Looking Forward to the End

 The Beginning of the End

 Book of Luke Chapter 21

 

 This is one of the chapters in the New Testament that is known as the Olivet Discourse.

 The Lord Jesus will teach us:

 1) The destruction of the Temple.

2) His return.

3) The end of the world.

 The Book of Matthew, Chapters twenty-four and twenty-five, along with the Book of Mark Chapter 13, should also be studied to get a complete picture of what the Lord Jesus is teaching here.

 The Lord Jesus begins with the destruction of the Temple.

 We should understand that this Temple was intended to be a House of Prayer.

 Mat_21:13  And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Mrk_11:17  And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Luk_19:46  Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.

 The Temple had been made into a house of commerce and was no longer the house of God, but a house of men.

 Only for faith did it have any value, such as that poor widow who had given all she had in faith.

 The disciples of the Lord were still blind to the corruption in the House of God at this time.

 Much of the Church is blind to the corruption in many houses of God today, which are more entertainment centers than they are Houses of Prayer.

 What is wrong with the Houses of God today? Repentance is no longer required, and the Bible is not preached, or it has been changed to reveal a false gospel.

 *****Luk 21:5  And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, 

Luk 21:6  As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

 The Lord Jesus begins to reveal to them what will happen to this Temple that they are so proud of, and some of them may have still been alive to see it happen.

 The Lord Jesus describes to them the destruction of Jerusalem and the total destruction of the Temple that took place in 70 AD.

 The siege of Jerusalem began in April 70 AD, led by the Roman general Titus, as part of the First Jewish Revolt against Roman rule (66-73 AD).

 The city was already weakened by internal strife among various Jewish factions, including the Zealots, which hindered their ability to mount a unified defense against the Roman forces.

 After months of intense fighting, the Romans breached the city walls and captured Jerusalem. The climax of the siege occurred in the summer of 70 AD when the Romans set fire to the Second Temple.

 Estimates suggest that over a million Jews died during the conflict, with many more enslaved or displaced.

 The Romans systematically destroyed much of the city, leaving only a few structures, including parts of the Western Wall, which remains a site of pilgrimage today.

 The fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple fundamentally altered Jewish religious life and still does today. 

 The destruction of the Jewish Temple in 70 AD was a significant event that reshaped Jewish history, culture, and religion, with effects that are still felt today.

 It is said that Titus did not want the Temple to be destroyed, but he lost control of his  armies and  Temple was set on fire to melt all the gold that could be captured.

 Josephus the historian wrote that, except for Herod’s three great towers and part of the western wall, the whole circuit of the city was so thoroughly levelled and dug up that no one visiting it would believe that it had ever been inhabited.

This is why the Muslim say today that Israel never existed.

 The disciples then wanted to know when these things would take place.

 *****Luk 21:7  And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? 

Luk 21:8  And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

 The Book of Mark tells us that Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked this question.

 They also asked if there would be a sign before it happened.

 The Jews did love their Temple. We know that King Herod had spent forty-six years making the Temple one of the great wonders of the world.

 The government of the Jews had no respect for Jehovah God.

 The disciples had already begun to see that the Lord Jesus was not going to sit as King of the Jews at this time, and this thing told of the Lord made this more real to them.

 The Lord Jesus told them that this destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple was not one of the signs of the end times.

 The Apostles of Jesus Christ would face some terrible times as they taught the first words of Christianity and the beginning of the Church.

 In other words, there will come a time of the destruction of Jerusalem and a new rebuilt Temple, which would take place during the time of the Gentiles.

 Mat 24:21  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 

Mat 24:22  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. 

 We get the idea that it would certainly be centuries before the return of Jesus Christ, first to get His Church and Second to reclaim Jerusalem and all the earth.

 2Pe 3:2  That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 

2Pe 3:3  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 

2Pe 3:4  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 

2Pe 3:5  For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 

2Pe 3:6  Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 

What is the greatest sign mentioned by the Lord Jesus Christ?

 The sign of deception!

 Mat 24:23  Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 

Mat 24:24  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 

Mat 24:25  Behold, I have told you before.

 The Lord Jesus is dealing with the end of the Temple and the end of the world, the destruction of the Temple and the destruction of the world.

 It is sin that causes the judgment of God upon this entire world and not just the sin of the Jews!

 Deception is the state of being misled.

 As Christians, we recognize that the Church Age will end with the judgment at the return of Jesus Christ.

 Because God is Holy, He must judge all that is unholy; otherwise, He would no longer be Holy Himself.

 God is judging in this present age as every true Christian has been justified, but this future judgment goes much further than this.

 At some point in the past, God judged Lucifer and the fallen angels.

 God judged the people of the earth when He sent the flood.

 God judged the people at the Tower of Babel, and the different languages began. 

 God judged the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and then later He judged the Southern Kingdom of Judah.

 None of these things were the final judgment.

 Heb 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 

Heb 9:28  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

 Believers will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ.

 Rom 14:10  But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

 Unbelievers will stand before the White Throne Judgment!

 Rev 20:11  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 

Rev 20:12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 

Rev 20:13  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 

Rev 20:14  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 

 At the end of the ages, God will judge Satan and his demons together with the beasts and the false prophet.

 Yes, judgment is coming to all God's created people!

 A great deception is already in place today in the Church and in the world.

We believe that after the Rapture of the Church and the Church meets the Lord Jesus in the air, it is at this time or near this time that a covenant of peace will be signed with Israel, and the Temple will be rebuilt, and the priestly duties, along with animal sacrifices, will begin again.

