THE MODEL
CHURCH !! 1 Thessalonians
1:1-9
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It is the New English Bible translation that renders
1 Thessalonians 1:7 as “You have become a model for all believers…”
Not perfect … but certainly a church that stands as
an example as to what a church should be.
A church that’s
all it ought to be:
A church whose
members never stray
Beyond the
straight and narrow way.
A church that has
no empty pews;
Whose pastor
never has the blues;
A church whose
deacons always deak,
And none are
proud, and all are meek.
Where gossips
never peddle lies
Or make
complaints or criticize.
Where all are
always sweet and kind
And all to
others’ faults are blind.
Such perfect
churches there may be,
But none of them
is known to me;
But still I’ll
work and pray and plan
To make our
church the best I can.
* * * * * * * * *
*
The church at Thessalonica was founded by Paul
during his second missionary journey.
Acts 17:1-10 tells of the results achieved and the uproar that ensued.
Paul journeys south … to Berea … Athens … and then
to Corinth, where Timothy and Silas rejoin him (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 3:6).
===============
1. THEY
HAD RECEIVED THE GOSPEL OF GOD … vv 5-6
Despite ‘much affliction’ they had believed the
Gospel and become followers of the Lord.
The message of the Cross had turned them Godward, Acts 17:1-4.
“In verse 4 Paul speaks of the
Thessalonians as brothers beloved by God. The phrase beloved by God was a phrase that the Jews
applied only to supremely great men like Moses and Solomon, and to the nation
of Israel itself. Now the greatest
privilege of the greatest men of God’s chosen people has been extended to the
humblest of the Gentiles” … William
Barclay.
2. THEY
WERE JOYFUL IN THE SPIRIT OF GOD … v. 6
Not a happiness that was only dependent upon
external happenings, but a joy deep within that the world did not give … nor
can take away … a joy that results from a knowledge of sins forgiven and a Home
in Heaven bye and bye. Despite the
‘much affliction’ here and now.
A joyless Christian is a bad advertisement for the
church.
3. THEY
WERE AN EXAMPLE TO THE CHURCH OF GOD … vv 7-8
Throughout Greece (north and south) the knowledge of
this young church had spread. Paul is
saying that wherever he had travelled others have told him about the
Thessalonian Church! … their faith, their zeal, their works of love, their joy,
their outreach, their dedication to Christ.
4. THEY
WERE SPREADING THE WORD OF GOD … v. 8
“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!” (Psalm 107:2).
And by life and lip the Thessalonian believers were
doing just that!
5. THEY
WERE DEVOTED TO THE SERVICE OF GOD … v. 9
Idols were forsaken … and destroyed. Instead of serving dead ‘gods’ they now
serve the “living God”.
And no doubt that service is not just preaching the
Gospel … but caring for the “widow and the fatherless” (James 1:27) … lending a
helping hand to those in need. Giving a
“cup of cold water” in His Name (see Matthew 25:34-40).
6. THEY
WERE REMEMBERED AT THE THRONE OF GOD … vv 2-3
Paul “without ceasing” held these believers up
before the Throne of Grace.
The first recorded act of the great apostle after
his conversion was “Behold, he prayeth!” (Acts 9:11). And it was something he never stopped.
Maybe one of the main reasons the church at
Thessalonica was such a ‘model church’ was because of the prayer that ascended
on their behalf.
Of course, they prayed for their own ministry … Paul
bids them to pray “without ceasing” also (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
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THE SECOND
COMING OF CHRIST
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
D.L. Moody writes that he was “in the church 15 or
16 years before he ever heard a sermon on the Second Coming of Christ.
The church at Thessalonica could not say that …
there they are less than a year old and Paul is emphasising this great truth –
JESUS IS COMING AGAIN!
The subject of our Lord’s Return has been the
happy-hunting ground of religious cranks and date-setters ever since it was
first mentioned. But of that day,
“knoweth no man”! (Matthew 24:36).
