Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. vv.3-4
Read chapter 2
So we read again of tribulation times. We see that before Christ's coming the falling away comes first. Today we could easily say that many are falling away or have fallen away from God, but that has always been since the fall of man. So there must be a gathering before a falling away takes place and noted as a sign. The Greek word for falling away is apostasia, which means revolt yet (some people say means departure and then tries to fit in the rapture). This passage shows then that the tribulation is not what is to happen next but a great gathering when God speaks and all the world will know and have no doubt God, when God gathers all Israel to be one again and the resurrection into the premillennial Kingdom. The revolt is not the day of the Lord since that comes as a thief in the night but is a sign that that has to come first.
We read of the antichrist that will set himself as the seat of authority in the temple.
Matthew 24 is Christ's great prophesy of the tribulation before His coming. The abomination of desolation that Jesus refers to seems to be the antichrist spoken of here that sets himself up as God. Also, Daniel 9 & 11 mentions of this antichrist taking authority over Israel in the future and that this will last for 3 1/2 years, how long we can guess the tribulation to be.
Oh how we long for the great gathering of God's people and to endure for Christ and not for the antichrist during the tribulation. Do you believe in the rapture? Why or what scriptures show that?
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Monday, June 13, 2016
2 Thessalonians 1
"These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power," v.9
Read chapter 1
The second letter to the Thessalonians appears to have the same context as the first. Being written most likely during the time Paul was in Corinth for a year and a half (Acts 18) after his visit to Thessalonians in Acts 17 while Paul is still with Silas and Timothy. This second letter was to clear up some confusion from a false letter that was supposedly from Paul about future events.
One of these future events he clears up is the final judgement and glory that will take place with the believers and nonbelievers. We have to realize that this isn't at the start of the kingdom but at the beginning of His thousand year reign. God will first bring enlightenment to all who do not know God which will be what God does first at His kingdom. Paul says that those that don't know God nor obey the gospel will be revenged and be punished with everlasting destruction. Why revenge if they're just deceived? But if we understand that this is after the hundreds of years of the premillennial kingdom where everyone will know the gospel of Jesus Christ and purposely rebel against Christ on these He will deserve revenge. The Greek word for destruction here is olethros which means extermination. The penalty will always stand that they'll be exterminated from God's punishment. This isn't constantly being destroyed but exterminated, never to come back or receive a second chance. We can yet not say this will be anyone today but what those choose to respond in the kingdom of following Jesus of purposeful rebellion and not during this time of deception. Christ's coming isn't just to come with vengeance but to be glorified among His saints. How do you desire or fear the coming of Christ?
Read chapter 1
The second letter to the Thessalonians appears to have the same context as the first. Being written most likely during the time Paul was in Corinth for a year and a half (Acts 18) after his visit to Thessalonians in Acts 17 while Paul is still with Silas and Timothy. This second letter was to clear up some confusion from a false letter that was supposedly from Paul about future events.
One of these future events he clears up is the final judgement and glory that will take place with the believers and nonbelievers. We have to realize that this isn't at the start of the kingdom but at the beginning of His thousand year reign. God will first bring enlightenment to all who do not know God which will be what God does first at His kingdom. Paul says that those that don't know God nor obey the gospel will be revenged and be punished with everlasting destruction. Why revenge if they're just deceived? But if we understand that this is after the hundreds of years of the premillennial kingdom where everyone will know the gospel of Jesus Christ and purposely rebel against Christ on these He will deserve revenge. The Greek word for destruction here is olethros which means extermination. The penalty will always stand that they'll be exterminated from God's punishment. This isn't constantly being destroyed but exterminated, never to come back or receive a second chance. We can yet not say this will be anyone today but what those choose to respond in the kingdom of following Jesus of purposeful rebellion and not during this time of deception. Christ's coming isn't just to come with vengeance but to be glorified among His saints. How do you desire or fear the coming of Christ?
Sunday, June 12, 2016
1 Thessalonians 5
"For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief." vv.2-4
Read chapter 5
Character of the tribulation mentioned here in 1st Thessalonians (not just in Revelation). The day of the Lord here is not described as what we'd think of heaven but is described as a time of horror. There are four different "days" in scripture referring to not just a single day but a time with a thing is prominent for example we live in the day of technology. These four days in scripture are the Day of man (1 Corinthians 4:3) our current situation, Day of Christ (Isaiah 59:19), Day of the Lord (Revelation 1-20), Day of God (Revelation 21-22).
The day of the Lord written here comes with no sign as it comes as a thief in the night, there's no big sign like 2 Timothy 3 signs bringing in the day of Christ, the Kingdom.
