Things on Paul's Mind before Death

A close inspection of Paul's "swan song" in 2 Timothy shows at least four things occupying Paul's mind before his impending death.

1.  The judgment seat of Christ:  1:12 (against that day), 1:18 (in that day); 2:12 (we shall reign with him); 4:8 (crown of righteousness...in that day), 4:16 (laid to their charge).  

2.  Eternal security:  1:12, 2:13, 4:18

3.  Apostasy; opposition to the truth:  1:16; 2:16-18; 3:8-9; 4:1-4, 10, 14, 16

4.  Suffering for the Lord:  1:8, 12; 2:3, 9, 12; 3:10, 12; 4:5

The present realities of apostasy, opposition, and suffering are balanced with the prospects of eternal security and rewards at the judgment seat of Christ (Rom. 8:18, 2 Cor. 4:17, etc.).  Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

The Return of Barnabas?

Upon reading the account of Paul and Barnabas' separation in Acts 15:36-41, one would think that Barnabas was through with apostolic ministry. Cyprus was, after all, his home (Acts 4:36), and possibly John Mark's, since they were kin (Col. 4:10).  Reading through 1 Cor. 9, however, I was struck by a sudden reference to Barnabas therein (v. 6).  The way the passage is worded, it's clear that the Corinthians knew who Barnabas was.  Perhaps he joined Paul there at some point in Acts 18:1-8, or between Acts 17:31 and 18:1, and ministered to the Corinthians, which seems to be the tenor of the passage.  If that is the case, then Paul and Barnabas are reunited, though there's no further record of Barnabas in Acts.  To me, it would be wonderful if Barnabas and John Mark both got a second shot at the ministry.  It looks like both of them may have, especially John Mark (Col. 4:10, 2 Tim. 4:11).  God being the God of the second chance, and third, and the fourth...I wouldn't be surprised at all.

1 Peter 5:10-11  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.  Amen.

Calling Evil Good in the USA (and Everywhere Else)

The word "gay" appears one time in the AV 1611 (James 2:3), and it's defined in James 2:2 by cross reference (gay clothing = goodly apparel).  With a built-in dictionary like that, who needs to know Greek?  So gay = goodly.  But in the USA, "gay" is applied to something God refers to as abominable (Lev. 18:22; 20:13).  Calling the evil good in the USA...and everywhere else.

Isaiah 5:20  Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil...  

The Believer's Three Trips to Heaven

If you are truly saved, you know that at death your soul will go to heaven (2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23). 

Likewise, at the rapture, both the dead in Christ and living saints will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thes. 4:13-18), and then taken to heaven where they will appear before the judgment seat of Christ (Rom. 14:10-12; 2 Cor. 5:10).

But did you know about your third trip to heaven?  It's actually the first one every believer makes.  You see, when you trust Christ, your spirit is joined to the Lord in heavenly places (1 Cor. 6:17, Eph. 2:6, Phil. 3:20).  When Paul says in Phil. 3:20 that "our conversation is in heaven," he is saying that we live there, in the spirit.  Hence his exhortation to "Set [our] affection on things above, and not on things on the earth" (Col. 3:2), since that's where your spirit is "seated," though it's in your body as well (James 2:26).  So great salvation!       

Ten Things Ahead for Israel

Many re-'s, per below. 

Regathering (Dt. 30:1-5)
Returning (Dt. 30:8)
Resurrection (Dan. 12:2)
Regeneration (Mt. 19:28) [national, vs. individual in this age (Tit. 3:5)]
Redemption (Lk. 21:28)
Restoration (Acts 1:6)
Repentance (Acts 3:19)
Refreshing (Acts 3:19)
Restitution (Acts 3:21)
Reformation (Heb. 9:10)