An Epistle is defined as one of the letters adopted as books of the New Testament. In 2 Timothy, In his letter, Paul urges Timothy to not have a “spirit of timidity” and to “not be ashamed to testify about our Lord” (1:7-8)
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
(2 Timothy 1:7-10)
In 2 Timothy he talks about perilous times. The word translated perilous has the idea of troubles, difficulty, and stressful situations. This sort of atmosphere will mark the last days. Many people feel like we are in the last days. In Matthew 24 these are described as the birth pains before Christ’s return.
“Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
Birth pains become increasingly closer in time from each other before the child is born. We have had wars, famines, earthquakes and devastation all throughout history but when the time comes near for Christ to return they will become more frequent like birth pains. It could be 100 more years, 100 days, 10 minutes away. “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father, Mark 13:32 . We don’t know what the future holds but we know who holds the future. Do not be afraid of the uncertainties that lie ahead but face every day with power, love and self-discipline.
say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Isaiah 35:4