1 Timothy 3:13; Isaiah 2:3 - Evil Grows Worse But Soon to Be Removed

2 Timothy 3:13 - But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. -- World English.

Isaiah 2:3 - And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem. -- American Standard Version.

It is often observed how the prevalence of sin continues to increase, and sin is often presented as being good. The tendency of this course of man into greater darkness confirms the teaching of the Bible that the tendency of sin is downward toward deeper degradation and departure from the ways of Jehovah. Ever since the sin of Adam, mankind has been living in what the Bible calls "the present evil age." (Galatians 1:4) The Bible speaks of the world before the flood of Noah's day, how it had become corrupted, and how that world was destroyed. (Genesis 6:11,12;  2 Peter 3:6) The same has been true of the long dispensation since the flood -- the dispensation in which we are now living, which is also to pass away. (2 Peter 3:7,10) Jehovah, however, foreknew the predominance of evil. Jehovah, therefore in His Word has foretold the prosperity of sin for a time, and that "evil doers shall wax worse and worse" (2 Timothy 3:13) until the due time should come when a third dispensation set in the Divine Plan for Messiah's Kingdom shall be inaugurated. Only the powers of the age (dispensation) to come will be sufficient to grapple with and suppress the powers of evil so long entrenched in the earth. And thus it is written, the Messiah shall rule the nations "with a rod of iron" (Psalm 2:9; Revelation 2:27) and then his kingdom will become "the desire of all nations." (Haggai 2:7) At that time, all nations shall learn the ways of Jehovah. -- Isaiah 2:2-4. 

Psalm 121:8 - Jehovah Will Keep Your Way

Psalms 121:8 - Jehovah will keep thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth and for evermore. -- American Standard Version.

As applied to those who belong to Christ in this age, we should understand the application of the above to be to the new creature, not to the sinful flesh. Jehovah will keep the way of His sons throughout the time in this present evil age, as well as throughout eternity, whether at home, outside of the home, on land or on sea, indeed, even while in the oblivious condition of sheol. God, through His spirit, is ever with His people, and thus the new creature, as long as he earnestly seeks Jehovah through Jesus, will always be under Jehovah's protection, in this life, while in the death condition, and after being rescued in last day from death into all eternity.

*************

1 Corinthians 9:24 - Run That You May Win

{1 Corinthians 9:24} Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run even so, that you may win. -- American Standard Improved Version.

Paul is using the races of his day as an example of the effort needed for a Christian to win the prize of joint-heirship with Christ. He is not speaking of obtaining life through Jesus, or of justification through faith by means of faith in Jesus, etc. He is not speaking of becoming a child of God. Through faith, we become reckoned as justified and become begotten (of the spirit) again as new creatures in Christ. (John 3:3; Romans 3:28; 5:1; 8:14; 2 Corinthians 5:17) Having become a child of God, we are later given a place (Romans 8:23; Galatians 4:5 - adoption in many translations) in the kingdom, receiving rewards based on what we have done while in the present body. (2 Corinthians 5:10) The goal set before us is to become, not just heirs of God as sons, but also joint-heirs with Christ. (Romans 8:17) Sadly, I believe that, while many consecrate themselves to God, very few actually attain the prize of their high calling. (Philippians 3:14) Paul likens the effort needed to obtain that prize to a runner in a race, in which many run, but only one wins. The same kind of vigilance and resolution is needed to attain the prize of joint heirship.

Nevertheless, I do not believe that any will actually be allowed to live for eternity who do not prove themselves fully in harmony with God and Jesus. Thus, I believe that the Bible shows that even if one does not attain the prize of joint-heirship with Christ, such will still eventually need to attain the same kind of integrity towards God and Jesus as demonstrated by those who do attain the prize of joint-heirship. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

See also:

Daily Heavenly Manna for April 9

+++++++++++++++

Isaiah 58:1 - Awake, Zion

Isaiah 52:1 - Awake, awake, put on your strength, Zion; put on your beautiful garments, Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean.  -- World English Bible version.

Isaiah 52 is variously applied. Some apply this to Israel returning from the Babylonian exile; some to the Millennial age, and some to the church in this age or to the resurrection and glorification of the church.

I believe it is basically referring to the full restoration of Israel in the age to come. The prophetic call for the Holy City to awake does provide a picture of the Kingdom Age when the Holy City will be loosed from the shackles that now hold Jerusalem in blindness to their Messiah and the time when "all Israel will be saved." (Romans 11:25) I believe that eventually, through Jesus' ruling over Jerusalem all nations of the earth will be blessed with the knowledge of Jehovah and will learn Jehovah's ways, and then there will be healing for all nations and peace all over the earth. This is all part of the Gospel, the Good News concerning our Lord Jesus and what he is yet to do. -- Psalm 46:9; Isaiah 2:2-4; 11:9; Habakkuk 2:14; Revelation 22:2.

Nevertheless, the command to awake is similar to the command given to Christians in Romans 13:11 and Ephesians 5:14. An application could also be seen to the eventual glorification of the church. --  Ronald R. Day, Sr.

*********

Psalm 62:5 - My Expectation

My expectation is from him. -- Psalm 62:5.

If we belong to Christ, these words should surely bring a blessing in our lives. Whatever may happen, our expectation is from Jehovah, our God. We cast all our cares upon Him, and thus we are able to go about our service to Him in quietness, walking in the path of righteousness. Giving our hearts in submission to His care, we have peace although we may be surrounded by many who are murmuring and at unrest. We find contentment in whatever our Heavenly Father may send in answer to our prayers of faith. We may not receive from our Heavenly Father what we might expect. What we receive from our Heavenly Father may not be congenial to the feelings of the physical man, but we have the assurance that Jehovah is our strength in the time of trouble. (Psalm 37:39) Thus, although all may appear to be dismal from the standpoint of what is seen by our physical eyes, we should raise our thoughts above the physical to the spiritual, and thus rejoice in Jehovah, and be joyous in the God of our salvation. -- Habakkuk 3:17-19.

************

(