In An Instant, Changed Eternally

There is very common misconception among people, especially believers, that there will be time between hearing the trumpet announcing the Lord’s coming and His actual appearance to repent, get saved or make amends for all the horrible things done in this life.  Everything about this idea is wrong and will lead to much wailing and gnashing of teeth in the future.

To begin with, the only trumpet that pertains to Christians is the trumpet that is recorded in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15.  In both instances the same event is being described.  This event is commonly known as the rapture or gathering together.  Many thought until recently that this event was for all believers, but the Holy Spirit has made in perfectly clear that this is for the remnant; the faithful in Christ Jesus.

Only those who remain faithful to Him until the end will even hear this trumpet.  No unbeliever will hear anything.  Those who claim to be in Christ but have proven themselves to be unfaithful will hear nothing.  Those who insist on straddling the fence, playing both ends against the middle and otherwise live life in the state of being lukewarm will hear nothing.  For all those who refuse to fully commit themselves in this current life to Christ Jesus; the silence of God will be the only thing ringing in their ears. 

History is full of accounts of people on their deathbed finally supposedly getting saved.  Whether they really repented and confessed with their mouth that Jesus was their Lord and that God raised Him from the dead or not; only God knows.  But, the vast majority of those who claim to have “seen the light” and given their life to Jesus moments before death do so only to get an insurance policy just in case all the crazy Christians really were right.  It is highly doubtful any of those people really were saved.

Before the trumpet sounds and we which are alive at His coming meet Him in the air; Gabriel the arch-angel shouts.  What he shouts is not known, but it will probably be something like “WAKE UP”, for the Bible says the dead in Christ rise first and THEN we which are alive and remain hear the trumpet.  All those who have lived before us and died as faithful saints will hear the shout of Gabriel to get up.  No one else hears the shout besides those it is intended for.

Once the dead in Christ have put on immortality then we which are alive have the greatest experience anyone could ever have.  In the amount of time it takes to split an atom; in the amount of time it takes for the eye to twinkle; in a literal INSTANT, the following happens:

1.       Our physical body is vaporized

2.       We receive a body fashioned unto that which Jesus received after the resurrection       

3.       We are translated to a place in the air

4.       We are in the presence of Jesus seeing Him face to face

In other words we are sitting in a chair looking out the window.  We hear a trumpet and in an instant we are totally changed.  Our entire physical make-up is changed.  We are literally vaporized and the body of sin and sickness and death is disintegrated instantly and at that same instant we receive our eternal perfect spiritual body that will never feel pain, never get sick and never die. 

In that same instant we receive the perfectly renewed mind that is incapable of thinking evil or ungodly thoughts.  We are, in an instant, totally and 100% changed.  That is the promise of 1 Corinthians 15 and we have every legal right to stand on that promise and believe it with all our heart and mind.  We are changed into what Jesus already is and has been since God raised Him from the dead.  In the amount of time it takes to blink; we go from having a body that is full of imperfections, pain, disease and death to a resurrected and glorious body as perfect as Jesus Christ’s.

In that same instant we depart this earth and instantaneously are transported into the very presence of Jesus Christ.  One minute we are looking out the window and the next instant we are looking directly into the eyes of Jesus Christ.  Nothing electrifies me faster than the realization that at any moment, the next thing I know is that I am in my Lord’s presence, face to face.  Now we see through a glass darkly, but then “face to face” 1 Corinthians 13 promises us. 

This event should really be called the appearing of Jesus Christ because that is exactly what happens.  The trumpet sounds and the next instant we see the Lord’s face in the air.  Let me ask you the most important question you have ever been asked in your life.  Think about this, don’t get distracted.

If you somehow knew that in 3 seconds you were going to see the Lord Jesus Christ face to face; how would you feel in your heart?  If there was anything other than absolute anticipation and humility you need to repent.  1 John 3 gives us the promise of our heart not condemning us at His appearing.  We need to do whatever it takes in our fellowship to get to the point we have NOTHING to be ashamed of.  We cannot be as Adam and Eve and dread hearing the footsteps of our God. 

