"You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come." 
(2 Timothy 3:1 NRSV)

Our fellowship recently received "homework"; why did Paul tell Timothy to consider what he said (2nd Tim 2:7)? We were only to use 2nd Timothy, no other sources whether biblical or otherwise. It was a fun study and yet it revealed a somewhat sad commentary of Paul's last days concerning the gospel he spread for Christ, and for those who believed this gospel (past tense). The aim of this post however is to look at chapter 3, verses 1-7. Please read them and think about your first impression.

Why did Paul tell Timothy "that in the last days distressing times will come."? Did Paul believe they were living in the last days? The last days as in the end? Christ was coming soon? The end of the world? The answer is no! Paul was not speaking of "the last days" as most of christianity thinks of it. Read the list Paul gives of the behaviors people will have. 

"For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,..." 
(2 Timothy 3:2-4 NRSV)

Lovers of self, lovers of money, arrogant, haters of good, slanderers, and many more. Do you think people already displayed such behavior in Paul's day? Of course! They practiced such things well before Paul was born, right? It would  be very accurate to claim that the human race displayed such nonsense going back to the first family! Were the days of Adam and Eve the last days? I read one commentator describe today's public schools and their anti-God curicculems as to what Paul was speaking of, attacking the "church". Another looked at the current state of christianity as the lesson as if Paul was telling Timothy of a coming future time.

The key is found in verse 5. "...holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power." Who would hold to an outward form of Godliness? Certainly Paul must be refering to believers! Read 2nd Timothy and find some of these even named in Paul's letter. Paul tells Timothy earlier in the letter that all of those in Asia have left him. The Asia Paul speaks of is modern day Turkey, where paul was born. Timothy was in Ephesus which is in Asia. Paul was well traveled throughout Asia. Though we only read of letters directly attributed to Ephesus and Colosse, Paul no doubt left believers who gathered in various ways throughout Asia. Look at a map of Paul's travels and you will see multiple stops throughout the region. In verse 5, Paul is speaking of people that either he himself had given the evangel or, others we read of who traveled with Paul spread the word. According to Paul they have "all" left him; most likely Paul is simply refering to the leaders and not every single believing soul in Asia.

Paul was telling Timothy that he was in "the last days" right now! Timothy was in them, he was about too experience them if he had not already. Paul is not prophecying about our current times or some time far ahead of us. Paul is not indicating to Timothy that some "rapture" is coming any day. Paul is bracing Timothy for what is about to happen in Asia as soon as Paul is executed by Rome under Nero. Those who became believers under Paul's gospel are not even waiting until Paul is gone; they are already moving in to completely change the revelations which Paul received from Christ. The "church" of Paul's day is about to collapse. 

I imagine Timothy meeting with folks from Ephesus, shocked by what he is hearing and witnessing. Timothy may begin to lose faith in the message Paul proclaimed as he is being singled out and attacked. This was Paul's point in this letter, get ready Timothy and hold fast, look for others who remain faithful to continue spreading the true evangel. It is encouraging to read Paul's closing words; he is confident that he has performed his best for Christ and exhorts Timothy to continue on in faith. Paul solidifies this thought in chapter 1.

I believe we should be careful when jumping to conclusions about "the last days". Yes, there are those among believers today who behave as Paul warned. There were those when Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy, they were around before also. 2nd Timothy was a personal letter to Timothy! We are blessed to have access to this letter and it is filled with many practicle truths; "the last days" that many believe in today are not one of them. 

The letter of Paul to the Colossians is probably my second favorite next to Philippians, followed by Ephesians. For reasons I will not discuss here, I believe these 3 letters hold the key for today's believer in the Body of Christ. So much confusion and error is found by attempting to lump these three with the rest of Paul's epistles not mention integrating them with the gospels! Are we part of the Bride? No! We are of the Body! Two different spiritual entities with distinct purposes.

As I read today, Colossians, a small phrase jumped into my brain that I have not payed all that much attention to in the past. It occurs as Paul describes his prayers of thankfulness to God for the saints in Colosse. In verses 5 and 6 Paul is saying that they have heard the truth, the gospel, and that as a result of their hearing Paul hears of the fruit that has gone forth from Colosse. The phrase Paul uses as to how this has happened occurs in verse 6; "...from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God." 

​" Truly comprehended the grace of God."  Do we truly comprehend? Are we often silent because we do not truly comprehend? Are we not thankful for everything because we do not truly comprehend? Possibly so! Paul continues to say that they learned of this miraculous grace from Epaphras, obviously one who did truly comprehend and shared this grace eagerly with those from his home town. The saints of Colosse did not learn it from Paul, but from one of Paul's faithful students. At this time Paul had not been to Colosse and was writing from prison.

