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Post by Bud on Oct 25, 2013 7:45:46 GMT -6
Philippians:
The first Christian church in Europe.Philippi a Roman colony in Macedonia.Paul came here on his second missionary journey after the Lord closed the door for him to go into Asia Minor and from going further east.(Acts 16:6-7)After coming to Troas Paul has a vision of a man from Macedonia telling him to come there and help them,even though the first believer was a lady.(Acts 16:8-9) Evidently there wasn't a large population of Jews in the city and there was no synagogue,but a group and evidently mostly women met by the riverside for prayer on the Sabbath.Paul went there and one lady,Lydia a business woman from Thyatira and her household believed and possibly a young lady that was demon possessed,that was bringing in money for her masters.Paul cast out the demon and her masters ended up having Paul and Silas cast into jail as a result.Through Paul and Silas's witness while in lockup the jailer and his family believed.This became the nucleus of the church at Philippi.(Acts 16:12-40) Philippi derives it's name from Philip the father of Alexander the Great.Caesar Augustus made it a Roman colony.It was a miniature Rome in a sense and the citizens called themselves Romans.(Acts 16:21) This small group of believers really became dear to the apostles heart as we can tell from this letter.Even though in poverty themselves they supported him every chance they had and had sent Epaphroditus to him when he was in prison at Rome to minister to him.You can see that affection displayed in his prayer for them in (Philippians 1:3-11) "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ."
Then in (Philippians 4:15-18)he mentions their support of him.Not that he just loved them because of their support,but because he knew their faith and love was genuine and they gave for the further spread of the gospel and that others might benefit as they had.
"Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God."
Paul even mentions the churches in Macedonia and their giving in the second letter to the Corinthians in (2Corinthians 8:1-5)
"Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia:that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing,imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God."
This letter to the Philippians seems to be a letter of appreciation and exhortation as there doesn't seem to be any great problems in the church that Paul has to deal with.The only mention of a problem is some hints at unity among the believers.(Philippians 2:1-4,3:15-19,4:1-4)The book is full of joy and rejoicing.
"always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy"
"What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice."
"And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,"(Philippians 1:4,18,25)
"holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me." (Philippians 2:16-18)
"Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord."
"For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit,rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh"(Philippians 3:1,3)
"Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved."
"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:1,4)
Also I believe the main theme of the letter can be seen in a four-fold presentation of Christ in relationship to the experiences of individual believers. Each chapter except for the first verse in chapter four which I believe belongs in chapter three gives us a presentation with a key verse for each one. In chapter one Christ is presented as "Our Life"and everything in the chapter centers on the truth that Christ is the believers Life.The key verse is (Philippians 1:21) "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
In chapter two Christ is presented as "Our Mind"and everything presented in the chapter centers on the truth that Christ is the believers Mind.The key verse is (Philippians 2:5) "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus"
In Chapter three Christ is presented as "Our Goal"and everything in the chapter centers on the truth that Christ is the believers Goal.The key verse is (Philippians 3:10) "That I may know Him"
In chapter four Christ is presented as "Our Strength"and everything in the chapter centers on the truth that Christ is our Strength.The key verse is (Philippians 4:13) "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
I suppose the question would be as to why these presentations of Christ in the experiences of our lives as believers are given in the order they are.Well I believe they are progressive in this order as they are worked out in our lives. If Christ is truly "Our Life as it is brought out so vividly in Paul's statement and portrayed in his life as this chapter tells us and to the point that to die and be with our Lord would be gain and this world and all it offers could not sway us. Then our minds would be so saturated with Him that the mind that was in Him would be worked out through us as we can see how it was worked out in the ones that are mentioned in this chapter as examples for us mainly Paul,Timothy and Epaphroditus. Then as Christ is more our life and His mind has saturated our minds then our desires would be directed more towards Christ as the ideal,the supreme goal in our lives to "Know Him"and experience Him living through us every moment to the point that we long for Him to change our vile bodies that we might be like Him and be with Him because our citizenship is in Heaven not here in this earth and in this body and we should stand fast in the Lord in all this. Then finally as we have progressed to this point in our lives we find that we turn more and more of our experiences of this life over to Him as we experience His peace and begin to see that He is "Our Strength"for what has been,is being and will be accomplished in our lives.He is sufficient.
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Post by Bud on Nov 1, 2013 9:41:57 GMT -6
Colossians:
Colosse a city in what was referred to as Asia Minor.Today it is Turkey.Ephesus was the capital of the province and Colosse was about a hundred miles or so further inland from Ephesus.It was in the area of the seven churches of Asia that the apostle John addressed the letters too in The Revelation. There is no direct indication that Paul was ever in Colosse or up until the time that he was writing this letter anyway,but he was planning to come there as he indicates in the letter to Philemon who lived in Colosse.(Colossians 4:9,17,Philemon 2) But we do need to remember that Paul spent a total of about three years at Ephesus (Acts 20:31)and in (Acts 19:10)it is stated that while Paul was in Ephesus that "all that dwelt in Asia heard the Word of the Lord Jesus."We also know that Paul wrote a letter to Laodicea presumably at the same time he wrote Colossians and he instructed the Colossians to read the letter to the Laodicians and vice-versa.(Colossians 4:16) By this I don't believe we should be so bold and make the statement that Paul had never been to Colosse or Laodicea even though he states in (Colossians 2:1)about some that had never seen his face.Now whether he meant the ones at Colosse and Laodicea or just people in general that had never seen his face leaves a question.We do know that he knew Philemon and his family and others that lived at Colosse. There were probably many cities that Paul visited that aren't recorded.Galatia for example was a province that included many cities,towns and villages.Remember the statement he makes in the letter to the Romans in (Romans 15:23) of "having no more place in these parts." The occasion of the writing of the letter is while Paul was imprisoned in Rome during the two years of his first imprisonment there.Epaphras who was from Colosse visited Paul in Rome and had brought him information about the church there and a problem within it. It is evident from the content of the letters to the Ephesians,Philippians and Colossians that they had grown and matured more so than the Corinthians and Galatians had. But we find there is some problem at Philippi with unity among some of the believers and Paul has to mention it as reproof but not to the extent he had to reprove the Corinthians for their problems. But in Colossians there is a problem with wrong doctrine and Paul has to correct.In these two letters (Philippians and Colossians) we see Paul having to reprove and correct mature believers as in Corinthians and Galatians he has to reprove and correct more of a immature group of believers. If in Romans we have doctrine and in Corinthians we have reproof and in Galatians we have correction then in these three letters we seem to follow the same pattern.Ephesians is doctrine,Philippians is reproof and Colossians is correction. Some have stated that Colossians is a repeat of Ephesians with about half of the verses in Ephesians spoken again in Colossians.But in Ephesians there doesn't seem to be a reason for the letter to be written because of some particular circumstances whereas in Colossians there is a problem that needs correction and the repeat of some of the verses used in Ephesians was needed to correct their problem. I relate Colossians to Ephesians in the same way I relate Galatians to Romans.There is a repeat in Galatians of many verses and teaching that are in Romans.Romans is a letter written with no particular circumstances in mind and Galatians was written because of a problem that needed correction. Now for the problem that existed at Colosse and probably at Laodicea.In (Colossians 2:8)we find that it was a philosophy and regarded traditions and was empty deceit and in (Colossians 2:23)we see it had a show of wisdom and humility and strict self denial to the point of neglecting the body(Colossians 2:21-22).This showed a contempt for the body.In (Colossians 2:18)we see that it also entertained angel worship. This was a peculiar form of heresy with a mixture of Jewish ritualism and Oriental mysticism.The Oriental or eastern religions even today are based on a search and source of evil.They all seem to determine that the source of evil is in matter,thus the body is the source and not a perverted will and the cure is not reached by faith which plants a new life in a sinful spirit but a cure that ends up punishing the body in a form of mutilating and deprivation and mortification. This heresy was based on so called higher knowledge,a superior form of sanctity that appealed to the higher intellectual tastes,thus the word Gnosticism is the phrase that explains it best.The word Gnostic means knowledge so we are looking at "Knowledge- ism."Or I suppose we could say that it took a very high form of knowledge to try and understand evil and it's cure.Someone once said that these Gnostics "had their head in the clouds and their feet in the mud." But it isn't just the Oriental religions.I believe we have the same problem in Christendom today.Just look at some of the characteristics of this heresy and then compare it to some of the rituals that are observed in some churches today.Angel and saint worship and a deserving of merit taught for strict self-denial and even hermit type living and all this as a cure for evil. It is more than just works being taught to gain salvation and to keep it.This is a philosophical religion based on higher human knowledge that totally disregards Christ as the one and only God,Head,Creator and provider of the only cure for the evil in human beings by providing the perfect salvation in His death and resurrection. What is so amazing and such a blessing in these letters of the apostle Paul and through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit as Paul writes them and even though he is having to reprove and correct he also teaches,grows and matures us as he leads us into the unsearchable riches of Christ.Through his love and concern for these early believers and his desire for them to grow in the grace and knowledge of their Savior,we can see expressed through him the love our Savior has for us and His desire for us to "Know Him"and to have the "Blessed Hope"of His coming back for us as a continual comfort for us. As for the structure of the book,it is in two parts like Philippians and Ephesians.The first two chapters are doctrine or teaching and the second part practical or living based on what we have learned in the first part.Two phrases one in (Colossians 1:9)"that ye might be filled"and in (Colossians 1:10)"that ye might walk worthy"are the keys to the outline of the book. In the first part we see Paul having to deal with the problem that we have discussed above.In so doing he shows us the fulness (human and divine) and pre-eminence of Christ and as believers our full completeness in Him as against all the mysticism,rituals,traditions and philosophies of men in this so-called higher form of knowledge and their teaching of the source of evil and it's cure.
"For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power."(Colossians 2:9-10)
With that statement,that He is the very fulness of the Godhead bodily,then nothing can be added to Him and as believers we are in Him,then nothing can be added to what we already possess in Him. Then all this philosophy with it's empty make-believe,rituals,traditions,angel worship and all it's elementary worldly notions are of no value and can't add one thing to our being complete in our Savior-God. This is why he states at the outset:
"For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding"(Colossians 1:9)
Then in the second part,the practical,living based on who you are.The doctrine comes first.How we live is based on what we believe.This thing of "Never mind what you believe;the only thing that matters is how you live"might sound practical enough but in reality is false.We have seen in the first part of the book how what you believe is so important.We could get caught up in false teaching and false doctrine as these "mature" believers at Colosse were in danger of and to the point that we loose sight of all that Christ is and all that we are in Him. That is why at the outset of this practical part of the letter Paul states:
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."(Colossians 3:1-4) In this short paragraph we are reminded of our past,present and future tense in Christ. We were: "Raised with Christ" We are: "Our life is hid with Christ in God" We will: "Appear with Him in Glory when He appears"
Yes we are to live a practical Christian life,Heavenly-minded,not in a dreamy,mystical fashion but in a Godly,prayerful,Christ-like fashion,longing for the day that He will appear and us appearing with Him in Glory.
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Post by Bud on Nov 8, 2013 8:13:03 GMT -6
1Thessalonians:
Paul wrote the two letters to the church at Thessalonica shortly after his first visit there on his second missionary journey.We can read about that visit in (Acts 17:1-10)and also a result of that visit in (Acts 17:11-14) with the Jews from Thessalonica coming to Berea to stir up problems after they had stirred up trouble in Thessalonica and Paul and Silas had to leave there and had come to Berea. In (Acts 17:2)it states that Paul was in Thessalonica for three Sabbath days.So that could mean 2 to 4 weeks depending on what day he arrived and what day he left.But during that period of time he must have taught them well because they seemed to have a good understanding based on the statement he makes concerning them in (1Thessalonians 1:7-10)
"so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come."
