"Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? Or who hath given understanding to the heart (Job 38:36)." When it comes to understanding prophecy, God puts wisdom and understanding into the hearts and minds of his people by using patterns. A pattern is God's requirement that for every prophecy of scripture there would be a true life experience recorded in scripture which would align itself with the prophecy and cause people to perceive the meaning of the prophecy. Evidence that patterns exist, and that they are a requirement of God, is secured in the verse, "That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past (Ecclesiastes 3:15)." In other words, according to God's requirement, everything that is prophesied to happen during end times, has a pattern. Job's physical suffering, and his confusion and anguish, are the required pattern which was recorded to give his people answers concerning the afflictions and judgments of end times. In other words, what Job experienced was for our edification, and although he had no warning, his testimony serves as our warning. "Oh that one would hear me! Behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that my adversary had written a book. Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me (Job 31:35-36)."
The word "priest" is not found in the book of Job, however there are certain clues which insinuate that Job was a priest. This is important because it demonstrates that afflictions will come upon seemingly innocent, and beloved priests (Malachi 2:2). One clue regarding Job's position, is a verse which says that Job sent and sanctified his sons by offering burnt offerings for them, which is the responsibility of a priest (Job 1:5). A second clue is that Job admitted to ruling as a king over an army of God’s people. "I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army (Job 29:25)." It is also important to understand that Job was a righteous man. This is evidenced by the respect which Job claimed to have had. "When I went out to the gate through the city... the young men saw me and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up. The princes refrained their talking, and laid their hand on their mouth. The nobles held their peace... because I delivered the poor that cried (Job 29:7-12)." Job's righteousness is also evidenced in the testimony of a friend who acknowledged the good works that he did, "Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees (Job 4:4)." But the ultimate glory of Job's righteousnes is heard in God's own words: “Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and eschews evil (Job 1:8)?”
Without contradiction Job was a righteous priest who loved the Lord (Job 29:12-17). But was Job staying alert to the voice of the Lord? When God moved to do a new thing, was Job willing to follow? "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him (Job 13:15)." "Changes and war are against me (Job 10:17)." Before religion was even born, God began scripting a plan against it, to defeat it (Proverbs 8:27). God knew that hypocrisy and wickedness would enter into his house and ensnare his people, and that deceivers would reign over them (Job 34:17; 38:13). So God planned an overthrow of every religion (Job 9:5; Isaiah 40:17; Romans 3:10). "That the hypocrite reign not, least the people be ensnared (Job 34:30)." God wrote truths which will lead his people out of religion's clutches, and which will guide them into that one way that they may serve him from henceforth and forevermore (Zephaniah 3:9). When God moves, every priest needs to pay attention, even if that means listening unto God's voice through the warnings of other believers (Isaiah 44:26). Job had said, "I will maintain my own ways before him," which means that he was not willing to follow the Lord and make changes, or to listen to the warnings of a messenger. His spirit of rebellion was recorded that believers might know that punishments of correction will come upon priests who ignore, and, or, reject God's messengers. “His sons come to honor, and he knows it not; they are brought low, but he perceives it not of them. But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn (Job 14:21-22).”
“Make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes… until the cities be wasted (Isaiah 6:10-11).” Pride and complacency are the sins which cause priests to harden their hearts against receiving the newly revealed truths of prophecy. "Till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of sleep (Job 14:12)." They must be awakened, because end time truths will come against everyone's core religious beliefs. Job is our pattern. Job was doing the works of the Lord and he believed that God would sustain him, and yet the curse came upon him because Job was determined to always maintain his own ways (Deuteronomy 28:15; Job 23:10-12). "I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came (Job 3:26)." "He causeth it to come (Job 37:13)." "He preformeth the thing that is appointed for me (Job 23:14)." Gone were Job's oxen and asses, his camels and sheep; and gone were his children and his servants. His skin was made loathsome with sores, and everyone that saw him, despised him. Moreover, Job was made to suffer visions and dreams which terrified him (Job 1:15-19; 2:7; 7:14; 19:13). "God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net. Behold I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment (Job 19:6-7)."
"Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in? For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters. For the thing which I greatly feared of is come upon me (Job 3:23-25)." Job desperately needed the right answers. Wasn't he doing righteousness? "Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery? (Job 3:21)?" Why did God allow him to have understanding, and yet hide things in scripture from men? "My sighing cometh before I eat." This remark insinuates that believers who refuse to look into the covenant message will suffer Job’s fate (Psalms 34:8). “I esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food (Job 23:12).” Job knew the scriptures, and he he did study them and he cried out to God for answers, but that was not enough to give Job the answers that were necessary for his healing.
“I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? (Job 31:1).” Job wanted to know, Why should I think upon a messenger? The words of his protest accomplish three things: first of all, they supply additional evidence that God planned for the covenant message to come forth from a woman (Jeremiah 30:6). Secondly, they suggest that Job had made a covenant with God, and that he would have to brake it in order to change to his theology. The final thing that this verse accomplishes, is that it raises an important prophetic question: Why, if I’m already secure in the Lord, should I waste my time listening to a messenger, or studying the covenant message? Answer: because the covenant message is the long anticipated end time plan of God, and it is his will (Malachi 3:1).
"Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps (Psalm 85:13)." The covenant message is purposed to go before the Lord and correct the hearts, minds, and teachings of his people, so that believers can avoid suffering God's correction, or his wrath. Believers have the scriptures for evidence, and God has sent his messengers forth, therefore priests are without excuse. "The curse causeless shall not come (Proverbs 26:2)." "Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice (Job 8:3)?" Job had access unto truths which he overlooked and refused to believe. “The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat (Job 6:7).” Believers are to pray and find out what God's will is, and then they are to follow God's end time instructions. “If thou say, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that ponders the heart consider it? He that keeps thy soul, doth not he know it? Shall not he render to every man according to his works (Proverbs 24:12)?”
Because Job had refused to know the truth, he was stripped of his royalty, and found guilty before the world. "He has stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head (Job 19:9)." Prophecy reveals that the glorious crown of righteousness will be cast off the head of David's seed during end times. "Thou hast been wrought with thine anointed... Thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground (Psalm 89:38-39)." "He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others; because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways (Job 34:26-27)." What more could God have done to convince every priest to receive the truth, and get prepared? They were given the covenant message, and they had seven years to heed the warnings of his messengers. "For God speaks once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not (Job 33:14)." "Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear (Zechariah 7:13)." "I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early (Hosea 5:15)."
When Job’s friends came to comfort him, they had no answers: Why did the curse come upon him? When Job pressed upon them for answers, his friends rehearsed mistakes that unwise and backslidden believers make, and they told Job truths that he already knew. Their words were of no benefit; they were offensive, and they were condemning. "Ye are forgers of lies, ye are physicians of no value (Job 13:4)." This pattern is for our edification: when people that are without covenant understanding come forth to comfort to the afflicted, their words will be offensive, because they have no answers. Job was condemned by his peers because they did not believe that God would strike an innocent man. "Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off (Job 4:7)?" Job stirred himself up against his friends and declared his own innocence. "God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live (Job 27:5-6)." "So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes... They had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job (Job 32:1-3)."
"Why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away my iniquity (Job 7:21)." After being insulted and accused by his friends, Job received counsel from a wise counselor named Elihu. Job was made to realize that he had ignored God's will, and that by claiming his own innocence, he was, in effect, accusing God. Elihu said: "I have heard the voice of thy words, saying, I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy... In this thou art not just: I will answer thee that God is greater than man (Job 33:8-12)." "Should it be according to thy mind (Job 34:33)?" "He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not. He will deliver his soul from the pit, and his life shall see the light (Job 33:27-28)." Elihu was successful at opening Job's ears, so that after receiving his reprimand Job was able to hear God's rebuke. And the Lord said unto Job: "Wilt thou disannul my judgment? Wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous (Job 40:8)?"
