John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
These are perilous times. We need wisdom to see the wiles of the serpent while remaining as gentle as the Lamb!! The doctrine of man will never save you. Only Jesus Christ can do that!!
Hebrews 9:11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
Hebrews 9:15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance
The earthly tabernacle was made with natural things the spiritual not of this creation, not made with human hands. Jesus is the price of redemption. Christ entered into the holiest of holies, and offered His blood for the salvation of mankind. He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice without spot. Purged from our sins we can now stand before our Holy God.
John 20:8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead..
Those closest to Jesus had no concept that He would offer His life in exchange for theirs and be raised from the dead. Mary magdalene ran to tell the apostles that His tomb was empty. Peter entered into the tomb and saw the linens wrapped together by themselves.
They saw and believed. They knew nothing of the resurrection. For as yet they did not understand the scripture that He must rise again from the dead. They left but Mary Magdalene weeping looked into the sepulchre and saw two angels where the body of Jesus would have laid. And then she saw a man (He was so marred) but did not recognize Him until Jesus spoke her name. She answered Master. Jesus said not to touch Him for He had not yet ascended to the Father. She ran to tell the others that Jesus was resurrected.
Jesus says it is wise to treasure what is eternally worthwhile. Today, as believers, we are gifted with the Holy Spirit to assist us in understanding God's Truth (John 16:13)! So let's ask Him to help us understand this today: Any sacrifice we make to follow Jesus will be well worth it. Scripture is clear that Jesus, as the Son of God, is the only One who is able to pay the price for our salvation (John 3:16-18; ). ( Acts 4:12). It is through Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection that our sin debt is paid (Romans 6:8-11; ). ( 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
We receive the gift of salvation through our faith in Christ alone, not by anything we do or do not do (Ephesians 2:8-9). First5
2 Timothy 3:1–5
3 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, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, 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! The New King James Version
The last days refers to the period of time before Christ returns to establish His kingdom.
Christians in the new testament period believed they were already living in the last days. The concept of the last days derives from the old testament. The phrase and its variations (“latter days,” “day to come,” “that day”) were used to refer to a period of time in the future, or to a period before the end of history. The last days were characterized by wickedness and unfaithfulness to God, and consequently, judgment however, they were also characterized by restoration.
The disciples perceived a relationship between the last days and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For this reason, they asked Jesus about restoring the kingdom of Israel.
Having a form of godliness refers to someone who is godly only in outward appearance Such people look righteous but are only religious, not actually living according to God’s standards. They promote foolish controversies and ascetic practices that deny the power of godliness for true transformation. Faithlife Study Bible
The exhortations of chapter 2 to endure hardship, be diligent, rightly divide the Word, and be a vessel fit for the Master’s use are given in the context of difficult, even perilous times. Last days includes the whole time from the writing of this letter until the return of Christ.
A form of godliness is an outward appearance of reverence for God. Denying its power describes religious activity that is not connected to a living relationship with Jesus Christ. As time progresses, people would begin to participate in religious activities that are empty. Their activities have nothing to do with a true relationship with God or with individual faith in Jesus Christ. This kind of religion provokes God’s anger.
Turn away is a command for Timothy to avoid the evil persons described. We are not to link up in common cause with them. The NKJV Study Bible
Even in gospel times there would be perilous times; on account of persecution from without, still more on account of corruptions within. Men love to gratify their own lusts, more than to please God and do their duty. When every man is eager for what he can get, and anxious to keep what he has, this makes men dangerous to one another. When men do not fear God, they will not regard man. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Romans 1:30–31 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;
1 Timothy 6:4–5 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
Luke 16:14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment