"I charge thee (Timothy) therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom;" (2 Tim 4.1)
First, who are the 'quick'? Quite simply, those that are alive.
Second, who are the 'dead'? Obviously, those that are no longer living and breathing.
Third, who escapes judgement? Do you really need this answered? NO ONE!
Now, what is the job or business of the Pastor or Evangelist?
- to reprove - means to blame or censure
- rebuke - chasten, punish or afflict for correction
- exhort - use words or arguments to incite good deeds
- doctrinal training - truths of the gospel
According to Webster's 1828 dictionary this means a "pastor or evangelist" is to:
...discourse on the gospel way of salvation and exhort to repentance; to discourse on evangelical truths and exhort to a belief of them and acceptance of the terms of salvation. This was the extemporaneous manner of preaching pursued by Christ and His apostles. (Mt 4.17, 9.35, 10.27, 11.1, 24.14)
Why is a man of God so passionate when "preaching?" Because he knows "the time will come when they WILL NOT endure sound doctrine..." "How SHALL they hear without a preacher?" (Rom 10.14)
Of course, there are "false teachers and preachers" (Mt 7.14) but IF God has called on you to seek "while He is near" (Isa 55.6), in light of "judgement and condemnation" to eternal damnation, it is my hope that you will heed the warning.
NO ONE escapes judgement!
Much more could be said on the subject but the warning has gone out if you are reading these words.
Believer, pray for those in your realm of influence that are clearly "lost as a ball in high weeds."
Unbeliever,
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