A person’s last words are usually pretty significant. Paul’s letter to Timothy are his last written words. He is incarcerated, in Rome, awaiting execution and picks up his pen and writes a letter to Timothy, to encourage him in the faith. In II Timothy chapter 4:18 we find these final words of Paul:
“The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever! AMEN.”
Here is a man, a godly man, on death row, and his thoughts are turned to God. Look at what he tells us about God in this doxology.
He tells us that his God is a deliverer, a rescuer and that his God will rescue him from all evil. Paul not only knew that intellectually; he knew it experientially. Read the account of some of his trials and tribulations in II Corinthians 11l23-28.
Paul knew that the God who had delivered him time and time again in all his trials, would ultimately bring him home safely to heaven. Paul had no doubts about that at all.
As he awaited his death and wrote this letter to encourage Timothy his thoughts turn Godward and he says “to Him, to this God of salvation and rescue and deliverance; this God who would take him immediately into the presence of Christ upon his physical death ---- to this God be glory forever and ever.”
Who can do that? Who can praise God like that on his death bed? Who can have thoughts like this? Only a man who knows Christ intimately!
Like Paul, you will die. What will you say on your death bed?
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