Paul has to leave Berea in a hurry but he leaves Silas and Timothy there and he goes on to Athens.(Acts 17:14-16)Then it seems from the statement in (1Thessalonians 3:1)he sent word for Timothy to go to Thessalonica. Then from there he goes to Corinth where Silas and Timothy came to him.(Acts 18:5)Then after hearing the word from Timothy and Silas he writes this letter to them (1 Thessalonians). Then he must send Timothy back to Thessalonica with this letter and it seems they were mixed up about the coming of Christ for the Church and the "Day of the Lord"or the 7 Year Tribulation Period.(70th week of Daniel)Timothy brings this word back to Paul and then he writes 2 Thessalonians. So by that we can deduct that Paul writes the Thessalonians letters from Corinth on his 2nd missionary journey.So that would probably make these two letters Paul's first inspired letters and just maybe the first two of the New Testament except for maybe James. Paul wrote these letters because he couldn't go there himself mainly because of Jewish persecution and Satan hindering him.
"Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us."(1Thessalonians 2:18)
We need to understand Paul's concern.This was a new move into Europe.Before this all the churches were in Asia Minor or fairly close to Antioch and could be visited rather quickly.So now he is compelled to write letters and depend on a staff of helpers that he can send back and forth between the churches. So based on that need and circumstances we are blessed with these letters and others that are inspired and they end up giving us the whole council of God concerning the Church. As we have looked at before in these 9 Christian Church Epistles (Romans to 2 Thessalonians)they are in three groups. Romans to Galatians deal with Christ and the Cross.Here the main subject is Justification as we look back to the Cross and all that God accomplished as a result of Christ's death and resurrection and ascension.Faith looks back and is Strengthened. The middle three (Ephesians,Philippians and Colossians)deal with Christ and the Church.Here the main subject is Sanctification as we venture into the oneness of this mystic body,temple,bride and the fellowship of this oneness with Christ and one another.Here Love looks up to the heavenlies and is Deepened. In the final two (1st and 2nd Thessalonians)deal with Christ and His Coming and the main subject is Glorification as we are crowned with our instruction by looking to the coming of our Lord for His Church and some teaching on what is to come after the catching away of the Church and the anticipation of His Glorious Appearance when He comes back to rule this earth.Here Hope looks on to the future and is Brightened.
Christ and the Cross-Justification-Faith is Strengthened.
Christ and the Church-Sanctification-Love is Deepened.
Christ and His Coming-Glorification-Hope is Brightened.
With this order of the books makes me wonder if that could be the way God intends for us to be taught after we are saved.Maybe if we were taught this way there would be little chance for false doctrine and deception to creep in. As for the structure of the book,we have 5 chapters and each one has reference to the coming of Christ.That should tell us that everything that is dealt with in this letter is with a view to His coming,even though the first 3 chapters we have Paul remembering and looking backward.Then in chapter 4 and 5 he looks forward. In chapter 1 he is remembering when he was there and their reception of the gospel,their conversion and the examples they became.
"or they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come."(1Thessalonians 1:9-10
Here we have their justification,sanctification and glorification in one verse or faith,love and hope,believing,serving and hoping,plus the reminder that the Son is raised from the dead and has delivered us from the coming wrath.
Then in chapter 2 he is remembering but it is directed more towards Paul,Silas and Timothy and about the short time they spent there,their motives,conduct and message. Then in chapter 3 still remembering but it is directed more towards his after-care and his concern for them and the follow-up work by Timothy with them,his praying for them that they might grow in love and maturity and his desire to come to them.
Then in chapter 4 he begins to look forward and gets more practical and deals with how they should live.Then caps it off with our blessed hope of our Lord coming back for us and our being raised or changed and going to meet Him in the air. This coming up as a result of their concern for their loved ones that had believed and had died. During that short time Paul had spent there he had taught them that Jesus could come any moment for His Church and by that some of them would be alive when He came,so that gave them a concern,because evidently some of them had died since Paul was there,maybe because of heavy persecution and that as a result of the strong witness they had become that Paul refers to in chapter1. But what a blessed hope we have explained to us in these few short verses as a result of their concern for their loved ones.Then we are told to comfort each other with these verses.
Then in the first 11 verses of chapter 5 as a result of letting us know the hope we have in Our Savior coming for us and our being caught up to meet Him in the air and our forever being with Him and that event could happen any moment,he lets us know that we don't have to worry ourselves about the times and seasons concerning the coming wrath of God on this world system.That we have been delivered from that wrath to come as he stated back in (1Thessalonians 1:10).We are not part of that dark time that is coming,that "Day of the Lord"that 7 year tribulation,that 70th week of Daniel,that time of "Jacobs Trouble"because God has not appointed us to wrath.(1Thessalonians 5:9) But I believe he also instructs us to not be in a slumber,but to be aware of the times,because he had told the Thessalonians about the times and the seasons concerning that time (The Tribulation,The Day of the Lord) evidently in detail while he was with them and so he had no need in explaining it to them in detail again in this letter.He had told them in detail how that time would come. "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."(1Thessalonians 5:2-3)
So by that they had no need to worry about them being in that time,because it will be MUCH worse then than the trouble they were having at that time.We'll see in 2Thessalonians that as a result of all the problems they were having someone had sent them a letter or had communicated to them in some fashion and said that the communication was from Paul that they were in the "Day of the Lord"or the 7 year tribulation and Paul has to clear that up in another letter.(2Thessalonians) Notice as you read the verses 1-11 in chapter 5 all the "they's" and "them's" and the "we's" and "us's".Yes we are to be aware of the times but not to worry about them and become so concerned that we take our eyes off the time we are living and the purpose our God has for us now. Then after giving all this instruction about that time and that we aren't appointed to that wrath,he reminds us of the comfort we have in that,just as he did back in chapter 4 when he describes the Lord coming for us and the comfort we have in that.
"Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing."(1Thessalonians 5:11)
We are to have comfort in knowing that the Lord is coming for us and we will go to meet Him in the air and our loved ones that are in Christ as we are and have died will also be raised and go to meet Him at the same time as us and that could happen any moment. Also we are to have comfort in knowing that we aren't appointed to go through that time when God will pour out His wrath on this earth and especially as we can see that time approaching because we are awake and aware of the times. Then in the final verses of chapter 5 some more instructions,then in verse 27 a charge that we should take heed to ourselves.
"I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren."(1Thessalonians 5:27) He meant that all of them should here this letter and he would certainly mean the same for us.
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Post by Bud on Nov 15, 2013 7:20:38 GMT -6
2Thessalonians:
Paul writes this letter shortly after he wrote 1Thessalonians,maybe within a few weeks or months.They were still having problems concerning Christ's coming back and the "Day of the Lord"(or the 70th week of Daniel's prophecy,or the 7Year Tribulation).It seems that since Paul had written the first letter,they had received another letter from someone saying they, because of the tribulation and persecution they were enduring,were now in the "Day of the Lord."Who ever wrote it had evidently signed Paul's name to it. This prompted Paul to write this second letter to clear up their misunderstanding concerning the coming of Christ for the Church and the "Day of the Lord.Paul had already taught them all this when he was there and reminded them of it. (2Thessalonians 2:5)
"Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?" I'm sure getting a letter that they presumed had come from Paul,that actually was contradicting what he had previously taught them really shook them up.It also shook Paul,because he reminded them in the salutation of this letter and also later on he would remind the Colossians that he would always sign his letters in his own handwriting.
"The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write."(2Thessalonians 3:17)
"This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen."(Colossians 4:18)
From this time on they as well as us can identify Paul's letters by his salutation.They all end with a reference to "Grace with You"in some fashion and I'm sure that line was in his own hand-writing as he stated. Now as to why someone would write a letter to them stating they were in the tribulation.(Day of the Lord) Paul had only been in Europe for a few months and there were only about 4 local churches started and already they were being invaded by false teaching.I believe these deceivers were probably believers,because they were referring to endtime prophecy and especially the 70th week of Daniel's 70 weeks prophecy(Day of the Lord).For them to refer to this they would have to believe the 69 weeks were already fulfilled.To believe that these were fulfilled,they would have had to believe that the Messiah had come and had been "cut off"or rejected and killed as Daniel had stated. This was the natural thing to believe and especially for the ones that didn't understand what the church was and how it would be removed when completed as it is evident that Paul was teaching.Even if the Jews of the dispersion had accepted the offer of the kingdom,the Church would have had to be removed before the "Day of the Lord "would begin. Even the ones teaching that the Thessalonians believers were in the "Day of the Lord"should have known that the tribulation wouldn't begin until the "man of sin",(the antichrist)was revealed.This would be the "abomination of desolation"that Daniel taught and also Jesus in the Olivet Discourse.(Daniel 9:27,Matthew 24:15)
"Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.”(Daniel 9:27)
“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand)"(Matthew 24:15)
This is when the Antichrist will be revealed for who he really is.The Great Tribulation is the last 3 and one-half years of that 7 year period which is Old Testament prophecy concerning Israel and the Nations and not the Church.The Church wasn't prophesied in the Old Testament,so it wouldn't be here when this prophecy is fulfilled.If any part of that 7 year period concerns the Church (The Body of Christ)then the Church wasn't hid in God as the Word teaches us. The Thessalonians believers wouldn't have even been concerned about being taught that they were in the "Day of the Lord"if Paul hadn't already taught them that they wouldn't go through that time.He had already taught them that they would be "gathered together with the Lord" before that time.
"Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him"(2Thessalonians 2:1)(The Rapture) He had written about this in his first letter to them.
"But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.Therefore comfort one another with these words."(1Thessalonians 4:13-18)
All of this wouldn't have been much comfort to them if they were in the "Day of the Lord."What Paul had taught them about Jesus coming for His Church was nothing like the Old Testament description of the Lord's coming at the end of Daniel's 70 week Prophecy let alone all the Old Testaments prophecies of the Messiah coming after the "Day of the Lord."The two descriptions were entirely different.If the Church was hidden in God,then the Lord's coming for the Church when it is complete was hidden in God also. Paul gives two events here in (2Thessalonians 2:3)that has to be fulfilled before the "Day of the Lord "begins.One is the Antichrist being revealed. Before we get into the second thing,let's just remember that the coming of Christ for His Church,(The Rapture)is imminent.That means that nothing has to be fulfilled before the rapture and that is very important.The current Church age does not have a specific countdown or timetable as does Israel and her 70 weeks of years prophecy.Even specific prophecy that is fulfilled during the Church age like the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD relates to Israel.(Matthew 22:7,23:38,Luke 19:43-44,21:20-24)We can even see prophetic preparations relating to Israel underway now with Israel back in the Land as a nation even though we are still in the Church age. The second event that Paul gives here that has to be fulfilled is "the falling away"and the definite article "the"is there.That makes it a specific event that has to happen.The Greek word used here for falling away is "apostasia"and it means among other things "to depart"or in this case is a noun and would mean "The Departure."The noun form of this word is used only one other time in the New Testament (Acts 21:21)and is referring to the Jews saying that Paul was teaching all the Jews among the Gentiles to forsake or a departure from Moses. In (1Timothy 4:1) and in (Hebrews 3:12)the verb form of "apostasia" is translated depart.
