THE FINAL SETTING AND OVERVIEW OF PAULS FAREWELL ADDRESS
The Apostle to the gentiles was in Rome under arrest, yet still spreading the gospel while expecting execution. His letter to his successor, the evangelist Timothy, was written about three years before the calamitous fall of the Jewish nation and the destruction of Jerusalem. Cataclysmic events were about to happen. The letter exudes the love he has for the man he is passing the torch to, Timothy.
2 Timothy 1:4-5, “…greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.” (NKJV)
In 66-67 BC Paul is also telling Timothy to be prepared for what is coming.
2 Timothy 1:6-12, “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner… 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”
Persecution of Jews –– which would include Christianity, considered a sect in the worship of the true God Jehovah –– was about to explode on the scene. The lesson to us is to never be ashamed of Jesus, whether popular or unpopular.
WE MUST BE PREPARING FOR DECEPTION AND PERSECUTION
Obviously some will face light persecution and others harder pressures but all need to get ready. Paul is calling on Timothy to be the agent to strengthen the churches.
2 Timothy 2:1-3, “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardshipas a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
He must strengthen them so they can in the future teach others and the movement thus will not die.
2 Timothy 2:11-12, “This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. 12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.”
2 Timothy 2:15-16, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.”
He tells Timothy that he must endure and become a worker who really knows his Bible- like a pro. Only the Old Testament was canonized at this point so we must know all the Bible.
IT WILL BE A STRUGGLE TO MAINTAIN SOUND DOCTRINE
Paul foresaw the infiltration of the church by false teachers undermining sound doctrine. He knew counterfeit, watered down Christianity was coming.
2 Timothy 3:1-7 NKJV 1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers..., without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!… 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Clearly this happened to an extent in Timothy's lifetime, but will be fully fulfilled in the years ahead of us. We must be alert to this “never ending circular reasoning” where God's commandments and truth have no real power. They go round and round and never find the truth.
2 Timothy 3:14-17, “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for 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 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
False teachers have undermined the value of the Old Testament and the Sabbath and have fallen into a doctrinal trap. Understanding the world three thousand years ago, when Moses authored it, may require a lot of effort but it is very valuable knowledge to us.
2 Timothy 4:3-4, “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; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
How can true believers today avoid “itching ears” where we want popularity more than truth? God's ways are always the best when properly understood. In the end times we must be disciplined and ready to reject error. Our remedy to the times upcoming is to have solid programs of teaching the Bible, like LineUponLine.
PAUL EXPRESSES GREAT FAITH IN AND LOVE FOR THE BRETHREN
Paul really loves his successor, the evangelist Timothy. He encourages this love and faith in his last words via this letter to him.
2 Timothy 4:6-8, “For I am already being poured outas a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
Clearly this is a loving farewell message to Timothy… and us.
2 Timothy 4:9, “Be diligent to come to me quickly;”
Verse 18, “And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly Kingdom Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!”
ISSUES
HOW CAN WE LEARN TO LOVE GOD'S TRUTH AND GOD'S PEOPLE IN THE SOON COMING WORLD OF HATRED, INTOLERANCE AND VIOLENCE?
HOW CAN WE NEVER BE ASHAMED OF THE BIBLE TRUTHS WHICH WILL BECOME INCREASINGLY UNPOPULAR ?
