The Professing Church in the Last Days - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come.
2 Timothy 3:1

The Professing Church in the Last Days
Second Timothy is the last letter that Paul wrote before his martyrdom; and it is significant that he wrote it, not to the Church, but to an individual about the Church. He wrote to Timothy, not only to encourage him, but to also show him there was a path to follow in the midst of the corruption already setting in. Paul, having already foreseen the failure of the Church, appeals to individual faithfulness in spite of it.

At what point is the professing Church now in its history? It is no longer in the days of the apostles; it is not halfway in its history, nor even three-quarters of the way. It is in the last days! Soon its history will be brought to a close here on earth. This is sobering, especially when we see the height from which it has fallen, and that we are a part of its failure to remain "the house of God, the pillar and ground of the truth." It has become a great house, containing a mixture of good and bad vessels.

What is striking about the description in 2 Timothy 3 is that it is not describing the features of the Gentile world, or the heathen world—this is given to us in Romans 1—but is a picture of professing Christianity in the last days! It is a downward descent into immorality; it is about evil cloaked in a religious garment; wolves in sheep's clothing; and men having a form of godliness but denying its power. The power for godliness is the indwelling Spirit. But these who resist the truth, loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, shall be punished with everlasting destruction. This is a wake-up call for all who profess the name of Christ.

What are the godly to do in such circumstances? "From such people turn away," the apostle wrote. Furthermore, the Word of God is profitable "for instruction in righteousness" (2 Tim. , 16).

Richard A. Barnett