Kollel Matot
Kollel Matot
Second Timothy chapters 3 & 4
Second Tim 3:1 But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come.
Second Tim 3:2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Second Tim 3:3 without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good,
Second Tim 3:4 traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of Elohim;
Second Tim 3:5 holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof. Turn away from these, also.
While these traits have existed throughout history – even the governor’s of Paul’s time wanted bribes instead of justice – as the end approaches society will degenerate worse and worse. It used to be only the very wealthy and those in power wold have these traits, but as the end gets nearer and nearer the “salt of the earth,” the am-ha’aretz or common people will sufffer from the same greed and self-centeredness and “lose their salt.”
The “form of godliness” would be church attendance or shul attendance or adherence to some sect’s creed, tradition or catechism – but it will not be true godliness, because true godliness is found only in those who are righteous and who have faith in Yeshua HaMashiach. And what is righteousness?
Deu 6:24 YHWH commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear YHWH our Elohim, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as at this day. Deu 6:25 It shall be righteousness to us, if we observe to do all this mitzvah before YHWH our Elohim, as he has commanded us.
The unrighteous are those who live in sin – that is, those who transgress the Torah (I John 3).
Timothy, continued:
Second Tim 3:6 For of these are those who creep into houses, and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,
Second Tim 3:7 always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Orthodox Jews study the Talmud page by page, line by line, for years and years – but they never come to the knowledge of Truth, which is that Yeshua HaMashiach is the Messiah. They could find that truth if they studied the Tanakh alone, but since they have added to it, and contradicted it, they are lost.
Timothy, continued:
Second Tim 3:8 Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moshe, so do these also oppose the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.
The names of the two sorcerers of Pharoah’s court, as the Sages have remembered them in their tradition. Here we see that not all tradition is “bad,” and some of the Sages were Spirit-filled men who remembered truths from our past and made reasonable interpretation of scripture concerning daily practice and prophetic events. We must use discernment, however, to sift the wheat from the chaff. There are, of course, some Rabbis whose hearts were filled with hate, not Elohim’s spirit.
Timothy, continued:
Second Tim 3:9 But they will proceed no further. For their folly will be evident to all men, as theirs also came to be.
Second Tim 3:10 But you [Timothy] did follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness,
Second Tim 3:11 persecutions, and sufferings: those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. Out of them all Adonai delivered me.
But there came a day when Paul’s mission was essentially over, and he was killed. We must never presume Elohim will deliver us from every foe and adversary. It says clearly in both Daniel and Revelation that the False Messiah will wage war against the Saints in the GreatTribulation (the last 3 ½ years of the Trib), and prevail against them. Many millions will be martyred.
Dan 7:21 I saw, and the same horn [the Beast] made war with the holy ones, and prevailed against them; Dan 7:22 until the ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the holy ones of the Elyon, and the time came that the holy ones possessed the kingdom…Dan 7:25 He shall speak words against the Elyon, and shall wear out the holy ones of the Elyon; and he shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time.
Rev 13:4 They worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” Rev 13:5 A mouth speaking great things and blasphemy was given to him. Authority to make war for forty-two months was given to him. Rev 13:6 He opened his mouth for blasphemy against Elohim, to blaspheme his name, and his dwelling, those who dwell in heaven. Rev 13:7 It was given to him to make war with the holy ones, and to overcome them. Authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation was given to him.
In the meantime, even those of us here in the present age, and who are/will be Obedient Believers during the birth pangs, will be ridiculed and harassed for Faith in Yeshua and Torah Observance.
Timothy, continued:
Second Tim 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Messiah Yeshua will suffer persecution.
Second Tim 3:13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Second Tim 3:14 But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them.
Second Tim 3:15 From infancy, you have known the sacred writings which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Messiah Yeshua.
Again, the “sacred writings” here refer to the Tanakh. It would be 300-some years until the “New Testament” would be put together by the Roman Catholic Church. It is the Tanakh that we are to look for as guidance for our daily lives, Elohim’s will, and proof of Messiah Yeshua.
Timothy, continued:
Second Tim 3:16 Every writing inspired by Elohim is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction which is in righteousness,
Second Tim 3:17 that the man of Elohim may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Second Tim 4:1 I charge you therefore before Elohim and Adonai Yeshua the Messiah, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom:
Second Tim 4:2 preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.
In order to do this, we must know scripture inside, outside, and upside down – not just the NT, but the entire Tanakh as well. Yeshua is the “Living Word” and in order to know Him, we must know His Word.
Timothy, continued:
Second Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts;
Second Tim 4:4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables.
Fables may here be referring to the fantastic medieval additions to the Oral Law, the stories of Rabbis who supposedly made “Golums” and other such fairy tales. Other fables may include pagan “mother earth” myths and other “new age” spiritualism.
Timothy, continued:
Second Tim 4:5 But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.
Second Tim 4:6 For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.
Second Tim 4:7 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.
Second Tim 4:8 From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which Adonai, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.
Again, “That Day” is the Day of YHWH, which kicks off on the first day of the first year of the last millennium, Tishri 1st, on the Festival called Yom Teruah on Elohim’s prophetic calendar.
Timothy, continued
Second Tim 4:9 Be diligent to come to me soon,
Second Tim 4:10 for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
Second Tim 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
Second Tim 4:12 But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
Second Tim 4:13 Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come, and the books, especially the parchments.
Second Tim 4:14 Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. Adonai will repay him according to his works,
Second Tim 4:15 of whom you also must beware; for he greatly opposed our words.
Second Tim 4:16 At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them.
Second Tim 4:17 But Adonai stood by me, and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
Second Tim 4:18 And Adonai will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amein.
Not preserve from persecution and death, but preserve through persecution and death, to come at last, dead or alive, to That Day, and receive his immortality, as he was promised. In Paul’s case, he died and awaits his resurrection. There may be some reading these words, however, who will not see physical death, but will be transformed without dying into immortality at the Parousia.
Timothy, continued:
Second Tim 4:19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus.
Second Tim 4:20 Erastus remained at Korint, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick.
Second Tim 4:21 Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.
Second Tim 4:22 Adonai Yeshua the Messiah be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amein.
Next Week: Parashat Masei.
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