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;" (1Timothy 4:1)
Here the word "apostasia"is qualified with the word "from the faith"and is a trend that will and is happening now in the church and is a reminder to us that we are living in the last days of the Church age.
"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." (Hebrews 3:12)
Here it is also qualified with "from the Living God"and is a warning.
In (2 Thessalonians 2:3)it isn't qualified,just "The Departure"meaning a specific event to be fulfilled.This I believe is the rapture of the church,the departure that has to happen before the "day of the Lord begins. Paul goes on to speak here in chapter 2 of 2 Thessalonians of a "hindrance"that is present and is keeping the antichrist from being revealed.That hindrance is referred to as a "He" and "He"will be taken out of the way and no longer be a hindrance. The Holy Spirit indwelling believers in the church,I believe is that hindrance and when the Church is removed,(Rapture,The Departure)the Holy Spirit will no longer hinder the antichrist from being revealed.It states that the "He" the Holy Spirit will be taken out of the way and will stop hindering the antichrist,not that He won't be here during the "Day of the Lord."The antichrist will be permitted to do what is prophesied that he will do with no hindrance from the Holy Spirit. As in 1Thessalonians,Paul's main subject here is the coming of Christ.As in the first letter,the coming of Christ is mentioned in each chapter so it is in this second letter also.Whether it is a comfort in chapter 1,or a caution and correction in chapter 2,or a command in chapter 3,they are with a view of Christ coming back. This seems to be the divisions of the book.
Division one (2Thessalonians 1:1-12) Paul is comforting them in their tribulation with the reminder that God will bring judgment on this world system when He comes back. Division two(2thessalonians 2:1-12) Paul is correcting and cautioning them about the timing of the coming of the Lord with regard to the Church,and to His Glorious Appearance after the 7 year tribulation. Division three (2Thessalonians 2:13-3:18) Paul is exhorting them based on who they are in Christ and commanding them (2Thessalonians 3:6) based on the example of how Paul and the others with him behaved themselves while there with a view to the patient waiting for Christ to return.(2Thessalonians 3:5) After having looked at all 9 of the christian church letters,we can back off and see that the first 4 (Romans-Galatians)deal with "Christ and the Cross",our Justification.The middle three (Ephesians-Colossians)deal with "Christ and the Church",our Sanctification.Then the last two (1 and 2Thessalonians deal with "Christ and His Coming",our Glorification.
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Post by Bud on Nov 22, 2013 8:25:06 GMT -6
1Timothy:
The Pastoral Epistles:
In the transitional Acts of the Apostles we see that out of Israel's rejection of the Kingdom, the Church was born.To this new people the remainder of the New Testament is given.The 9 Christian Church Epistles (Romans-2Thessalonians)for her instruction and doctrine;The 9 Christian Additional Epistles (Hebrews-Revelation) for her exhortation. To the Church was also given Overseers and Ministers of the Word of God.It seems of Divine design that in between and connecting these 2 groups of Christian Epistles there is special instructions for those in Pastoral care of the Assemblies. Therefore,if there is any part of the Bible more than another that ministers of the Word should study it is these Pastoral Epistles.(1Timothy-Philemon) In these Pastoral Epistles we find Paul writing to individuals,Timothy,Titus and Philemon.Timothy and Titus had traveled with Paul on his journey's and had been widely used by the apostle.Philemon evidently was a leader in the church at Colosse and most beloved to Paul. Paul had evidently met Timothy on his first missionary journey when he was in Lystra and Derbe,towns in Cilicia.(southern Turkey today)When Paul returned there on his second journey,he took Timothy with him and he remained a loyal companion to Paul until Paul was executed.(Acts 16:1-3)Timothy's father was Greek and his mother was a Jewess but he was brought up in a Godly home as Paul states in (2Timothy 1:5).
"when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also."
As we have mentioned before,it seems that Paul was released from prison in Rome for a short time.He was confident of this as he mentions in (Philippians 2:24)and in (Philemon 22).It also appears from the content in 1Timothy and Titus that he is free when he writes them.He instructs Timothy to remain at Ephesus while he himself goes into Macedonia.
"As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine"(1Timothy 1:3)
Then in (Titus 1:5)he mentions that he had left Titus in Crete.
"For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you"
There is no evidence that Paul had been in Crete during his journeys and especially starting a church there as this letter to Titus indicates.On his journey to Rome they sailed by Crete,but the storm from all indications kept them from spending any time there.(Acts 27:7-13)Especially time to start a church and Paul in addressing Titus instructs him to set in order what is needed and ordain elders in every city in Crete where there were churches and there is no indication that Titus was on the ship with Paul on this journey to Rome so as to leave him there.We also have to remember that Paul was a prisoner during this time. I believe Paul knew his time on earth was drawing to a close and his ministry was also coming to a close and I believe that is why he writes these three letters to Timothy and Titus to charge and challenge them to continue to share the Gospel and teach and instruct others,that the Gospel might be preserved in it's purity and passed on.He was also very concerned for these early churches and left much instruction for Timothy and Titus pertaining to order within the assemblies. The letter is being addressed to Timothy and it seems that Paul's main concern was giving Timothy a "charge"and also Paul seems concerned for the church at Ephesus. "As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine"(1Timothy 1:3) Even so the letter would apply to all local assemblies and to the ministers of the Word in each one. After an introduction in the first 2 verses of chapter 1,Paul gives the reason for writing the letter in the next 9 verses. (1Timothy 1:3-11)Paul is very concerned for the doctrines being taught at Ephesus and that they were not sound doctrine based on the Gospel that had been committed to Paul's trust. Then in the next 6 verses (1Timothy 1:12-17)Paul gives his personal testimony and a doxology of praise to God. Then in verse 18 Paul picks up with the charge to Timothy concerning sound doctrine and the faith and reminds him of two men who had rejected the truth,the faith and sound doctrine,Hymenaeus and Alexander who Paul mentions again in 2Timothy. The next 2 chapters,(2 and 3) the charge to Timothy seem to be directed more to the assembly (the body of believers not a building) with Timothy being an example. "but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."(1Timothy 3:15)
Here in the instructions given by Paul for the local assemblies we can see how each local church should be an example of how the whole church,the body of Christ should be.
In the next three chapters,(4-6)the charge to Timothy seems to be directed more to the ministers of the Word with Timothy as an example.
"If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed."(1Timothy 4:6) "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit,in faith, in purity." (1Timothy 4:12) "Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all." (1Timothy 4:15)
Here in the instructions given by Paul for the ministers of the Word and Timothy as an example we can see how the ministers in the whole body of Christ should be. Then Paul instructs Timothy in (1Timothy 6:20)to keep or guard what had been committed to his trust and I believe that would apply to each one of us.
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Post by Bud on Nov 29, 2013 8:02:22 GMT -6
2 Timothy
From all indications this is the last inspired letter from the apostle Paul.He is now back in prison awaiting execution.Probably in a dungeon cold,dark,damp and knowing his departure is close at hand and I'm sure was welcoming and looking forward to it,to be with his Lord. Some had forsaken him.Others were scattered in many places,some sick,one had died and Paul was concerned for his family.Only Luke is with him and evidently in the prison with him,because others there in Rome were greeting Timothy in the letter. He was desiring Timothy to get there before winter and to bring his cloak or an outer garment like a coat.He wanted Timothy to bring some books,or probably papyrus rolls and the parchments which I believe were the Scriptures because he said to bring them for sure.These were things he had left with Carpus in Troas.This was probably where Paul was when he was arrested.They must have taken him rather quickly for him to leave these things behind,especially the Scriptures. He also wanted him to bring Mark because he was profitable to him for the ministry.Mark had proved unprofitable to him on the first missionary journey,when he left Paul and Barnabus and then when they talked of the second journey,Paul didn't want Mark to go and that caused a split between Paul and Barnabus.But now he wanted Mark with him.Mark had been with Peter in Babylon,so this tends to indicate that Peter had already been executed. With all this you would think he would really be down,but no I believe it was just the opposite.He states that he had fought a good fight,he had finished his course,he had kept the faith.A triumphant message from a dungeon cell on death row.Now he was giving this last charge and challenge and encouragement to Timothy to do the same thing. Yes it's here we have the final attitudes of the apostle.We see his concern for the church,for the message,for the messengers,for the deposit to be left for others.His concern for the troubles they were going through then and tells of the age-end problems ahead. This last letter should be read often by everyone and especially the Christian workers ministering the Word.The message in it is needed more today than it's ever been needed.It's here and in 1Timothy that we see the break-away and break-down of organized Christianity in the end-time of the Church Age. Paul states in (1Timothy 3:15)that the Church is the pillar and ground of the truth.If the Church breaks down or fails,then the truth will cease to be proclaimed.I believe we are seeing that today.The truth is being compromised,watered down,twisted into so many different doctrines and theologies,that it is almost impossible to recognize.I believe we are witnessing today the very things that Paul tells us in Chapter 3 and the first few verses in Chapter 4 of 2Timothy. It appears from the mentions of Onesiphorus in (2Timothy 1:16-18,4:19)that Timothy is still in Ephesus,where he was when Paul wrote 1 Timothy.It could be several months or maybe a year or more later that he writes this letter. The first two chapters seem to deal more with what was happening then and in chapter 3 and the first part of chapter 4 Paul jumps to the "last days".Then in the last verses,(6-22) he is back to his present time there in prison. In chapter one in Paul's challenge to Timothy two verses stand out. (2Timothy 1:13-14)
"Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us."
He reminds Timothy of the faith that was in his grandmother and mother and for sure in him.He tells him to "stir up the gift that is in him"and that we haven't been given the "Spirit of fear but of power,love and a sound mind."(2Timothy 1:6-7) Then Paul uses himself and Onesiphorus who had died for the faith as an example and reminds Timothy of the suffering that he,Paul had had and he wasn't ashamed and encouraged Timothy to not be ashamed. We need to remember that Paul knew his time was short on this earth and he wanted Timothy,who at this time of heavy persecution might have become somewhat timid or maybe Paul was concerned that he might become timid after Paul's departure.Whatever,Paul was concerned for the continual spread of the Gospel and Timothy was the one he depended on most. Paul by this time had written many letters to different churches and in them he had explained the Gospel,but they were scattered over a large area,from Asia Minor,(Turkey today)to Rome.I'm sure he didn't know which ones if any would be preserved and find their way into what we have as the New Testament. It could be that he was thinking at the time that word of mouth was what was important in the spread and preservation of the Gospel as he states to Timothy in (2Timothy 2:2)
"And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."
In chapter two he continues the challenge,by reminding him what a good soldier of Jesus Christ consisted of and again uses himself as a example even to the point of death. Then that important verse of "rightly dividing the word of truth" in (2Timothy 2:15) would be the key in the spreading of the Gospel in truth and in patience and meekness as a servant of the Lord.It was important then and now. We need to remember that when Paul makes this statement,the only word of truth they had was the Old Testament.It would be 300 years before the New Testament canon of Scripture would be sealed.(N.T.Canon Sealed:A.D.397 3rd Council of Carthage) Even if the letters that had been written at this time by Matthew,Mark,Luke,Paul,James and Peter and were considered truth,they were scattered and there were still several more to be written and some nearly 25-30 years after Paul had written his last.Whether Paul new these letters would be part of Scripture and added to the Word we don't know but we do know that Peter refers to the letters of Paul in his second letter to Jewish believers,so they were being kept and maybe even copied and spread.We need to remember that God knew which ones would be added to the Word of Truth and they were preserved.we know they were and that the right ones were inspired and handed down to us and are part of the Word of Truth. So what Paul was saying about the Word of Truth concerned the Old Testament then and was looking forward to when the New Testament was complete and would become part of the complete Word of God and was to be rightly divided and note he say's divided not disposed. This would be similar to what we saw in the Gospel of John with some statements that Jesus made and John would interrupt and remind us that it was speaking of a time after the death,burial,resurrection and ascension of Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Then in chapter 3 and part of chapter 4,Paul jumps to the last days and it is here that we have the most precise descriptions of the last days of the Church age.Here again he uses himself as an example of enduring persecutions and afflictions and reminds us that "all that will to live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."(2Timothy 3:12) Then as in chapter two of telling us to "rightly divide the word of truth,"he reminds Timothy of his childhood and how he was taught the "Holy Scriptures" which would have been the Old Testament and how that had made him wise to the salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.The profitability of the Old Testament.