Future times is not only in the book of Revelation but in many books in both the old and new testament. I believe that the day of the Lord, tribulation is not next. There are multiple things that need to happen before the day of the Lord happens as you compare these other "days."
So here in 1st Thessalonians we see a sudden destruction, or extermination, when people say "peace and safety." No one says or thinks we have it today as much as that is what people want and hope for. Not everyone will be destructed or surprised when the Day of the Lord comes, as those of the light who know and believe Christ will know and understand what's to come. We are not surprised today of the evil in the world because we know this isn't heaven we're living in now. Let us not be ignorant either of what is still to come.
Read chapter 5
Character of the tribulation mentioned here in 1st Thessalonians (not just in Revelation). The day of the Lord here is not described as what we'd think of heaven but is described as a time of horror. There are four different "days" in scripture referring to not just a single day but a time with a thing is prominent for example we live in the day of technology. These four days in scripture are the Day of man (1 Corinthians 4:3) our current situation, Day of Christ (Isaiah 59:19), Day of the Lord (Revelation 1-20), Day of God (Revelation 21-22).
The day of the Lord written here comes with no sign as it comes as a thief in the night, there's no big sign like 2 Timothy 3 signs bringing in the day of Christ, the Kingdom.
Future times is not only in the book of Revelation but in many books in both the old and new testament. I believe that the day of the Lord, tribulation is not next. There are multiple things that need to happen before the day of the Lord happens as you compare these other "days."
So here in 1st Thessalonians we see a sudden destruction, or extermination, when people say "peace and safety." No one says or thinks we have it today as much as that is what people want and hope for. Not everyone will be destructed or surprised when the Day of the Lord comes, as those of the light who know and believe Christ will know and understand what's to come. We are not surprised today of the evil in the world because we know this isn't heaven we're living in now. Let us not be ignorant either of what is still to come.
Saturday, June 11, 2016
1 Thessalonians 4
"For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality." v.3
Read chapter 4
How often do you ask 'what is God's will for me"? How often do you or others seek for God's will in some great work or position? We can search and search through the scriptures for a verse to say, "Nicole, your will in life is..." Yet we search in vain as we'll never find something flat out. God does have a will for us, first and foremost to love and believe in Christ our God. If you do a word search on the word "will"(Greek Thelema) you will find many occurrences, 2,307 in the new testament alone. Now of course not all of these will's are specific to us as you take each in it's context, but what about the ones you can? There is a will for all God's children and there is a will for each individually. If you can't do the basic general wills God has written down for us, do you think you're able to handle more that that? Here in 1 Thessalonians 4 Paul says it flat out one of God's wills: abstain from sexual immorality. Bam, right there is your will. How you doing in doing God's will? Now that's not to say if you can't do that you can't do anything else, but it does have the trickle effect no matter how big or small the will is. Just as Jesus said, "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much" Luke 16:10.
How are you seeking God's will for your life and agreeing with whatever it may be?
Read chapter 4
How often do you ask 'what is God's will for me"? How often do you or others seek for God's will in some great work or position? We can search and search through the scriptures for a verse to say, "Nicole, your will in life is..." Yet we search in vain as we'll never find something flat out. God does have a will for us, first and foremost to love and believe in Christ our God. If you do a word search on the word "will"(Greek Thelema) you will find many occurrences, 2,307 in the new testament alone. Now of course not all of these will's are specific to us as you take each in it's context, but what about the ones you can? There is a will for all God's children and there is a will for each individually. If you can't do the basic general wills God has written down for us, do you think you're able to handle more that that? Here in 1 Thessalonians 4 Paul says it flat out one of God's wills: abstain from sexual immorality. Bam, right there is your will. How you doing in doing God's will? Now that's not to say if you can't do that you can't do anything else, but it does have the trickle effect no matter how big or small the will is. Just as Jesus said, "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much" Luke 16:10.
How are you seeking God's will for your life and agreeing with whatever it may be?
Friday, June 10, 2016
1 Thessalonians 3
And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. vv.12-13
Read chapter 3
Paul had heard of the love of the Thessalonians and now is saying he wants them to abound more and more and not just to one another but to all. Oh how often I need to pray to not just love others one time or once in a while but abound in love towards others. A lot of times I get encouraged to love others more as those have showed increasing love towards me. It's increasing and abounding in love that establishes the hearts of believers. Paul wants them fully established at the parosia of our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember that the word for coming here isn't just a simple return, but when Jesus comes to be personally present on earth and rules. He doesn't want to just see the Thessalonians at the parosia but for them to be among all the saints, the set apart ones.
