20160920 Tuesday, September 20 2016
2 Timothy 04: The Quick And The Dead

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"If the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you ... The LORD Jesus Christ, Who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom"

The apostle Paul's famous "the quick and the dead" statement has been interpreted and used in various ways over the nearly 2,000 years since it was written. Some have even used it to refer to the "gunfighters" of the semi-mythical Old West (or moreover, in some real-life violent cities of today) who were taking their turn as the "fastest on the draw" - they were the quick, while their opponents were the dead.

But the Holy Bible interprets itself, if one reads it in its entirety. If someone has read the Book of Romans (see also Paul's Letter To The True Church Of Rome), they will know what Paul was talking about in his later epistle to Timothy: "He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit."

"8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." (Romans 8:11 KJV)

When will that happen? The Holy Bible answers that too - on the day of the first resurrection, which will happen at the time of the Messiah's return (see the Fact Finder question below): "The LORD Jesus Christ, Who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom" (see also The Identity Of The LORD God and The LORD God Our Saviour).

"4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;" (2 Timothy 4:1 KJV)

The world, such as it has become, hates the Truth - any Truth (see Those Who Oppose Themselves; also Why Does Satan Love Liars?) because Satan has filled their heads with pleasing lies and self-worshiping arrogance.

But that willful rejection of the Truth will reach its peak as Satan's decaying kingdom of this world is collapsing in upon itself: "The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."

"4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:1-8 KJV)

The certain and safest defense against wrong is to do right. Paul concluded his second letter to Timothy with a report of those who had those "itching ears" ("For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world" and "Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil"), as well as those of the faithful who shall be quickened on that Day (see also The Men And Women Who Made It Happen and Why Did Others Write For Paul?).

"4:9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. 4:12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. 4:13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.

4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: 4:15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

4:16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

4:19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 4:20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. 4:21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

4:22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time." (2 Timothy 4:9-22 KJV)

Fact Finder: When and how will the two major resurrections happen?
See The Feast Of Trumpets: The First Christian Salvation Day and Who Will Meet The Returning Messiah In The Clouds?; also The Biology Of The Resurrection