“If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show man his uprightness: Then he is gracious unto him (Job 33:23).” It will be a blessing for the afflicted when they receive one of God's messengers, for God's messengers will bring forth the truths which will cause the afflicted to see and know the mistakes that they are making against God, and then God will be gracious unto them. “If they be bound in fretters of iron, and holden in cords of affliction; Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded. He openeth their ear to discipline, and commands that they return from iniquity (Job 36:8-10).” After Job received the truth, he prayed for, and forgave his friends. "And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends (Job 42:10)."
A second message from the prophecies of Job:
Among the lessons of Job is the parable of leviathan, who is prophesied to be a sea monster playing among the unsaved (Lamentations 4:3). "There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein (Psalms 104:26)." Leviathan's name represents well respected priests who know the Lord (Job 41:22; Job 41:25), but prophecy indicates that these priests are guilty of allowing their pride to cause them to maintain their silence concerning the covenant message (Job 41:15-16). The parable of leviathan discloses man’s utter inability to cause priests to teach the covenant message. “His scales are his pride, shut up together as a close seal (Job 41:15).” Although men cannot persuade leviathan to talk, God will persuade him (Isaiah 66:9). "Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him (Job 41:11)?"
In the parable, God coyly suggests the various tactics which he has stored up and prophesied to come against leviathan. "Wilt thou play with him as a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens... Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? ...Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more. Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him (Job 41:5-9)." The words “cast down at the sight of him” convey the disheartening frustrations of God's messengers as they try to convince and persuade leviathan. "With lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad (Ezekiel 13:22)." What more can the people do? "Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? And to princes, Ye are ungodly (Job 34:18)?" "In that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea (Isaiah 27:1)."
"By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning (Job 41:18)." Although leviathan will not be persuaded until after God gets involved, victory starts moving rather quickly when these priests start to preach the truths of prophecy. "Sorrow is turned to joy before him (Job 41:22)." Leviathan's influences are powerful. “When he raises up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves. The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold… The arrows cannot make him flee.. he laughs at the shaking of the spear… Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear” (from Job 41:25-33). These priests will teach the congregation the truth. “I will not fear what flesh and blood can do unto me (Psalms 56:4).”
"I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and that though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God (Job 19:25-26)." These words are words of encouragement and strength for priests that will suffer the afflicting pestilence of end times. Job suffered his sores as a pattern for their edification. "He delivers the poor in affliction (Job 36:15)." "Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not the chastening of the Lord (Job 5:17)." Because some priests are not willing to receive the truth, they made it necessary for God to use affliction to get their attention. Affliction will convince these priests to accept the counsel of a messenger. Elihu's counsel brought Job to repentance, and thereby Job was able to come before the throne of grace where he beheld the terrible mightiness of our God. "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes (Job 42:5)." "And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10)."
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Salute Timothy
"Having made known unto us the mystery of his will (Ephesians 1:9)." What is God's will for end times? And unto whom was it revealed? Even the word "mystery" discretely implies that these things must be revealed. The truth concerning God's will for end times was to remain an elusive mystery until the time of the end. "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ (Ephesians 1:10)" When God causes his will to be understood, then the evidences of scripture will allow believers to have confidence that they are working together in agreement with God (John 14:4; Ephesians 1:11). “We are laborers together with God (1Corinthians 3:9).” “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is (Ephesians 5:17).” Prophets are discovering the hidden truths of prophecy, as well as the mystery of God's will. As they make these discoveries, others are joining in with them to help them promote their findings. Collectively, all of the people which are either bringing forth, or advancing the hidden truths of prophecy, are God's messengers. “We beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake (1Thessalonians 5:12-13).” “Submit yourselves to every one that helps with us, and labors (1Corinthians 16:16).” “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer (1Timothy 4:4-5).”
God's messengers will bring the answers concerning the hidden truths of prophecy unto the religious authorities, and they are to be received (Matthew 10:14; 10:41; John 13:20). “This is work of God, that you believe on him whom he hath sent (John 6:29).” Messengers are sent unto them for their good, and for the good of all God's people. “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you (John 20:21).” But receiving God's messengers is not easy, for no one wants to be informed that their religious beliefs are mistaken, or that their teachings need to be changed. Only consider that Jesus, and all the apostles, and all of the ancient prophets, were also God's messengers: for messengers are believers, which are, and were, sent by God to declare his words. Today's leaders are facing confusion and troublous times, and they need to remember that confusion abounded when the the religious authorities of the past received the word of the Lord through the ancient prophets. Believers are to avoid making their mistakes: know that God speaks unto his people through messengers, it is his way. To minimize confusion, Paul concluded that believers ought to speak up on behalf of God's messengers. “If a man think himself to be spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are commandments of the Lord (1Corinthians 14:37).”
