(Chapters 2-6)
In order for Timothy to present the order of the house to the saints, he needed to have a good understanding of it himself. Paul wrote this epistle for that very purpose. He said, “These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how one ought to conduct oneself in God’s house” (chap. 3:14-15). This being the case, in chapters 2-6, Paul sets before Timothy the order of the house and the proper conduct suited to each sphere in it. The three spheres of privilege and responsibility in the house of God—priesthood, office, and gift—are taken up one at a time, and the due order for each is carefully outlined. Timothy was then to use this pattern as his guide in leading the saints in a line of conduct that would be suited to the house.
In a similar way, Ezekiel was given the pattern of God’s house for the coming millennial kingdom of Christ. He was to “show” the “pattern” of the house to "the house of Israel," to the end that they would be “ashamed of their iniquities” (Ezek. 43:1010Thou son of man, show the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern. (Ezekiel 43:10)). By discovering what God’s order was for His house, the people of Israel were to learn how far off they had gotten from God's ideal, and it would produce repentance in them. The Lord not only wanted Ezekiel to “show” the people the pattern of the house; he also wanted the people to “measure” it for themselves. Measuring would suggest having something more than an intellectual understanding of truth of God's house. It would be something deeper, involving a personal acquaintance with this truth. This is an exercise that we all need to have in connection with God's house today.
As was the case in Ezekiel's day, if we learn the proper order of God’s spiritual house as presented in Scripture, we will be quite amazed at how far off things in Christendom have deviated from God’s order. It should result in every exercised person stepping away from all unscriptural Christian fellowships that do not bear the marks of the due order of God's house (2 Tim. 2:19-2219Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:19‑22)).