THE NTEB HOUSE CHURCH SUNDAY SERVICE: Come Before Winter

At the end of the fourth chapter of the book of 2 Timothy, Paul writes what at first blush seems to be almost a throw-away line in closing his letter as he urges Timothy to be diligent to come before winter to see him. But if you know anything of the apostle Paul, those seven words are packed with meaning and significance. In the gospels, Jesus warns the Jews living during the start of the great Tribulation that they should pray their flight to Selah Petra does not take place during winter, for obvious reasons if you’ve ever tried traveling anywhere in the winter months. Winter is a picture of cold, hard death, where time remains suspended, in a dreary, endless and frozen condition. It’s as if Paul is saying “Timothy, if you’re planning on coming to see me, you better get here soon!” Have you ever stood by the casket of a loved one, with unused words still in your mouth that now will remain forever unsaid? Maybe when you were first saved, you imagined all that you were going to do for the Lord, but somehow it never got done. Winter arrived sooner than you expected, and you became cold, hardened and indifferent to the call of that still small voice. Christian, for just a few moments today I’d like to talk to you about winter, it’s almost here.