Paul warned Timothy of the emptiness that was coming to the Church in the last days.
"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come… for men will be lovers of themselves… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God… always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 3:1-7).
Then Paul revealed two names which expose the kind of leaders which would hold the Church captive in the last days.
"Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was" (2 Timothy 3:8-9).
Jannes means to "vex or harden" and Jambres means "foamy healer." Even as these two men resisted Moses and caused Pharaoh’s heart to be hardened so it will be in the last days. These kinds of leaders will cause many to harden their hearts to the true knowledge and will of God.
God is still saying, "let my people go" but the "foamy healers" are "hardening" the hearts of the leaders and the people. Why should we leave the captivity of religion and forsake all this entertainment?
The kind of teaching which comes from these "foamy healers" is nothing more than hot air dressed up as spiritual enlightenment.
Contrary to popular belief, miracles and soulish experiences do not build up believers. The real substance for faith is the Word of God — especially the Word made alive through the revelation of Christ. Miracles have never been the foundation for strong believers. The knowledge of Jesus Christ is our only true foundation. The true will of God for every believer is to become strong in the Word and to be established in biblical doctrine.
"But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them," (2 Timothy 3:13-14).
Just Preach the Word
Did you notice that Paul didn’t instruct Timothy to battle these impostors by performing greater signs and wonders? He didn’t encourage Timothy to stage a big showdown. He said, "continue in the Word Timothy, the same Holy Scriptures you’ve been learning since childhood. All Scripture is inspired by God and is more than enough for correction and teaching. Preach the Word, Timothy. Whether it seems convenient or not, preach the Word."
This is the only thing which is going to expose these false leaders — the solid teaching of God’s Word given to committed Christians by stable leaders.
"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables (foolish stories)" (2 Timothy 4:2-4).
The time foretold of following fables is here. We have forsaken the Word of God as boring and mundane. We loathe this simple bread (Numbers 11:6). Yet, within it’s pages is the life we’re looking for. The Bible contains the bread of life from Heaven.
Jesus Christ is the true manna which rains from Heaven to strengthen His people. The true revelation and doctrine of Jesus Christ will be the powerful force which will cleanse the Church of every spot, wrinkle, and false prophet. Rest assured, the rain has already come.
We need preachers and leaders who will pick up their Bibles and learn the revelation of Christ: when they are full, they will burst forth upon the Church like huge storm clouds. Their prophetic teaching will destroy every wall that isn’t founded on the Rock. The flood of God’s Word will begin to wash the Church of every spot and wrinkle. Then the Church will be the glorious bride that God promised it would be.