Anything causing you shame, fear, anxiety or dread needs to be dealt with NOW.  DO NOT WAIT for the next revival.  Do not wait for the next church altar call.  Do not wait for your next vacation or day off.  NOW is the time to deal with conclusively any and all sin and darkness in your life.  You know what causes you shame.  You don’t need anyone else to tell you.  You know what sends chills down your neck when you think of seeing the Lord Jesus face to face.  Whatever it is that is causing you shame and fear DEAL WITH IT NOW.

If your heart condemns you, then you have no confidence before Him at His coming.  You won’t be there.  You won’t hear the trumpet.  You will still be waiting to deal with situations long after it will do any good.  If you are born again, you have laid before you the offer to be changed when He appears.  Do you want it?  He wants you to be there with Him.   He wants you to see His glorious and face and gaze into His loving eyes.  He wants you to hear Him say; “Well Done, good and faithful servant”.

What could this life hold that is any greater than the prospect of being changed and embarking on an eternity of glory?  What charm and appeal could this life offer that could be any greater than that of being for ever more with our Lord?  Cast off the sin that does so easily draw you off course and run with patience the race that is set before you.  You have need of patience that after you have stood faithfully in this life for Him, you might receive His reward.  He wants you to have it.

What the Bible says about WARNINGS

We all, from a very early age, are told over and over again to “BE CAREFUL” by our loving parents.  They told this not to make our life miserable (although we all thought so at the time), but rather because they loved us and didn’t want any harm or hurt to come to us.  Many times the exhortation to “BE CAREFUL” was in conjunction with a command of some type such as “Look both ways before crossing the street” or “Don’t talk to strangers”.  The command simply designated a potential source of danger.

The commands given before embarking on a walk in the park vs. a walk through a jungle would be quite different.  Before going through the park, exhortations would be given to “Be Careful” about not getting into the poison ivy or to “watch out” for creepy looking adults or joggers with their heads down.  These would all constitute potential dangers for the person going on a casual walk through the park.

The person who has to walk through the jungle has entirely different things to worry about than poison ivy or distracted joggers.  In the jungle attention must be paid to various kinds of wild animals that would gladly devour the person for breakfast.  Attention must be given to vines and other vegetation that could trip or strangle the person walking.  Of course heat and humidity have to watched out for along with insects.  Obviously there are far more things to be careful about in the jungle than in the park.

Warning signs are put up for a reason.  They do not simply appear to aggravate people.  Although many are a nuisance, they are there because there is a very real and present danger.  Various road signs are put up to give the driver plenty of advance notice as to a situation that COULD cause potential problems.  The sign doesn’t say there IS a problem, just the potential of one. 

There are many places where a sign states that there could be rock slides ahead.  It simply is alerting the driver to the potential of rocks on the highway.  Of course the most common sign deals with those mysterious places where somehow deer know to cross.  Other signs warn of the potential of slow moving traffic, of high water on the road and other scenarios that COULD be present if the conditions were just right.  “Slippery when wet” certainly doesn’t pertain to a bright sunny day.

God’s Word is full of various “WARNINGS”.  Whenever you see the word “warn” or “warning” in the Bible, there should be an immediate flashing light go off in your mind.  If you were driving down a country road and saw a blinking yellow traffic signal, what does it mean?  For most drivers it means absolutely nothing and they barrel through the intersection as if there were no light at all.  But, for those who are trying to obey the laws, the blinking yellow light means to slow down for there is a dangerous intersection ahead.  The signal designates the spot to be where caution must be used.

When Paul stopped by Miletus to meet with the elders of the church at Ephesus in Acts 20; he had these very important words to say to them in Acts 20:27-31:

“For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which he purchased with His own blood.

For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock,

Also, from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.”

For THREE years Paul did not cease to WARN everyone NIGHT and DAY with tears.  Does this not tell us very clearly that it is vitally important to be WARNED of various things as believers?  Of course Paul taught the believers and prayed for them and tenderly bound up their wounds.  But, of all the things Paul did for 3 years, the greatest was that he ceased not to WARN them every time he saw them of things that could distract, seduce or destroy them.

Paul writes to the Roman believers the following in Romans 15:14:

“Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to ADMONISH one another.”