Our attitude to the Second Coming is well spelled
out for us in 1 Thessalonians, where every chapter mentions this event. Bear in mind that Paul is writing to
believers: those who know Jesus Christ
as Saviour and Lord.
1. EXPECTATION!!
… 1:3; 9-10
Notice the “faith”, “love” and “hope” in verse
3.
This agrees with the “turned to God” (faith), “to service” (love) and “wait for His Son” (hope) in verses 9-10.
It was not a sit-down-do-nothing kind of waiting. They were “serving” in the meantime. But the unknown aspect as to the time of His return motivated them to get on with the job of extending His Kingdom.
Notice that the Jesus who is coming is the One who was “raised from the dead” (v. 10), not some impostor like Sun Myung Moon who claims to be the fulfilment of the Second Coming predictions!!
It is this “SAME Jesus” who is coming back! Acts 1:11.
2. JUBILATION!!
… 2:19-20
These Thessalonian converts are Paul’s “joy and crown”!
If he does not get to meet them again on earth, he
will meet them in Glory “when He comes” (v. 19).
And the saved all around me
appear,
I want to hear somebody tell
me:
“It was you who invited me
here.”
Oh, the joy of meeting those we have introduced to
the Saviour in the courts above.
3. PREPARATION!!
… 3:12-13
In preparation for the Saviour’s return, Paul prays
that the Thessalonians will grow spiritually mature.
And increase in love … a holy life.
After all, there will be some Christians who will be
ashamed at His coming (1 John 2:28).
Their rewards for service will be nil.
God grant that when He comes He will find us to be
the kind of Christians that we ought to be…
4. CONSOLATION!!
… 4:16-18
The context here reveals that the Thessalonian
believers were concerned about loved ones who had already died. Would they miss out on the Lord’s Return?
“NO!” says Paul.
It will be Resurrection Day!
Their souls will re-unite with their incorruptible bodies … and they
will rise from the grave to meet the Lord in the air.
Living Christians at the time of His coming will be
translated to join them, “together with them in the clouds” (v. 17).
This is not some highly prophetical book like
Revelation where the language is clothed in poetic imagery. It is a straight-forward letter to young
believers. It simply means what it
says.
He is coming … and the Christians, living or dead,
will meet Him in the air.
As the K.J.V. has it … “comfort one another with
these words” (v. 18).
5. PRESERVATION!!
… 5:22-24
He prays that these young converts will be ‘kept’
safe and secure until the coming Day.
Then there will be no Devil to tempt … no sin to
commit.
But until then the danger is ever present.
The “good news” is that He is able to keep that
which I have committed unto Him (2 Timothy 1:12). He has called us to Himself … and He is mighty to care for us (v.
24).
The “bad news” is that we still are prone to wander
from His side, and to fall prey to the Evil One.
WE are told to ‘avoid evil’ and cleave to the good (v.
22). He is able to keep … but He will
not do it against our will.
6. INVITATION!!
… 5:1-3
This letter is addressed to Christians. They are the ones who wait expectantly for
their Lord to come. They look forward
with joy to that wonderful Day.
But in this world of ours, there are those who
refuse to acknowledge Jesus as Saviour and Lord.
Upon them will come sudden destruction, and they
will “not escape”.
He is coming “like a thief” … unexpectedly. It behoves us to be ready all the time.
Are you?
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THE MODEL PREACHER : 1 Thessalonians 2:12
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In chapter 1 we were introduced to a ‘model’ church
(1:7, NEB) … now we meet a model preacher:
Paul.
In this second chapter we catch a glimpse of his
Manner of life … his Motive for evangelism, and the Message he proclaimed.
* * * * * * * * * *
1. HIS
MANNER
He describes his relationship to the Thessalonians
in a four-fold way:
(a) As
a Mother! … vv 7-8
He brought them to (spiritual) birth; he nurtured them; he loved them. He would have even given his life in exchange for theirs (v. 8).
