The Lord Will Rescue His People

(2 Timothy 4:9-22 – The Lord will Rescue His People)

If there is one thing we should be certain of as we follow Christ, it is that the Lord will rescue His people.

In this world as we walk with Christ we will be persecuted and attacked in many ways. Sometimes spiritually, sometimes verbally and sometimes physically. But in all of these situations we have this promise that Paul wrote about in these verses today, that the Lord will rescue His people.

When we know this to be true and when we accept it to be a fact, then nothing can harm us or cause us to fear. And we only need to consider Paul’s life as an example of how and how often that the Lord rescued Paul from all kinds of situations. Nothing prevented Paul from fulfilling the ministry to which the Lord had called him and he was rescued in every situation.

The Lord will rescue His people from death

One of the greatest fears that mankind has is the fear of death. But we see in scripture that the Lord will rescue His people even from death. Consider these words:

13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage. (Hebrews 2:13-15)

Mankind is afraid of death and dying. There comes a time in everyone’s life where they stop and consider their mortality and are afraid because they know it is inevitable.

But as we see in this verse, one of the key reasons that Jesus came was to destroy the devil and his works, and especially to release those who believe in Christ from their lifelong fear of death.

We learn from Christ that death as we know it is not an end. It is just a transition state from the physical to the spiritual. Our troubles and toils on the earth end at death and we are kept aside until the Day of Judgement when we will receive our reward. Those who lived a life with Christ and were faithful will receive eternal life, while those who refused to accept Him and rejected the ways of God will go into eternal death, the second death which is the death of the spirit of man.

The Lord will rescue His people here and now

The scripture that we are reviewing today gives powerful evidence of the way the Lord will rescue His people even in this life. Even in spite of the persecutions and punishments we may receive in this life, and they will come, the Lord will still see us through. This is what the scripture today says.

9 Do your best to come to me soon. 10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessaloni’ca; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you; for he is very useful in serving me. 12 Tych’icus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Tro’as, also the books, and above all the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will requite him for his deeds. 15 Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. 16 At my first defense no one took my part; all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength to proclaim the message fully, that all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen. 19 Greet Prisca and Aq’uila, and the household of Onesiph’orus. 20 Eras’tus remained at Corinth; Troph’imus I left ill at Mile’tus. 21 Do your best to come before winter. Eubu’lus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren. 22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you. (2 Timothy 4:9-22)

Verses 14 to 18 are the critical teachings here with respect to the power of the Lord to rescue us. Paul shows that he had suffered at the hands of men and been greatly opposed concerning the message he was preaching. It is evident that the opposition was particularly powerful against Paul, especially from the coppersmith, Alexander.

But we also note that Paul stated that the Lord rescued him from all of this opposition. Paul then makes the statement in verse 18 that the Lord will rescue us from every evil. This is a great promise and a great truth when we apply it through faith.

Holding fast in faith

Perhaps you have been through some great traumas or persecutions in your walk with Christ. Maybe you are suffering now simply because you stand up for Christ. You might have even been attacked in some way.

Looking at Paul’s example we see that he suffered physically and spiritually for his stance with Christ. And don’t forget the suffering that Jesus Himself went through in order to win the victory for us.

My point here is this: suffering for Christ is inevitable, but still the promise stands that the Lord will rescue His people from everything that comes against them.

Yes, you may have to suffer for His sake, but remember what awaits you. We are seeking the pathway to eternal life with God where there will be no evil or sin. That is the reward we hope for, and when comparing an eternity of peace, love, joy and more, there is no comparison to the problems of this life.

Even in death we need to realise that it is not an end. Sometimes the Lord allows His people to die to remove them from the suffering of this world. Look at what this scripture says.

The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity, 2 he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness. (Isaiah 57:1-2)

The Lord will rescue His people even by using death as the tool to do so. There comes a time when the Lord says, “It is enough!” The Lord steps in to remove some of His people from their suffering in this age by calling them home to Himself.

Mankind thinks death is final. They believe it is the end, and they are afraid of the unknown that follows.

But many of the teachings of Christ are to enlighten His people about the truth of death. It is not to be feared because it is not the end for those who are with Him. And as noted in the scripture here, often it is used by the Lord to release His people from suffering in this age.

So, we need to hold fast our faith in Jesus Christ. We need to remember at all times that the Lord will rescue His people and He will not allow them to be tested or tempted beyond their strength. And even death is not a punishment but may even be a blessing for those who are seeking the Lord.

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