"and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."(2Timothy 3:15)
Then that all and important statement that was including the Old Testament and looking forward to when the New Testament would be complete and thus the Scripture would be complete.
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."(2Timothy 3:16-17)
Then in chapter four as the charge to Timothy continues a very sad two verses gets out attention.
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables."(2Timothy 4:3-4)
I'm sure it broke Paul's heart to write this after 20 years or more of teaching the truth of the Gospel and now he was at the point of death and knowing what was going to happen.We can see why this charge and challenge to Timothy was so important to the apostle and should be just as important to us as we can see many of the perilous times that Paul speaks of here coming to pass in our time. Then that great statement of the apostle and a reminder to us as we look for and should long for the coming of our Savior for His Church.
"For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing."(2Timothy 4:6-8)
Then those last few verses and the final requests he makes to Timothy of the things he needs, and wants as we mentioned above. Such a precious book and letter that really gets us into the mind of the apostle and a great example for all of us as we face uncertainty's as we walk in these last days.These charges and challenges to Timothy should be the same to us today and reminders of who we are in Christ,where our hope lies and a comfort to us as we may face some of the same persecutions,afflictions and difficulties.
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Post by Bud on Dec 6, 2013 9:06:49 GMT -6
Titus:
This letter was written by the apostle Paul,probably about the same time that he wrote 1Timothy.Timothy was in Ephesus where Paul had left him.
"As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine,"(1Timothy 1:3)
Then we have Paul leaving Titus in Crete.
"For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you"(Titus 1:5)
There is no mention of Paul going to Crete during his journey's recorded in Acts,only that they passed by there on his journey to Rome as a prisoner.He isn't a prisoner when he writes this letter because he instructs Titus to come to him at Nicopolis which is on the west coast of Greece where he plans to spend the winter.Then in 2Timothy when Paul was about to be executed he say's that Titus had gone into Dalmatia which was north of Greece,which today would be the Balkan States,formally Yugoslavia.
"When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there."(Titus 3:12)
"for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia."(2Timothy 4:10)
Evidently he planned to send Artemas or Tychicus to Crete to replace Titus.Note also that Paul had been in Crete,probably for some time because there were churches in several cities on the island.So this visit has to be between his two imprisonments. Titus was a Gentile according to Paul in (Galatians 2:3).
"Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised."
Paul in writing about this in Galatians was referring to the time that he and Barnabus went up to Jerusalem to confer with the Church apostles and elders about the Gentiles believing and questions about the Law.(Acts chapter 15)They had taken Titus with them and this was just after their first missionary journey.Paul also refers to Titus as his own son after the faith.
"To Titus, mine own son after the common faith:"(Titus 1:4)
So Paul was instrumental in Titus coming to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and this would probably have been on the first missionary journey.Titus and Timothy were two men that Paul considered his sons of the faith and he depended on them and used them widely. Titus isn't mentioned in the book of Acts,but it is evident that he was with Paul through these journeys as we find out from mentions of him in 2Corinthians,Galatians,2Timothy and in Titus.In 2 Corinthians he is mentioned by name at least 9 times and it is here we find the great concern the apostle had for him and how much he used him and depended on him. As in the 2 letters to Timothy we find in this letter the urgent concerns of the apostle.He's getting older and knows that his time and ministry is coming to a close.In the 3 letters we see Paul stress the Lords return,his concern for the truth of the Gospel and the teaching of it and order in the churches and his concern about false teaching. In all 3 of these letters the "deposit of the Gospel"is stressed.In 1Timothy we can see the protection and the preserving of the "deposit"stressed.
"As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine"(1Timothy 1:3)
"holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience." (1Timothy 3:9)
"Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them"(1Timothy 4:16)
"O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust"(1Timothy 6:20)
In 2Timothy we can see not only the protection and preserving but the proclaiming of the "deposit"stressed.
"Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us."(2Timothy 1:13-14)
"And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." (2Timothy 2:2)
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."(2Timothy 2:15)
"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine."(2Timothy 4:2)
In Titus we can see the protection and preserving and the proclaiming and also here we see the practice of the "deposit"stressed.
"holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict"(Titus 1:9)
"But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1)
"in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,"(Titus 2:7)
"who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."(Titus 2:14)
"Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work."(Titus 3:1)
"This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men."(Titus 3:8)
"And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful."(Titus 3:14)
We can see this practice of the "deposit of the Gospel"stressed to all believers in this letter. In chapter 1 we see it stressed to the elders of the assembly. In chapter 2 we see it stressed to the older men,the older women,the younger women,the younger men and servants. In chapter 3 we see it stressed to all believers in general. Then I believe we can see the whole subject of the letter summed up in (Titus 2:11-15)
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you."
What a proclamation,denying,living,looking.
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Post by Bud on Dec 13, 2013 13:44:24 GMT -6
Philemon:
We don't know very much about Philemon except from what is in this letter addressed to him from the apostle Paul.It's fairly evident that Philemon lived in Colosse.Archippus who evidently is Philemon's son is mentioned in (Colossians 4:17) and Onesimus who is the subject of this letter is also mentioned in Colossians and is stated that he was of Colosse.(Colossians 4:9)
"And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”(Colossians 4:17)
"with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here."(Colossians 4:9)
This tells me that this letter was written at the same time as Colossians while Paul was still in prison at Rome in his first imprisonment.He was expecting to be released and tells Philemon that he is coming there and to prepare him a lodging. As has been mentioned before there is no written evidence up until the time of the writing of this letter that Paul had been in Colosse.But Paul did spend about 3 years total in Ephesus,which wasn't very far from Colosse and it is stated that while Paul was in Ephesus that all Asia (Asia Minor)heard the Gospel.So he could have went to Colosse during this time. It is evident that Paul knew Philemon and his family very well. This letter is really the most personal letter that we have written from Paul.In it we are given a window into the heart of the apostle.In the letter we have 3 personalities presented to us.The relationship between these 3 personalities is the heart of the letter. Also if we back off and look at the 4 letters written by the apostle while in his first imprisonment as a quartet,Ephesians,Philippians,Colossians and Philemon,I believe we have a special lesson for us.We can see 3 appeals made by the apostle,one in each letter,Ephesians,Philippians,Colossians and then see them played out by these 3 personalities in the letter to Philemon. In (Ephesians 5:18) it's "Be filled with the Spirit." In (Philippians 2:5) it's "Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus." In (Colossians 3:16) it's "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly." Paul sends Tychicus and Onesimus with the letter to Colosse and I assume they were also carrying this letter to Philemon.
"Tychicus,a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here."(Colossians 4:7-9)
Onesimus was a runaway slave that had been owned by Philemon.We aren't given the circumstances as to why he was a slave to Philemon.There were many reasons that people became slaves.One was because of debt to the owner and a person would voluntarily offer himself as a slave until the debt was paid.Whatever the case,Onesimus was a runaway and there is an indication that he might have taken some money because Paul say's that he will pay the debt for Onesimus. Anyway Onesimus found his way to Rome and then somehow came acquainted with Paul and was saved.Then we can read in Colossians and here in (Philemon 8-21)just how Paul felt about Onesimus.I encourage you to read those verses. If there is such a thing as Godly psychology,I believe we could say that we see some of it displayed by the apostle here concerning Onesimus and Philemon.These two men would have been at variance for sure and yet they were both beloved by the apostle. Paul had to win over Philemon who felt he had good reason to be offended.Here Paul has to commend the offender and yet not deny the fault.He states that Onesimus which means "profitable"had been unprofitable but now could be profitable.Such a play of words but are very appropriate.He has to somehow declare Christian equality within a system that just barely recognized humanity of the enslaved. Paul begins by praising Philemon about his love and faith and how the hearts of the saints are refreshed by him.Then very tenderly he reminds Philemon,that he is now Paul the aged and a prisoner. Then he begins his plea for Onesimus in such a delicate and persuasive way that even Philemon would have to be touched.Then he tells Philemon that if Onesimus owes him anything that he Paul will repay it and writes it in his own handwriting.Then he gently reminds Philemon that he owed himself to Paul. Other than a short greeting and salutation at the beginning and the end of the letter we can see that the heart of the letter deals with these three personalities,Paul,Philemon and Onesimus. In (Philemon 4-7) we see Paul's praise for Philemon.Then in (Philemon 8-17)we see Paul's plea for Onesimus and in (Philemon 18-22)we see Paul's pledge and his assurance. A most precious little book but chocked full of precious truths for us.It is full of Christian principles that should be taught and lived by.We can see how social evils can be changed by transformed lives. Also there are applications to owner-versus-employee problems in our modern society especially when both parties are Christians.Not showing or expecting partiality,but mutual respect and love toward each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.Then even if only one party is a christian he could see how he is to behave as an owner or as an employee.
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Post by Bud on Dec 20, 2013 9:02:30 GMT -6
Hebrews
Just the title of the book should be a clue for us to determine who it was primarily directed to.Not only Hebrews but we have a A Quartet of Christian Hebrew Epistles:Hebrews,James and 1st and 2nd Peter.These have a distinctively Jewish flavor,with many quotations from the Old Testament scripture and references to Jewish history.Although they are for every Christian,they seem to have been written primarily to the Jewish Christians of the 1st century prior to the destruction of the temple in AD 70 and the dispersion that followed.