(b) As
a Father! … v. 11
A big strong arm was ready to help these ‘babes in
Christ’ take their first stumbling steps.
(c) As
an Orphan … v. 17
The word for “torn away” in the Greek is
APORPHANIZO, from which we get our word ‘orphan’. Paul feels the separation from these converts (a forced
separation, Acts 17:10), like a child separated from his parents.
(d) As
a Brother … vv 1, 9, 14, 17
And nearly 20 times in these five chapters we have
the same term of endearment.
Not only are Christians ‘brothers and sisters’ …
sometimes closer to one another than to our own flesh and blood (Matthew
12:48), but even the Lord Jesus Himself calls us His brethren! (Hebrews 2:11).
2. HIS
MOTIVE
(a) …
was not Prosperity! … v. 9
Paul didn’t even take up an offering lest the
enemies of the gospel accused him of covetousness.
(b) …
and it was not Popularity! … v. 6
He just wanted to please the One who had ‘entrusted’
him with the message he was to deliver (vv 4, 6).
(c) …
but the Piety of his converts … v. 12
His motive is not merely to get them into Heaven, as
exciting for him as they will be (vv 19-20), but to see them “walking worthy of
God” here and now.
We are not saved just to get to Heaven … but to be
Holy.
3. HIS
MESSAGE
(a) Paul
had no doubts that it came from God.
Notice his “as it actually is!” (v. 13).
(b) And
the Thessalonians had no doubts that it was the Word of God!
It had changed their lives, they had seen the folly
of worshipping idols, and had begun to service the living God (1 Thessalonians
1:9).
Not only did Paul prepare his sermons from
the Word of God (see how he quotes the Scriptures in his messages recorded in
the Book of Acts), but the Thessalonians prepared their hearts to hear
the Scriptures expounded to them.
And they did what it required of them (v. 13c).
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THE ANXIOUS
APOSTLE : 1 Thessalonians 3:1-4:12
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Ever since Apostolic times the problem of “following
up” the new converts has been with us.
And Paul … being ousted from Thessalonica after just
establishing the church in that city … now expresses concern for his converts.
* * * * * * * * * *
1. THE
PROBLEM PAUL FACED … and solved!
(a) The
Thessalonian Christians needed Encouragement … so he wrote to
them.
He reminds them that he had told them persecution
would come (3:4).
He reminds them that it is the common lot of
believers … himself included. They are
not in this battle against evil forces alone (3:3).
And he sends Timothy to “strengthen and encourage”
them (3:2).
(b) They also needed Exhortation
… i.e. Bible teaching!
They have already had some … but they need
more! Otherwise they will be “blown
around with every wind of doctrine” that comes along (Ephesians 4:14).
Especially they need teaching in the matter of
morality … for they have just been converted from a life-style that knew
nothing of holy living.
Verses 3-8 deal with issues that may seem
common-place to today’s believers (or do they??), but it was startlingly new
teaching for these folk at Thessalonica.
(c) And
they needed an Expectancy of the Lord’s Return! Nothing keeps a Christian on his toes as
does the truth that the Lord is coming back … unexpectedly! (1 John 3:3). Every chapter of 1 Thessalonians mentions the Second Coming. See study No. 2.
2. THE
PEACE PAUL EXPERIENCED
Timothy returned with news that the church at
Thessalonica was still growing (4:6-8).
One modern translation renders verse 8 as “This is really living”!
… to know that the converts are still pressing on in their Christian walk. It gladdens the heart of Paul.
3. THE
PRAYERS PAUL OFFERED
(a) …that
his fellowship with them might be renewed (3:10-11).
(b) …
that their service might increase in fruitfulness (3:12; 4:9-10).
(c) …
that he will meet them in Glory (3:19).
How sad to arrive in Heaven … ask, “Where are my
converts?” … and be told that they had fallen by the way-side…
4. THE
PRACTICAL ADVICE PAUL COMMANDED
(a) A
Continuance of Love (4:9-10).
(b) A
Quietness of Heart … a heart governed by the peace of God (4:11a).
