Expounding 2 Timothy 3:8-9 — False Teachers Exposed

Expounding 2 Timothy 3:8-9 — False Teachers Exposed [Print Document]

2 Timothy 3:8-9

“[8] Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. [9] But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.”

In this article we are going to expound and discuss 2 Timothy 3:8-9. We will look at how the sorcerers of Egypt, who withstood Moses, are no different than false teachers who resist the truth. We shall see how God will have to deal with them and with those who follow them.

Jannes and Jambres

Let’s start with Jannes and Jambres, two of the sorcerers in Pharaoh’s court. (Note: The Old Testament doesn’t mention them by name, but the Jews knew who they were.)

Exodus 7:10-12

“[10] And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. [11] Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. [12] For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.”

These sorcerers decided to copy what God did through Moses and Aaron. But, God’s ways are higher than the devil’s, and the serpents of the sorcerers were eaten by the serpent that God had made from a stick. Jannes and Jambres were among these sorcerers and they used satanic power to mimic God. But, God showed His power is greater than the devil by having the serpent eat up the other serpents.

The devil and his servants mimic God, but they distort the truth. They hold a Bible in their hands and teach from it, but they twist the scripture to fit into their own unbiblical and ungodly belief system. They say, “God bless you” with their mouths, but they do not truly care about your soul or where you will end up after you die. They look good on the outside, but they are full of iniquity on the inside, in their hearts. Jesus said this about such people:

Matthew 23:27

“[27] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. [28] Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.”

Will Christians Be at the Great White Throne Judgment? (Can Christians Fall Away?)

Will Christians Be at the Great White Throne Judgment? (Can Christians Fall Away?) [Print Document]

That a Christian could possibly fall away is one of the highly debated topics among Christians. There are many who believe that once you are saved, you can never fall away (or cease to be a Christian). Does the Bible teach that it is impossible for a Christian to fall away? Does the Bible teach that all Christians are the elect or God’s sheep? We we look at this from a biblical perspective to see what God’s Word says about this debated topic.

Hebrews 3:6-19 gives an admonition to brethren (i.e. believers). Hebrews 3:8 says: “Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:”

But, some might say that Hebrews 3 was addressed to unbelievers. Is it really addressed to unbelieving people? Let’s take a look.

Hebrews 3 and Hardness through Sin

Hebrews 3:12-13

“[12] Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. [13] But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. [14] For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;”

First of all, an unbeliever already doesn’t know God and doesn’t believe in Jesus Christ as his (or her) personal Savior and Lord. In a sense, they already have departed from God. Also, notice the tone of the message? It is one of warning and admonition. The writer of Hebrews addresses his readers as “brethren” and warns them that they can be “...hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” He also clearly states that he and his readers are made partakers of Christ if he and his readers hold fast their confidence to the end.

Matthew 24 and Enduring to the End

Expounding 2 Corinthians 5:10 — The Judgment Seat of Christ

Expounding 2 Corinthians 5:10

— The Judgment Seat of Christ [Print Document]

2 Corinthians 5:10

“[10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

Many have heard about the judgment of unbelievers before God’s great, white throne (Revelation 20). But, probably fewer have heard of Christ’s judgment of believers. Before we go further, let’s stop and explain that Jesus Christ’s blood alone can save us from our sins and bring us into Heaven (Romans 5). Whatever good works we have done will mean nothing if we have not made Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Our good works are actually filthy rags, if we have not made Jesus our Lord and Savior.

Isaiah 64:6

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

As you may know, Jesus Christ came to take our sins upon Himself and die, and He rose from the dead on the third day, according to the scriptures that prophesied of Him (1 Corinthians 15:3-6). Jesus Christ makes us righteous by His blood that He shed (Romans 5).

The Judgment of a Christian

When a Christian dies, he (or she) will go to Heaven and will stand before Jesus. When we enter Heaven, we will be embraced by Jesus. And, then, we will need to tell Him why we didn’t obey Him in certain areas of our lives, if we had resisted Him. We will not have to answer for sin that we confessed and forsook, but we will have to give account for sin we did not confess and forsake that He convicted us about.

1 John 1:9 says: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Expounding Colossians 2:8-9

Expounding Colossians 2:8-9 [Print Document]

Colossians 2:8-9

“[8] Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. [9] For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

Paul, the apostle, wrote about men who would take people by way of carnal reasoning and worthless deception (which is not based on God’s Word). They will mislead people about Who Jesus Christ is and about what He said.

