Honoring the faithful elders of the Church.

1 Timothy 5:17-25

Click for a description of the mark of the beast.
Click for a description of the image of the beast.

“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 1 Timothy 5:17-18

The verse about not muzzling an ox while it treads out the grain is originally written in Deuteronomy 25:4 [one of the many laws of the Old Testament]. An ox was placed on the threshing floor where wheat was separated from the chaff. The ox was guided to walk in circles on top of the wheat to crush it and causing the kernels to be separated from the chaff. The commandment was to allow the ox to eat from the grain while treading out the grain. The spiritual meaning through Jesus Christ is that those who work for His Gospel should benefit from the fruit of their labor.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is who said the laborer is worthy of his wages, which is quoted in Luke 10:7. Which also means that those who work for the Gospel of Jesus Christ should benefit from the fruit of their labor.

The “elders who rule well” were those in the Church at Ephesus [under the leadership of Timothy] that upheld faith in Jesus Christ and Godliness, was peaceable, had a pure conscience, upheld the role of women as God designed, opposed the teachings of demons, and were not hypocritical. The qualifications of elders are described in 1 Timothy 3. Those elders were worthy of double honor compared to those who were not upholding the word of God, fell from faith in Jesus Christ, and grieved the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Today, the leaders of the churches have abandoned the Gospel of Jesus Christ to partner with community values and goals. Those values include living for the beast that gives them what to speak, do, think, and feel. That beast gives breath/life to the image of the beast to speak by speaking and living through people everywhere. By what they are given to say and do they are being groomed to the mark, name, and number of the beast.

“Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.” 1 Timothy 5:19-20

Paul exhorted Timothy not to accept accusations against an elder from just anybody. The accusations had to be verifiable through two or more witnesses. Those who were found to be sinning were to be rebuked in front of everybody to make it known that trespasses against faith in Jesus Christ was not tolerated by Timothy.

In today’s culture, which is global, there is a lot of negativity, harsh talk, and gossip against belief in God, living for Jesus Christ, and embracing the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Lord wants us to ignore accusations against those professing to be Christians, unless we know for certain those accusations are true. If they are true, we can try to restore the person in Jesus Christ, but if that is not possible then we have to consider them to be hostile to the way of Jesus Christ. Satan is the accuser of our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ and God rebukes Satan, “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” Zachariah 3:1-2

“I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.” 1 Timothy 5:21-22

When it comes to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we shouldn’t relax the standards of Holiness for some while holding others to a more strict standard for being sanctified. The fruit of the Holy Spirit comes to every person equally by living faithfully for Jesus Christ. We cannot be partial and have prejudice in sharing the Good News because God is not partial in giving His Son Jesus Christ to atone for our sin, and through Him we are given the Holy Spirit.

To lay hands on people hastily means there is a bit of indifference to the sacredness and reality of the Holy Spirit working in a person’s life. We cannot be sincere in our faith when we expect the laying on of hands to be as meaningful for those who make a mockery of Jesus Christ as for those who sincerely live their life for Him.

Today, the beast has power over physiology to manipulate what people feel and do and is able to make people believe the laying on of hands is effective for unbelievers as well as for Believers. In the Satanic power of the beast, that might be true, but in the name of Jesus Christ it is blaspheme. If people are going to be touched by Jesus Christ, it will come by the Holy Spirit working within our heart, soul, and mind. That comes with professing that the power, glory, and Kingdom belongs to God, that Jesus is the Christ and our Lord and Savior, and with the desire to grow in Holiness by the presence of the Holy Spirit.

“No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.” 1 Timothy 5:23

This verse affirms that sometimes we need medication to treat the aches, pains, sicknesses, and diseases of the physical body. Wine was used as medicine in those days. A “little wine” meant moderation not to indulge in substance abuse. Timothy was a young man, in his 20’s or 30’s, but had stomach issues and frequent ailments. I once made a statement that my physical body is in the hands of the doctor but my spirit and soul is in the hands of the Great Physician, Jesus Christ.

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28

“Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.” 1 Timothy 5:24-25

The Holy Spirit is saying, “…be sure your sin will find you out…For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.” Numbers 32:23, Luke 8:17

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11