(c) A
Conscientiousness of Work! Doing our
task honestly … whatever others may do (4:11b).
(d) A
Consistency of Testimony (4:12) … living a life that brings no disgrace to
the One whom we serve. And thus will we
influence those who are watching us.
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COMING !! READY
OR NOT ? : 1
Thessalonians 4:13-5:11
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We come to Paul’s teaching concerning “The
Rapture”.
The phrase “caught up” (v. 17) is, in Latin,
“raptured”. Since the title that is
given to many books on this theme.
Let it be said that all Bible-believing Christians
believe that we will be ‘raptured’ to meet the Lord … but there is a wide
divergence of interpretation as to when and who and how.
We approach our study in four ways:
1. TOPICAL
The subject of our Lord’s Return at the end of the
Age is taught throughout Scripture.
Someone has counted over 300 references to it in the
New Testament alone!
The Lord Jesus Himself spoke of His Return (John
14:3); so did the angels (Acts
1:11); and Peter (Acts 3:20-21); and John (Revelation 22:20); and Jude (vv 14-15).
It is Paul who is writing here … 1 Thessalonians
4:13-18.
The Creeds of the church have always echoed this
same truth … Christ remaineth “at the right hand of God the Father … from
thence He shall come to judge the quick (living) and the dead.”
2. DEVOTIONAL
What a joy this truth is to Christians.
(a) It
will be Resurrection Day. Because
Jesus arose … those who belong to Him will likewise arise to a glorified
life. No more sin. No more paid. No more persecution. No
more grief. The dead “in Christ” WILL
arise (4:16).
(b) It
will be Reunion Day! We will be caught up (raptured)
to meet them in the air. That’s what it
says … and that’s what it means (4:17).
Paul is not writing in poetic imagery here … or prophetic symbolism. It is simply a letter to new Christians
telling them what will happen when the Lord Jesus comes again.
With those dear loved ones
Who’ve gone before …
3. THEOLOGICAL
Curiously, there are many, many prophecy ‘experts’
who deny that what Paul has just written refers to the Second Coming!!
Many would inform us that the Lord will come FOR his
saints (to the air) at the Rapture … then seven years later the Appearing
(or Second Coming!) will take place when He returns to the earth to set up a
Kingdom for 1000 years.
None of which I accept.
There is but one Second Coming yet future … a Day
that will wind up human history as we know it.
A day that will usher in Eternity … not a thousand years followed by
Eternity.
To say, as these expositors do, that 1 Thessalonians
5:1-2 is speaking of the Appearing whilst 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
speaks of the Rapture is crazy exegesis.
There was no chapter division in the original
letter. Paul has not changed his
subject. He tells them to be ready for
that Day when the trumpet will sound …
4. GOSPEL
For Christians it will be a Day of Salvation in its
fullest sense (5:9).
But for those who have turned their backs on the
Saviour it will be a day of destruction (5:3).
* * * * * * * * * *
Lo! He comes from heaven descending,
Once for favoured
sinners slain!
Thousand, thousand saints attending
Swell the triumph
of His train.
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PAUL’S PITHY
PRECEPTS : 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18
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As we come to the closing verses of 1 Thessalonians
the apostle gives us a number of sundry exhortations.
They can be grouped under three headings:
1. LEADERSHIP
IN THE CHURCH … vv 12-13
They are to be respected … although one is tempted
to add, if they are doing their task to the best of their ability.
Paul knows the leaders at Thessalonica and is able
to exhort the believers there “to hold them in the highest regard” (v. 13).
But it is only fair to say that there are some
churches today where he would probably give the congregation different advice!
2. RELATIONSHIPS
IN THE CHURCH … vv 14-15
(a) The
Idle. Actually the Greek word describes the
marching soldier who is “out of step” with his colleagues.
And a thorn in the side of any fellowship is the character who is always majoring on some minor issue … thus causing dissension in the camp!
