reveals that day and its character more fully. These men "resist" the truth and the same

word anthistemi is used by the apostle in Eph. 6: 13 where he says "that ye may be able

to withstand in the evil day". The same word is found in II Tim. 4: 15 where Alexander

is said to have "greatly withstood" the apostle's words, and both James (4: 7), and Peter

(I Pet. 5: 9) use the word in their exhortations to "resist" the Devil.

We now reach the antithesis of the unashamed workman. His great desire was to

show himself "approved" (dokimos) unto God. These evil teachers and opponents prove

themselves to be just the reverse "reprobate', adokimos. This term is peculiar to the

writings of the apostle Paul, seven occurrences being found in his church epistles, and

one in the epistle to the Hebrews. The fact that the "reprobate" mind of Rom. 1: 28,

occurs in such a parallel context as that of II Tim. 3: 9 reveals the terrible nature of this

reprobation. Nevertheless there is no decree of reprobation at work. The nations gave up

God, before God "also" gave them up (Rom. 1: 19-25).  As they did not "like"

(edokimasan) to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate

(adokimos) mind (Rom. 1: 28). So also in the days that will immediately succeed the

close of the present dispensation, men will be condemned who believe not the truth, not

because of some irresistible decree of Divine Sovereignty, but because "they received not

the love of the truth, that they might be saved", and moreover, who "had pleasure in

unrighteousness" (II Thess. 2: 10-12). There are however limits set to evil, and we are

glad to read "they shall proceed no further" (II Tim. 3: 9). At first sight this seems to

contradict what is written in 2: 16, "they will increase unto more ungodliness". The

meaning however is clear. Left unchecked, evil grows and spreads, but God has His

limits beyond which no foot can pass. In the last days this limit will have been reached

and they shall proceed no further. How will this check be administered? Will an angel

from heaven convince these men of their soul destroying error? Will God Himself break

silence and speak with a voice of thunder? No, the check is brought about in a less

spectacular, but a more convincing way.

There were miracles wrought by Moses, that were duplicated by Jannes and Jambres,

there were other occasions, however, when they realized their utter failure and had to

confess "this is the finger of God" (Exod. 8: 19, 9: 11). Truth is its own justification,

and error given time enough, manifests its own inconsistency. To perceive this will

enable the tried servant of God to wait with patience; failure to do so will tempt him to

yield to bitterness, strife, and to borrow weapons from the armoury of darkness.

We have had brought before us a dark picture, but we do not conclude the survey

without learning that the darkest night ends with break of day, and we, being children of

light, await with patience yet with intense desire that day when the truth shall be

enthroned and the lie for ever discredited.