Articles
What Kind of Example Will You Leave?
“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy
Vine’s defines “ensample” as, “primarily denoted "a blow" ("to strike"), hence, (a) an impression, the mark of a "blow," John 20:25;” where Thomas speaks, concerning the seeing the “print of the nails” in the Lord’s hands; (b) “the ‘impress’ of a seal, the stamp made by a die, a figure, image, Acts 7:43;” where it speaks of the figure the children of Israel made to worship Molech (c) “a ‘form’ or mold, Rom. 6:17” regarding to the form of teaching the Romans became obedient to; (d) “the sense or substance of a letter, Acts 23:25;” (e) "an ensample," "pattern;" in an ethical sense, 1 Tim. 4:12.” In all of these “examples” we see where what was said, or done, left a lasting mark.
There are numerous examples in the scriptures, both in the negative and positive sense. What we want to do is consider some examples set forth in the scriptures that left such a lasting mark that they may teach us and thereby help us be productive in the kingdom.
Angels who sinned:
The Apostle Peter said, “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment…” (2 Peter 2:4).
Although the exact nature of their sin is not clearly stated in this passage there are a number of scriptures that similarly relate: (1) “And angels that kept not their own principality, but left their proper habitation, he hath kept in everlasting bonds under darkness unto the judgment of the great day” (Jude 6). (2) “For verily not to angels doth he give help, but he giveth help to the seed of Abraham” (Hebrews
Angels that “kept not their own principality, but left their proper habitation,” are described by Vine’s as having left “the heavenly region appointed by God as the dwelling place of angels.” These angels who left their proper place in view of another and would not subject themselves to Jehovah have been “kept in everlasting bonds under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”
What can we learn from this revelation and the acts of these angels? There are certain governments that God has placed in the nation, home, and church. Each of these governments have duties based upon the relationship that each individual sustains with the entity. In these relationships there are privileges as well as responsibilities that no one has the right to forfeit, and/or assume, and those who leave their “proper habitations” will answer to Jehovah. As the Apostle Paul affirmed, saying, “So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). ret
- What_Kind_of_Example.pdf (39.88 kB)