(b) The
Timid. Like the fellow who was even too scared to
lead in silent prayer! Encourage such,
says Paul.
(c) The
“Weak in Faith”. Teach them doctrine so that
they are not an easy prey for the cultist who comes a-knocking on their
door. Help them to understand what
Christians believe … and why.
(d) The
Snappy!! Some love to retaliate. Such is not the Christian way (v. 15).
The Lord Jesus also taught His disciples this
principle in Matthew 5:43-47.
And He left us an example of such behaviour … “When
He was reviled, He reviled not again” (1 Peter 2:23). This loving attitude not
only extends to fellow believers … but “everyone else”! (v. 15).
3. WORSHIP
IN THE CHURCH … vv 16-18
(a) Be
Joyful!!
… v. 16. Surely a miserable believer is
not only a bad advertisement for the church … but it is also a conundrum. We have so much to rejoice about … sins
forgiven, a Home in Heaven, an indwelling Holy Spirit, a fellowship of
Christian friends, an open Bible, the privilege of prayer, a living Saviour
(see if you can name a dozen more!!)
(b) Be
Prayerful!! … v. 17. (In the original
Greek, this is the shortest verse in the Bible).
Cultivate the habit of talking to your Heavenly Father ...
… not
just in church ...
… but in the car, the office, the
shop, the home, on the street.
Draw up a list … what to pray for each Monday, each
Tuesday, each Wednesday, and so on through the week. Keep the list in your Bible.
Set aside time each day to pray and read a portion of God’s Word.
Pray for your church. Pray for one another.
Pray for our missionaries. Pray
for friends and relatives. Pray!!
(c) Be
Thankful!!
… v. 18.
A few years ago there was a best-selling ‘Christian’
book called Prison to Praise. It
advocated that we should praise and thank the Lord for everything … deaths and
divorces and all kinds of mind-boggling things. The author was a Charismatic.
But Paul is not saying that. We are to praise God in the midst of
dreadful circumstances … but not for those circumstances.
We can thank Him for His comfort and the strength He
gives at such times.
We can thank Him for the assurance that one Day we
will “understand ‘Why’” – even though we may not see His purposes at the time.
* * * * * * * * * *
Nehemiah tells that at the completion of building
the walls of Jerusalem he divided the choirs into two groups and they marched
around the walls praising the Lord.
They are given a special designation in the King
James Version …
So stood the two companies of them that gave
thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me; and the priests… Nehemiah 12:40.
Every child of God should belong to such a company!!
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DON’T BE
GULLIBLE !! : 1 Thessalonians 5:19-23
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We live in a day when verse 21 takes on titanic
proportions. If ever there was a need
for discernment among Christians, ’tis now!!
1. THE
WARNINGS
Solomon puts it, in Proverbs 14:15: “A fool will believe anything; sensible people watch their step.” The Lord Jesus warns us: “Be on your guard, and do not let anyone
deceive you. Many men, claiming to
speak for Me…” (Matthew 24:4-5a).
And so does Paul, in these verses in 1
Thessalonians.
2. THE
EXAMPLES
Strange unverifiable rumours sweep Christendom from
time to time that many, many believers swallow without checking the source of
the information…
A proliferation of Vultures in Israel; a computer in Brussels called ‘The
Beast’; the discovery of the Ark of the
Covenant … and Noah’s Ark also; the
discovery of Joshua’s Missing Day!!;
the Illuminati conspiracy to bring in a cashless society; the Satanic link to Camay Soap!!; datesetting for the Lord’s Return. You name it and some Christian … indeed,
thousands of them … have swallowed one or more of these incredible tales.
Then there are those who believe the Evolutionary
theory, despite the thousands of missing ‘Missing Links’; those who believe what a preacher says is
true because (a) of his eloquence, (b) he quotes a lot and puts it across in a
dogmatic manner, or (c) he quotes ‘scholars’ (unidentified) who back up his
thesis. Some are deceived by
money-seeking preachers who tell the donor (to his cause) that they will
receive a hundred-fold in return!