The word ADMONISH is the same as WARN in Acts 20.  We are to WARN one another.  We are not to sit back and wait for some spiritual leader to do all the warning.  No, we are to grow up in our knowledge and be filled with goodness so we are able to WARN each other.  This is a huge part of what it means to love one another.  Love does all it can to warn and help another from hurting himself or others.

In Colossians Paul says in chapter 1 in verse 28:

“Him (Christ) we preach, WARNING every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”

Three times “every man” is used in this verse.  First we PREACH Christ, then we WARN every man, then we TEACH every man with the goal of PRESENTING every man perfect in Christ Jesus.  There you have the very reason for our reaching out with the gospel and love of Christ.

A very important verse to understanding this subject is Colossians 3:16:

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

We strive to so allow the Word of Christ to live in us richly that with great wisdom we teach and WARN each other through yelling at each other?  NO.  Through “getting in each other’s face”?  No.  Through, of all things;

1.       Psalms

2.       Hymns

3.       Spiritual songs

4.       Singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord

I don’t know if this means we are to sing to each other, but if you can sing—go for it.  This verse always reminds me of the great musicals where instead of talking to each other, they sing to each other.  Whether Fiddler on the Roof, The Sound of Music, Oliver or Grease; they spent much of the show singing to each other and singing about their thoughts and plans.  We need a good and accurate Jesus Christ musical instead of JC Superstar.

Paul, in his closing remarks to the Thessalonians says in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14:

“And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and ADMONISH you,

And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake.  Be at peace among yourselves.

Now we exhort you, brethren, WARN those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.”

Part of being an overseer is to WARN the flock of impending danger.  But, every believer has the responsibility of WARNING those who are unruly and who disrupt the peaceful fellowship of the saints.  In fact, the entire section of instructions found in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 are directed towards EACH individual believer and not just the elders. 

Finally in 2 Thessalonians 3, Paul tells the believers in verses 13 through 15:

“But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.

And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.

Yet do not count him as an enemy, but ADMONISH him as a brother.”

Those who chose to not obey the Word’s commands should be “noted” and more or less “avoided”.  They are not to be considered an enemy, for that is not loving.  But, they should be WARNED as a brother would warn another brother.   Love involves far more than gently patting a wounded person on the back while telling them all will be well.  Yes, the comfort side of love does this.  But, the exhortation side of love many times must WARN a person where their attitude or behavior is leading them.

Love demands we get involved and at least TRY to stop someone from destroying their life.  We may not succeed, for each person has the free will to do as they please; but at least we tried to WARN them first.  The watchman on the wall in Ezekiel was to sound the WARNING when he saw the enemy approach.  A huge part of the love we have for each other is to do be the watchman on the wall and sound the alarm when someone we love is about to fall off the cliff or get run over by the devil’s tank.  Warning is being loving when it is needed.

 

 

Victory Through Faith; 1 John 5

We can quote scriptures all day long to each other about being “more than a conqueror” but unless one knows HOW to be such a thing, what good is it.  What is one to more than conquer?  Who is one to conquer?  In what arena is this referring?  Paul wrote this verse in Romans 8.  It was the same Paul who described just some of his ordeals in 2 Corinthians11; why did he not “more than conquer” all those things that made him suffer?

Strong Christians write their personal battles on this site all the time.  They have been taught the Bible and can quote it with the rest of us.  Yet, they are still facing life and death situations which in their minds many times have no clear cut solutions.  Are we to blame them as being a bad Christian because they are not “more than conquering” their personal enemies?  Much of conservative Christianity does just that.

We all fight battles everyday of our lives.  These battles may be in our minds with doubts, fears, anger or bitterness; or they may be physical battles with sickness and disease.  The battles may be with a sour relationship with one’s spouse or parents or children or boss or pastor or neighbor.  The battles may be with the pressure of lack of money to pay bills or the temptation to go after the big bucks through gambling or unethical jobs.  The battles we all face rip us up and tear us apart many times for we are human.

