2 Timothy 4:6-22

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
 Do your best to come to me soon.  For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.  Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.  Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.  When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.  Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.  Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message.  At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them!  But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth.  The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.  Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus.  Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers.
 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

2 Timothy 4:6-22

In contrast to the charge Paul gives to Timothy, Paul comments on the fact that he will die soon.  He has "fought the good fight" and there is a reward, "the crown of righteousness".  It is for those who do fight well and "have kept the faith" that will receive the crown of righteousness.  Paul also mentions that this is not only for him, but for "all who have loved his appearing".  People who are anticipating the second coming are those who will receive the crown of righteousness.  It is him that we long to see, is it not?

Now this letter comes to a close.  Paul wants Timothy to come to him soon.  He also mentions a lot of different people, like Demas who deserted him and some other people who are no longer with him.  However, Luke is with him and he wants Mark to come as well.  I believe this is the same Mark that deserted him in the past and this was the center of a dispute between Paul and Barnabas.  In any case, there are instructions for Timothy to bring his cloak and books.  There is a warning about Alexander the
Coppersmith.

Paul also mentions that no one came to stand by him at his first defense.  It must have been hard to be alone at that time.  However, Paul was strengthened by the Lord who stood by him.  His strengthening wasn't only for his own sake, but "so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it".

There is also an interesting verse that caught my attention: "The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen."  I wonder if this is a popular verse among certain folk.  I can imagine people using it to proclaim nothing bad happening to them.  I doubt that is the case because Paul certainly had his fair share of difficulties.  Yet, the Lord did indeed rescue him.  Paul wasn't unscathed.  He was stoned to death, yet still alive.  That must've left a mark.  I believe the second part provides more clarity, "...and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom".  Well, it is appointed man once to die, so I don't think death is out of the picture.  How is one safely brought into the heavenly kingdom?  Perhaps attacks that will cause one to make shipwreck of the faith or one to falter are ones that bring this into question.  Physical safety isn't in question, but salvation.  Note that it isn't what Paul does that brings him safely into the kingdom, but what the Lord does.  God is the one who rescues and God is the one who brings Paul safely into his heavenly kingdom.  To God be all the glory.

Finally, some final greetings finish off this letter from Paul to Timothy.