WAITING THE EXECUTION-- II Timothy 4
What a bitter-sweet chapter II Timothy 4 is. Paul, now quite senior, and having been well tortured throughout his ministry and various incarcerations, senses that his life on earth is rapidly coming to a close.
Any day now, or even in the darkness of the night, they will come, further restrain him and disconnect him violently from his fleshly existence. Even in the face of this finality, he delivers the Gospel;
4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching.
His passion for Christ, and especially for those he fathered, in the spiritual sense, will bring a tear to your eye as you read;
4:5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
4:6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
4:8 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.
Emperor Nero ordered Paul to be tortured, then beheaded, circa AD 67, thus closing the many chapters of Paul's (Saul's) brief period on this planet. What sweet justice in the fact that he will reside and worship in the presence of his True King forevermore, no tortures, no pain, no tears. He has overcome death.
Each of us will soon face our own disconnect as our earthly time expires. Will we be as prepared, as reflective, as confident as Paul? If tomorrow that time comes, are you ready?
What a bitter-sweet chapter II Timothy 4 is. Paul, now quite senior, and having been well tortured throughout his ministry and various incarcerations, senses that his life on earth is rapidly coming to a close.
Any day now, or even in the darkness of the night, they will come, further restrain him and disconnect him violently from his fleshly existence. Even in the face of this finality, he delivers the Gospel;
4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching.
His passion for Christ, and especially for those he fathered, in the spiritual sense, will bring a tear to your eye as you read;
4:5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
4:6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
4:8 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.
Emperor Nero ordered Paul to be tortured, then beheaded, circa AD 67, thus closing the many chapters of Paul's (Saul's) brief period on this planet. What sweet justice in the fact that he will reside and worship in the presence of his True King forevermore, no tortures, no pain, no tears. He has overcome death.
Each of us will soon face our own disconnect as our earthly time expires. Will we be as prepared, as reflective, as confident as Paul? If tomorrow that time comes, are you ready?
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