There is no damage done when a believer receives a messenger, for listening to others cannot defile a man's inheritance: “There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him (Mark 7:15).” Believers ought to receive a messenger, then turn unto the Lord in prayer, and study to find out whether or not the information provided is supported by the evidence of scripture. The damage comes if believers reject God's messengers, and if they refuse to look into the truth of God's word, for this is rebellion against God: “As Janes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist truth… they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men (2Timothy 3:8-9).” God will send powerful delusions upon everyone that rejects knowledge, and thereby he will cause the rebellious to remain deceived until they are recompensed for their err on Judgment Day (Mark 7:9). "For this cause God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they might be damned who believed not the truth (2Thessalonians 2:11-12)." So be humble, and receive God's messengers. “It shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people (Acts 3:23)."
Another way in which believers are to receive God's messengers, is by considering and receiving new understanding from the ancient prophets. One such understanding is to come from Timothy. In the book of Philippians, Paul wrote that he trusted that Jesus would send Timothy unto believers. “I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you (Philippians 2:19).” Timothy was one of Paul's helpers, and he was charged with keeping, "The Charge." “That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwells within us (2Timothy 1:14).” “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy… that thou by them might war a good warfare (1Timothy 1:18).”
The Charge is recorded in the first epistle of Timothy, and it is God's commandments of instruction for the deacons, elders, and others with authority in the church, that they might help the church prevail in truth. In essence, The Charge commands every helper of the church to stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit (1Timothy 4:13-16); and to pray, and intercede, and give thanks for their leaders (1Timothy 2:1-2). It instructs these guardians of the church to hold faith in a good conscience (Timothy 1:19), and to count their leaders worthy of all honor (1Timothy 6:1-2). These workers are to publicly correct anyone within the church that is not acting in accordance with godliness, and they are to do it without partiality (1Timothy 5:20-21; Galatians 2:14). They are to teach the people not to trust in tradition but to trust in the living God, and they are to cause them to know the importance of maintaining good works, and of studying the scriptures: so that all of God's people might know the truth, and be able to communicate it (1Timothy 6:17-19). Last of all, The Charge instructs these acting authorities to guard the church against false teachings (1Timothy 1:3). “I give thee charge in the sight of God… That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ (1Timothy 6:13-14).” The words, "until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ," indicate that The Charge meant was to live on through the generations of helpers in the churches, who are like Timothy.
After perceiving the truth about The Charge, then the second epistle of Timothy becomes guidance for the guardians of the church who are currently keeping, or who have kept, The Charge, unto the appearing of Christ. Timothy is said to be weeping, which insinuates that these believers will be crying out to God, and praying for the mistakes of religion (2Timothy 1:4-5). Evidence and proof that this book pertains to end times is heard in the words: "But is now made manifest by the appearing of our saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death (2Timothy 1:10)." This verse confirms that the book of second Timothy is prophesied unto the authorities of the church at the time of Jesus' second appearing, because of its prophetic words: "Who hath abolished death." To understand the meaning of these things, it is necessary to know more about what is meant by the words. “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death (1Corinthians 15:26)."
