IT is worthy of remark that the moment you get out of the Epistles to the Churches, you get catholic epistles and others which all treat the Church as in the “last days.” In John, there were “many antichrists.” In Peter, “Judgment must begin at the house of God.” In 1 Tim., “In the latter times some shall depart from the faith,” &c. 2 Tim., “In the last days perilous times shall come,” &c. Jude, “Certain men are crept in unawares,” &c. 2 Peter, “ There shall be false teachers among you,” &c.
It is at such a time that God specially commends us to His word; and He has taken care that we should have in Scripture what would guide us in the last days, when He commends us to it. After Paul’s departure grievous wolves would come in, not sparing the flock. He commends us to God and the word of His grace. (Acts 20) See also 2 Tim. 3:14-17. We need the grace of endurance in such a day. And when one goes through the trial with God beforehand, he meets the enemy and the actual trial when it comes, and the distressing effect upon the heart is gone. God helps and sustains us in it and through it.