HEBREWS-"God...spake...unto the fathers...,hath...spoken unto us."(Hebrews 1:1-2 JAMES-"...to the 12 tribes which are scattered abroad."(James 1:1) 1PETER-"...to the strangers scattered throughout..."(1 Peter 1:1) 2Peter-"...This second epistle,beloved,I now write unto you."(2 Peter 3:1)
The question would be is why these Jewish Christians needed a special or a further Word of instruction concerning the perfect salvation of Justification,Sanctification and Glorification through our Lord Jesus Christ and His FINISHED work at Calvary in His death,burial and resurrection?Let's search it out and see why. We can go back to the book of Acts and see how Peter and Stephen and Paul and others approached the Jews in presenting Christ to them and what He had accomplished in providing the perfect salvation.They would go back to the Old Testament,the Word of God,the Scriptures,that had been given to the nation of Israel and prove to them that Christ had to suffer and die and be resurrected to provide the salvation of God that they had been looking for.They had to show them that what God had given them in the Scriptures was fulfilled in Christ.That Jesus was their Messiah. Then we can see how Peter and Paul approached the Gentiles,with Peter in the house of Cornelius (Acts 10:34-48) and with Paul at Mars Hill. (Acts 17:22-34) We see an entirely different approach.Was it another gospel?NO.It was the same,that they needed the same salvation provided in Christ. The Jews were worshiping the same God the apostles were preaching.The Gentiles were worshiping false gods,pagan.They didn't have the Scriptures.They had developed their own false religions,whereas the Jews were worshiping God in the way God Himself had instructed them to do in the Scriptures He had given them. Paul gives us examples of the way he approached the Jews in Chapter 9,10 and 11 of the book of Romans.He also proves that the Jews need the same salvation as the Gentiles when he proves that the whole world is totally condemned before God in chapters 1,2,and 3 of Romans.Then when he goes on to describe the Church,he shows how Jews and Gentile believers are one body in Christ. For us Gentile believers in the 21st century we can now look back at the O.T.Scriptures and see and appreciate the Jewish types and figures and understand how they were fulfilled in Christ.But for many of those first century Jewish believers,the breakaway was a razor-edged problem.Being that Judaism was an authentic divine religion and knowing that it's observance was a national covenant obligation made the problem even worse. There are some statements made in Acts that will allow us understanding of this dilemma and the reason these Jewish believers of the 1st century needed someone that was steeped in Judaism,had a thorough knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures and could through the inspiration of the Spirit of God explain the measureless superiority of the Gospel over all the forms,rites and provisions of the old covenant. Of course this would have to be a Jew that had been taught the Law in it's every aspect.He would have to have a desire,a passion you could say for this nation of Israel that had missed their Messiah. He would have needed to have experienced the same attitude they had towards Judaism and be able to identify with their thinking.He would need this background to be able to display the truth to them in such a fashion that they would have no argument about who the Messiah was and all that He had accomplished. He would have a heaviness and sorrow in his heart for his kinsmen the Jew almost to the point that he would give up his own salvation if he could,so that his nation would recognize their Messiah. Let's look at some statements that are made in the book of Acts that will show us this need for this letter to the Hebrew Christians.
"Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith."(Acts 6:7) Here were priests that believed and yet continued as priests of the altar and ordinances which were now done away in Christ.
"But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”(Acts 15:5)
Here were Pharisees that believed but still considered themselves Pharisees and were practicing the Law that had been fulfilled in Christ.
"And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law."(Acts 21:20)
Believers and yet zealous for the Law.
We can continue to read on through this passage in Acts 21 and see how these myriads of believers knew very little about Jesus as their personal Savior.They were still zealous for the Law and were still walking after customs and still offering sacrifices.Some in the crowd wanted to slay Paul for his contrary teaching.This was the very thing that James and the other elders feared and not just from the Jews themselves,but from the believing Jews.
"And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law;but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come.Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow.Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law.But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing,except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality.Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them."(Acts 21:20-26)
Even Paul gave in to them,but that wasn't enough and they still caused an uproar and Paul was arrested after they tried to kill him.It was evident that the new message of the crucified,risen and exalted Jesus of Nazareth and the message of individual salvation through Him hadn't been thoroughly apprehended or clearly defined by the apostles to these Jewish believers.
I'm sure Paul was thinking,"what will it take for them to see their Messiah and all He has fulfilled and provided?I would give my own life if they could see that." Just maybe he was thinking,"They won't hear me in person,just maybe written down they will see and understand."
The Temple was still standing.Offerings and sacrifices were still being made.The priesthood was still in tack.These believers and maybe mostly because of fear just wouldn't let go of Judaism.Christianity to many of them was just a supplement to Judaism.
They needed it explained to them in no uncertain terms that Jesus was the new and better Deliverer.That Calvary was the new and better Covenant.That Faith was the true and better Principle.There was one man that could bring this across to them and they wouldn't hear him in person.
I know there are some that will absolutely not stand for the very thought that Paul could have written Hebrews,even though there are many indicators given that point to Paul as the writer.Taking into consideration what we have looked at above then consider that the writer was in Italy and expecting Timothy to come to him.He was evidently a prisoner because he speaks of them praying for him that he might be restored to them.He mentions in (Hebrews 10:34)that he is in bonds or chains.Then he ends the letter just like Paul had said he would end all his letters and you can look at the endings of all his letters from Romans to Philemon and he ends all them with a reference to the Grace of God in some fashion just as it is in Hebrews.
"For you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven."(Hebrews 10:34)
"Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner."(Hebrews 13:18-19)
"Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you. Grace be with you all. Amen."(Hebrews 13:23-25)
The only other letter ending with a reference to God's grace in the New Testament is in the Revelation and that is ending God's Written Word.
Then also Peter refers to a letter written to the Hebrew Christians by the apostle Paul in (2 Peter 3:15-16)
"And consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures."(2 Peter 3:15-16)
Remember that Peter addressed his letters (1st and 2nd Peter)to Jewish believers and refers to a letter written by Paul to them.I believe that the letter written to the Hebrew Christians is what Paul had for years been trying to get across to the nation of Israel,but just couldn't seem to be able to in person.
"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,"(1Peter 1:1)
"Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder)"(2 Peter 3:1)
When someone is trying very hard to try and convince me that Paul couldn't have written Hebrews,then I ask the questions. Why are they trying so hard to prove that Paul couldn't have written Hebrews? Why would it matter so to them whether he wrote it or not? Do they have another motive or reason for not wanting to consider Paul writing Hebrews? Would it effect their theology or doctrine if Paul did write it? If that is true then they are guilty of forcing Scripture to line up with "their"doctrine. Who are they to dictate who writes a book of the Scripture just to prove their doctrine? As far as I'm concerned that is a CULT.Twisting the Scriptures as Peter refers to in (2Peter 3:15-16).
"and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures."(2Peter 3:15-16)
He states how they were twisting the writings of Paul and all the Scriptures and causing the people to err and fall from their steadfastness in Christ.
I believe Paul wrote Hebrews as has been attributed to him since the 1st century AD.Also the translators of the original KJV attributed Hebrews to Paul.
Now let's look at the message of the book and see if we can see an outline that will help us breakdown the message. The message stands out that everything is New and Better. The message is to really get across to these Jewish believers just who their Messiah really is,what He has done,is doing and will do. The message doesn't minimize the old covenant but shows the perfection and finality of the new. The message doesn't belittle Judaism but honors it by fulfilling it.
The Messiah (Jesus) is presented as the: New and Better Deliverer. He is better than the Angels (Hebrews 1:1-2:18) Not just a messenger of God but God Himself. He is better than Moses.(Hebrews 3:1-19) Not just a servant of God,but the Apostle and High Priest,God Himself. Better than Joshua.(Hebrews 4:1-13) Not just a leader of God but God himself. Better than Aaron.(Hebrews 4:14-7:28) Not just a high priest,but the High Priest,God Himself.
"Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus"(Hebrews 3:1)
Calvary is presented as the: New and Better Covenant. The New Covenant has Better Promises.(Hebrews 8:6-13) The New Covenant opens a Better Sanctuary.(Hebrews 9:1-14) The New Covenant is sealed by a Better Sacrifice.(Hebrews 9:15-28) The New Covenant achieves far Greater Results.(Hebrews 10:1-18)
"For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified."(Hebrews 10:14) "Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin."(Hebrews 10:18)
Faith is presented as the: The True and Better Principle (Way). Now what is the response to all this New and Better,More Superior?How is it appropriated?The response is by faith.
Faith is the response.(Hebrews 10:19-39) Faith has been proved,vindicated or justified by a great cloud of witnesses.(Hebrews 11:1-40) Faith is now to endure as we patiently look to Jesus.(Hebrews 12:1-13) Faith is to express itself in practice as we live our lives.(Hebrews 12:14-13:21)
"Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”(Hebrews 10:38)
The emphasis here is Faith.
In Romans we can see how a sinner can stand before a Righteous God. In Hebrews we can see how the justified sinner can approach a God who in His Holiness is a consuming fire and draw near with utmost confidence.
"Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,and having a High Priest over the house of God,let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."(Hebrews 10:19-22)
"LET US"
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Post by Bud on Dec 27, 2013 9:05:39 GMT -6
James:
There are several people in the New Testament with the name James.One of the more familiar ones that we are introduced to very early is James the brother of John who became one of the 12 disciples.He is one of the inner circle and is with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration.But sadly he is killed early on in (Acts 12:2). Then another one called James son of Alphaeus or sometimes called "James the less,"maybe referring to his stature,who was also one of the 12. Then we have James the Lords brother as Paul refers to in (Galatians 1:19).
"But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother."
Then in (Galatians 2:9)Paul refers to this same James as one of the pillars of the Church in Jerusalem along with Peter and John.Now this was after James the brother of John was killed.
Then in 1Corinthians 15 Paul in referring to the Lord appearing to different ones after His resurrection mentions that the Lord appeared to James personally.
"and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time."(1Corinthians 15:4-8)
Note that He appeared to the 12 which would include James the brother of John who was killed early on and James the less who was also one of the 12.Then he say's He appeared to James,evidently the Lords brother.
"Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses,Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?” (Matthew 13:55-56)
Then also in (Galatians 2:11-12)Paul refers to this same James and we can see that he has a very strong leadership role in the church at Jerusalem and all the churches for that matter.
"Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed;for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision."
We can see from the mentions in the book of Acts,1Corinthians and Galatians that James the Lords brother was a strong influence in the early Church and had a great love and admiration for the apostle Paul.
James speaking in (Acts 15:25-26)
"it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
I believe this James,the brother,or half-brother I guess I should say of our Lord,a pillar and leader of the church in Jerusalem was the writer of the letter of James.
James probably wrote early on at a time when many of the believers were Jewish as his letter is directed to the 12 tribes scattered abroad.We can go back to the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2 when the Holy Spirit came and the people that believed were indwelt of the Spirit.The Jews that were gathered there were from all over the known world.
"Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”(Acts 2:9-11)
They would have cared this message back with them when they returned home after the feast and I'm sure many more believed.They were probably still meeting in synagogues and as we've seen in Hebrews were probably still trying to sort out this message of salvation through Christ and Judaism. We have to remember that Paul hadn't come along yet,with the explanation of the age of grace and the church age and not many Gentiles had believed.Then sometime later as the Gentiles begin to believe and Paul and other apostles begin to teach more about the church,questions came up about the customs of Moses and the Law and James and the other elders came up with a letter to the Gentile believers concerning this and Paul and the other apostles carried it to the churches.(Acts 15:19-32) Personally I believe this was the time that James felt compelled to write his letter addressed to the Jewish believers scattered over the known world.They were being persecuted by Jewish non-believers and it is here in James that we get some of the strongest exhortation and comfort for believers undergoing trials,testings and persecution. It is also in this book that we get some of the most powerful teaching in the New Testament concerning worldliness. Right off the bat in (James 1:2-4)we get the subject of the book,the practical part or the ever day living of the Christian life.
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
Some through the years have disapproved of this book because they say it contradicts Paul.But nothing is further from the truth.Once we see the subject of the book,we will see no opposition to the teaching of Paul.Some even go so far as to say that we in the church have no spiritual food to obtain from the book of James and to ignore it.Some say that nothing in it applies to the church,that it all applies to the Jews in the tribulation period. They even go so far as to say that Jewish believers have to work for their salvation and perform works to keep it,going against everything that Christ accomplished in His sacrifice,death and resurrection.The perfect salvation that had been promised all through the Old Testament and all the animal sacrifices that pointed to this perfect sacrifice for sin that was to come to the nation of Israel,deliverance from the curse of the Law and the justification through the finished work of their Messiah at Calvary.Let along the perfect salvation that has gone out to the nations as a result of that perfect sacrifice of our Savior and His resurrection that was promised in the Scriptures.
