And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.
Summary: Departure time is something that we all will experience, whether we believe in it or not.
My family has most of our roots on an island in the Puget Sound. Today, the island is connected to the mainland by a bridge, but back in “the day,” before the bridge, the only way on or off of the island was by boat. Even today, much of the traffic on and off of the island is by ferryboat.
Ferryboats lead a simple life. They go back and forth all day long. The trips they make are usually short, and yet they have something in common with the big ships that travel the ocean: when departure time comes, there is no going back.
There is an old expression often used when someone misses an opportunity. We say that they have “missed the boat.” Somehow, culturally, we understand that when the boat leaves, it is gone.
When Paul writes, “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near,” (2 Timothy 4:6) he uses the Greek word ‘analysis’ to describe his departure. Strong’s defines this word as “a metaphor drawn from loosing from moorings preparatory to setting sail.” (The word ‘analysis’ means to break something down into its component parts. Strong’s uses the interesting phrase, “dissolving” into separate parts.) This imagery is powerful. Anyone who has sailed on a ship or seen one set sail understands what it means. When the last mooring is cast off, we have “departed.”
Peter chose a different word to describe his departure. He used the Greek word ‘exodos.’ This word is used literally to describe an “exit,” and metaphorically to describe death. Both words have something very important in common. Neither one refers to the end of existence. Both words assume the person continues on apart from the body. (By the same token, while the body decays, the stuff the body is made of continues on as well.)
The world’s view of death is rather glum. We come from nothing and we return to nothing. There is no spirit in man, so there can be nothing that survives human existence. Fortunately, the world’s view of death is wrong. Unfortunately, if one lives by this view and rejects God’s offer of salvation through his Son, Jesus, the end is worse than the beginning. Fortunately, Jesus is quite generous!
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:17)
Application: Departure from this life is not an option. We all have to deal with it. As such, we are wise if we plan for it.
Food for Thought: What can we do to prepare for our departure?
Stay ready and alert,..continue to share the faith with others, continue encouraging others,..continue to share the gospel with others,..maybe give those crowns a shining before we cast them at the feet of Jesus,..
Nicely said, John! 🙂
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ” (1 Corinthians 9:24)
Worship the Lord your God with all you heart and soul and strength. It will help keep you focused on what’s important in this life.
JRM,
Absolutely true!
All the comments are great but I’ve see the bad of this world and what a departure can do to families and loved ones. So I’d like to add having things set in place for them preventing any division of the family. I know you can’t take it with you but still be a good steward and not leave a mess when your done with your ” tent “.
Mr. T,
Thank you for making this point. I like the way you stated it, too. A good camper leaves a clean campsite, and that is all we are really.
“You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:14)
Good comments. And T, an interesting and important take on this topic.
If I could put this in two words it would be ”fear God.” Take His way of salvation – which is Christ Jesus. Pursue Him, love Him, serve Him. In other words – fear Him and not the world. Luke 12: 4 – 7.
Rich,
You make an important point. I remember as a young man being very afraid of dying. Now, many years later and in a much closer walk with Christ, the idea does not bother me much. Do I want to go through that door yet? No, not yet. But if I do, I know where I am going .
10-02-2021, 2 Peter 1:15, What can we do to prepare for our departure?
My brother, his son, and son-in-law are all bow hunters and every year they spend their summers preparing for the fall hunting season. Who will bring what, where to go, many trips to the mountains checking out areas and planting motion activated cameras which they will retrieve to check activity of animals in area. Searching maps and making their plans for the perfect hunt. Each year they have their stories of how close they came to getting the big one, but missed. And the cycle continues.
2 Kings 2:1-11, Elijah prepares and is taken. He prepares Elisha and continues following the Lord’s direction.
2 Timothy 4:7, Paul takes inventory and writes Timothy, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.
I don’t know my date of departure but I do know I have been left on earth after my salvation to minister to others according to the directions I receive from our Lord. Do I live each day as Elijah did? Can I truthfully make the statement Paul makes? I am neither of these great believers but I can do my best to make service to God my number one priority as long as I am able. Have I presented our Lord to my family members and will depart knowing they have had every opportunity to make their freewill decision regarding their salvation?
Tim makes a great point. Where property is involved we need to leave a will with very specific instructions. In the case of those closest to us we should consider personal letters which would vary with each person, but assure them of our well being in the care of our Lord.
Ron,
I like your take on this. As we become more aware of our departure date, I think it should spur us on to share Jesus with others.
May I also mention that Christian ministries, and missions which can continue to spread the gospel should be considered as recipients of some of the property one might leave behind.
Jeffrey,
Excellent suggestion! Thank you for adding to this very interesting conversation.