Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things . . . Psalm 119:18 (ESV) 

​2 Timothy 3:2 (NKJV) For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy   
The New King James Version (2 Ti 3:2). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

There will be terrible times in the last days. Paul tells Timothy to mark this. . . to understand this . . . to warn him of the collapse coming at the end. Paul gave an extraordinary list of traits to watch for before the coming of Jesus for His bride. We focus on one word in verse two to highlight for today.

 V.      Predictions of Faithlessness (3:1–9).

3:1–5. As in his previous letter, Paul warned Timothy about the collapse predicted for the last days (cf. 1 Tim. 4:1–3), a term which includes the entire period between the first century and Christ’s return. During this interim, according to the prediction, the world will see terrible times of societal degeneration. Paul gave an extraordinary list (cf. Rom. 1:28–32) of 19 general characteristics believers should expect. People will be: (1) lovers of themselves (philautoi, “self-centered, narcissistic”); (2) lovers of money (philargyroi; cf. 1 Tim. 6:9–10); (3) boastful—the outward manifestation of the fact that inwardly they are (4) proud (“arrogant”); (5) abusive toward others, which translates blasphēmoi (“blasphemers”).
   
Litfin, A. D. (1985). 2 Timothy. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge         Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 756). Victor Books.
 
989 βλάσφημος [blasphemos /blas·fay·mos/] adj. From a derivative of 984 and 5345; TDNT 1:621; TDNTA 107; GK 1061; Five occurrences; AV translates as “blasphemous” twice, “blasphemer” twice, and “railing” once. 1 speaking evil, slanderous, reproachful, railing, abusive.

 Strong, J. (1995). In Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

A clear connection exists between boastful and proud (verse 2). The former word alazōn includes ‘the bounce of swaggering’ (Simpson), while the other word hyperēphanos, when used in a bad sense, conveys the idea of haughtiness or arrogance. The word abusive translates the Greek word blasphēmoi, but points to evil-speaking directed against others rather than against God. The last three vices in verse 2 are all specific denials of definite Christian virtues (in the Greek they all have the negative a-prefix) bringing out forcefully the idea of militant moral perversion. The same evident reversal of moral values is also seen in five of the six vices mentioned in verse 3, the only word without the negative prefix being slanderous (diaboloi). The word translated unforgiving (aspondos) literally means ‘without a truce’, and therefore ‘implacable’. It describes an hostility so intense that a truce is impossible. Without self-control shows an attitude of mind that is dominated by outside influences, while brutal is the antithesis of what is civilized. The expression not lovers of the good really describes those who hate the good and have replaced it with something less demanding.

Guthrie, D. (1990). Pastoral Epistles: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 14, pp. 174–175). InterVarsity Press.

Lovers of self (φιλαυτοι [philautoi]). Old compound adjective (φιλος, αὐτος [philos, autos]), here only in N. T. Lovers of money (φιλαργυροι [philarguroi]). Old compound adjective, in N. T. only here and Luke 16:14. See 1 Tim. 6:10. Boastful (ἀλαζονες [alazones]). Old word for empty pretender, in N. T. only here and Rom. 1:30. Haughty (ὑπερηφανοι [huperēphanoi]). See also Rom. 1:30 for this old word. Railers (βλασφημοι [blasphēmoi]). See 1 Tim. 1:13.

 Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (2 Ti 3:2). Broadman Press.

It has certainly become a challenge to speak directly from the Word of God without offending someone. May the Lord give you a seasoned tongue of tenderness, love and clarity. Encourage others around you!

Cathy and Danny Sartin
wwwdeeperstillmissions.com
------------------------------------------
Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.
Bible Nuggets are written for pastors, youth leaders and missionaries who desire to go deeper still in God’s Word. 
Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.

Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things . . . 
Psalm 119:18 (ESV) 

Boastful in the last days.

