Paul has just encouraged Timothy to fulfill all the aspects of his ministry to the church at Ephesus as the senior pastor.
He is passing the torch, the baton, to his protege to carry on the next leg of the relay.
(6) For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.
Paul has given his all to his Lord, and he is ready to give his life in sacrifice for the glory of God. He's ready to go.
(7) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;
He has fought the good fight of maintaining the faith, he has finished the course that the Lord laid out for him, and through it all, he has kept the faith and never allowed his thinking to be deterred from what he received from the Lord.
(8) in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that Day;
Paul is declaring that the reward that Jesus has promised him is already prepared for him to receive it on the Day that the Lord will sit at the bema seat to allot our rewards to us for service in His power. (For information on this, see Our Great Prize and Our Highest Ambition.)
and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Every person who has been born into God's family will be anticipating the Lord's Glorious Appearing; and taking courage and strength and perseverance in knowing our God is protecting us and leading us. And as we walk in His ways along the path He has placed our feet upon, to do His will and accomplish His work as His hands and feet; then we will love His appearing and also receive crowns, including the crown of righteousness.
O my Father, thank You so much for all of Your precious promises! You are a Promise Keeper! You know us and everything You have planned for us, and You have told us what is ahead and have revealed to us Your Plan. And You would not tell us anything that You have not already done! So, we can trust everything You have said!
My dear Father, I have staked my life and my eternity upon Your Truth as written in Your holy Scriptures. I know You are trustworthy, and You are the Source of everything I need, both here and for all eternity.
Father, send out Your human army, Your team, Your workers, into all the world, so that every living person will hear how much You love us all. Everyone needs to have a clear and informed choice to accept Your gracious and generous offer of rescue and salvation and redemption.
And those who knowingly refuse You will have no excuse.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
