The Treatment of Truth

The way that truth and opinions are being treated by men in these Laodicean times is preparing the way for the coming days of greater darkness and delusion. Scripture speaks of one whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power and signs and wonders of a lie, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved. As the Christian revelation has surpassed in fullness and depth all others and the attitude of men to it has been one of utmost antagonism, so it is that the alternative error to which they have resigned themselves will be the darkest ever known. “For this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thess. 2:11-1211And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:11‑12)). Involved in it also are the Jews who will be on the earth at that time — those who possessed a definite written revelation from God. They too will experience the retribution that their haughty refusal of the truth has merited. The lie is compounded of the elements suitable to each — Gentile and Jew—for they themselves supplied the ingredients for the cup of their delusion. All this is a terrible culmination to the history of error in the world. Truth, too, shall have its day, when its extension throughout the earth shall be such as to make good the simile “as the waters cover the sea” (Isa. 11:99They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:9)). How grave and vital the issues of both judgment and blessing, which run where we cannot follow them now, but shall hereafter, into eternity itself!
The Sway of Truth and Error
Truth and error are two forces at work in the world, exercising their sway over the minds and hearts of men, their thoughts and words being constantly actuated and prompted by either of them. Each of them has a history behind it and a future before it. In the case of truth, those who have in simplicity received it from God have had light from and communion with Him. Their path is as “the path of the just ... that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Prov. 4:1818But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. (Proverbs 4:18)). Tampering with or turning from it, men have but laid themselves open to the deception of the enemy, whose error has easily supplanted the truth for which they have no heart. In all this, they are compassing themselves about with sparks of their own kindling.
In a day of such unparalleled activity of mind as the present, it becomes men to consider by which of these forces, truth or error, they are being controlled. How various the attitudes men have had, in taking up opinions towards His truth! Is not Pilate’s attitude common today (see John 18:3838Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. (John 18:38))? Have not Eve’s children followed their mother on many occasions? In the giddy godlessness of the world, how many seek a refuge where the voice of truth may be drowned! Thus the strange history of man goes on. If man disowns and disobeys, is it so strange that now he seeks to discredit a divine revelation? The Scriptures are now the sole repository of the truth, being the Word of God which lives and abides forever. It is inspired of Him, being absolutely infallible in every detail and worthy therefore of every confidence. It is to be heard and received, and through faith in God is the means, by the power of the Holy Spirit, of new birth and reconciliation. To saints it is the voice of God Himself, revealing His counsels and purposes concerning Christ, concerning themselves, and all else, and at the same time is the expression of His mind and will for them in their pathway here. May the truth be prized by His people and held forth. Let us remember that men are warned of their point of departure from it by the attitude we assume towards it!
J. Timley (adapted)