While Jesus walked the earth, he promoted a fresh new doctrine of God which drew large crowds, but jealousy and envy entered into the hearts of the religious dignities when they heard about his crowds. Jealousy and envy are sins which turn God's people into his adversaries, because these sins cause believers to desire the destruction of God's messengers. Jealousy and envy are responsible for forcing God's messengers to lay down their own lives in order to promote the kingdom's truths (2Timothy 4:6). The voluntary act of sacrificially laying down ones life in order to share God's truths with others, is the death which will be swallowed up in victory. Jesus Christ paid an ultimate price for his service to man, because envy, jealousy, and pride put him on the cross. His crucifixion manifests the heinousness of these sins: but, by the grace of God, Jesus' obedience also manifests a pattern of genuine love: "Lo, I come, (in the column of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God (Hebrews 10:7)." "Jesus Christ gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God (Galatians 1:4)." Just like Jesus, today's messengers will also lay down their lives, sacrificially, in order to cause others to inherit eternal life, and to enter into the kingdom of God. But this should not to happen, because scripture's details of the past were recorded so that believers might avoid making those mistakes, and that they might unite and work together to know what God's will is: for then death is swallowed up in victory!
“Now if Timothy come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he works the work of the Lord, as I also do. Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren (1Corinthians 16:10-11).” This verse personifies Timothy's awkward position. In second Timothy, Timothy's name now represents the helpers within the church who have gained liberty because the covenant message has freed from the rules which are currently governing salvation (John 8:36). Paul’s name represents priests which are grouped together in likemindedness with Paul, even those priests which have respect for Paul's teachings. Timothy is set at liberty, but Paul has continued to remain bound by religion's rules. Paul is encouraging Timothy to press on. "Be not ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou a partaker in the afflictions (2Timothy 1:8)." "Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you (Hebrews 13:23).” In saying “If he come shortly, I will see you” Paul is verifying that today's priests which are bound, are, in effect, waiting to see and witness their own helpers and guardians of the church, supporting and promoting the truths of the covenant message. Additional evidence of this truth is heard in the words: "The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things (2Timothy 2:6-7)."
In the parable, Paul encourages Timothy to press on, as a messenger, and as good soldier: and he pleads with Timothy to get involved in the battle, because it is the word of God. “Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2Timothy 2:3).” “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he will also deny us (2Timothy 2:12).” “Stir up the gift of God which is in thee (2Timothy 1:6).” "No man that warreth entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier (2Timothy 2:4).""Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity (2Timothy 2:19)."
This book encourages the deacons, elders and others with authority in the church, to assume the role of God's messengers. It instructs and teaches these guardians to be firm but gentle in communicating the truths of scripture unto the deceived.“Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers (2Timothy 2:14).” “The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth (2Timothy 2:24-25).”
Some concluding remarks: God has declared certain things which Jesus Christ was sent to accomplish. A few examples include, Jesus was sent to guide believers in the way of peace (Luke 1:79); and to proclaim liberty unto the captives, and to open the prison houses of those that are bound. It is also implied that Jesus Christ would proclaim the day of vengeance of our God (Isaiah 61:1-2). These acts will be finished and completed through believers which have the mind of Christ: for God's messengers are bearing answers to hidden truths of prophecy, and those answers are guiding believers in the way of peace, and they are setting people free from religious bondage, unto salvation. Through the covenant message and the voices of God's messengers, the day of the vengeance of our God has been announced. Receive the warning, and study the scriptures. "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightfully dividing the word of truth (2Timothy 2:15).” “For if we sin willfully after that we have received knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 10:26).”
Scripture is a perfect work of God wherein each and every word was given one concise meaning, and it was perfectly placed. This is an impossible feat which could have only been accomplished by God. When believers search and investigate scripture, and find out that one true meaning for each and every perfectly placed word, then scripture interprets itself, and prophecy is understood (2Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 28:10). Studying prophecy reveals that it is God's will to overturn every religion, and to gather all believers together in one; and it is also God's will that end times be a time of refreshing for restoring and strengthening his people's confidence in him (Isaiah 28:12; Ephesians 1:9). "They shall know that I am the Lord (Ezekiel 7:27).""Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:19)." “It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13:11).” These messages are prepared for the express purpose of awakening believers, and causing them to study and confirm the hidden truths of prophecy, and to know the mystery of God's will: “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2).”