Jesus Christ is our Savior.  He paid the price for all our sin so that we can be reconciled to God and receive the gift of eternal life.  He gave His life to win for us freedom from the penalty of sin which is death.  He now lives in us as the “hope of glory” and has given us the promise that “greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.”  Yes, these are wonderful promises to know, but applying them in everyday life is certainly far more difficult than simply memorizing the verse.

John wrote these amazing verses in his first epistle.  In 1 John 5:4,5 it says:

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith.

Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

The Greek word for victory is “nike” which means conquest or victory.  The word for overcome is “nikeo” which is the verb form of “nike”.  This word is used 6 times in 1 John and another 12 times in Revelation.  Obviously this is a concept related to the end times. 

Notice what this victory is in reference to.  It is not speaking here in 1 John 5 in reference to the devil, antichrists (as in 1 John 4:4) or other spiritual enemies.  It says the victory is over the world.  And what allows us to receive this victory?  Our faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Please look at the following two verses closely in 1 John 2:13 and 14:

“I write to you fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.  I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one.  I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father.

I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.  I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you.  And you have overcome the wicked one.”

It is truly very significant that in both verses that which is said about “fathers” is that they have known Him who is from the beginning; “In the beginning, God…”  Isn’t it interesting that in reference to “young men” the statement concerning overcoming the wicked one is put in the past tense?  How have they been able to overcome the wicked one?  Because they are strong and the word of God abides in them. 

It is the strong young men who are to serve in the Lord’s army on the front lines complete with the assurance they have the victory over the wicked one.  The older “fathers” are to simply rest in their experiential knowledge of all God and Jesus are, can do and have done.  The little children know only that the Father God loves them. 

Time and space do not allow me to go into the spiritual significance of these verses other than to say they provide the basic structure for these current hours as far as responsibilities.  Fathers (older believers, both age and maturity) are the commanding officers and elders; the young men who are strong and able to handle the stress and strain of hand to hand combat are the ones who are to be out there daily reaching out to the lost and fighting the enemy at every turn.  The little children are to bask in the Father’s love and concern themselves with love and prayer and compassion.

The verses we saw in chapter 5 were for all believers.  Unlike chapter two, the victory is not over the wicked one but over the world.  There is a huge difference.  What is the world?  1 John 2:16, 17 says:

“For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

Through our faith in Jesus Christ being the Son of God, we have victory over the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.  As far as everything else, we need the young men to rise up and be the great warriors who take on the wicked one, for they have been given the promise of victory.

We can win the battles in our minds, bodies, finances and relationships if we manifest our faith in Jesus Christ.  But, if we veer off course and allow the pollution of this world to corrupt our minds, bodies, finances and relationships; we are in for difficult times for sure.  It is of vital importance in these last times that we put on the truth of God’s Word and allow His pure light to bathe our hearts and minds and give us the rock solid faith upon which we can STAND and see the victory God has promised us. 

Dream of Impending Darkness Upon the Land

There is an uneasiness that is creeping over my soul.   I feel a curtain is being pulled shut.  What was left of the light is being blocked by something thick and oppressive.  I see swarms of what appear to huge flying insects, each carrying something that looks like a case under their arm.  They are flying in formation and the closer they get the louder the buzz becomes.

As they approach the shore, they split and go different directions.  Some to the north and some to the south.  Yet, in spite of splitting, they are as numerous as before.  As they cover the sky, the day becomes dark as night.  They literally block the light of the sun. 

Screams are heard as the first of these demons lands and disrupts the entire landscape of a town.  All goes haywire and nothing works as it was designed.  People panic for there is no day.  A massive cloud hovers over the town and then moves on.  This process is repeated over and over again around the country.  One town after another is thrust into darkness and then seemingly loses its ability to function.

There is a numbness spreading over the land.  A type of resolution that there is nothing that can be done to hinder or stop this plague.  At the back of the swarm there is the faint light of dawn but the light is distorted and things are not as they appear.  There is no longer the sharp lines of demarcation between black and white.  Gray is the predominant color and haziness is the predominant view.

No one knows what has just happened, although everyone knows something of profound importance just did.  Confidence has been replaced by doubt and boldness with fear.  The mighty have been brought back to earth and the poor have been squashed beyond recognition.  The land is barren and the shelves are bare.  The markets are empty and the roads are untraveled.  There is a hush that lies over the land that is missing all sounds of industry and traffic.  Commerce has ceased and all stay huddled in their abodes.