1–5  This be constantly knowing, that in the last days difficult times will set in, for men shall be fond of themselves, fond of money, swaggerers, haughty, revilers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, lacking self-control, savage, haters of that which is good, betrayers, headstrong, besotted with pride, fond of pleasure rather than having an affection for God, having a mere outward semblance of piety toward God but denying the power of the same. And these be constantly shunning.  Wuest, K. S. (1961). The New Testament: an expanded translation (2 Ti 3:1–5). Eerdmans.

People like to know the signs of the last days. Paul gives a powerful picture of godlessness in the last days.

From  The Pastoral Epistles: a commentary on the Greek text.

The next layer of terms, working from both the beginning and the end of the list, focuses on pride and hostility toward others. Associated, therefore, with self-love is an attitude of arrogant pride and disdain for others. In the first two words of this layer, joined here as in Rom. 1:30, Paul describes these people as “boasters” (ἀλαζόνες, notice Pr. 21:24 LXX and the associated concepts there) and as “arrogant” or “haughty” (ὑπερήφανοι,** Lk. 1:51; Rom. 1:30; Jas. 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5), i.e., as those who express their pride in both talk and attitude. Here again Paul mentions characteristics of the false teachers (cf. 1 Tim. 1:7; 6:4; see Trench, Synonyms, 98–102 on both words; Barclay, More NT Words, 85–89 on the second). The third word of this group, βλάσφημοι** (Acts 6:11; 1 Tim. 1:13; here; 2 Pet. 2:11), “evil speakers,” “slanderers,” is most likely used here of “abusive” speech against other people, just as the related verb and abstract noun are used elsewhere in the PE of an evil that Christians must avoid in their dealings with non-Christians (βλασφημέω in Tit. 3:2) and that is associated with the false teachers (βλασφημία in 1 Tim. 6:4).

From the Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains

88.220 ἀλαζών, όνος m: (derivative of ἀλαζονεία ‘pretentious pride,’ 88.219) one who is pretentiously proud and given to bragging about it—‘braggart, arrogant person.’ ἔσονται γὰρ οἱ ἄνθρωποι φίλαυτοι, φιλάργυροι, ἀλαζόνες ‘for there will be people who are lovers of themselves, lovers of money, braggarts’ 2 Tm 3:2. In a number of languages an arrogant person is described figuratively as ‘one who speaks big words about himself’ or ‘one whose mouth is too big for his body.’).
 
From the Theological lexicon of the New Testament

ἀλαζονεία, ἀλαζών
alazoneia, boastful arrogance; alazōn, boaster
mention as a third epithymia “the lust for riches or money,” it is precisely because he had his sights set on a more serious vice than the ostentation of the wealthy or their arrogance toward the poor. He contrasts with God the creaturely pride, the mastery of one’s own existence, of the person who decides and directs the course of his life without taking God into account.11 This “sufficiency” is the exact opposite of the absolute duty of worshiping God and serving God devoutly; it follows that this is something altogether different from the classical and profane alazoneia.
 
This one word easily describes the attitudes we see in our world today. Go before our Lord in humility and worship.

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
_________________________
Wuest, K. S. (1961). The New Testament: an expanded translation (2 Ti 3:1–5). Eerdmans.
LXX Septuagint
** all occurrences of the word or phrase in the New Testament are listed or it is identified as a New Testament hapax legomenon
** all occurrences of the word or phrase in the New Testament are listed or it is identified as a New Testament hapax legomenon
PE Pastoral Epistles
Knight, G. W. (1992). The Pastoral Epistles: a commentary on the Greek text (p. 431). W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press.
m masculine
Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). In Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 764). United Bible Societies.
11 This is the interpretation of J. Chaine, Les Epîtres catholiques, Paris, 1939, p. 164; R. Schnackenburg, Die Johannesbriefe, Freiburg, 1953, p. 114. Ἀλαζών does not occur in the papyri, but cf. P.Lond. 1927, 32 (Christian, mid-fourth century, H. I. Bell, Jews and Christians in Egypt, p. 111): τὴν τοῦ κόσμου ἀλαζονίαν ἀπεκήρυξας καὶ τὴν τῶν κενοδόξων μεγαλαυχίαν ἐβδέλυξας.
Spicq, C., & Ernest, J. D. (1994). In Theological lexicon of the New Testament (Vol. 1, pp. 63–65). Hendrickson Publishers.

Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.Bible Nuggets are written for pastors, youth leaders and missionaries who desire to go deeper still in God’s Word. 
Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.

Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things . . . Psalm 119:18 (ESV) 

Some have continued to ask about the rapture of the church and the end times. Below is the fourth reason I believe Christ will return for His Church before the onset of the Great Tribulation. Consider these thoughts:

Time gap between the rapture and second coming of Christ.

• 2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

 

• Revelation 19:7–9 (ESV) Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

5:9 we also have as our ambition. Paul was speaking of his ambition in life, but not the kind of proud, selfish desire that “ambition” expresses in English. “Ambition” is from the Gr. word that means “to love what is honorable.” Paul demonstrated that it is right and noble for the believer to strive for excellence, spiritual goals, and all that is honorable before God (cf. Ro 15:20; 1Ti 3:1). whether at home or absent. See notes on vv. 6, 8. Paul’s ambition was not altered by his state of being—whether he should be in heaven or on earth—he cared how he lived for the Lord (see notes on Ro 14:6; Php 1:20; cf. 1Co 9:27).  pleasing to Him. This was Paul’s highest goal (cf. 1Co 4:1–5), and should be so for every believer (cf. Ro 12:2; Eph 5:10; Col 1:9; 1Th 4:1). The term translated “pleasing” is the same one used in Tit 2:9 to describe slaves who were passionate to please their masters.

 5:10 This describes the believer’s deepest motivation and highest aim in pleasing God—the realization that every Christian is inevitably and ultimately accountable to Him. the judgment seat of Christ. “Judgment seat” metaphorically refers to the place where the Lord will sit to evaluate believers’ lives for the purpose of giving them eternal rewards. It is translated from the Gr. word bēma, which was an elevated platform where victorious athletes (e.g., during the Olympics) went to receive their crowns. The term is also used in the NT to refer to the place of judging, as when Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate (Mt 27:19; Jn 19:13), but here the reference is definitely from the athletic analogy. Corinth had such a platform where both athletic rewards and legal justice were dispensed (Ac 18:12–16), so the Corinthians understood Paul’s reference. deeds in the body. Actions which happened during the believer’s time of earthly ministry. This does not include sins, since their judgment took place at the cross (Eph 1:7). Paul was referring to all those activities believers do during their lifetimes, which relate to their eternal reward and praise from God. What Christians do in their temporal bodies will, in His eyes, have an impact for eternity (see notes on 1Co 4:3–5; cf. Ro 12:1, 2: Rev 22:12). whether good or bad. These Gr. terms do not refer to moral good and moral evil. Matters of sin have been completely dealt with by the death of the Savior. Rather, Paul was comparing worthwhile, eternally valuable activities with useless ones. His point was not that believers should not enjoy certain wholesome, earthly things, but that they should glorify God in them and spend most of their energy and time with what has eternal value (see notes on 1Co 3:8–14).     
                       
MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (2 Co 5:9–10). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
​
Consider two events that seem to fall before the second coming of Jesus. The judgement seat of Christ is one and the marriage supper of the Lord is a second.

We recognize that many faithful Christians have different perceptions about these end time events. But a time is coming when it will be clear to us all.

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
_________________________

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ps 119:18; 2 Cor 5:10; Rev 19:7-9). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.
Bible Nuggets are written for pastors, youth leaders and missionaries who desire to go deeper still in God’s Word. 
Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.

Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things . . . 
​Psalm 119:18 (ESV) 

2 Timothy 2:7 (NIV84)
Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

The Lord speaks to us through the Word of God. But he also uses illustrations or pictures He wants us to think about. Consider how the Lord gives us insight.Here are some thoughts from two commentaries.
​
7. Consider the force of the illustrations I have given from the soldier, the contender in the games, and the husbandmen, as applying to thyself in thy ministry.and the Lord give, &c.—The oldest manuscripts read, “for the Lord will give thee understanding.” Thou canst understand my meaning so as personally to apply it to thyself; for the Lord will give thee understanding when thou seekest it from Him “in all things.” Not intellectual perception, but personal appropriation of the truths metaphorically expressed, was what he needed to be given him by the Lord.

     Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 424).
     Logos Research Systems, Inc.

(2:7) “Consider” is noeō (νοεω), “to perceive with the mind, to understand, think upon, ponder, consider.” Expositors translates, “ ‘Grasp the meaning’ of these three similes.… If you have not sufficient wisdom to follow my argument, ‘ask of God who giveth to all men liberally’ (Jas. 1:5).” Paul had used the illustration of a soldier. Timothy was to live a rugged, strenuous Christian life in which hardships as the result of serving the Lord Jesus were an expected thing. He used the simile of a Greek athlete. Timothy should live a life of rigid separation, not merely with respect to evil things, but also with regard to things which, good in themselves, would unfit him for the highest type of Christian service. Paul now uses the metaphor of a tiller of the soil. Timothy is reminded that the Christian worker who labors with wearisome effort in the Lord’s service, has the right to derive his financial support from it, so that he might be able to give all of his time and strength to his work.

    Translation. Grasp the meaning of that which I am saying, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.

     Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader     
     (Vol. 8, pp. 130–131). Eerdmans.

Reflect on the pictures God gives us with His word. Then determine how they apply to your life today.

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
_________________________
 
The Holy Bible: New International Version (2 Ti 2:7). (1984). Zondervan.
Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.Bible Nuggets are written for pastors, youth leaders and missionaries who desire to go deeper still in God’s Word. 
Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.

Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things . . . Psalm 119:18 (ESV) 

John 1:47–48 (ESV)
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, yan Israelite indeed, zin whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How ado you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”

Jesus saw Nathanael sitting under the fig tree. What did this picture say to Jesus? Consider the fig tree in the culture of Biblical times.

FIG TREE
A tree (Ficus carica L.; Heb. tĕʾēnâ; Gk. sýkon, sykḗ) whose fruit has remained a staple in the diet of the ancient Mediterranean world since earliest times. The tree reaches an average height of 3–6 m. (10–20 ft.). Its large palmate leaves open in the early spring and fall at the beginning of winter. Normally the first fruit (cf. Cant. 2:13; Hos. 9:10) appears in February before the leaves appear in April/June. When the leaves appear the fruit is usually ripe. A tree produces two crops per year, one in early summer and the chief crop in the autumn. It is a dioecious tree, meaning there are both male and female varieties. The male (Lat. caprificus) grows wild from seeds scattered principally by birds and bats, while the female is planted from shoots of the cultivated trees and requires tending (Prov. 27:18). The fruit production of the female depends upon a process known as caprification: wasps hatched in the caprifig’s flowers bring the pollen from the male tree to fertilize the female flowers, from which the fig develops. Two- to three-year-old fig shoots will become young trees that bear the first or second year after planting. There is considerable literature on the cultivation of the fig in the Greek and Roman farming manuals (Pliny, Cato, Varro, Theophrastus, Columella).

The fig tree is the first fruit tree mentioned in the OT. The many other references to the fig indicate its significant role in the economy of Palestine. It was one of the food items that interested the Hebrews at the conquest of Canaan (Num. 13:23; Deut. 8:8), and the lack of suitability of the wilderness for the fig was a major complaint (Num. 20:5). The fruit was eaten as a delicacy fresh from the tree (Isa. 28:4), or dried individually or in strings, or pressed into cakes (1 Sam. 25:18) for the winter months. Dried figs in cakes were also used as a medicinal poltice (2 Kgs. 20:7 = Isa. 38:21).