Gullible Christians beware!!
3. THE
PREVENTATIVE !
Search the Good Book to see if what you are being
told is in line with God’s Word. (Acts
17:11).
Some preachers today deny the fundamental truths of
the gospel. The Virgin Birth of our
Lord, His Substitutionary Atonement, Hie bodily Resurrection have all come
under attack from those who should be proclaiming these truths.
Don’t be deceived (Matthew 24:5) … said the Lord
Jesus. And do not be deceived in the
fact that salvation is to be found in Him alone … not our own works … but
through faith in the One who died for us.
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SAINTS IN
TRIBULATION !! : 2Thessalonians 1:1-12
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Paul’s first letter to the Christians at
Thessalonica exhorted them to ‘Stay on Target!’ They were a good church, an example to other churches (1
Thessalonians 1:7), a witnessing church…
But now, a month or so later, Paul finds it needful
to write another letter … a little more severe in tone. Problems have arisen.
Chapter 1 A
WORD OF COMFORT for those disturbed by persecution.
Chapter 2 A
WORD OF CORRECTION to those deceived by false prophets.
Chapter 3 A WORD OF COMMAND to some who were
disobedient in their practice!
Again, as in 1 Thessalonians, the subject of our
Lord’s Return is given a major emphasis.
* * * * * * * * * *
1. THE
PERSECUTION OF THE SAINTS … v. 4
Our troubles do not finish when we come to
Christ. For many, that’s when the
problems commence.
The Lord Jesus foretold the suffering that would
come upon His disciples (Luke 21:12-19).
And it came! And still comes in
many places in our world today.
But the Thessalonian believers continued in their
testimony … their faith growing and their love abounding (v. 3).
2. THE
PRAYER OF THE APOSTLE … vv 11-12
Praying that they will ‘stay on target’!
That their faith will not waver!
That the Lord Jesus will be glorified … whether they
live … or die!
3. THE
PURPOSES OF GOD
Why does He permit His people to suffer? Why do the wicked escape?
(a) Persecution tests the
reality of one’s faith. Am I “worthy of
the Kingdom of God” (v. 5)?
Faithfulness under persecution would prove me to be so.
(b) And
the day is coming when the persecutors will not escape … nor will any who
reject the Saviour (v. 8).
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THE MAN
OF SIN :
2Thessalonians 2:1-10
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It may seem odd in today’s ecumenical climate that
anyone should dare to suggest that the Papacy, the Popes of Rome, are the
fulfilment of these verses concerning “The Man of Sin” (v. 3, K.J.V.)
But like Sherlock Holmes, we must examine the
Biblical clues and see if any other person or movement in history matches the
description here given, as does the Popes of Rome.
A multitude of suggestions have been given ever
since Paul wrote these words as to who is meant: everyone from Nero to Saddam
Hussein … Hitler to President Kennedy … Abdul Bahai to Napoleon.
But the evidence seems to fit the Popes of Rome in
an inescapable manner.
* * * * * * * * * *
1. THE
TIME OF HIS APPEARANCE
It will be before the Lord’s Coming
(1:3). And the word “coming” is the
same word Paul uses in 1 Thessalonians 4:11, where we are told that the Lord
Jesus is “coming” to catch away His saints.
That needs emphasising, because of the widespread teaching that the Man
of Sin will be revealed after the Rapture of the Church.
Even in this passage, 2 Thessalonians 2:1, it
identifies the “day” as the one when believers are gathered to be with the Lord
… “that day will not come except the Man of Sin is first revealed (v. 3).
2. THE
DURATION OF HIS EVIL MINISTRY
It has begun in Paul’s day (v. 7), and will last
until the Second Coming (v. 8).
This indicates that the Man of Sin is not an
individual but rather a dynasty … a succession of rulers. Even in Paul’s day there were those who
“loved to have the pre-eminence in the church” … and be “lords over God’s
heritage” (3 John verse 9; 1 Peter
5:2-3).
