“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word…”
(II Timothy 4:1-2a)
The word, “therefore” ties all of what Paul taught Timothy in chapters 1, 2 and 3 to what he is being admonished to do in chapter 4.
Timothy and all preachers from that day to this are charged to preach the word. We are reminded that there will be a judgment for the “quick,” that is, the Christians, folks who have been quickened, made alive or saved. This is called the “Judgment Seat of Christ.” It is found in II Corinthians 5:10, I Corinthians 3:11-15. Its purpose is to judge for worthiness of rewards for the Christian’s stewardship of the Gospel.
He further says there will be a judgment for the dead, those who were never saved, never received Christ as Savior, never quickened or made alive. This judgment is known as the “Great White Throne Judgment.” It is described in Revelation 20:11-15. Their names are not in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
This is why Paul is exhorting Timothy and all preachers to preach the word. We are to warn the lost and point them to Christ the Savior. We are to encourage the saved to stay true to the Lord.
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