Is your heart being established in love? How can you allow the Lord to abound you more in love towards all?
Read chapter 3
Paul had heard of the love of the Thessalonians and now is saying he wants them to abound more and more and not just to one another but to all. Oh how often I need to pray to not just love others one time or once in a while but abound in love towards others. A lot of times I get encouraged to love others more as those have showed increasing love towards me. It's increasing and abounding in love that establishes the hearts of believers. Paul wants them fully established at the parosia of our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember that the word for coming here isn't just a simple return, but when Jesus comes to be personally present on earth and rules. He doesn't want to just see the Thessalonians at the parosia but for them to be among all the saints, the set apart ones.
Is your heart being established in love? How can you allow the Lord to abound you more in love towards all?
Thursday, June 9, 2016
1 Thessalonians 2
"Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy." vv.18-20
Read chapter 2
Satan hindered Paul from coming to the Thessalonians again. It appears in the book of Hebrews that Paul and Silas were able to and did return, but Paul not. We are not sure from few details in scripture about that as to why other than that Satan hindered.
The Thessalonians are the result of the work of the ministry of Paul, Timothy and Silas and that brought them much joy in them. Of course he hoped to see them again during his lifetime but more so at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The coming here is the parousia- Christ personal presence on the earth that is yet to come. Making it there is the eternal life being forever with Christ. It's the ultimate goal that we should long for everyone. That we would work with then end goal in mind of eternal life with Christ. Who is someone you've labored for in the gospel and is your joy and crown of rejoicing? Who are people you long to see at Christ's return?
Read chapter 2
Satan hindered Paul from coming to the Thessalonians again. It appears in the book of Hebrews that Paul and Silas were able to and did return, but Paul not. We are not sure from few details in scripture about that as to why other than that Satan hindered.
The Thessalonians are the result of the work of the ministry of Paul, Timothy and Silas and that brought them much joy in them. Of course he hoped to see them again during his lifetime but more so at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The coming here is the parousia- Christ personal presence on the earth that is yet to come. Making it there is the eternal life being forever with Christ. It's the ultimate goal that we should long for everyone. That we would work with then end goal in mind of eternal life with Christ. Who is someone you've labored for in the gospel and is your joy and crown of rejoicing? Who are people you long to see at Christ's return?
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
1 Thessalonians 1
"remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God." vv.3-4
Read chapter 1
In Acts 16 we see Paul with Timothy and Silvanus in Thessalonica teaching and reasoning to them about the Messiah in the synagogue and now are writing to them afterwards.
They were remembered or more commemorated because of their work of faith, labor of love and patience of hope. We see here that faith is action as James says faith without work is dead. These Thessalonians were exercising their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Just like you need to exercise to get stronger, so you need to exercise to grow stronger in Christ.
Their labor of love is labor produced by love, doing something because of their strong love for others or something. Also willing to stand up for Christ they had shown of this new faith to them.
Their patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ was patience in trails knowing the hope or expectation that Jesus will return. Paul was only with them for three weeks yet exalts them for their patience.
This was all because of their election by God. Note that it's not predestination for salvation, but election, being chosen for service now that they have chosen to follow Christ. Not chosen before they believe but chosen by Him having believed for His special purpose.
Who do you commemorate of their work of faith or labor of love or patience of hope in Jesus? How can you show and grow in those areas in your life as to what you're being remembered for? What do you want to be remembered of by others?
Read chapter 1
In Acts 16 we see Paul with Timothy and Silvanus in Thessalonica teaching and reasoning to them about the Messiah in the synagogue and now are writing to them afterwards.
They were remembered or more commemorated because of their work of faith, labor of love and patience of hope. We see here that faith is action as James says faith without work is dead. These Thessalonians were exercising their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Just like you need to exercise to get stronger, so you need to exercise to grow stronger in Christ.
Their labor of love is labor produced by love, doing something because of their strong love for others or something. Also willing to stand up for Christ they had shown of this new faith to them.
Their patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ was patience in trails knowing the hope or expectation that Jesus will return. Paul was only with them for three weeks yet exalts them for their patience.
This was all because of their election by God. Note that it's not predestination for salvation, but election, being chosen for service now that they have chosen to follow Christ. Not chosen before they believe but chosen by Him having believed for His special purpose.
Who do you commemorate of their work of faith or labor of love or patience of hope in Jesus? How can you show and grow in those areas in your life as to what you're being remembered for? What do you want to be remembered of by others?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)