We have no firm writings that tell us exactly  what Epaphras used other than his own words and the spirit of knowledge and wisdom. No doubt he probably had some writings of Paul's with him, maybe some other scriptures as well. There is much doubt among scholars regarding the origins of Ephesians as some manuscripts lack any language attributing it's being to Ephesus. Some argue that Ephesians was actually a circular letter that was shared among the various churches of Asia and probably Greece as well. Is Ephesians the letter mentioned in Colossians 4? Maybe. Whatever the possibilities, they are encouraged to share letters with Laodecia. 

If we stay right in Colossians we can read of the grace that they truly comprehended. Chapter 2:11-15 talks well of the grace that they have truly comprehended; of course we could go elsewhere to find this grace as well but I believe that the most important and logical places to find it are in the prison letters. Paul repeats what Epaphras most likely has told them already, that they have been spiritually circumcised from the flesh through the baptism of themselves in Christ's death. They were subsequently raised with Christ and made alive with Him. All trespasses and legal failures have been removed, nailed to the cross! Not only this but Christ made a heavenly appearance and paraded this very grace publicly to the celestial rulers! That is grace to truly comprehend!

Not only do they truly comprehend, but in verses 6 and 7 of chapter 2 Paul tells them something truly rare. The saints of Colosse ARE "rooted and built up in Christ and established in the faith..". What a blessing and encouragement this must have been to Paul. It should be to us as well. Here is a group of folks who had limited access to scripture, who were surrounded by Judaisers and gnostics, yet they were living the gospel. We have full access to the scriptures and countless resources yet we are often lazy and lack this true comprehension. Due to such laziness or confusion many truly do not even begin to grasp what grace has been poured out towards us. 

I encourage you to read the three letters, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philippians. Stay there for a good bit with dozens of readings and contemplation. Do your best not to compare them with the gospels, general epistles or even Paul's other writings. These are loaded with your true reality in Christ now, today, and your future purpose!

Finally, imagine what grace Paul is speaking of in the closing of his letter! God is blessing you.

According to Matthew 5:14 we are the "light of the world". This is a fairly common assumption among Christianity. It certainly makes sense. But are we, in the context of Matthew 5, the "light of the world"? Absolutely not! In a sense one could possibly be a light to the world referred to by Jesus, but not literally. Before you hang me upside down by my toes let me explain.

Much of the modern church has little idea that the gospels are not written directly to us. Yet this is where most churches tend to preach from. How much confusion is spread among believers as a result? Are our sins dead, nailed to the cross, or do we still need to confess our sins? Did the cross work accomplish anything or not? If I am still required to confess my sins and ask God's forgiveness than the answer is no, the cross accomplished little. This is but one example out of many. Matthew 5:14 is another. Recently a dear brother at our assembly, Richard Driscoll (with the study help from his brother Tom), gave a wonderful lesson regarding many of the topics Christians hold on to that are truly intended for Israel. Not Israel of today, but of Israel during Jesus' ministry and of Israel in the future. One such topic was from Matthew 5:14. As I was reading this week out of Philippians 2 I was reminded of Dick's lesson. 

Philippians 2:15 NET
 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society, in which you shine as lights in the world

Paul states we are "lights of the world", plural. Is is the same as Jesus stated in Matthew? Let's take a look at the differences. They are quite important. 

The first thing that we might ask is why does Paul use "lights", plural. There is a reason and it is significant. The original words for light, and lights, are not the same. "Lights" in the Philippians text is the Greek word phoster, G5458 for lexicons or concordance. It has a simple meaning, illuminator or luminary. Young's Literal Translation uses the word "luminary". The NRSV uses the word "stars" which I find is the most appropriate. When you look at the night sky it is a field of black with pin pricks of light, stars. The stars are not what illuminates the entire sky. Our own star, the sun illuminates the nights sky as its light is reflected off of the surface of the moon. We can see the stars but they are not our source of light. 

A star has a job, as far as an inanimate object can have a job. The sun provides light and heat for our solar system. We know that the light of the sun is also a source of energy. As scientists discover stars with planets they are showing us other stars that light their own solar systems. When you look at an image of our Milky Way galaxy there are billions of stars, each one doing its own part. Keep this in mind for a few moments.

Matthews "light" is number G5457 and means luminousness: fire, light. Strong's gives us a note to compare G5457 with two other words. One is "to lighten" or "to show", the other is to "show or make known one's thoughts, that is, speak or say: affirm". What is the difference? 