The “woman” in Revelation 17 is not an
individual; the “bride” in Revelation
21:9 is not an individual; nor is the
“Man of Sin” … it is a term denoting the Popes of Rome.
3. THE
HINDERER
Verse 7 speaks of a hindering power who restrains
the advent of the Man of Sin. Many
consider it to be the Holy Spirit who leaves this world at the ‘Rapture’ … but
the Man of Sin is to appear before that day (v. 3).
And if Paul meant the Holy Spirit there was no need
to use such cryptic language. But if he
meant Rome Pagan (which would give way to Rome Papal) then we can understand
his use of veiled terminology. After
all, this letter (2 Thessalonians) may fall into the hands of a Roman official!
4. THE
PLACE
He will sit in the Temple of God! (v. 4). Not some future rebuilt Jewish Temple after
the Church is gone … but even now he sits in God’s Temple, the Church. Paul refers to the church as God’s Temple in
1 Corinthians 3:16-17.
5. HIS
CLAIMS
Such titles as “Holy Father” (despite our Lord’s
word, Matthew 23:9), and “Head of the Church”, are titles that belong only to
our Lord. The doctrine of Infallibility
… his inability to speak error when making an official pronouncement, is to
claim an attribute that belongs to God alone.
In past centuries the Popes were even more daring with the titles they
took to themselves.
6. THE
ENFORCEMENT OF HIS CLAIMS
… “Counterfeit miracles” (v. 9).
Who has not read of apparitions of Mary; of weeping statues; of the changing of the bread and wine into
our Lord’s literal body; of the
baptismal rite that makes the infant a child of God; of the Scapular that keeps the wearer out of Hell …??
The enforcement of the Papal claims was also
effected by the sword and the fire.
Thousands of Protestants were martyred during the Dark Ages. And the power of the Papacy increased.
7. THE
TITLES
He is also called “the Son of Perdition” (v. 3,
K.J.V.). The same phrase is used of
Judas Iscariot, who was also a bogus follower of the Lord Jesus (John
17:12). And he, too, was interested in
money, money, money … (John 12:6).
Purgatory has been described as the Pope’s
‘pick-purse’ … thousands of dollars are paid to get loved ones out of this
fiery torment.
* * * * * * * * * *
Luther, Calvin, Knox, Tyndale … all the reformers
pointed to the Papacy as the fulfilment of Paul’s words. The translators of the King James Version,
in their title-page, gave thanks to King James and spoke of the ‘blow’ he had
given to ‘that Man of Sin’ (paragraph 3).
John Wesley, Matthew Henry … the great expositors of
the past, agree … it is only in the last century a new interpretation has
arisen that the Man of Sin is to appear, as an individual, after the Lord’s
Coming.
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SAINTS IN
CONFUSION ! : 2Thessalonians 2:1-17
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The Thessalonian believers are confused over the
matters pertaining to the Lord’s Return.
It could be false teachers are writing letters … and
signing Paul’s name to them “as from us”!! (v. 2).
Besides which, they have forgotten some of the
things he taught them during his stay in Thessalonica (v. 5).
* * * * * * * * * *
1. THE
PORTENTS OF THE ADVENT
In verse 3 the apostle mentions two things:
(a) “The
falling away” … that is, the Apostacy! And
anyone who reads present day church magazines, and church history, will soon
realise that day has come. For nigh on
1900 years all the major denominations agreed on such basic doctrines of the
Christian faith such as written in the Apostles’ Creed. Today they are under fire from church
leaders.
(b) The
“Man of Sin will be revealed”
Many candidates have been suggested by Bible
scholars down through history as to the identity of the Man of Sin: Hitler;
Kissinger; Judas
resurrected; Nero; the Popes of Rome; Abdul Baha; Louis
Napoleon III; or some future Dictator
who has not yet arisen.