What has happened, a few dare ask, as they tenderly walk outside in the murky twilight.  Where are the lights, the roar of big trucks, and planes taking off and trains roaring down the tracks?  Where are the kids normally yelling and screaming?   Where are the sirens of police and ambulances and fire trucks going about to save people’s lives?  

What has gone here and what is to happen.  There is no electricity, no radio and no television or computers.  Even the dogs have ceased to bark and nowhere is found the sound of life.  People are still there for the hushed sounds of whispers can be heard coming from dark houses and even darker buildings.  No one wants to move lest they be discovered by a foe they do not know.  No one can call for help.  No one is injured or trapped in demolished buildings or heaps of rubble.

Finally a baby’s cry breaks the silence.  Then there is another and another.  Cries can now be heard erupting from all over the town.  Wailing and moaning as if people were crushed and in intense pain.  Yet, there is no physical trauma and nothing to account for the cries filled with pain and sorrow. 

People are awakening to the stark reality that life as they knew it was over.  Whatever had blown through was so devastating it demolished all that everyone had built their lives upon.  Nothing worked, no running water, no air conditioner, no vehicles, no computers, to telephones and no light.  As the sun starts to set, the reality of the impending total darkness starts to settle in.  The wails turn to screams as countless people must confront their worst nightmare; a night with no light.

Into the town ride messengers of the most High God delivering a message directly from Him.  The message is not what anyone wants to hear.  The message is one of repentance and turning to the truth and not that all will be well.  The people riot and rip the messengers off their horses and kill them.  They wanted a message that the lights would be turned back on shortly and heard just the opposite. 

Screams pierce the night air as helpless women are raped in their homes with no one to protect them.  Houses across the town are pillaged by robbers who take everything of value with no one to stop them.  Fights erupt as people trip over others, unable to see them lying in the streets.  There is no reason and no comfort to be found.  Only gloom and dismay hangs over the town.

After what seemed like thirty hours of night, the sun did come up, but not as they expected.  It lacked the brilliance they were used to.  It was not cloudy, but the sun looked like it was shrouded in clouds.  There was not the heat that usually came with the sunrise.  Everyone was cold, tired and scared.

There was no news for there was no media.  There was no way to find out what had happened or if it were going to get better or worse.  Lack of knowledge aroused even greater frustration and fear.  Panic set in as people literally went insane. 

The sick soon died for lack of medicine.  The weak soon died for lack of food.  The infirm soon went crazy unable to cope.  The ruthless soon went on rampages fulfilling every evil desire they ever imagined.  There was no order and there was no compassion.  Every man was for himself and every man sought to destroy his neighbor before he was destroyed. 

Drawing up a “Rapture Will”

I was talking to a close friend this morning and a subject came up that I am sure not too many people ever think about.  We were talking about our mutual absolute belief that Christ is coming back very soon and that we will be gathered together to meet Him in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

The more we talked, the more excited we were getting about the prospect of what lies ahead.  Suddenly he asked me if I had gotten around to drawing up a “Rapture Will”.  I had not, and I was severely reproved for it.  We had talked of this subject before and he had quite some time ago met with a Christian attorney and drew up his “advance directive for use after the rapture”.

Here is the scenario.  What if what many of us believe in with all our hearts actually comes to pass shortly instead of many years from now.  What if next week we suddenly hear the trumpet and the next thing we know we are standing in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ with our new bodies in heavenly places?   What if the rest of the world then embarks on its seven year appointment with tribulation and wrath?

What happens to your home?  What happens to your vehicles?  What happens to your investments as well as your debts?  What happens to your earthly belongings?  What happens to your unbelieving sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, grandparents and grandchildren? 

Once a reasonable amount of time goes by, the millions of people who suddenly vanish from this earth in the rapture will be declared “legally dead” by the world’s judicial systems.  Without some type of will, everyone’s estates will go into Probate and probably end up in the greedy hands of devilish people.  Thus, the idea was hatched to draw up ahead of time a legally binding document spelling out exactly what you wish to be done with your personal property in the event you vanish and are declared legally dead, as well as directives regarding other matters of importance to you.

