Page 503 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

PROPHECY

been conducting theological schools for hundreds and chosen, prepared men. Compare 2 Pe. 1:21. (5) The
hundreds of years, but have yet to arrive at the simple purpose and power of the Bible—It produces salvation
truth of the Apostles! (2 Ti. 3:15) and good Christian living (2 Ti. 3:17). The
6. Resisting the truth (2 Ti. 3:8). Apostate Christians word “perfect” in verse 17 does not refer to sinless
are broadminded and accept almost anything and perfection, but to completeness, maturity. [See Perfect.]
anyone—except simple, apostolic Bible truth and 6. Preach the Bible (2 Ti. 4:1-4). “Preach” means to
preachers! They want the N.T. Christian to ignore their proclaim, herald, announce. (1) This is a solemn charge
apostasy, but they certainly do not ignore the simple from God. Every preacher will stand before the Lord
Bible faith of the N.T. Christian. They mock and slander Jesus Christ and answer for how he preached God’s
and reproach and resist that faith. Word. Those who compromise some teachings, or refuse
7. Refusing to obey N.T. teaching (2 Ti. 3:8). Apostates to rebuke sin and error (this is an inescapable part of
are reprobate concerning the teachings of the Apostles. the ministry of preaching), or misinterpret the Bible, or
The N.T. doctrines of inspiration, salvation, judgment, preach without patience and spirituality, or decide to
sin, man, the world, the future, etc. are largely (or enter into dialogue rather than to proclaim the truth,
wholly) rejected. will be dealt with by God. (2) This is to be done at all
What God Expects from His People in Times of Apostasy times, convenient or inconvenient. (3) This involves
1. Separation from those who are apostate (2 Ti. 3:5). negative as well as positive preaching. The first two
aspects of preaching referred to in 2 Ti. 4 are negative—
Separation from apostasy is the only effective solution reprove and rebuke! “Reprove” means to convince of sin
to the problem of error. Heresy is likened to a leaven or error. “Rebuke” means to warn, to censor. “Exhort”
which permeates everything it touches, thus the only means to call alongside, to encourage, to appeal. It is as
protection is complete separation. Separation is to say, “Come, join me in obeying the Truth!” (4) This is
despised in the ecumenical climate of these last days, to be done in the proper manner and attitude—”with all
but it is God’s prescription against the disease of false longsuffering and doctrine.” (5) This is to be done even
teaching. [See Separation.] if people do not want to hear the preaching (vv. 3-4).
2. Follow Paul’s teaching and example (and that of the 7. Do not forget evangelism (2 Ti. 4:5). In the midst of
other apostles) (2 Ti. 3:10-11). Christians in every fighting against false doctrine and apostasy and while
century are to follow the apostolic pattern. Compare 1 teaching the Word of God to Christians, it is possible to
Ti. 6:13-14, 20. get away from the urgent business of witnessing to the
3. Understand that troubles will come to those who set lost, of preaching the Gospel of the cross of Christ to
their hearts to obey the Bible in apostate times (2 Ti. every nation and individual. Timothy was reminded to
3:12). do the work of an evangelist. While not every Christian
4. Abide in sound doctrine (2 Ti. 3:14). In apostate is called to be an evangelist, every Christian is to do the
times the pressure to relax one’s doctrinal position is work of an evangelist, which is to preach the Gospel to
intense. Many professing Christians are entirely apostate the lost. [See Evangelist, Great Tribulation.]
from the truth, but many others, while themselves 8. Be concerned about every detail of life, doctrine, and
believers of the Bible, compromise many things for the ministry—“watch thou in all things” (2 Ti. 4:5).
sake of popularity, peace, and convenience. Through Christians must watch every area of their lives. Nothing
failing to rebuke apostasy and to contend earnestly for is unimportant. No teaching of the Bible (2 Ti. 3:16); no
the faith, they avoid the troubles and labels which thought in one’s mind (2 Co. 10:5); no sinful thing (1
follow such actions. Timothy, though, is exhorted to Th. 5:22); no conversation or word (Col. 4:5-6); no
stand firm in the teachings of the Lord’s Apostles and to minute of the day (Ep. 5:16); no decision (Pr. 3:5-6).
endure the resulting hardships. 9. Completely fulfill your God-given ministry—“make
5. Remain confident in the Bible (2 Ti. 3:15-17). Here full proof of thy ministry” (2 Ti. 4:5). Even if every other
we see (1) the nature of the Bible—It is a holy book. professing Christian and preacher compromises with the
“Holy” means “set apart,” referring to the truth that the apostasy of the times, look to yourself and be certain
Bible is unlike any other book. It is God’s Book. (2) The that you fulfill your God-given ministry according to the
origin of the Bible—It is from God! (3) The perfection of instruction of the N.T. It is Christ to whom we must
the Bible—It is from God in its entirety, and it is all answer, not man. Stand fast!
profitable and important for the believer. The entire Characteristics of the Last Days—Matthew 13
Book is given by inspiration of God. The Greek word
translated “inspiration” can also be translated “God- The Background. (1) Jesus came and presented
breathed.” The Bible, though written by men, came Himself to Israel as the promised Messiah and King (Mt.
from God. It was breathed out from God through holy, 1-10). We know that Jesus did not come to establish the

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