Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

Timothy 4:5  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. Paul concluded the charge he gave to Timothy by encouraging him to endure whatever afflictions might come his way. Paul endured many afflictions himself and he wanted to prepare Timothy for persecution and opposition to the gospel. He stressed that the work of evangelizing the world with the gospel of Christ, must go on at any cost.   Preach Christ crucified for the sins of the whole world, for this alone, is the work of an evangelist. It is the highest privilege to preach glad tidings of peace and salvation by Christ.  An angel from God was first sent to do the work of an evangelist, and how did he do it? Behold, said he, I bring you good tidings of great joy. Unto you is born a Savior.  Those who shy away from preaching the gospel of Christ, do not perform the work of evangelists.  Faithfully keeping the charge given to him, and remaining faithful in all these

Jesus will return to judge the quick and dead.  2 Timothy 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;  Giving a charge to someone is conferring a serious, religious duty upon that person. As I noted previously, Paul was busy preparing Timothy to assume greater responsibilities in the Church.  Why? Because Paul knew that he would be executed for his faith in Jesus Christ, sooner rather than later. Paul reminded Timothy that the eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Father in heaven, were upon this young minister of the gospel.  Every pastor, teacher and evangelist needs to have a sense of awe, and to feel the weight of their calling. Preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, and living by its truth as a good example to others, is both a wonderful and solemn responsibility.  Being a Pastor, teacher or evangelist is never some casual thing. It is a way of life. What is our motivation for loving an

Our studies about Jesus Christ's second coming have brought us to 1 Timothy. Paul is concluding his first pastoral letter to young Timothy and in the closing verses, he speaks about Christ's return. "Put off's" and "Put on's" for all believers in Christ.  (1 Timothy 6:11)  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Paul gave Timothy warnings about those who equated financial success and greed with godliness.  He tells Timothy to flee from such destructive doctrines. This is another one of Paul's "put offs" which are things a Christian should avoid. He follows this with a "put on" of things a Christian should embrace.  All believers in Christ who seek to live the best life possible, must learn to seek after contentment and godliness.  The words "follow after" mean to earnestly seek, or to diligently acquire the virtues Paul listed out. This

We have been blessed by studying about the second coming of Jesus Christ. We are looking at each reference to His return, in the order that they are found in scripture. We recently learned much about the coming of Christ in the air, the resurrection of the dead in Christ, and the rapture of all Christians alive at that moment.   What an amazing and astounding day that will be! However, in 2 Thessalonians, Paul spent much time combatting false teaching about the order of Christ's second coming. Some men wrongly interpreted the teaching about the coming of Christ and it's two distinct events. They taught that the rapture and resurrection of saints was past.  They asserted that since the rapture and resurrection were past, this meant that believers who "missed" it, were headed for judgment day and the resurrection of damnation. Naturally, this caused a great deal of anxiety, and confusion, which Paul clearly addressed. In this post, he wraps up his letter by offering som

In our last post, we learned about the restraining work of the Spirit of God. He will continue to restrain the advancement of the mystery of iniquity until He is taken out of the way.  The Spirit of God will cease His restraining work on earth. 2 Thessalonians 2:7  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.  The words translated "he be taken" are used extensively in the New Testament. It is most often translated "came" 88 times, "made" 73 times, and "done" 63 times. The word means to create something, cause something to come to pass, or to be finished with something.  The idea here is that the Father will decree that the end of the church age has come. At that time, He will send His Son, Jesus Christ, to resurrect all the dead in Christ and to catch up all the living saints in the clouds with Him. When the church is taken home to heaven, the presence of the Holy Spirit indwel

2 Thessalonians 2:3-5  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;  4)  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.  5)  Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? Paul begins to teach us about the second coming of Jesus Christ that is connected with the final day of judgment.  A great apostasy will occur as people believe doctrines of devils and follow seducing spirits. The man of sin, elsewhere called the antichrist, will be revealed. He is energized by the evil one, and will demand that all people in the world worship him.  Paul reminds them to recall the teaching and instruction that he gave to them. Knowing God's word and His sound doctrines is key to discerning between truth and error. The restraining ministry