The reason my friend was upset with me is because since my wife and I do not have any children and both my parents are deceased and my wife’s parents are quite elderly and live a thousand miles away; our house and belongings would end up in a very clogged Probate system and never end up blessing those we would like to bless but who won’t be in the rapture.

I thanked my friend and told him the first thing I would do would be to write this post for others and make an appointment with a lawyer to get a will in general, but specifically a will designed for the unique circumstances associated with the rapture.  Think about it, who will be left around here to “inherit” your estate if your immediate family will be with you in heavenly places after the rapture?

Many will read this and think I got into the prescription cough syrup this morning for it will sound insane.  But, I happen to believe with every fiber of my being that there is a rapture event coming, it is coming VERY SOON and I WILL BE INVOLVED IN IT.  If you believe something to be true, then there must be the corresponding action to prove it.

I do not want this house, and everything in it to fall into the hands of evil people just because I was too lazy to spend the 30 minutes and a couple hundred dollars to get a legally binding directive/will drawn up.  Of course everyone has different circumstances, so others may demand more involved legal work and higher fees.  The point is, whether “rapture will” or just a plain and simple will; as Christians we should do all we can to make sure that which we have accumulated in this life goes to whom we desire it to go to when we leave this life.

I can honestly say that I live my life with the full expectation and anticipation that at any second I will hear the trumpet calling me HOME.  Long ago I decided that there was NOTHING in this life that appealed to me and was worthy of my utmost.  Thus, long ago I committed myself to give my utmost for His Highest.  The proof of this commitment is found in my willingness to live in such a way that this world does not own my life.  Jesus Christ owns me.  I am HIS property.  My life is not my own for I was bought with a price. 

When the trumpet sounds, I am going HOME, but wisdom dictates preparing ahead of time to make sure my temporary home ends up blessing someone in my extended family or special people who blessed my life but are not qualified to be a part of the rapture.  This is not being negative; this is being SMART and part of being “wise as serpents”. 

I have fulfilled part one of my commitment and soon I will make sure I start the ball rolling to get the rest done quickly.  To be a good soldier, Timothy says we cannot be entangled in the affairs of this life.  Taking the time to get a “rapture will” drawn up actually allows us to be freed from one of those affairs that could get tricky depending on how things play out in the next few months.

If nothing else, I pray this very unusual posting today gives anyone reading it something to think about.  If we really do believe with all our hearts in the rapture, that it is coming very soon and that we will be in it; then it behooves us to do those things necessary to put our faith into action.  That is what I am doing, and this time it’s a done deal.

Crisis in Church Leadership; Relaxing God’s Standards

There is a crisis of monumental dimensions brewing within the church due to years of watering down the Word of God and relaxing the criteria for leadership.  The result is a diminished quality of overseers and a dramatic increase of clergy abuse cases, financial mismanagement and spiritually hurt believers.  Through leadership flaws, many have left and are leaving congregations and are being devoured by the enemy at an alarming rate.  

In the epistle of First Timothy, Paul gives Timothy specific instructions concerning a wide range of topics that deal with church administration and leadership.  After discussing prayer and how women should act in public worship; Paul spends the first 13 verses of chapter three laying out the qualifications for bishops and deacons.  Bishops are not someone in a tall hat or flowing robe who sit on thrones in old cathedrals.  Bishops in the book of Timothy are the same as “overseers” in the book of Acts.  A bishop is one who oversees an assembly of believers.

A deacon is literally one who “runs to serve”.  A deacon is part of the “leadership team” of a fellowship but their duties tend to be more physical in nature vs. a bishop whose duties are more spiritual.  Both bishops and deacons have very strict qualifications laid out for them.  God most certainly holds those charged with the oversight of His people to higher standard.

The number one qualification for a bishop is to be blameless, which does not mean “faultless”.  The only faultless man to ever live was Jesus.  Everyone else has plenty of faults and God does not expect a leader to be perfect.  What God demands from an overseer is that he be above reproach.  In other words there is to be no secret sins and no scandals hidden in the closet.  An overseer cannot lead two lives.  What people see on the outside must reflect the integrity and character on the inside.

