I. _The period to which the prophecy refers_ is described distinctly (iii. 1) as “the last days:” “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come;” or, as it is said, 1 Tim. iv. i., where a similar apostacy is foretold, “the latter days:” “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.” The exact extent of the period expressed by “the last,” or “latter days,” it may be difficult to determine; but one thing is plain; they must reach up to the advent of our Lord. There is nothing else to follow them before his coming. They may cover a longer or shorter period, but that period is the last of the present dispensation. They may commence earlier or later, but they must end with the advent. The prophecy carries us, therefore, right on to the coming of the Lord: it contains a picture of the visible church as Christ shall then find it; it is not a description of its early days alone, the first efforts of its infancy; but rather of its old age, when man shall have done his all, when churches have been established, bibles circulated, and all done that can be done through man’s instrumentality; then—at the very end—will the church be surprised in the exact condition foretold in this chapter of the Apostle. * * * * * II. _The persons to whom it refers_. Does it speak of men within or without the visible church? Upon this entirely depends our present use of the prophecy. If it is to be understood as referring to the heathen world, or to those who openly reject the name of Jesus, it would of course throw no light on our present subject. Before we can really apply it to our argument we must ascertain clearly that it speaks of those within, and not without the visible church of professed believers. A slight reference to the words will suffice to set this point at rest. (1.) In _v._ 5, the persons described are said to retain “the form of godliness:” “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away.” There is no rejection of the outward rites of Christianity. They are not like socialists, infidels, or heathen idolaters, persons who make no profession of a faith in Jesus, but they have all the specious appearance of true religion; they are members therefore of the visible church of Christ.