and 2 Timothy as follows:

A

1 Tim. 4:1  Some shall depart from the faith.

B

1 Tim. 6:5  From such withdraw thyself.

2 Tim. 2:19

Depart from iniquity.

Now the final contrast with `the mystery of godliness' (1 Tim. 3:16), is `the mystery of iniquity' (2 Thess. 2:7),

and the balance of 1 Timothy 4:1 and 2 Timothy 2:19 in the use of the word aphistemi anticipates that fact. This

word aphistemi gives us the substantive apostasy, a word, however, which does not occur in the A.V.. Instead we

have the following:

Apostasia `forsake Moses' (Acts 21:21); `a falling away' (2 Thess. 2:3).

Apostasion `divorcement' (Matt. 5:31 ; 19:7; Mk. 10:4).

The English reader cannot hope to sense the many references to this word in the two epistles to Timothy by

reason of the fact that there is no apparent relation between apostasy and the many other variants of istemi `to stand'

which occur, but without overwhelming the reader we would indicate the way in which this root word ramifies

through these two epistles, but for simplicity we will not load the text with the actual Greek words.

The bishop, in 1 Timothy 3:4,5, and 6 must `rule' house and children, some without discipline may `wax wanton'

(1 Tim. 5:11); and may become proud `knowing' nothing (1 Tim. 6:4). From such the believer is called upon to

`withdraw' (1 Tim. 6:5). On the surface there is nothing to show that each one of these words is a compound of the

word `to stand' and so related to the word `apostasy' or `departure' of 1 Timothy 4:1.

In the second epistle there is found another illuminative collection of compounds of the same root word. The

unashamed workman will study `to show' himself approved unto God (2 Tim. 2:15), he will `resist' profane and vain

babblings (2 Tim. 2:16); remembering all the time that the foundation of God `standeth' and demands that the

believer `depart from' iniquity (2 Tim. 2:19). In chapter 3:1, the words `shall come' are literally `have taken their

stand', and in verse 8 we have the example of Jannes and Jambres who `withstood' Moses. In chapter 4 we have `be

instant', `is at hand', `withstood', and notwithstanding the Lord `stood with me' (2 Tim. 4:2,6,15 and 17), all of which

have departure from the truth, or standing for the truth as the theme. This aspect of the study, however, has a limited

appeal and we leave it to those who can pursue it to advantage while we take up the more obvious development of

the subject.

It is the consistent testimony of all Scripture that as the end of the ages draws near, so the darkness will deepen.

There is no warrant for the idea that by the gradual process of education and betterment that mankind or

Christendom will mount upwards and so usher in the Golden Age. In the Gospels we have the question: `When the

Son of Man cometh, shall He find the faith in the earth?', and the implied answer is `No'. It will be as the days of

Noah. The same is taught both by Peter and by Paul. Peter warns his readers that in the last days will come

scoffers, and as we have already seen, Paul testifies the same departure from the truth within the administration

entrusted to him. And this leads us to the really solemn thought, it is not possible for an unbeliever `to depart' from