God's messengers will bring the answers concerning the hidden truths of prophecy unto the religious authorities, and they are to be received (Matthew 10:14; 10:41; John 13:20). “This is work of God, that you believe on him whom he hath sent (John 6:29).” Messengers are sent unto them for their good, and for the good of all God's people. “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you (John 20:21).” But receiving God's messengers is not easy, for no one wants to be informed that their religious beliefs are mistaken, or that their teachings need to be changed. Only consider that Jesus, and all the apostles, and all of the ancient prophets, were also God's messengers: for messengers are believers, which are, and were, sent by God to declare his words. Today's leaders are facing confusion and troublous times, and they need to remember that confusion abounded when the the religious authorities of the past received the word of the Lord through the ancient prophets. Believers are to avoid making their mistakes: know that God speaks unto his people through messengers, it is his way. To minimize confusion, Paul concluded that believers ought to speak up on behalf of God's messengers. “If a man think himself to be spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are commandments of the Lord (1Corinthians 14:37).”
There is no damage done when a believer receives a messenger, for listening to others cannot defile a man's inheritance: “There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him (Mark 7:15).” Believers ought to receive a messenger, then turn unto the Lord in prayer, and study to find out whether or not the information provided is supported by the evidence of scripture. The damage comes if believers reject God's messengers, and if they refuse to look into the truth of God's word, for this is rebellion against God: “As Janes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist truth… they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men (2Timothy 3:8-9).” God will send powerful delusions upon everyone that rejects knowledge, and thereby he will cause the rebellious to remain deceived until they are recompensed for their err on Judgment Day (Mark 7:9). "For this cause God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they might be damned who believed not the truth (2Thessalonians 2:11-12)." So be humble, and receive God's messengers. “It shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people (Acts 3:23)."
Another way in which believers are to receive God's messengers, is by considering and receiving new understanding from the ancient prophets. One such understanding is to come from Timothy. In the book of Philippians, Paul wrote that he trusted that Jesus would send Timothy unto believers. “I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you (Philippians 2:19).” Timothy was one of Paul's helpers, and he was charged with keeping, "The Charge." “That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwells within us (2Timothy 1:14).” “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy… that thou by them might war a good warfare (1Timothy 1:18).”
The Charge is recorded in the first epistle of Timothy, and it is God's commandments of instruction for the deacons, elders, and others with authority in the church, that they might help the church prevail in truth. In essence, The Charge commands every helper of the church to stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit (1Timothy 4:13-16); and to pray, and intercede, and give thanks for their leaders (1Timothy 2:1-2). It instructs these guardians of the church to hold faith in a good conscience (Timothy 1:19), and to count their leaders worthy of all honor (1Timothy 6:1-2). These workers are to publicly correct anyone within the church that is not acting in accordance with godliness, and they are to do it without partiality (1Timothy 5:20-21; Galatians 2:14). They are to teach the people not to trust in tradition but to trust in the living God, and they are to cause them to know the importance of maintaining good works, and of studying the scriptures: so that all of God's people might know the truth, and be able to communicate it (1Timothy 6:17-19). Last of all, The Charge instructs these acting authorities to guard the church against false teachings (1Timothy 1:3). “I give thee charge in the sight of God… That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ (1Timothy 6:13-14).” The words, "until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ," indicate that The Charge meant was to live on through the generations of helpers in the churches, who are like Timothy.
After perceiving the truth about The Charge, then the second epistle of Timothy becomes guidance for the guardians of the church who are currently keeping, or who have kept, The Charge, unto the appearing of Christ. Timothy is said to be weeping, which insinuates that these believers will be crying out to God, and praying for the mistakes of religion (2Timothy 1:4-5). Evidence and proof that this book pertains to end times is heard in the words: "But is now made manifest by the appearing of our saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death (2Timothy 1:10)." This verse confirms that the book of second Timothy is prophesied unto the authorities of the church at the time of Jesus' second appearing, because of its prophetic words: "Who hath abolished death." To understand the meaning of these things, it is necessary to know more about what is meant by the words. “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death (1Corinthians 15:26)."
While Jesus walked the earth, he promoted a fresh new doctrine of God which drew large crowds, but jealousy and envy entered into the hearts of the religious dignities when they heard about his crowds. Jealousy and envy are sins which turn God's people into his adversaries, because these sins cause believers to desire the destruction of God's messengers. Jealousy and envy are responsible for forcing God's messengers to lay down their own lives in order to promote the kingdom's truths (2Timothy 4:6). The voluntary act of sacrificially laying down ones life in order to share God's truths with others, is the death which will be swallowed up in victory. Jesus Christ paid an ultimate price for his service to man, because envy, jealousy, and pride put him on the cross. His crucifixion manifests the heinousness of these sins: but, by the grace of God, Jesus' obedience also manifests a pattern of genuine love: "Lo, I come, (in the column of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God (Hebrews 10:7)." "Jesus Christ gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God (Galatians 1:4)." Just like Jesus, today's messengers will also lay down their lives, sacrificially, in order to cause others to inherit eternal life, and to enter into the kingdom of God. But this should not to happen, because scripture's details of the past were recorded so that believers might avoid making those mistakes, and that they might unite and work together to know what God's will is: for then death is swallowed up in victory!
“Now if Timothy come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he works the work of the Lord, as I also do. Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren (1Corinthians 16:10-11).” This verse personifies Timothy's awkward position. In second Timothy, Timothy's name now represents the helpers within the church who have gained liberty because the covenant message has freed from the rules which are currently governing salvation (John 8:36). Paul’s name represents priests which are grouped together in likemindedness with Paul, even those priests which have respect for Paul's teachings. Timothy is set at liberty, but Paul has continued to remain bound by religion's rules. Paul is encouraging Timothy to press on. "Be not ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou a partaker in the afflictions (2Timothy 1:8)." "Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you (Hebrews 13:23).” In saying “If he come shortly, I will see you” Paul is verifying that today's priests which are bound, are, in effect, waiting to see and witness their own helpers and guardians of the church, supporting and promoting the truths of the covenant message. Additional evidence of this truth is heard in the words: "The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things (2Timothy 2:6-7)."
In the parable, Paul encourages Timothy to press on, as a messenger, and as good soldier: and he pleads with Timothy to get involved in the battle, because it is the word of God. “Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2Timothy 2:3).” “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he will also deny us (2Timothy 2:12).” “Stir up the gift of God which is in thee (2Timothy 1:6).” "No man that warreth entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier (2Timothy 2:4).""Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity (2Timothy 2:19)."
This book encourages the deacons, elders and others with authority in the church, to assume the role of God's messengers. It instructs and teaches these guardians to be firm but gentle in communicating the truths of scripture unto the deceived.“Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers (2Timothy 2:14).” “The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth (2Timothy 2:24-25).”
Some concluding remarks: God has declared certain things which Jesus Christ was sent to accomplish. A few examples include, Jesus was sent to guide believers in the way of peace (Luke 1:79); and to proclaim liberty unto the captives, and to open the prison houses of those that are bound. It is also implied that Jesus Christ would proclaim the day of vengeance of our God (Isaiah 61:1-2). These acts will be finished and completed through believers which have the mind of Christ: for God's messengers are bearing answers to hidden truths of prophecy, and those answers are guiding believers in the way of peace, and they are setting people free from religious bondage, unto salvation. Through the covenant message and the voices of God's messengers, the day of the vengeance of our God has been announced. Receive the warning, and study the scriptures. "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightfully dividing the word of truth (2Timothy 2:15).” “For if we sin willfully after that we have received knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 10:26).”
Scripture is a perfect work of God wherein each and every word was given one concise meaning, and it was perfectly placed. This is an impossible feat which could have only been accomplished by God. When believers search and investigate scripture, and find out that one true meaning for each and every perfectly placed word, then scripture interprets itself, and prophecy is understood (2Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 28:10). Studying prophecy reveals that it is God's will to overturn every religion, and to gather all believers together in one; and it is also God's will that end times be a time of refreshing for restoring and strengthening his people's confidence in him (Isaiah 28:12; Ephesians 1:9). "They shall know that I am the Lord (Ezekiel 7:27).""Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:19)." “It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13:11).” These messages are prepared for the express purpose of awakening believers, and causing them to study and confirm the hidden truths of prophecy, and to know the mystery of God's will: “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2).”
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