It is interesting to note that the translators of
the King James Version of the Bible in 1611 wrote in the Foreword to His
Majesty, King James, that this Translation would give “such a blow to the Man
of Sin” as would not be healed! By
that, they meant the knowledge of Scripture in the hands of the common people
would be a death blow to the Papacy … the Popes of Rome.
Such was the view also held by the Protestant
Reformers.
2. THE
PERIL OF THE UNBELIEVER
Not just those deceived by the Man of Sin, but all
who reject the truth of the gospel, will “perish”.
Verse 11 is best explained by the illustration that
the same sun that melts butter also hardens clay. And man may choose whether he will respond to God’s revelation by
having a ‘butter’ attitude or ‘clay’.
Those who continually reject the Saviour will grow harder and harder...
3. THE
PLAN OF SALVATION
Here it is … Past, Present and Future! Verses 13-15.
(a) Past. God saves those who respond to the Spirit’s wooing and who
believe the truth of the gospel (v. 13).
(b) Present. Now we are to ‘stand fast’, despite persecution without and
heresy within! (v. 15).
(c) Future. We will share in “Glory” bye and bye! (v. 14).
Amen!
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SAINTS IN
EXPECTATION ! : 2Thessalonians 3:1-18
*********************************************************************
Against the background of mistaken ideas concerning
our Lord’s Return … Paul needs to correct the behaviour of some of the
Thessalonian believers.
Note four things in this chapter:
1. PAUL’S
PLEA
… vv 1-3
(a) …
that God’s word will go forth unhindered (v. 1) and
(b) …
that God’s workers will be able to proclaim the gospel unharassed! (v. 2).
We still live in a day where it is needful to pray
for ‘open doors’ where God’s word might be freely preached, and for the safety
of His servants.
2. PAUL’S
PRAYER
… vv 4-5
He asks that his converts might be filled with God’s
love … and that they might patiently endure the tribulation through which they
are passing until the Saviour comes again.
3. PAUL’S
PRECEPTS … vv 6-15
Some Christians, believing the Lord’s Return was
imminent, had sat down to wait for it.
They became ‘shirkers’ instead of ‘workers’. So Paul reminds them of his example … he worked whilst in
Thessalonica (vv 7-9), and of the old saying (or did Paul make it up?) … “if
any would not work, neither should he eat” (v. 10).
Even if we knew when the Lord Jesus was coming back
’twould be no excuse to stop doing the tasks He has given us to do.
This Negro Spiritual focuses on the though that we
needs must be at the place of duty, not idleness, when He returns…
There’s a King
and Captain high,
Who is coming
by-and-by,
And He’ll find me
hoeing cotton when He comes!
You can hear His
legions charging,
In the regions of
the sky,
And He’ll find me
hoeing cotton when He comes!
When He
comes! When He comes!
All the dead
shall rise in answer to His drums;
And the fires of
His encampment star the firmament on high,
And the heavens
shall roll asunder when He comes!
There’s a Man
they thrust aside,
Who was tortured
till He died,
And He’ll find me
hoeing cotton when He comes!
He was hated and
rejected,
He was scorned
and crucified,
And He’ll find me
hoeing cotton when He comes!
When He
comes! When He comes!
He’ll be crowned
by saints and angels when He comes;
They’ll be
shouting out “Hosanna!” to the Man that men denied,
And I’ll kneel
among my cotton when He comes!
Whilst the ‘shirkers’ are “commanded” (v. 12) to get
back to work, the obedient believers are warned lest they are contaminated by
the bad example of the others.
“Withdraw thyself” from them, says the apostle.
4. PAUL’S
POST-SCRIPT … vv 16-18
Paul signs off in his own handwriting, having
dictated the previous verses to a scribe.
This personal touch will be a preventative when it comes to forged
letters being sent in the apostle’s name (2 Thessalonians 2:2).
Isaiah reminds us that God’s peace (v. 16) is like a
river (Isaiah 48:18), bringing calm and growth if it keeps within its appointed
boundaries. So as we keep in God’s will
His peace flows “like a river”.
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