Note for 2024/08/11 - 2 Timothy 4:1-22 KJV - With The End in Sight

 

The Audio Note on 2 Timothy 4: https://on.soundcloud.com/BPGkpdUYZfAj7ZT68

The House of Bread · Note For 20240811 - 2 Timothy 41 - 22 KJV - With The End In Sight

2 Timothy 4:1-22 KJV

[1] 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 longsuffering 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. The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.

https://bible.com/bible/1/2ti.4.1-22.KJV

Note for 2024/08/11

Consider these, the last words of Paul; especially the first half of the chapter, as Paul concludes his letter to Timothy. 

From the Bible we do not know if Timothy made it to Paul. It is from other records that there are reports that Paul was beheaded by order of Nero, along with other Christians, after a great fire in the city in 64CE, for which Nero blamed them and ordered executions. 

But this report is not Biblical, neither is how Timothy, the first Bishop of Ephesus, tried to halt a procession in honor of the goddess Diana by preaching the Gospel. The angry pagans beat him, dragged him through the streets, and stoned him to death. The date for this is set as 97AD.

And, while we may have some background information provided to us from the records of this world, which we can not take as truth, for it is not the Word of GOD; we can at least from their records see how the early believers were martyrs for the Faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The way in which this letter to Timothy is ended off, gives some indication that Paul knew that he has come to the end of his ministry in some form, ready to pass through to what comes next. See how he writes on all that remains for him to receive his crown on that day, that we are waiting for too.

Paul's teachings have been a rock solid foundation for the church even until now, and here he informs Timothy one last time of what can be expected towards the end. So much of it, so clear for the believer in our time, to see in the state of this whole earth.

Over the past few weeks, maybe months; we have been tutored by the testimony of the Apostle Paul, who was called by Christ himself when He appeared unto Paul on his way to Damascus. Now, as we move closer to conclude our reading of the Word of GOD in a "as it happened" kind of way, we are also preparing our soul for that day Paul writes of here. What then, have you yourself learned in this time?

Are you ready to preach the Word, to be ready in and out of season? To rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and the doctrine? By which doctrine do you stand? Is it the same as what is recorded in the Word of GOD, without the ideas and views of mankind mingled in?

The goal, my friends, is to be ready at every moment for the appearance of Christ our Lord, as Paul writes of here in his final greeting. Those that love Christ's appearing, shall receive their crown together with The Apostle Paul on that day. This is not what I say, but Paul, I simply believe and confirm it from my yearning heart.

The signs of the nearness of this most profitable day for the Children of GOD, they are all around us, to the multitude that even those at task of watching cannot keep up with the frequency of the fulfillment of prophecies. Gaza, now the heap of rubble, just as the Word of GOD foretold. And that is just one. So is the River Euphrates drying up, and even the seasons seem confused, the migration patterns of the beast of the earth, unsure. Even the enemies of Israel stand in an Ezekiel 38 type coalition. And my concern is whether you can see the season we stand in.

Now, we only have a short few letters left to read, before we come to the Revelations of Jesus Christ to John on Patmos. In these last few letters, we will measure once more our faith to that which is called for, then we will read what it is that we can expect shortly, even of that which is past already.

Keep the faith, as Paul professes here. Stand strong, and perfect your way in the sight of GOD and men. Do not enter into rebellion, do not convict one another, but instead, forgive as you have been forgiven. Keep the peace, but not at the cost of your faith, love the Lord your God more than your own life. Stand for the weak, provide for the poor where you can, but do not throw your pearls at the feet of swine. For some eat from the table, while others eat the crumbs that fall from the table, but let the Holy Spirit guide you in all portions.

The day in which I can no longer send you this daily exhortation, may sneak up on us sooner than we can imagine from a carnal mindset, but in your heart you should know by now; we stand in an all-or-nothing moment in the history of mankind. What is left of our journey here; years? Is it months or weeks? For some, it may only be days, that is the order of this physical life. Dust to dust, as we breathe from the breath of GOD, nothing is sure, but this very moment. All is measured out, known by God alone; and for some who think they are at their end, there may be more. And for others that count the days off to what they have been looking for, they may not reach it. But in this very moment, we can answer from the truth of our heart, even if that truth is still, "I don't know." Friends, I want you to be sure of your Salvation in Jesus Christ. Like Paul, I want us to be sure that we will receive that reward that Christ has with Him, for us. Yes! I would have you wait upon the crowns that we were promised. So I exhort you, to live your life in the fashion of these ministries we read of in the Word of GOD, and most of all, to stand firm forever in your faith in Jesus Christ. Make that your foundation stone, not the promise of success in worldly desires.

May the Lord of all hope be with you in this day. May He bless and Keep you, even rescue you from your troubles. But, if those troubles are for the purpose of the salvation of your eternal soul, how would you have me pray for you? GOD'S grace is sufficient for you. He will finish in you what He started. Ask yourself then this; is this a time for you to resist His mentoring? Will you permit GOD to purge from you, that which holds danger for the sake of your soul?

So, I greet you this day, in the peace of GOD that surpasses all understanding. For what He has done for others, He will do for you. Secure your heart on Him that has the keys to life and death in His hands. He Who so worthy to open the seals, and He who has paid the price for your redemption unto the GOD of all Creation.

Shalom

YouVersion Bible verse of the Day

(Expanded)

1 Peter 5:6-11 KJV

[6] Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: [7] casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. [8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: [9] whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. [10] But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. [11] To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

https://bible.com/bible/1/1pe.5.6-11.KJV

On Prayer

Matthew 6:13 KJV

[13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 

https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.6.13.KJV

Ephesians 1:18-23 KJV

[18] the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, [19] and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, [20] which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, [21] far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: [22] and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, [23] which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

https://bible.com/bible/1/eph.1.18-23.KJV

Conclusion

Friends,

There is no expectation in me that you should follow what I write, though I am confident in the Lord Jesus Christ to write to you in the manner that I have. But, I do urge you to at least read the scriptures that come from the Word of GOD. If then joined by the Holy Spirit, to that then say Amen. Don’t trust in me, place all your Trust in GOD, for by the Holy Spirit of GOD in the Name of Jesus Christ, He will finish each good work according to His pleasure.

Shalom

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