2 Timothy 4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
As Paul comes to the end of the letter he expresses his absolute confidence in the Lord. He does not suppose that he will escape evil attack but he is sure that the Lord will rescue him from everyone of them that may come his way. He is equally confident that whatever may happen the Lord will bring him safely to his heavenly kingdom. These wonderful words are spoken by faith. Paul truly believed these two things and gave glory to God for them. How could he be so confident? Did he think he was invincible? He had certainly known some amazing escapes in his life - several shipwrecks, many times in prison, in danger of being stoned, even stoned once and left for dead. He did not know what lay ahead but he reasoned that in every case God would either rescue him in some obvious way or take him to be with himself. Whatever happened he knew that soon he would be brought safely to God's heavenly kingdom. To see things that way is a tremendous asset to the Christian minister. He recognises that not a shaft can hit until the God of love sees fit and so he is confident not of facing no trouble but of being rescued and at the end being brought safely to the heavenly kingdom at last. This not only gives him confidence but sets his mind on God and his glory. Every minister, indeed every Christian, can have the same confidence as Paul had. Paul's response to this revelation is not a self centred one but a To him be glory for ever and ever. He sees that this is to the glory of God. The Amen serves to underline his rock solid confidence in this truth and his earnest desire to honour God for such mercy. What an example to us he is to us all.
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