Timothy 3:1
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
Saint2 Paul is telling Timothy, his son in the faith, something very important he wants him to know. He is telling him what to expect in the church. Why? Because such a time Paul talked of could very well occur in young Timothy's lifetime! You see, Paul KNEW what so many don't believe today!
The events that Paul describes, dear brethren, COULD HAVE OCCURRED EVEN THEN AND THAT INCLUDES THE RAPTURE OF THE TRUE CHURCH !
The Imminent return of Christ Jesus our Lord has always been a reality for all the faithful in their time! Not "soon" , not next year; not when a Antichrist rules; RIGHT NOW! and at all times we are to live in the faith and that truth: Jesus can call us Home at any second! God certainly knows how to keep the truth in a BELIEVER alive and the Holy Spirit FULL in us to serve God in absolute confidence we can be absent from our flesh body and present with the Lord in our glorified body anytime. And if we pass before, we KNOW He will one day change us and we will see Him face to face at God's appointed time!
Paul is not wasting his breath! He is facing death. God is giving Paul more revelation. Paul was and still is a vessel for God's Glory. He is not speaking of events 100 or 1000, or 2000 years later! He is telling him how to BE in that time and to the church in general be prepared in all ages for events that will happen at the conclusion of the church age.
Paul eventually would be arrested and jailed in Rome in 67 A.D and sometime between his arrest and beheading in 68 A.D he wrote 2 Timothy. By the way; as Paul shivered in the cold and wet dungeon of the Roman jail he preached the Gospel again as he had before in Rome and many were converted through his ministry!
THE GOSPEL! Is there a greater weapon we are blessed to have from God then His word [the sword of the Spirit] and of all the power of it, THE GOSPEL shared with a lost soul is more powerful then any weapon formed against God and man.
2 Tim.3:
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, not thankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women(OF BOTH SEXES!!!) laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, (IE: Romans 1:24-32)
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.
Authority of Scriptures
2 Tim.3:
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
CURE FOR APOSTASY
2 Tim.3:
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
PAUL'S LAST INSTRUCTIONS TO TIMOTHY FOR SUCH TIMES AHEAD
2 Tim.4:
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
Chaim, least
No comments:
Post a Comment