(2 Timothy 2:20-26) Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. 24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
Now, regarding the end times - we should be aware - as it says in verse 3:1 just below. But do "the last days" in this verse mean the last days of this age? During the history of the Church Age we have seen ups and downs regarding the wickedness of mankind. And now in current times, are things really getting "worse" - or are we just more aware of everything because of immediate coverage through television and internet?
I do lean more towards this interpretation - that - DEFINITELY things will get more difficult and more evil in the last days of the Tribulation!
But no matter which age or times this verse is referencing - these words of advice are wise and applicable all of the time...
(2 Timothy 3:1-9) But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. 6 For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith. 9 But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, just as Jannes’s and Jambres’s folly was also.
Now, we have another statement below in verse 13 which could imply that mankind becomes more and more evil as the years go by - but - maybe - this could be on an individual basis. What I mean is - individuals who become intent on persecuting Christians only become more determined and zealous as they go? Just a thought, since there is not a "timeline-phrase" attached to that statement.
I'll give an example. There is a person I know who had in the past said they were a Christian, but eventually decided they were an atheist. And not just an atheist - but an evangelical one at that. It's become his mission in life to try to take down Christianity. And I've noticed that over the years, he has become angrier and angrier towards what he believes is complete foolishness, so his words have become less considerate and definitely more bitter and vicious...
(2 Timothy 3:10-17) Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! 12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Today's takeaway: as believers - who have been saved and given the hope of eternal life - of course we will long for and love Jesus' appearing! For us in the Church Age - it will be His coming to gather us in the air! For those who become believers in the Tribulation - it will be His Second Coming to earth to set up the Millennial kingdom.
- When Jesus appears in the air to gather up all believers - He will judge us at the Bema Seat according to the good works that we have done with pure motives.
- When Jesus appears at the end of the Tribulation - He will judge the nations, separating the sheep from the goats. Sinners will be removed from earth and thrown into hell, and those who have become believers during the Tribulation will enter the Millennium.
- During the Millennial kingdom, Jesus will sit on the throne and offer firsthand advice and hand out immediate judgment. At the end of which will be the White Throne Judgment to judge sinners of all times according to the evil deeds.
I typically use NASB version, but I'm going to copy-paste the first verse in the New King James Version because it reads a little clearer...
(2 Timothy 4:1) I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom
And until that time, let us faithfully fight the good fight - keeping our eyes on the prize, which we will receive at the Bema Seat (as Paul mentions right at the end of this scripture portion)...
(2 Timothy 4:1-8) I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
No comments:
Post a Comment