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13, R.V.), and keep this as a daily inspiration for service. This can sweeten all the trials
and troubles that may beset us and enable us to hold on our way without swerving from
the track of truth.
Paul does not go into details with Timothy as to how this will be accomplished, but he
had already taught that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, so the
glorious transformation of Phil. 3: 20, 21 is a necessity and we can rest assured that it
will be true of all, whether alive or asleep in Christ, at the manifesting of the Lord's glory
in the heavenlies. The Apostle has already referred to the kingdom of the Son of His love
in Col. 1: 13 into which the Body of Christ has been graciously placed by the Father, and
at the end of II Tim. 4: he looks forward by faith to this `heavenly kingdom' (verse 18)
associated with the ascended and seated Christ at the right hand of God. This must not be
confused with the earthly phase of God's kingdom with which redeemed and restored
Israel is so intimately associated. Phil. 3: 20 makes clear that our homeland is not an
earthly one but exists in heaven, and Colossians urges us to keep our minds fixed there as
our certain hope and not on things on the earth (Col. 3: 1).
As the darkness described in II Timothy descends upon us, may our testimony to the
good deposit of God's truth entrusted to us shine all the brighter as `lights in the world'
(Phil. 2: 15). We can constantly be light-bearers for Him Who alone is the true Light of
the world (John 8: 12).
Paul now gives five exhortations in his last charge to Timothy. We give Moffatt's
vivid translation:
"Preach (proclaim) the Word; keep at it in season and out of season, refuting,
checking and exhorting men; never lose patience with them, and never give up your
teaching; for the time will come when people decline to be taught sound doctrine, they
will accumulate teachers to suit themselves and tickle their fancies, they will give up
listening to the truth and turn to myths" (II Tim. 4: 2-4).
We have seen that we must not confine the word `preach' to the pulpit. It applies to
all of God's children who should feel the responsibility that a knowledge of the truth
brings. Each one of us is under an obligation to the Lord to proclaim the Word to others
in wisdom as opportunity offers and this must be done at all seasons. If we fail to do this,
we are not `redeeming the time' (Eph. 5: 16). Our privilege is to pass on to others, not
our opinions, but God's truth which He has placed in our keeping.
It is significant that the Greek logos, translated `word' occurs seven times in this
epistle, which marks its importance (1: 13; 2: 9, 11, 15, 17; 4: 2, 15). Here is an
expanse of spiritual knowledge which can never be fully plumbed this side of glory, but it
is more than sufficient for both teacher and those taught till that day of glory dawns.
Timothy is told to reprove, exhort, and teach with all patience and not to give up,
specially as there will be a turning away from the truth and people will only want to hear
the things that please them and tickle their fancy. What a temptation it is for the servant
of God to give his hearers what they want rather than what they need, in other words to
avoid the risk of displeasing them. There is many a minister today who is at the mercy of