"For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,"(1Corinthians 15:3-4)
The Scriptures being the Old Testament.
We don't have to "dispose"of the book of James as some teach,just because they take certain verses and pull them out of context and actually start a whole new doctrine and theology by wrongly dividing the Word Of Truth.When they start down that road of disposing of books of the Bible because they don't fit their doctrine,then they have been deceived and are involved in a cult.They will keep taking away until none of the Bible applies to the Church. Some have said that James is a book on salvation by works as against salvation by faith,thus it should be ignored by the church.Then they have to do something with the book because it is in the New Testament so they apply it to Israel entirely and in their mind it then becomes a book of salvation by works that Jews will have to perform for salvation in the tribulation and the kingdom thus ruling out all that Christ accomplished in His death and resurrection and the salvation it provides that was promised in the Scriptures (O.T.)for Israel.By doing this they totally contradict themselves. If we look closely at the book we can see that it doesn't present a salvation by works at all.The book compliments salvation by faith.The word "faith"is used 15 times in this small book.James is not arguing for good works as a means to salvation,but as the product of salvation.In James we can see faith at work.In James we can see that faith comes before the works.In James we can see that works are a result of faith.In James we can see a working faith. Yes there is no doubt in my mind that James will be a blessing to the Jewish believers in the tribulation as will Hebrews and 1st and 2nd Peter and for sure Jude and The Revelation.They can also be a blessing to us here and now in the Church Age and don't let anyone try to tell you otherwise. Let's glance at the structure of the book.
In Chapter 1 we see the endurance through testings,temptations and trials and through them we can see the proofs of faith.
In Chapter 2 we can see by showing impartiality and kindness we are presenting the proofs of our faith by our good works just as Abraham and Rahab proved their faith by their works and Abraham some 20 years after he was justified by faith.Rahab proved her faith by hiding the spies and providing them a way to escape.
In Chapter 3 we can see the control of the tongue and in the deliverance from it we see proofs of faith.
In Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 1-6 we can see an exhortation to godliness concerning several aspects of worldliness.Here in these 23 verses we have some of the most powerful teaching concerning worldliness in the New Testament.Of course we see the proofs of faith in overcoming all these things.
In the final verses of Chapter 5 we can see some final words of encouragement and instruction and all based on the proof of faith.
As a final note concerning James and his death,I would like to quote Josephus a 1st century Jewish historian in his account of the death of James.
"Festus was now dead, and Albinus was but upon the road; so he assembled the sanhedrim of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others, [or, some of his companions]; and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned:"The Antiquities of the Jews,Book 20,Chapter 9-2.
"and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law."
So much for James being a strict legalist don't you think?
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Post by Bud on Jan 3, 2014 8:18:13 GMT -6
1 Peter:
Anyone who has read any at all in the New Testament knows who Peter is.We are introduced to Peter or Simon Peter or as the Lord called him Cephas or stone when his brother Andrew comes and tells him that he had found the Messiah.(John 1:40-42)
"One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ).And he brought him to Jesus.Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah.You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).
Now Peter and Andrew along with their cousins James and John,the sons of Zebedee lived in Bethsaida on the northern shore of the sea of Galilee and ran a fishing business.They all 4 became part of the 12 disciples and Peter James and John became the inner circle and were with the Lord when He was transfigured before them on the Mount.
We really have two portraits of Peter displayed in the Word.The Peter before Calvary and the Peter after.Before we see the strong,proud,determined man.In his heart he probably didn't care for the Roman occupation and maybe felt like the zealots.Sort of a "praise the Lord and pass the ammunition"type person.Sometimes engaging his mouth before he put his brain in gear.
He made the statement that he would die for the Lord,before he would deny Him,but Jesus told him he would deny Him.Just maybe Peter was thinking of this in the garden when he cut the ear off the high priest's servant,to prove to the Lord that he would not deny Him.I'm certain also that Peter wasn't aiming for the ear when he swung his sword.
Then when Peter denied the Lord we see him weeping bitterly and in his guilt of betraying the Lord,probably felt that the Lord had no use for him.But we see how the Lord dealt with Peter on the shore of Galilee when He instructed him to feed His sheep.(John 21:15-17)
Then after Pentecost we see a different Peter,still determined,bold and strong,but he was now living in the power of the Lord.We see him standing before the high priest and all the other religious leaders and proclaim in (Acts 4:8-12)
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well,let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Yes we see a different Peter here,bold and strong in the presence of some of the same ones that he had denied his Lord before earlier and before the elders and rulers of Israel. Peter was also used of the Lord to bring the salvation of the God to the first Gentiles that is recorded that are saved.The house of Cornelius in (Acts 10). Even though Peter was the first apostle to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles,he is considered to be the apostle to the Jews more.(Galatians 2:7-8)
"But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles)"
Now when Peter is writing this letter and I believe also 2 Peter we find him in Babylon.We need to remember when the Jews returned from captivity in Babylon,only a small remnant returned.The vast majority of the Jews chose to remain in the dispersion.It would seem natural with Peter being the apostle to the Jews and a vast majority of them would have been in this area that he would be carry his ministry to Babylon. Peter also addresses his 2 letters to the believing Jews of the dispersion.
"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia"(1Peter 1:1)
"Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder)"(2Peter 3:1)
In 1 Peter 3 statements stand out very quickly. 1."The Living Hope" (1 Peter 1:3) 2."The Living Word" (1 Peter 1:23) 3."The Living Stone"(1 Peter 2:4)
After a short introduction in (1 Peter 1:1-2) The next 19 verses through verse 21 the subject is the "Living Hope."
Then (1 Peter 1:22-2:3) the subject is the "Living Word."
Then (1 Peter 2:4-8) the subject is the "Living Stone."
This part of the letter is doctrine or explaining.
Then in (1 Peter 2:9) the exhortation begins.Here we see the "Pilgrim"life and how to live it.(1Peter 2:9-5:11)
"Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul"(1Peter 2:11)
In this section we are told how to live the life as citizens,as employees,as married persons and instruction in our relationship with other believers and non-believers and the enduring of suffering. Instruction is given to ministers of the Word. (1 Peter 4:10-11)He exhorts the elders and the young. ( 1 Peter 5:1-9) Then in ( 1 Peter 5:10-14)The Benediction and Greetings
Another thing that caught my attention is Peter makes 3 statements concerning suffering for righteousness sake and unrighteousness sake.
"For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God."(1Peter 2:20)
"But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” (1Peter 3:14)
"But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter."(1Peter 4:15-16)
I believe Peter is reminding us to always discern our suffering as to why it is coming our way.
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Post by Bud on Jan 10, 2014 10:32:33 GMT -6
2 Peter
Peter in this second letter addresses it to the same ones he addressed his first letter.
"Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder)"(2Peter 3:1)
In his first letter he wrote to encourage them amidst their trials and persecutions and to remind them of their hope.But this second letter seems to be more urgent and was broadening out to a far more dangerous peril and that was of false doctrine and false teachers. These spiritual perils that was coming upon them was far more to be dreaded than physical persecution as they should be with us.He refers to this intrusion of false teachings as "damnable heresies"or "Destructive Personal Opinions."(2Peter2:1) This letter is to reinforce their faith against these counterfeits and their teachings.But all his reminders and warnings and reinforcement in their faith reaches down to us in our day as he warns us of scoffers in the last days concerning Christs return and questioning the promises of His return and that He is slack in fulfilling them.(2Peter 3:1-9) We don't know how long after he wrote his first letter that he penned this one,but we can tell it was near his death as he reminds us of it in (2Peter 1:13-14)
"Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you,knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me."(2Peter 1:13-14)
He was referring to what Jesus told Him there on the shore of Galilee about how he would die.This was shortly after Jesus's resurrection.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God."(John 21:18-19)
Tradition tells us that Peter was crucified upside down as he didn't feel worthy to be crucified like his Savior.
In many ways this letter of 2 Peter is like Paul's letter of 2 Timothy.They were both facing execution and both were seeing the apostasy and false teaching and dangerous times for the last days.There is also much similarity with the letter of Jude as we will see later.
I believe the 3 chapters give us the divisions of the book.After a short introduction in the first 2 verses he gets into the subject of the letter.
Chapter 1 He reminds us of the true knowledge our knowing it and preserving it.
"For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth.Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you," (2 Peter 1:12-13)
Chapter 2 He instructs us on false knowledge and its teachers.He instructs us on the detection of it and it's teachers.He instructs us on the peril of it and them.He instructs us on the destruction of them and the reminder of what God had done in the past by way of judgement on them and deliverance of the just.
Chapter 3 He reminds us of God's promise of Christ's return and the scoffers in the last day.He tells us that God is not slack concerning His promise and assures us of His return.
"Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder)"(2Peter 3:1)
I believe we can say some of the same statements about this letter as we say about 2 Timothy.
Yes it's here we have the final attitudes of the apostle.We see his concern for the believers,for the message,for the messengers,for the deposit to be left for others.His concern for the troubles they were going through then and tells of the age-end problems ahead.
Such a precious book and letter that really gets us into the mind of the apostle and a great example for all of us as we face uncertainty's as we walk in these last days.This letter should be a reminder of who we are in Christ,where our hope lies and a comfort to us as we may face some of the same persecutions,afflictions and difficulties.
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Post by Bud on Jan 17, 2014 8:18:17 GMT -6
1John
When you have read the gospel of John,then read this letter you have no doubt that it is penned by the same person.We can readily see how the Holy Spirit blends the personality of the person He has chosen to inspire His Word through into the message.In some ways it seems to be a continuation of the gospel that John wrote. John was an old man now,probably in his 90's and probably exiled to the isle of Patmos.It is believed that John wrote the gospel and his 3 letters and for sure the Revelation from the exile island. In the gospel John makes the statement in (John 20:31) that "we might have life" and in (1John 5:13)he makes the statement that "we may know we have life."
"but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name."(John 20:31)
"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life"(1John 5:13)
In this respect we can see how the gospel and the letter compliment each other.To quote G.Campbell Morgan:
"The Gospel was written that men might have life,the epistle that believers might know they had life.In the former we have the Divine Life as revealed in Christ;in the latter the same life as realized in the Christian.The Gospel declares the way of life through the incarnate Son;the epistle unfolds the nature of that life as possessed by the children of God."(End of quote)
We can also see that the 3 letters written by John (1st,2nd and 3rd John)are closely related in message.In the first letter we have teaching and instruction and the second and third illustrations,but the message is one.The words John uses are very simple,but the truths and thoughts are deep and rich.He makes plain and direct statements but yet there is a depth in the truths that are stated that only the mind of God can relate them to our minds.
John doesn't mention any specific groups of errorists but it is evident he had some in mind.Paul had to deal with the Gnostics in his letter to the Colossians,with their superior knowledge teaching and its a possibility this teaching had or was becoming full bloom by the time John was writing. It was teaching a very defective view of Christ,either denying His Humanity or His Divinity.These heretical teachings either teach that Christ was too Divine to be Human or too Human to be Divine.John deals with both of these aspects of our Lord in this letter.I believe the first two verses in the letter set the stage that John is going to deal with this subject directly and quickly.
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life;(the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us.)"(1John 1:1-2)His Humanity and His Deity.
Then the Fellowship and Joy that we can have and the Father wants for us.A letter from the Father to His children.
"That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.And these things we write to you that your joy may be full."(1John 1:3-4)
In this letter we have a series of contrasts presented. Truth versus Error "hereby we know...