The most common reference to the fig in the OT is metaphorical. It is generally used to depict peace, prosperity, and God’s blessing (“they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees,” Mic. 4:4; 1 Kgs. 4:25; Hag. 2:19; Zech. 3:10; 1 Macc. 14:12; cf. 2 Kgs. 18:31; Isa. 36:16; Joel 2:22), or God’s judgment (“the vine withers, the fig tree languishes,” Joel 1:7, 12; cf. Ps. 105:33; Jer. 5:17; Hos. 2:12 [MT 14]; Amos 4:9; Nah. 3:12; Hab. 3:17). Other metaphorical uses occur in Judg. 9:10–11; Isa. 34:4; Jer. 8:13; 24:1–8; 29:17; Hos. 9:10; cf. Amos 8:2.

In the NT also the dominant use of the fig tree is metaphorical (Matt. 7:16 = Luke 6:44; Jas. 3:12). It depicts the imminent end of the world(Mark 13:28 = Matt. 24:32 = Luke 21:29). The most problematical passage is Jesus’ cursing of the fig tree (Mark 11:12–14, 20–22 = Matt. 21:18–22). Because this account frames the cleansing of the temple, it appears that Mark regards it as an act of prophetic judgment on the temple cult for promising but not delivering true piety (Jer. 8:13; 24:1–10; cf. Matt. 7:15–20). In Luke 13:6–9 Jesus tells a parable about a barren fig tree that reflects the realistic features of farming in 1st-century Palestine. Luke does not provide an interpretation to the parable.
Bibliography. F. N. Hepper, Baker Encyclopedia of Bible Plants (Grand Rapids, 1992), 110–14; H. N. and A. L. Moldenke, Plants of the Bible (1952, repr. New York, 1986), 103–6.
CHARLES W. HEDRICK

Hedrick, C. W. (2000). Fig Tree. In D. N. Freedman, A. C. Myers, & A. B. Beck (Eds.), Eerdmans dictionary of the Bible (pp. 460–461). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.

Have you been under a fig tree lately? Where do you pray privately? Do you worship Christ each day? Do you meditate on the Word of God? The difficulties of the 21st century come at us each day. We need a private time of reflection and worship.

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
_________________________
y  Ps. 73:1; Rom. 9:4, 6
z  Ps. 32:2; [Zeph. 3:13; Rev. 14:5]
a  ch. 2:24, 25
  The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Jn 1:47–48). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ps 119:18). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
​Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.
Bible Nuggets are written for pastors, youth leaders and missionaries who desire to go deeper still in God’s Word. 
Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.

Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things . . . Psalm 119:18 (ESV) 

2 Timothy 2:1 (NKJV)
Be Strong in Grace
You therefore, amy son, bbe strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
 
a  1 Tim. 1:2
b  Eph. 6:10
The New King James Version. (1982). (2 Ti 2:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

When I read scriptures I want good thoughts from other Christian scholars that are contained in study Bibles and commentaries. I have given you thoughts from five different writers who I always find insightful. They provide clear guidance in each scripture. Consider some of their comments.

I.      God’s Family (2:1) (Warren Wiersbe)
“My son” suggests, of course, that Timothy had been born into God’s family by faith in Christ. As Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 4:15, he had “begotten” him through the Gospel. In Eph. 2:19, Paul calls the local church the “household of God.” The local church is not a sanctified country club; it is the family of God meeting together for fellowship, worship, and service. The only way to enter this family is by being born of the Spirit (John 3:1–6) and the Word (1 Peter 1:23).

Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (p. 645). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

​(John MacArthur)
2:1 my son. Paul had led Timothy to Christ during his first missionary journey (cf. 1Co 4:17; 1Ti 1:2, 18). be strong. Here is the main admonition in the first part of the letter. Paul is calling for Timothy to overcome his apparent drift toward weakness and renew his commitment to his ministry (see Introduction: Historical and Theological Themes).

MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (2 Ti 2:1). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

(Duane Litfin)
2:1. After the reminders of Timothy’s ordination, his own example, and that of others, Paul addressed Timothy with a direct application: You then, my son (teknon, “child,” an endearing term), be strong (lit. “be empowered”; cf. Eph. 6:10). Yet Timothy’s strength was not his own; it was a divine “gift” (grace, charis) found only in Christ (Phil. 4:13).

Litfin, A. D. (1985). 2 Timothy. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 752). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.


1. Thou therefore—following my example (2 Ti 1:8, 12), and that of ONESIPHORUS (2 Ti 1:16–18), and shunning that of those who forsook me (2 Ti 1:15).

my son—Children ought to imitate their father.

be strong—literally, “be invested with power.” Have power, and show thyself to have it; implying an abiding state of power.

in the grace—the element IN which the believer’s strength has place. Compare 2 Ti 1:7, “God hath given us the spirit of power.”

Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 423). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

2 Timothy 2:1

Be strengthened (ἐνδυναμου [endunamou]). Present passive imperative of ἐνδυναμοω [endunamoō]. See already 1 Tim. 1:12; Rom. 4:20; Phil. 4:13; Eph. 6:10. “Keep on being empowered,” “keep in touch with the power.” In the grace that is in Christ Jesus (ἐν τῃ χαριτι τῃ ἐν Χριστῳ Ἰησου [en tēi chariti tēi en Christōi Iēsou]). Where the power is located. Christ is the dynamo for power only when and while we keep in touch with him.

Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (2 Ti 2:1). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.

We pray that your strength to stand firm in this international pandemic will be enhanced. May you be encouraged by our Lord.

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions,com
________________________Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.
Bible Nuggets are written for pastors, youth leaders and missionaries who desire to go deeper still in God’s Word. 
Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.

Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things . . . Psalm 119:18 (ESV) 
​
The Rapture
A common question I have been asked in the last two years has been about end times. My personal persuasion from scriptural study has convinced me that the rapture will happen prior to the onset of the great tribulation.

John 14:3 (NIV) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  

1. Exemption from the wrath to come.
   • 1 Thessalonians 1:10 (NIV) and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead--Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
   • 1 Thessalonians 5:3 (NIV) While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
   • 1 Thessalonians 5:9 (ESV) For God has not destined us for wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
   • Revelation 3:10 (ESV) Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.

1 Thessalonians 5:1–2 (ESV)  The Day of the Lord
5 Now concerning wthe times and the seasons, brothers,1 xyou have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that ythe day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
 
w  Dan. 2:21; Acts 1:7
1  Or brothers and sisters; also verses 4, 12, 14, 25, 26, 27
x  ch. 4:9
y  [2 Thess. 2:2]; See Matt. 24:43; Luke 17:24
  The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Th 5:1–2). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
The following notes are from John MacArthur a pastor in Southern California. These notes are from his study Bible on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2

5:1 Now. Paul used familiar Gr. words here to indicate a change of topics within the same general subject of prophecy (cf. 4:9, 13; 1Co 7:1, 25; 8:1; 12:1; 16:1). The expression here points to the idea that within the broader context of the end time coming of the Lord Jesus, the subject is changing from a discussion of the blessings of the rapture of believers to the judgment of unbelievers.
 
times and the epochs. These two terms mean the measurement of time and the character of the times respectively (cf. Da 2:21; Ac 1:7). Many of them expected the Lord to come in their lifetime and were confused and grieved when their fellow believers died before His coming (see notes on 4:13–18). They were concerned about the delay. Apparently, the Thessalonians knew all that God intended believers to know about coming judgment, and Paul had taught them what they hadn’t known about the Rapture (4:13–18), so Paul exhorted them to live godly lives in light of coming judgment on the world, rather than to be distracted by probing into issues of prophetic timing. They could not know the timing of God’s final judgment, but they knew well that it was coming unexpectedly (v. 2).
 
