The Book of Revelation - The Seal Judgments - In Pictures with Scripture

The Book of Revelation - The Seal Judgments - In Pictures with Scripture 

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.”

Body Piercing, Tattoos, and Marring the Body

Body Piercing, Tattoos, and Marring the Body

The topic of body piercing and tattooing has gotten more popular in the last couple decades. Body piercing and getting tattoos are now trends that many young people are interested in. Lip rings, nose rings, bellybutton rings, gauges (for ears), tattoos, and such are in high demand among the youth but why are these so popular today? And, where did these practices originate?

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Body piercing and getting tattoos are not new by any means. They have been around for thousands of years and were practiced by pagan cultures around the world. The Bible speaks of such practices during the days of Moses.

God told the Children of Israel (Hebrews) not to follow after the pagan practices of the people who would surround their small country. They were to be separate from the pagans because God wanted a pure and holy people for Himself.

In Leviticus 19:28, God says through Moses: “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord.”

What is this practice of cutting the flesh for the dead and what 

did it signify?

Alexander Hislop, a historian, wrote this in his book, The Two Babylons (pg. 129): “Osiris was cut in pieces; therefore, to imitate his fate, so far as living men might do so, they were required to cut and wound their own bodies.” Hislop explained in the same book how Osiris was a god borrowed from the Assyrian / Babylonian god Nimrod (or Baal) (of Genesis 10) who was killed and his body was cut up into pieces (The Two Babylons, pp. 56-58). These pieces were sent to various places as a warning to those who served Nimrod and his idolatrous system.

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After Nimrod was killed, his followers worshiped him as a god who was cut to pieces. To mourn his death and mutilation, they would cut bald patches in their hair, pierce themselves in various places, and cut themselves with sharp knives. They also printed marks in their skin (i.e. tattoos).

Herodotus wrote: "I have before related in what manner the rites of Isis are celebrated at Busiris. After the ceremonies of sacrifice the whole assembly [...] flagellate [or whip] themselves[...] The Carians of Egypt treat themselves at this solemnity with unparalleled severity; they cut themselves in the face with swords, and by this distinguish themselves from the Egyptian natives." (Herodotus, Volume 1.)

Hislop wrote of this practice of cutting the flesh and how it was practiced by Hindus, Romans, Egyptians, and others (The Two Babylons, pg. 129).

Besides cutting themselves with swords and whips, ancient people purposely mutilated their hair and beards for the same reason.

Alexander Hislop wrote (Ibid, pg. 175):