1.Light verses darkness. (1John 1:5-2:11) 2.Father versus world. (1John 2:12-2:17) 3.Christ versus antichrist. (1John 2:18-2:28) 4.Good works versus evil works. (1John 2:29-3:24) 5.Spirit of God versus spirit of error. (1John 4:1-4:6) 6.Love versus pretense.(1John 4:7-4:21) 7.Born ones versus others.(1John 5:1-5:21)
Then 2 great statements that stand out in this last chapter.
"He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life."(1John 5:12)
"And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life."(1John 5:20)
Those two verses to me seem to sum up the message of this short book.
John knows no gray area when it comes to living the Christian Life. Its either black or white. It's either living for the flesh or living through the Spirit. It's either yielding to the desires of the flesh or yielding to the guidance of the Spirit. It's either the fruit of the flesh being manifested or the fruit of the Spirit being seen. It's either walking in the desires of the old nature or the desires of the new. It's either abiding in Christ or abiding in the desires of the flesh. It's either loving the world or not loving the world. It's either spirit of truth or spirit of error. There is no middle ground with John.
I don't believe anyone that is honest with themselves can read this small book and not come away with the desire to have that closer fellowship with the Father and His Son that John states that he is having and is readily available for us to have every moment of our lives and that our joy may be full.
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Post by Bud on Jan 26, 2014 7:53:08 GMT -6
2 John
There has always been the discussion as to whom John is addressing this letter to.Some believe it is to a church and that could be. Some believe it is a real person he is writing to.A lady,(2John 1,5)a mother (2John 1,4)that lives in a house whom John warns that a deceiver could come to,to "you"personally.(2John 10)John is planning to see her "face to face."(2John 12)Her sister's children greet her.I believe myself that we have the only letter in the New Testament addressed to a Christian mother. At once we see two words that jump out at us in the first half of the letter,"truth" 5times and "love" 4times.That seems to prepare us for what is to come in the next part,deceivers and deception.Being grounded in the truth equips us to "recognize" this deception and the deceivers.Our love is what helps us to"deal with" the deception and the deceivers.
"I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father."(2John 4)
Christ is the "Truth"incarnate and when we are abiding in Him we are walking in truth.
"And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another.This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.(2John 5-6)
The law of Moses demands love but can't produce it.The Law of Christ is love and is shed abroad in our hearts by His Spirit that indwells us.This law of love is written in our hearts under the New Covenant.
"For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist."(2John 7)
I believe we see here the main purpose of the letter of 2 John.Denying the incarnation of Christ.Now just what does that include? To quote Theodore Epp on this and I quote:
"The word "incarnation"means that the Lord Jesus Christ,who is eternally God,the Jehovah of the Old Testament,the Creator of the universe,by whom all things were made,in whom all things consist or hold together-this eternal Christ came in the flesh.He was the Jesus who walked upon this earth for thirty-three years,the One who took upon Himself flesh and blood.He it was who died for us,was bured and rose again from the dead,and is now at the right hand of the Father.In other words,the Man Christ Jesus is the Eternal God.The "antichrists"of John's day denied this fact." --Theodore Epp
"By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world."(1John 4:2-3)
We have these deceivers with us today and they are very subtle and deceptive.So not only in denying that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh,they are denying His Deity and His Humanity,they are denying His finished work at Calvary,that it isn't enough and add to it the works of the flesh to obtain salvation and to keep it.These teachings strike at the heart of the finished work of Christ by denying its effectiveness.
When the antichrist himself comes on the scene in the tribulation,he will be the master of this deception,but he will also have a large following that are being prepared today through the doctrine of the deceivers that are among us now.
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Post by Bud on Feb 1, 2014 8:11:04 GMT -6
3John
John addresses this 3rd letter to Gaius.There is really no need to speculate who this Gaius is.There are several mentioned in the New Testament,but it was a very common name.He could have had a church meeting in his home.We know he was well known and beloved by John and he hoped to see him soon as John ends his letter very much like he ended 2John.He states he has much more to say but he trusted to see Gaius soon face to face. Three characters are mentioned in the book and all 3 are within the same church.Gaius,Diotrephes and Demetrius. It is said of Gaius that he had the truth in him and that he walked in that truth. It was also well reported of Demetrius that he was in truth and walked in it and John bore record of it.It seems that John new him first hand and could vouch for that report. Now Diotrephes on the other hand is an example of what churches have had as a major problem all down through it's history.Self-seeking,self-important,self-elected,arrogant,overlording overseers in the churches. The word truth isn't even mentioned in the verses concerning Diotrephes.Evidently John himself had had some dealings with him and he doesn't have anything good to say about him.Diotrephes is an example of how evil can creep into the churches and establish a stronghold if not checked quickly.John was planning on doing that checking when he arrived. It could be that Demetrius was a victim of Diotrephes's malicious words and deeds.Some suggest that Gaius might have had some health problems having to deal with these problems as John mentions his concern that Gaius might be in good health. Whatever the concerns,hospitality within the church reveals genuine love and how much of the truth the members are grounded in and walking in. As in 2John we can see that truth stands out as the subject in this letter also.Loving in truth,truth within,walking in truth,fellow-helpers in truth all stand out in this letter. Jesus made the statement that He was the Way,the Truth and the Life.So to be In Christ is to be In Truth. Pilate asked "what is truth"and The Truth was standing there before him. As for the structure of the letter,I believe it centers on the three characters mentioned. The first 8 verses concern Gaius in praising him and instruction for him. The next three verses concern Diotrephes and the contrast of him and Gaius and that John would deal with him when he comes. Then one verse concerning Demetrius and a praise of him. Then the conclusion and greetings. Just a thought to remember when names are mentioned in these letters they are in God's eternal Word.
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Post by Bud on Feb 7, 2014 8:28:38 GMT -6
Jude
A very short epistle but oh so important.I believe in Jude we get a glimpse of the problems effecting the Church at the end of the first century,but it also reveals to us problems we face some 2000 years later at the closing of the Church age and on into the judgements that will occur when Jesus comes back to rule this earth. The subject of the epistle and Jude's great concern then and for us now is "contending for the faith."
"Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints."(Jude 3) I believe in this epistle he goes on to tell us "why" we should contend and "how" we should contend. Jude identifies himself at the outset.The brother of James.By saying this he assumes we know who James is.I believe it is James that wrote the book of James and was also a leader in the church at Jerusalem,the Lord's brother.We identified who I believe James is in our study of the book of James.So I believe that Jude is half-brother to Jesus as James is.
"Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses,Simon, and Judas?"(Matthew 13:55)
I believe Jude was written later in the first century when apostasy was the danger in the church more so than persecution was.We saw this in the letters of Peter.In 1st Peter he was more concerned with persecution,but in 2nd Peter which was at the time near his death Peter is more concerned with apostasy and false teaching,just as Paul was in his writing of 2 Timothy just before his death.Jude seem to carry on with this subject and maybe was getting close to the end of his life also.
After an introduction in the first two verses,he goes into the "why" we should contend for the faith in the next 14 verse through verse 16.Then in the remaining nine verses the "how" we should contend for the faith and in verse 24 the assurance that He would keep us from falling into this false teaching as we perform the instruction that is given us.
In the "why"we should contend for the faith,he begins in verse 4 by telling us of certain men crept in unaware,ungodly and were ordained to this condemnation.He gives us two denials to identify them. 1.They deny Grace by turning it into lasciviousness. (filth) 2.They deny our only Master and Lord,Jesus Christ.
Then in verses 5-7 he goes on to give us their certain doom and illustrates it with 3 historic examples of divine judgement. 1.Egypt 2.Angels 3.Sodom and Gomorrah
Then in verses 8-11 he describes their character and conduct and compares them to 3 historic characters. 1.Cain 2.Balaam 3.Korah
Then in verses 12 and 13 he gives us 6 dreadful analogies exposing their falseness. 1.Hidden rocks in their feasts. 2.False shepherds exploiting and feasting with them. 3.Clouds without water. 4.Trees without fruit. 5.Wild waves of the sea. 6.Wandering stars.
Then in verses 14 and 15 the prophecy of Enoch concerning the judgement coming on the ungodly when the Lord comes back with His Saints. Then in verse 16 as we wind up this section of "why we should contend for the faith we get a final description of these men that have crept in.
"These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage."(Jude 16)
Then we come to the second part of "how" we are to contend for the faith.
First in verses 17-19 we are reminded that we were warned that this apostasy and false teachers would come by the apostles of our Lord.We can go back and read where Paul,Peter,John and others warned of these and especially in the last days.It seem that Jude is giving us that final warning in one way as a comfort that we won't be surprised.
Then he goes on in verses 20 and 21 telling us "how" in 4 descriptive terms "building"up on our faith,"praying"in the Spirit,"keeping"ourselves in God's love and "looking"for the mercy of our Lord unto eternal life.Building,praying,keeping and looking. Faith,Love and Hope.Praying in the Spirit,Love in the Father,Hope in the Son.
It seems in verses 22 and 23 he gives us two ways of dealing with some that are caught up in false doctrine.It looks like one group may be seeing things that are wrong and we are to show compassion and patience with as maybe Paul was referring to in (2Timothy 2:24-26)
"And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will."
Then there are some that need severe warning but to be very careful in dealing with them that we won't get caught up in their teaching and influenced and our own fellowship with our Lord could become marred.Then some just might not be retrieved as Paul in a sense wrote off a couple of men that he refers to in (1 Timothy 1:19-20)
"having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme."
Paul is concerned about contending for "the faith" here also.
Then I believe in (Jude 24) a verse of assurance as we are contending for the faith and having to deal with false teaching and teachers and the dangers that accompany that,that as we remember what he reminds us in verses 20 and 21 of what we should do,we are assured that he is capable of keeping us from falling or stumbling and that we will be presented before Him faultless in His Glory with great joy. Then we have a four-fold praise to God our Savior in the last verse.Glory,Majesty,Dominion and Power both now and forever.Amen
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Post by Bud on Feb 14, 2014 9:53:48 GMT -6
Revelation
Probably without a doubt the most fascinating book in the Bible.It has probably been read by countless individuals the world over.Many I'm sure are unbelievers and are just curious.I remember before I was saved over 43 years ago and I overheard some fellow workers talking and discussing current events and about verses in Revelation pertaining to that.I remember going home that night and reading the whole book of Revelation.I didn't get much from it and wondered just what those guys at work was referring to. The world system is also fascinated with the book and even Hollywood has attempted to portray the very unusual characters and events presented in the book and most of the time they fall very short because for the most part they are looking at them through worldly eyes and trying to interrupt them with worldly wisdom. First of all to understand the book of Revelation just like any book in our Bible,we first need the mind of Christ and to have that we need to be saved,born again and indwelt by the Spirit of God the author of the Bible.Then we'll find that the Bible interrupts itself.We need no outside source other than the Spirit of God Himself. The book of Revelation is no exception.We need the rest of the Bible to help us understand the book.
John was in exile to the isle of Patmos when he receives the Revelation.He is probably a very old man now in his 90's.He hadn't seen Jesus for 60 years or more when He appears to him and gives him the message of this book.Jesus instructs him to write what he sees and send it to the 7 churches in Asia and He goes on to list the churches by name. The appearance of Jesus to John in chapter 1 could be similar to the Glory of our Lord that John saw of Him on the mountain some 60 years before. Some have said that this book is a dark and mysterious book and too hard to try and understand.That certainly goes against it's very title "Revelation" which the Greek word is "apocalypse"which means "Unveiling."That would be a contradiction to being a dark book.Also it is the only book in the Bible that promises us a blessing at the beginning and at the end of the book.