5:2 day of the Lord. There are 19 indisputable uses of “the Day of the Lord” in the OT and 4 in the NT (cf. Ac 2:20; 2Th 2:2; 2Pe 3:10). The OT prophets used “Day of the Lord” to describe near historical judgments (see Is 13:6–22; Eze 30:2–19; Joel 1:15; Am 5:18–20; Zep 1:14–18) or far eschatological divine judgments (see Joel 2:30–32; 3:14; Zec 14:1; Mal 4:1, 5). It is also referred to as the “day of doom” and the “day of vengeance.” The NT calls it a day of “wrath,” day of “visitation,” and the “great day of God Almighty”(Rev 16:14). These are terrifying judgments from God (cf. Joel 2:30, 31; 2Th 1:7–10) for the overwhelming sinfulness of the world. The future “Day of the Lord” which unleashes God’s wrath, falls into two parts: 1) the end of the 7 year tribulation period (cf. Rev 19:11–21), and 2) the end of the Millennium. These two are actually 1,000 years apart and Peter refers to the end of the 1,000 year period in connection with the final “Day of the Lord” (cf. 2Pe 3:10; Rev 20:7–15). Here, Paul refers to that aspect of the “Day of the Lord,” which concludes the tribulation period. a thief in the night. This phrase is never used to refer to the rapture of the church. It is used of Christ’s coming in judgment on the Day of the Lord at the end of the 7 year tribulation which is distinct from the rapture of the church (see note on 4:15) and it is used of the judgment which concludes the Millennium (2Pe 3:10). As a thief comes unexpectedly and without warning, so will the Day of the Lord come in both its final phases
 
MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (1 Th 5:1–2). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ps 119:18). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.
Bible Nuggets are written for pastors, youth leaders and missionaries who desire to go deeper still in God’s Word. 
Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.

Many see the Word of God. . .few look closely!

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (ESV) 
16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 
 
Recently I have found myself thinking of the “latter days” or “end times” discussed in the Bible. Our world today is full of the signs that Jesus mentioned before his crucifixion. But Jesus says to not be worried. I will come back and take you to be with me (John 14:3).
 
The Greek word for “caught up” is harpazo. Notice all the places where the word is used in the following dictionary and two commentaries.
 
773 ἁρπάζω (harpazō): ≡ Str 726; --1. snatch, seize (Mt 13:19; Jn 6:15; Ac 23:10; Jude 23); a rapture to God and glory (Ac 8:39; 2Co 12:2, 4; 1Th 4:17; Rev 12:5) 2. attack, implying the seizing of something (Mt 11:12; Jn 10:12) 3. plunder, seize possessions by force (Mt 12:29) 4. gain control over, formally, snatch from the hand (Jn 10:28, 29)
 
4:17 caught up. After the dead come forth, their spirits, already with the Lord (2Co 5:8; Php 1:23), are now being joined to resurrected new bodies (see notes on 1Co 15:35–50); the living Christians will be raptured, lit. snatched away (cf. Jn 10:28; Ac 8:39). This passage, along with Jn 14:1–3 and 1Co 15:51, 52, forms the biblical basis for “the Rapture” of the church. The time of the Rapture cannot be conclusively determined from this passage alone. However, when other texts such as Rev 3:10 and Jn 14:3 are consulted and compared to the texts about Christ’s coming in judgment (Mt 13:34–50; 24:29–44; Rev 19:11–21) at the end of a 7 year tribulation, it has to be noted that there is a clear difference between the character of the “Rapture” in that there is no mention of any judgment, while the other texts feature judgment. So then, it is best to understand that the Rapture occurs at a time different from the coming of Christ in judgment. Thus, the Rapture has been described as pretribulational (before the wrath of God unfolded in the judgments of Rev 6–19). This event includes complete transformation (cf. 1Co 15:51, 52; Phil 3:20, 21) and union with the Lord Jesus Christ that never ends.
4:18 comfort one another. The primary purpose of this passage is not to teach a scheme of prophecy, but rather to provide encouragement to those Christians whose loved ones have died. The comfort here is based on the following: 1) the dead will be resurrected and will participate in the Lord’s coming for His own; 2) when Christ comes the living will be reunited forever with their loved ones; and 3) they all will be with the Lord eternally (v. 17).
 