“Beware lest any man spoil you…”

Let’s look into the meanings of some words. The Greek word for spoil is esomai. It means: “may have” as in: ‘He may have that item.’ Spoil is defined by Webster’s 1828 dictionary as: “1. To plunder;...” [and] “2. To seize by violence; to take by force; …” [and] “4. To corrupt; to vitiate; to mar.” (Note: Vitiated means: “Depraved; rendered impure; rendered defective and void.” [Webster’s 1828 dictionary])

Paul is saying that false teachers can take you or seize you, with the idea of corrupting you, by way of their philosophies and deception.

“...lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit...”

In Greek, philosophy is called philosophia. It refers to the love of wisdom (i.e. worldly wisdom). Philosophy is defined by Webster’s 1828 dictionary as: “3. Reasoning; argumentation.” The philosophies false teachers promote are really just their carnal reasoning, which is contrary to God’s Word (See Romans 8:5-8).

Expounding Exodus 1 — How to Overcome the Devil’s Snares

Expounding Exodus 1 — How to Overcome the Devil’s Snares [Print Document]

In this article, we are going to expound Exodus 1, with God’s help. We will look at Pharaoh and his treatment of the children of Israel and see how this is symbolic of the devil and his oppression of people. We will look at what it means to stand up for what is right even when there is strong opposition. We will also see how to overcome snares of the devil.

Let’s read Exodus 1:5-12, and then discuss it a little.

Exodus 1:5-12

“[5] And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already. 6. And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. 7. And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.

8. Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. 9. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: 10. Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. 11. Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.” [End quote]

Let’s look at verse 10. It says: “[10] Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.” This pharaoh wants to deal “wisely” with the children of Israel. This wisdom is the wisdom of the world, and it stems from fear. The wisdom of God is not based on fear: it is based on love (1 John 4:8,16). It comes from God’s mind. It does not come from the human mind. That is why we Christians must trust that God has what is best in His mind, and He will do nothing wrong by us (Romans 8:28).

Pharaoh was afraid that Israel would join to his enemies and become a major threat to him. Therefore, to keep this theoretical scenario from happening, Pharaoh ordered all the Israelites to be slaves and do hard labor. He probably thought that the heavy strain on them would cause them to have short lives and not have time to raise families. But, God was not going to let His people perish. He blessed them with more children and caused them to become a strong nation within Egypt.

The Devil Can Be Represented by Pharaoh.

The devil can be represented by Pharaoh. Like Pharaoh, Satan seeks to oppress human beings with fear, sin, depression, doubt, anxiety, hatred, and addictions. Like Pharaoh, Satan also seeks to kill people by having people harm their health, commit suicide, overdose on drugs, and live promiscuous lives. Sin is bondage (2 Peter 2:19). And, the children of Israel suffered in the bondage of slavery, building temples for the gods of Egypt.

Pharaoh himself did not actually whip the Israelites and yell at them. He delegated that to his Egyptian taskmasters. Like the taskmasters, demons oppress us and attack us whenever they can. They want to make our lives miserable, or to get us into sin, or to get us into working for favor. But, God said in His Word that He does not want us to work for His favor or for salvation.

Romans 4:3-5

“[3]For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. [4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. [5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

Pharaoh Orders the Midwives to Kill.

The Golden Calf Is in the Church Today: Exposing Idolatry in the Church (PART 2) (False Teachers)

The Golden Calf Is in the Church Today: Exposing Idolatry in the Church (PART 2) (False Teachers)
[Print Document]

(Click to see Part 1)

In the Church today are many people who believe that they can live in sin and still go to Heaven. Deception and false teaching are replacing the teaching of all of God’s counsel (Acts 20:27). There are rave parties at some Churches. Worship at many Churches has become entertainment with loud rock groups. Many Church youth groups have video game nights or movie nights, where they play worldly video games and watch worldly movies. Does this agree with God’s Word? 2 Corinthians 6:16-17 says:

[2 Corinthians 6:16-17]

“[16] And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

[17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,”

God wants us Christians to come out from the world and forsake sin. Let’s look at Hebrews 10:26-30, to explain this better. It says:

Hebrews 10:26-30

“[26] For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, [27] But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

[28] He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: [29] Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

[30] For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.”

Hebrews 10 speaks of a person who trampled under his feet Jesus Christ, and treated with contempt the blood of Christ, by which he was made clean and saved. He actually was set apart to Abba God by the blood of Jesus (i.e. sanctified by the blood). This person will be judged with God’s fiery indignation and vengeance because this man forsook Christ in order to have his sin.

