Day 188 NT: 2 Thessalonians C1–3 (END); The Holy Spirit Empowers Us to Love Truth & Be Saved!
Saint Paul, learned that some among the Thessalonians expected the Second Coming of Christ very soon, and were either disturbed at the prospect or idle in waiting. In this letter he points out that before Christ, Antichrist must appear.
Wow, this is a short 3-chapter book of the Bible but potent in many ways!
The definition, method, and timing of the Antichrist being the biggest revelation. Isn’t there a Book of Revelations?
“…not to be hastily shaken from right mind, nor terrified, whether by spirit, or by utterance, or by letter attributed to us, as though the day of the Lord were near at hand.”
“Let no one deceive you in any way, for the day of the Lord will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and is exalted above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he sits in the temple of God and gives himself out as if he were God.”
“And now you know what restrains him, that he may be revealed in his proper time. For the mystery of iniquity is already at work: provided only that he who is present restraining it, does still restrain, until he is gotten out of the way.”
“And then the wicked one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of his mouth and will destroy with the brightness of of his coming. And his coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all wicked deception to those who are perishing. For they have not received the love of truth that they might be saved. Therefore God sends them a misleading influence that they may believe falsehood, that all may be judged who have not believed the truth, but have preferred wickedness.”
Sounds to me like the Antichrist will come in human form whereas I always thought that the fight against Satan, Tempter, Evil, and Sin was always primarily on a spiritual basis. Hence I am not GOD and neither are you!
Seems as though present day coercive methods and beliefs come from biblical times! Even though the above “sense-of-urgency” concern was debunked. The human enemy, whoever that is, will get his or hers you know what; the ‘pacesetter’ leadership mentality (or is it spirituality?); meddling, and the old “isolate and shame” techniques; use one of them or all of them; situation-dependent.
“Indeed it is just on the part of God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give you who are afflicted rest with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus, who will come from heaven with the angels of his power, in flaming fire, to inflict punishment on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
These will be punished with eternal ruin, away from the face of the Lord and the glory of his power, when on that day he shall come to be glorifies in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all those who have believed.”
“…but we worked night and day in labor and toil, so that we might not burden any of you. Not that we did not have the right to do so, but that we might make ourselves an example for you to imitate us.”
“For indeed when we were with you we used to charge you: if any man will not work, neither let him eat. For we have heard that some among you are living irregularly, doing no work but busy at meddling.”
“But you, brethren, do not grow tired of well-doing. And if anyone does not obey our word by this letter, note that man and do not associate with him, that he may be put to shame. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.“
What would Jesus do?
What would The Holy Spirit empower us to do?
Try to change their hearts through love, compassion, and mercy?
Wouldn’t Jesus would change our hearts first and let that be an example, not under our control and judgment, to others in ways we may not even conceive?
Go within to one’s Splendid Spiritual Self so that indeed, from the inside-out come to know— “the love of truth” and that we may be one of those that—“might be saved.”
Amen. Al-le-lu-ia!!!
Day 188: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective;
Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Second Epistle of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians, Chapters 1–3 (END). The Holy Spirit Empowers Us to Love Truth & Be Saved!
Bible Notes:
Saint Paul, learned that some among the Thessalonians expected the Second Coming of Christ very soon, and were either disturbed at the prospect or idle in waiting. In this letter he points out that before Christ, Antichrist must appear.
Second Thessalonians Chapter 1: Paul’s Greeting to the Thessalonians; Their Faith and Constancy; Prayer for their Glorification.
Paul’s Greeting to the Thessalonians:
…grace be to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
NOTE: no mention of the third God of the Trinity—The Holy Spirit!
Their Faith and Constancy:
We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren. It is fitting that we should, because your faith grows exceedingly and your charity each one for the other increases.
And because of this we ourselves boast of you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and the tribulations that you are enduring.
Indeed it is just on the part of God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give you who are afflicted rest with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus, who will come from heaven with the angels of his power, in flaming fire, to inflict punishment on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
These will be punished with eternal ruin, away from the face of the Lord and the glory of his power, when on that day he shall come to be glorifies in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all those who have believed.
For our testimony before you has been believed.
Prayer for their Glorification:
To this end also we pray always for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and may fulfill with power every good purpose and work of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
NOTE: no mention of the third God of the Trinity—The Holy Spirit!
Second Thessalonians Chapter 2: Preludes to the Second Coming of Christ; The Antichrist; Thanksgiving for their Election.
Preludes to the Second Coming of Christ:
…not to be hastily shaken from right mind, nor terrified, whether by spirit, or by utterance, or by letter attributed to us, as though the day of the Lord were near at hand.
Let no one deceive you in any way, for the day of the Lord will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and is exalted above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he sits in the temple of God and gives himself out as if he were God.
Apostasy—a total desertion of or departure from one’s religion, principles, party, cause, etc.
Perdition—a state of final spiritual ruin; loss of the soul; damnation—the future state of the wicked—hell—utter destruction or ruin.
And now you know what restrains him, that he may be revealed in his proper time. For the mystery of iniquity is already at work: provided only that he who is present restraining it, does still restrain, until he is gotten out of the way.
The Antichrist:
And then the wicked one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of his mouth and will destroy with the brightness of of his coming. And his coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all wicked deception to those who are perishing. For they have not received the love of truth that they might be saved. Therefore God sends them a misleading influence that they may believe falsehood, that all may be judged who have not believed the truth, but have preferred wickedness.
Thanksgiving for their Election:
…because God has chosen you as first-fruits unto salvation through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.
So then, brethren, stand firm, and hold the teachings that you have learned, whether by word or by letter of ours.
And may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and has given us through grace everlasting consolation and good hope, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
NOTE: no mention of the third God of the Trinity—The Holy Spirit!
Second Thessalonians Chapter 3: Request for Mutual Prayer; Against Idleness; Desire for their Progress in Virtue; Final Blessing and Greeting.
Request for Mutual Prayer:
…pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified even as among you, and that we may be delivered from troublesome and evil men; for not all men have the faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will strengthen you and guard you from evil.
And may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and the patience of Christ.
NOTE: no mention of the third God of the Trinity—The Holy Spirit!
Against Idleness:
…to withdraw yourselves from every brother who lives irregularly, and not according to the teaching received from us.
…but we worked night and day in labor and toil, so that we might not burden any of you. Not that we did not have the right to do so, but that we might make ourselves an example for you to imitate us.
For indeed when we were with you we used to charge you: if any man will not work, neither let him eat. For we have heard that some among you are living irregularly, doing no work but busy at meddling.
Desire for their Progress in Virtue:
But you, brethren, do not grow tired of well-doing. And if anyone does not obey our word by this letter, note that man and do not associate with him, that he may be put to shame. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Final Blessing and Greeting:
And may the Lord of peace himself give you everlasting peace in every place. The Lord be with you all… The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
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