"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand."(Revelation 1:3)
"Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book."(Revelation 22:7)
We are promised a blessing by reading the book,by hearing the words of the book and by keeping the words in it and keeping them is mentioned again in the ending blessing. Notice He say's in (Revelation 22:9) that the angel that showed John all these things,after telling John not to bow down to him that he is a fellowservant to him and the other prophets and those that "keep the saying's of this book."Then in (Revelation 22:10) the angel tells John to seal not the sayings of this book.
"Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand."
The words aren't sealed.They are there for us to read, hear and keep.Daniel was told to seal up the words of his book till the time of the end.(Daniel 12:4)
"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."
Knowledge would be increased and I believe we are in the endtimes and knowledge and understanding in the prophecies of Daniel and the other prophecies concerning the endtimes are being increased. We are told in the promise of blessing in Revelation 1:3 that "the time is at hand",and also in Revelation 22:10 "the time is at hand."Jesus say's in the promise of blessing in (Revelation 22:7) that He is coming quickly and also in (Revelation 22:12 and 22:20 "I come Quickly."
He is coming back and the prophecies will be fulfilled and we are promised blessings by reading,hearing and keeping them.
I have heard ministers of the Word proclaim that the book of Revelation is a dark book and we can't understand it and we shouldn't be in it,that it isn't for us.well that sure contradicts what is promised at the beginning and the ending of the book.I do agree there is much we won't understand now and that the ones in the tribulation will I'm sure understand more as they will be seeing it unfold. Honestly I would be afraid to tell God's people that the book of Revelation and prophecy in general is not for them and it is too dark for them to understand and they shouldn't be in it.There are also some warnings at the end of the book that I believe could apply to that type of attitude. So feel free to get in this book and experience the blessings that our Savior and God has promised us.
In studying God’s Word for me finding the outline of the particular book in question has made it easier for me to understand. I do believe God gives us the outline of The Revelation in (Revelation 1:19). He tells John to ” write the things thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter”. I believe the things he had seen was chapter 1, the appearing of Christ to him and the things which are, chapters 2 and 3 which is apparent that he is referring to things present tense. Then in chapter 4 John is caught up to heaven in the spirit and told he would be shown things” which must be hereafter or things that will happen after” the things that are”.
"The things which thou hast seen." In chapter 1 after an introduction and salutation in verses 1-8 John goes on to describe the appearance of the Lord Jesus to him in verses 9-18.Then in verse 19 the command to John to write.Then in verse 20 Jesus explains the mystery of the 7 stars and the 7 golden lampstands.In this explanation we can see that Christ is in Heaven operating through the Church and its leaders.
"The things which are." Then the next 2 chapters we have the letters addressed to the 7 churches of Asia.In these letters we see the things that are,the church age.In these letters we can see in the primary interpretation problems that some of those churches had and then instruction from Jesus as for what they should do.We can also see in a way of practical application if churches today are having similar problems they have the instruction from the Lord as to what should be done.We also have a prophetic revelation in these 7 letters. Each letter describes a period of church history over the past 2000 years. 1.The letter to Ephesus describes the 1st century church,the apostolic period.Ephesus means "The Desirable One" 2.The letter to Smyrna describes the next period to about 316AD which was a period of heavy persecution when the church was almost crushed with poverty,tribulation and death.Smyrna has to do with "crushed." 3.The letter to Pergamos covers the time from Constantine when the church married to the world and had a life of splendor.Pergamos means "harlot bride."But of course during this time many believers saw through this mixing of the church and the world and they were hunted and persecuted and many died as a result of trying to expose this system.These are the ones that retained the truths of God's Word and handed them down to us. 4.The letter to Thyatira we see the church mixed in the world system and with much corruption and this carries us into the dark ages.Thyatira has to do with "continual sacrifice"which describes this era with the Catholic church and it's teachings. 5.The letter to Sardis describes the times of the reformation,when many saw the corruptness of this worldly church and first tried to reform it but finally saw the futility of that and came out of it and they were called Protestants.Sardis means "the escaping ones." But of course all through these periods we have the few that saw through the corruption and were continually being persecuted and killed by this system and were even persecuted by the Protestants that were coming out of the system.This would have been about the time that America was discovered and being settled and many of these that were being persecuted and killed fled to America along with many of the Protestants. 6.The letter to Philadelphia describes the period of open door to evangelization.The period of great revivals and many of our great preachers and teachers that we still read and study their works lived.The period of the 18th and 19th centuries and part of the 20th century.Philadelphia means "brotherly love." 7.The letter to Laodicea describes the church of today.The time of great apostasy,lukewarm,and Jesus say's "I could spit you out of My mouth".Paul and Peter give us much description of this endtime church and the apostasy,denying the faith,ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.Rich in material goods and worldly pleasures but poor,wretched,miserable,blind and naked when it comes to the relationship with Christ that it should have.This describes the church today to a tee.This period describes the church at the end of the age just before Jesus comes back to receive His Bride unto Himself.Laodicea has to do with "rights of the people."
Jesus gives a last warning to this church with a personal invitation as He is outside trying to get in and knocking on the door.The invitation is more personal and to individuals in the church instead of the church as a whole and inviting them to have a personal fellowship with Him.
Then we come to chapter 4 and John hears a voice that say's "come up here"and John is taken to Heaven and begins to see the "Things that shall be hereafter."Or literally "the things that shall be after the things that are." "The things that are" is the church age and in chapter 4 John begins to describe the things that will happen after the church age.His being "caught up"to heaven is a type of the rapture."Come up Here"just could be the very words we will hear when we are "caught up."
In chapter 4 and 5 John describes a scene in Heaven and I believe we will be there to see it. In chapter 4 we're in the throne room.Here we see God sitting on His throne,high and lifted up.We see the Seraphim referred to by John as beasts or living creatures and they are described by John and they are crying Holy,Holy,Holy the Lord God Almighty.Here we're seeing the Holiness and Righteousness of God.
I believe this is the same scene that Isaiah sees in (Isaiah 6:1-5)There we see the Lord sitting on His throne,high and lifted up.We see the Seraphim crying Holy,Holy,Holy is the Lord of Hosts and Isaiah proclaiming that he has seen the King the Lord of Hosts.(The Lion of the tribe of Judah)
Then in chapter 5 we see a 7 sealed scroll which is the title deed to this earth and the Kinsman Redeemer is sought to open the seals.Then the Lion of the tribe of Judah is introduced and we behold the "Lamb"as it had been slain. Then we hear that proclamation in (Revelation 5:12-13)
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
And:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”
Here we're seeing the Love Mercy and the Grace of God as we view the Lamb that has been to the cross that bore our griefs and sorrows,wounded for our transgressions,bruised for our iniquities,oppressed and afflicted.I believe we're seeing Him as He begins His role as the Lion of the tribe of Judah as He begins to open the 7 seal scroll and starts to redeem this world back to Himself.
I believe from chapters 6-19 we see Him taking it back and it is described with the seals, trumpets, vials, and the many characters described in this end time drama. I believe if we look at it as a drama it will make for better understanding. In a drama they will show a scene then jump somewhere else and show another scene that was happening at the same time as the first scene but in a different location. Then they will show a scene and then show that same scene again from a different viewpoint. Or they will show a scene and then come back and show another scene and go into more detail about the first scene. If God is doing this in Revelation it could explain the seemingly parallel passages.(similarities between the seals, trumpets, and vials) What if He is describing the whole 7 years (70th Week of Daniel)in the 7 seals and then comes back and describes the last 3 and one half years again with the 7 trumpets in more detail with maybe a view point from Israel. Note after the 6th seal there is a parenthesis before the 7th seal, (chapter 7) and he goes in more detail about how the gospel will be preached by 144000 Jews during that time and the multitude that is killed as the result of them believing. It’s as if He is saying oh yes before we go on I want to mention this and He gives us that detail. Then the 7th seal and silence in heaven for 30 minutes and according to (Revelation 4:8) this hadn’t happened before. I believe something fantastic is about to happen. I believe He has brought us right up to the Glorious Appearance then stops and goes back and gives us more detail with the 7 trumpets. Then after the 6th trumpet another parenthesis (Chapter 10 thru 11:14) and He goes back and describes the ministry of the 2 witnesses and the measuring and building of the temple which will probably happen during the first 3 and one half years. He also has John to eat the little book because He has more information for him to write and he would prophecy again. Notice in the 7th trumpet (Revelation 11:15-19) he brings us right up to Christ setting up His Kingdom and then stops and goes back and John prophesy’s again.
Then in chapter 12 he begins again and in chapters 12 and 13 he describes 7 main characters in this 7 year period and they cover the whole 7 year period. They are Israel (the nation) Satan, Christ, Michael the archangel, the believing remnant of Israel, the beast and the false prophet. And it describes a little bit about each character some about their past, etc and what they will do in this end time drama. Similar to the way characters are described in a play. Then there is a parenthesis in chapter 14 and he talks about the 144000 again. Then in chapter 15 an introduction to the vials and in chapter 16 the 7 vials maybe describing the last 3 and one half years again with maybe a view from the nations. Then in chapters 17 and 18 he goes back and describes in more detail the fall of the false religious system and the ultimate fall of this whole world system. Then back to heaven in chapter 19 and the scene there with Christ and His bride just before He bursts the heavens open with His return to this earth to rule. I think he brings us up to this point at the 7th seal, the 7th trumpet and the 7th vial.
Then His glorious appearance in chapter 19.Then in chapter 20 satan bound in the bottomless pit,beast and false prophet cast into the lake of fire,the thousand year reign,then satan loosed for a little season,he and his follower's rebellion and then he is cast into the lake of fire with the beast and false prophet.Then the Great White Throne judgement when all the lost will be raised up and judged and cast into the lake of fire. Then in chapter 21 and 22 the new Jerusalem,new Heaven and Earth and the eternal state.
This isn’t the first time God does this pattern in the Bible. He does it in Genesis with the creation. In Genesis chapter 1 through chapter 2:4 He describes the 7 days of creation.Then in Genesis 2:5-25 He goes back and describes the last half of the week again and goes into more detail. He does this with I and II Kings and I and II Chronicles. He also does this in Daniel. He describes the 4 great world empires with Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel chapter 2 then again in Daniel’s vision in chapter 7. I believe the book of Daniel and its structure is very similar to the structure of Revelation. Also I believe there is a similar structure in Matthew chapter 24 and 25 where Jesus is describing this 7 year period. In (Matthew 24:4-14)Jesus describes the 7 year period then in 24:15 He goes back to the middle of the week with the abomination of desolation and Daniel says in (Daniel 9:27)that will happen in the middle of the week.(70th week) Then Jesus continues on in Matthew chapter 24 and 25 describing the last 3 and one half years in more detail,then His coming back to this earth and then the judgements before He sets up His Kingdom.
We can see that the book of Revelation is not a dark book.We just need to allow the Spirit of God who is the author of not just The Revelation but all of God's Word and He can tie it all together and give us understanding as we allow Him too.And we will also receive the blessings that are promised to us in this last book in our Bible. God Bless and "Even So Come Lord Jesus"and "Perhaps Today"
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Post by Keith on Feb 14, 2014 10:19:51 GMT -6
Amen, amen, and amen! Wonderful study, Bud. I highly recommend everyone read this through if you have a problem understanding Revelation and its association with the rest of the Scriptures.
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