In Matthew 5:14 Jesus is speaking directly to the disciples, no one else. There are others nearby who can here Jesus' instructions. See Matthew 5:1, there are crowds following Jesus so he heads up a mountain. When he finally settles on a spot his disciples join him. in verse 12,  Jesus further warns the disciples that they will be persecuted as the prophets were by their own people, Israel. This entire passage was to the disciples only. The second portion of Matthew 5:14 says that "A city on a hill can not be hid". I wonder what city could be referenced here? Jerusalem? 

Jerusalem is on a plateau surrounded by a few mountains and very step walled valleys. Have you ever noticed that in scriptures one always goes up to Jerusalem, even when they are situated north of the city? I am in New York and if i were to travel to Florida, I would say I was going down to Florida. Jerusalem was central to Israels system. It was their pride. Though Jesus does not specifically say the city is Jerusalem I believe that it is a good possibility that it was the city on a hill. 

Matthew 5:14-16 NRSV
(14)  "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.
(15)  No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.
(16)  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Please note verse 15 above. Immediately Jesus uses an example involving lighting up a house. The disciples are the light of the world. What world? Here is a very important thing to understand; when "world" is used in scriptures it does not mean "world" as we understand it to mean. The "world" to me is the entire earth. In scripture "world" refers to an ordered system of religion, politics, culture..., while earth, soil, or dirt refers to the earth. Think about "world" for a moment. The United States is an ordered system. Within our country are states, each being their own ordered system. In each state are counties, then towns or villages, each being their own ordered system. What about our own homes? My wife and I govern our own home in different ways than our neighbors,  we have our own ordered system, our own world. 

Matthew 10:5-6 NRSV
(5)  These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans,
(6)  but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

In Matthew 10: 5-6 Jesus instructs the disciples to go to Israel ONLY. In fact he says to the "house of Israel". As a collective light the disciples are to illuminate the house of Israel. Matthew 15 tells of the woman who is following after Jesus to heal her daughter. When the woman finally gets her chance to speak Jesus tells her he can not help because he is only on the earth for Israel. The woman rightly counters that even the dogs, the nations, feed on the scraps from Israel. Here we see what the entire purpose of Israel was, to be a light unto the nations! The problem was always that Israel was herself in constant darkness. Jesus was there with his disciples to bring light to Israel so they could fulfill their purpose! 

Matthew 5:16 NRSV
(16)  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.


Notice the instruction regarding works. It is in complete opposition to the works in Philippians 2. 

Philippians 2:12-13 NRSV
(12)  Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
(13)  for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.


Are you catching the difference? The disciples are to perform good works so the people can see these works and give glory to the Father. Matthew 5:10-20 tells the disciples to make sure that their works are better than the pharisees! Works mattered in the old covenant. What about the works in Philippians? It is of God, God is working in us according to God's plan. We are to work out our own salvation, individually, meaning that we are to show the world God in us. In Galatians, a letter written by Paul to primarily Jews who are constantly trying to tear down the churches and put them under the law, he states in chapter 2 verses 19-21 that he died to the law and that "it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me". Notice verse 10 of Ephesians 2.

Ephesians 2:8-10 NRSV
(8)  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God--
(9)  not the result of works, so that no one may boast.
(10)  For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

God prepared our good works! The disciples could not have Christ in them, they could not have God in them. That became possible through the cross of Christ! The disciples had to be a light to Israel, themselves as followers of Jesus who was the true light. God dwelt in the temple. Jesus dwelt among the disciples. God now dwells in the believer. We are a body of individuals (Ephesians 4:15-16) meant to bring light to our own little worlds, the light is Christ! We have never been called to the entire world and in fact at the time of the disciples, neither were they! (yet). The disciples were only called to light up Israel. You should actually see Matthew, Mark, and Luke as a continuation of the Old Testament. The story is so similar with the exception that their Messiah was actually among them!

Ephesians 4:15-16 NRSV
(15)  But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
(16)  from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love.

In today's biblical economy we are a light to those we come in contact with. To those at work, at the store, on the street, at home, on vacation. I mentioned you might be a light in Israel; if you travel there and let Christ shine through you then you will be a light in Israel but not in the way the disciples are commanded in Matthew. That's it, it is that simple. We are lights illuminating our immediate surroundings like the sun light our solar system. The disciples where a lamp illuminating the house of Israel. 

Jonathan Mitchell translates both Matthew 5:14 and Philippians 2:15 well. According to him we are "folks continuously shinning as illuminators WITHIN the ordered system" while the disciples were "the light OF the ordered system". 

Get out there and shine!!