Only “after that” (v. 17) will living Christians “be caught up” for the meeting with Christ. The interval separating the two groups will be infinitesimally small by human reckoning. Yet the dead in Christ will go first. They will be the first to share in the glory of his visit. Then the living among whom Paul still hoped to be (cf. “we”) will be suddenly snatched away (harpagēsometha, “caught up”; cf. Acts 8:39; 2 Cor 12:2, 4; Rev 12:5). This term in Latin, raptus, is the source of the popular designation of this event as the “rapture.” So sudden will it be that Paul likens it to a blinking of the eye (1 Cor 15:52). In this rapid sequence the living will undergo an immediate change from mortality to immortality (1 Cor 15:52, 53), after which they will be insusceptible to death.
Together with the resurrected believers, they will ascend, be enshrouded in the clouds of the sky (cf. Acts 1:9), and meet the Lord somewhere in the interspace between earth and heaven (“air,” aera).
 
Cathy and I find great comfort in the words of Paul and Jesus. At the right time we will be caught up with Him in the air. Then we will be with him forever. Be encouraged.

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
________________________
  The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Th 4:16–17). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
Str Strong’s Lexicon
 
Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
 
MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (1 Th 4:17–18). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
 
Thomas, R. L. (1981). 1 Thessalonians. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians through Philemon (Vol. 11, pp. 278–279). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

​Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.
Bible Nuggets are written for pastors, youth leaders and missionaries who desire to go deeper still in God’s Word. 
Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.

Many see the Word of God. . .few observe!

2 Peter 1:21 (ESV)
21 For kno prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God las they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Prophecy has become a difficult matter for many churches around the world. We see many false prophets today just as they did during the time of Jesus and Moses. Today we will focus on the origin of prophecy. How does it come to be?

21 Each prophecy originated in God (apo theou), not in the will of man. To understand each prophecy, one must interpret it not according to one’s own “private” ideas. Verse 21 is notable for the light it sheds on how Scripture was produced. Peter’s statement “men spoke from God” implies the dual authorship of Scripture. This is also implied in the OT. For example, David said, “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue” (2 Sam 23:2); or as Jeremiah was told, “You must … say whatever I command you.… Now, I have put my words in your mouth” (Jer 1:7, 9). Men spoke, but God so worked in them so that what they said was his word. It was not through a process of dictation or through a state of ecstasy that the writers of Scripture spoke but through the control of the Spirit of God—“as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (For other texts on Inspiration, cf. 1 Cor 14:37; 2 Tim 3:16.)

Blum, E. A. (1981). 2 Peter. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation (Vol. 12, p. 275). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

It is like a wind that sustains a ship with a sail. The movement of the boat is not self contained, propelled or driven. It is completely dependent on the wind to move it along. This is the origin of prophecy. The Holy Spirit is the energy to propel men and send them in a particular direction.

Cathy and Danny Sartin

k  2 Tim. 3:16
l  1 Pet. 1:11; [2 Sam. 23:2; Luke 1:70; Acts 1:16; 3:18]
  The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (2 Pe 1:21). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.
Bible Nuggets are written for pastors, youth leaders and missionaries who desire to go deeper still in God’s Word. 
Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.