If a person wanted to apply for a job, there is a list of qualifications that must be met to even be considered.  This section of Timothy started with the statement that if a person desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good and noble task.  But, in order to be considered, certain qualifications must be met, with “being above reproach” at the top of the list.  The remaining qualifications will narrow the list of potential candidates greatly:

1.       Husband of one wife—in both Greek and Roman law, it was very common for man and wife to separate, and marry other parties during their lifetimes.  Thus, a man might have three or four living wives meaning women who had all successively been his wives.  This phrase is best described as “successive polygamy” rather than “simultaneous polygamy”.

2.       Vigilant—sober or temperate

3.       Sober—self-restrained, serious-minded, prudent

4.       Of good behavior—orderly, a well ordered life

5.       Given to hospitality—hospitable, showing love for, and being a friend to the believers, especially strangers and foreigners

6.       Apt to teach—skilled in teaching, a ready teacher, ready, willing and able to teach at any moment

7.       Not given to wine—not a drunkard, not addicted to wine, not a hard drinker

8.       No striker—not combative, not given to brawls, not quarrelsome, not violent

9.       Not greedy of filthy lucre—Omitted in best MSS

10.   Patient—gentle, forbearing, peaceable

11.   Not a brawler—considerate, peaceable, not contentious, averse to strife, avoiding quarrels

12.   Not covetous—not a lover of money [insatiable desire for wealth and ready to obtain it by questionable means], free from the love of money, not fond of money-grabbing

13.   One that rules well his own house—ruling his own household well, able to manage his own household properly,

14.   Having his children in subjection with all gravity—keeping his children under control with true dignity, whose children are kept under control and well-behaved, keeping his children under control with true dignity, commanding their respect in every way and keeping them respectful

15.   Not a novice—not a new convert, not a new Christian

16.   He must have a good report of them which are without—ought to have a good reputation among those who are without the church, be well thought of by those outside the church, have a good reputation with the non-Christian public, bear a good character in the world’s eyes

The qualifications necessary for one to become an overseer seem from one perspective to be so rigid no one could possibly fulfill them all, but from another, so logical they should be demanded from any leader.  The reason for all these qualifications is so that the leader is blameless first and foremost, but also so that they do not fall into the condemnation, reproach or snare of the devil.

The three great pitfalls of Christian overseers are; condemnation, reproach and the snare of the devil.  These three things spell nothing but doom and disaster for the leader who falls into them.  The condemnation of the devil results from being blinded by pride which is what happens to a novice.  To fall into the condemnation of the devil can mean just that or it can mean the same condemnation as the devil receives.  Either way, it is not something an overseer can fall into and expect to escape from.

To fall into the reproach of the devil is what happens to those who do not have a good witness from those outside the fellowship of believers.  This is referring to falling into scandals or more specifically to become involved in slander.  Once a leader falls into the reproach of the devil he is ensnared by him.  The ultimate aim of the devil is to trip up, slander and trap those who are overseers of God’s people. 

How many times in the past twenty five years have we seen great Christian leaders build huge ministries and become so full of themselves that they feel invincible.  Then, once the pride is there, they fall into the condemnation of the devil and begin doing scandalous things.  They abuse money and crave power.  Their ethics slip and they get caught in sex scandals and other illegal activities.  Once exposed, they are in the devil’s trap and snare.  Their ministry is finished and their witness is forever shamed.

The reason these verses are in the Bible is to show those who desire to be a leader in the church what is expected of them and to provide an accountability factor for all who serve as overseers within the church.  God is extremely protective of His people and is very selective as to who watches over them. The responsibility of an overseer in the church is an awesome privilege but it demands a level of integrity, honesty and pureness very hard to find and even harder to keep. 

 I know all too well what it means to serve under those whose ethics have been compromised and flagrantly disregard this section of God’s Word.  This is called hypocrisy and deceit and God will deal with those who practice it in His due time.  As a believer you have the right to hold those who are your overseers to the standards of God’s Word.  Please, at least hold them to the first and greatest principle of them all; to be above reproach.  If they reject this message, find a new assembly.