Unity . Restoration . Common Sense
2 Timothy The year is 67 A.D, Paul is in chains, imprisoned at Rome for the second time. This time he is not allowed to live by himself (Acts 28:16) but is placed in the dungeon. This Letter he writes from Rome to Timothy, is the last he will ever write. Perhaps three months after this, he will be executed (beheaded) as a criminal (armed terrorist) who had tried to destroy the city. [The Christians were made the scapegoat for the burning of Rome.] Peter was also executed in Rome about his same time, crucified upside-down. The uniform testimony of the early church verifies these things.
"For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 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." 2 Tim 4:6-8
"But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!" 2 Tim 4:17-18
1. Perilous times are always here.
"...having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" 2 Tim 3:5
"And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold." Matt 24:12
Many people’s love will grow cold. Sin eats the heart out of religion. Love grown cold is a serious matter (Rev. 2:l-7). But whoever holds out. The Christian Jews who did not give up their faith, saw the signs and escaped to Pella in Perea across the Jordan, and saved their lives. This is symbolic of all who escape God’s wrath through Jesus. "Having a form of godliness. This implies that the persons described professed to be religious, worshipers of God in outward form. A godless church is described. Denying the power. Rejecting its power. Their lives are not molded by it. From such turn away. This implies that some of this formal, godless religion had begun to show itself even at that time." —Johnson’s Notes
The Good News Gospel cannot be prevented from spreading. "But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: "Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world." Romans 10:18; Luke 1:78-79
2. Revival, Renewal, Spiritual Awakening.
"Have you received any new light from the Scriptures today?" [old Restoration greeting.] They were called New Lights.
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Cor 4:16-18
"Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." 2 Cor 5:5-8
3. Unity is the Lord’s command.
"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me." John 17:20-23
(John 17:21) I pray that they may all be one. This is a prayer for the UNITY [not union] of all disciples. The "spirit" that divides "Christians" into warring factions, is CONTRARY to this prayer. Christians should be ONE in intent and purpose. So that the world wlll believe You sent Me. It must be a unity which the world can see and recognize. [Some think the prime force of what He says was directed to the apostles. See John 13:4-5.] Church quarrels and sectarian division causes unbelief. (22-23) The same glory You gave Me. The work of Christ is accomplished when men are ONE in Christ. See John 1:12; 1 John 3:l; Gal. 3:26-29. Just as You and I are one. All who are guided by the One Spirit will be one with each other. See Eph. 4:3,13. (24-26) And I will continue to do so. By His death and by sending the Spirit of Truth. The purpose of this, is so that the love the Father has for the Son will be in the disciples from that time on, to the end of time!