What we are seeing in Hebrews 10 and throughout the Bible is that God’s Word clearly teaches something that few Churches actually teach. The Bible teaches that sin ultimately produces eternal separation from God because of the person’s choice to harden his (or her) heart against God and not repent (change one’s mind and choice) from sin. This hardness of heart is warned about in Hebrews 3 and elsewhere.

Hebrews 3 and the Falling Away

Hebrews 3:7-8 says: “[7] Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, [8] Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:” How could we harden our hearts? Hebrews 3:12-14 gives the answer.

Hebrews 3:12-14

“[12] Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. [13] But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. [14] For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;”

The Golden Calf Is in the Church Today: Exposing Idolatry in the Church (Part 1) (Apis, the bull "god")

The Golden Calf Is in the Church Today: Exposing Idolatry in the Church (Part 1)
(Apis, the bull "god") [Print Document]

(Click to see Part 2)

In the Church today are many people who believe that they can live in sin and still go to Heaven. Deception and false teaching are replacing the teaching of all of God’s counsel (Acts 20:27). There are rave parties at some Churches. Worship at many Churches has become entertainment with loud rock groups. Many Church youth groups have video game nights or movie nights, where they play worldly video games and watch worldly movies. Does this agree with God’s Word? 2 Corinthians 6:16-17 says:

[2 Corinthians 6:16-17]

“[16] And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

[17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,”

God wants us Christians to come out from the world. To strengthen this point, look at 1 John 2:15-17. Please pay attention to the word “any” in verse 15 and pay attention to the end of verse 17.

1 John 2:15-17

“[15] Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. [17] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

Only those who do the will of God abide forever. If we love the world, God’s love is not in us. Because God is love, and God’s love is not in someone who loves the world, then God is not in that person. God would not be in someone who loves the world, if that person’s love toward God has grown cold. Jesus said:

[Luke 16:13] “[13] No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

If we serve anyone or anything other than Abba God, and that interest is what (or who) we set most of our heart on, then that would be an idol. If we don’t repent (i.e. change our mind toward) from that idol, it will take over our life. Galatians 5:9 says: “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.”

The Golden Calf and the Ways of the World

The Holy Spirit, through James, warns believers to not love the ways of the world.

James 4:4-8

“[4] Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. [5] Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? [6] But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

[7] Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”

How do we resist the devil (verse 7)? It starts when we submit ourselves to God. The word for submit in Greek is hupotassó. It means: ”...to subject oneself, to obey...”. Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines submit as: “2. To yield, resign or surrender to the power, will or authority of another;...” This means that once we have surrendered ourselves to God’s will and God’s ways, we can strongly resist the devil, and the devil will have to flee from us.

Being Separate to God like Moses

Great White Throne Judgment - Expounding Revelation 20:11-15 (Judgment of the Lost)

Great White Throne Judgment - Expounding Revelation 20:11-15 (Judgment of the Lost)
[Print Document]

Revelation 20:11-12

“[11] And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. [12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”

In this article we will expound these verses from Revelation chapter 20, including verses 14 and 15. (1) We will look at how judgment shall befall the people that are dead and separated from God. (2) We will see how Almighty God will have to judge all men according to their choices that they made; whether they trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation, or not. (3) We will also see how judgment will be given depending on how rebellious the lost souls were while they lived on the earth. In another article, we will look at the question: “Can a Christian fall away and no longer know God’s Name?”

(1.1) Judgment on the Lost: The Location of Hell

When you die, there are two places you can go after you leave your body. Many have heard about Heaven and Hell, but few know what the Bible has to say about both places. There are many testimonies of people who died and saw either Heaven or Hell. These people describe intense torment in Hell and great peace and joy in Heaven. But, we must base what we believe on the Bible. The Bible is the solid foundation for truth.

When a lost soul dies, he (or she) leaves his body and is taken to a region deep in the earth, called Hell. We know it is deep in the earth because the Bible has many verses about its location. Here are a couple:

Ezekiel 32:18

“Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, even her, and the daughters of the famous nations, unto the nether parts of the earth, with them that go down into the pit.”

Ezekiel 32:24

“There is Elam and all her multitude round about her grave, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, which are gone down uncircumcised into the nether parts of the earth, which caused their terror in the land of the living; yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit.”

The people killed by the sword, who did not trust in God, went down “...into the nether parts of the earth...” “Nether,” in this context, refers to being underground. In this region that is underground, deep in the earth, are souls that have left their bodies at the time of death. They are in torment and in pits of fire. David wrote about these deep pits that were filled with fire in the Psalms. (The Bible says that every word in the Bible is God breathed. 2 Timothy 3:16-17. See Endnote.)

(1.2) Judgment on the Lost: The Torment of Hell