Welcome back dear brothers!

A start of a new week! Our brother Tom is reading the Bible study today, thanks for that Tom!

Here is the text:
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2 Timothy 3:12-13, "In fact everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived."

Interesting points:
1. In these verses Paul draws on his own harsh testimony to confidently point out that our wicked world will persecute those who decide to follow Jesus Christ and obey Him. Even more troubling is his observation that the Wicked and impostors will go from bad to worse, listening to lies and spiritually harming their listeners.

2. At the time of this letter, Paul was in prison facing an imminent execution for his faith. Of Jesus’ original disciples, Church tradition tells us all but John – who was exiled to the island of Patmos -- were martyred for their faith. Hebrews 11 speaks of the suffering many of God's people have endured, concluding, "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:39–40).

3. Paul often warned against the teachings of false teachers, in Romans 16:18 he warned that they served their own appetites and not God, deceiving the hearts of the naïve, in Ephesians 5:6 he wrote, "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience." Indeed, deception was a major challenge to the early church and false teachings still continue to lead people astray today simply because they never take the time to study the Word and verify what they hear.

Application.
Brothers, this text stands in stark contrast with the "prosperity gospel" prevalent in our time, which holds that faithfulness to God leads to material blessings and comfort in this life. Such teachings completely ignore Paul’s assertion that the righteous will face persecution and Jesus’ own words that we will be hated by the world just as it hated Him!
When the wicked come against us and the world seems to be falling apart around us, may we always remember that our Lord is the same one that quieted the storm with His words and His Word can still provide us peace regardless of whatever situation we find ourselves. May we treasure it always in our hearts!