This begins the time of Jacob's trouble, when Israel has relative peace until they find out that the Antichrist, who is the great deceiver, has no intention of peace, the sacrifices will stop, and the Temple will again be destroyed in what we know of as the Great Tribulation.

Dan 9:27  And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Mat_24:21  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

This is the time of Israel, and God has removed the Church just as he promised before this takes place.

Some things should not bother us too much, for the Church will not see this wrath of God as He has promised.

As long as the Church is upon this earth, we are to stay busy spreading the Gospel. 

The Lord Jesus says that we will live in a time of unrest, and we are today, and it may get worse before 

we go home to Heaven.

 We have seen this unrest since the Crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ and the beginning of the Church Age.

 *****Luk 21:9  But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

Luk 21:10  Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 

 What have we seen?

 1) We have seen nations fight each other and kingdoms take up arms against each other.

2) We have seen that the earth has been moved by great earthquakes and natural disasters.

3) Heaven has also spoken; terrible things have happened that make great impressions, and great signs in the heavens have already been seen.

 The Lord Jesus said that these things are going to happen, but they are not necessarily signs that the end is imminent.

 The Lord Jesus Christ was preparing His Apostles for His death and departure and preparing them to carry on without Him.

 We already know that these eleven men and the Apostle Paul faced some terrible times in which they were all martyred, but the Apostle John.

 The most important thing we can gain from this message of Jesus Christ is that we must not grow weary in waiting for His return.

 He was telling us all that we will see and experience so much trouble in our world that our faith might falter, and we must guard against this happening.

 Many walk this earth today after their own lusts, not even caring if Christ will return, in fact stating, where is He, where is His promise.

 One of the key signs of the return of Jesus Christ is what we see today: 1Jn 2:18  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.  

1Jn 2:19  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 

1Jn 2:20  But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

 Many of the doubters come from the Church itself.

 We see a falling away from the Church today, but this speaks of those who belong to Satan who have become leaders in many churches and now deny Jesus Christ.

 We should know that God is never caught off guard. He is still on the throne and still in charge of His creation.

 We should not get caught off guard ourselves. We can expect these things from a corrupt world, so we must not get discouraged.

 Joh 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 

Joh 14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 

Joh 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 

Joh 14:4  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 

 We will face challenges that will try to draw us away from God, our Savior.

 We must concentrate our trust on New Heaven and the New Earth and not in this world.

 We must remember that the Lord Jesus was not preaching a sermon here; He was answering the questions from His Apostles.

 Joh 16:31  Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? 

Joh 16:32  Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 

Joh 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. 

 We should also understand that the turmoil we see in our world is not part of the plan of God; He just knows that these things will happen.

 It is because of the lust, the greed, and the wickedness in this evil world, which never goes away.

 Jas 4:1  From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 

Jas 4:2  Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 

Jas 4:3  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 

Jas 4:4  Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 

 We must not get caught off guard by these things we see every day!

 We see how violent our world has become, so we believe that the end is near, and it may be, but it may not be.

 We are to remain busy with the work of the Lord!

 Jer 51:45  My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the LORD. 

Jer 51:46  And lest your heart faint, and ye fear for the rumour that shall be heard in the land; a rumour shall both come one year, and after that in another year shall come a rumour, and violence in the land, ruler against ruler.

 There will most certainly be natural disasters, which may increase and have.

 We do live in a cursed world!

 *****Luk 21:11  And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 

 We can say that since the time of the flood, there have been great earthquakes.

 We seem to forget sometimes that when the Lord Jesus first created this earth, all the land was in one great continent.

 During and after the flood, this big continent broke apart, and volcanoes and earthquakes began as the tectonic plates began to shift and are still shifting.

 Gen_7:11  In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

 Gen_10:25  And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother's name was Joktan.

 What do we know about earthquakes?

 Just on March 30th.

 Map data from National Geographic

5.1 magnitude Celebes Sea

3.9 magnitude Road Town, British Virgin Islands

4.9 magnitude, Lakatoro, Malampa, Vanuatu

4.2 magnitude, The Valley, Anguilla

4.1 magnitude, Road Town, British Virgin Islands

4.6 magnitude, Fiji

Another 5.0 magnitude, The Valley, Anguilla

Another 3.9 magnitude, The Valley, Anguilla

Another 3.6 magnitude, Road Town, British Virgin Islands

Another 3.7 magnitude, The Valley, Anguilla

 There have been 195 earthquakes in the past 24 hours

1,278 earthquakes in the past 7 days

5,452 earthquakes in the past 30 days

50,842 earthquakes in the past 365 days

 Earthquakes are one of the most feared disasters among people.

 The historian Josephus made a record of the earthquake that fulfilled the prophecy of the Lord Jesus upon the cross.

 Josephus also thought the world was coming to an end on the day Jesus died.

 He wrote: There broke out a prodigious storm in the night, with utmost violence, and very strong winds, with the largest shower of rain and continuous lightnings, terrible thundering, and amazing concussions and bellowings of the earth, that was in an earthquake.

 He added: These things were a manifest indication that some destruction was coming upon men, when the system of the world was put into this disorder, and anyone would guess that these wonders foretold some grand calamities that were coming.

 The Lord Jesus speaks of "great earthquakes" more powerful than what we see daily.

 Food is one of the necessities we cannot do without. Jesus said there would be a great famine before Jerusalem falls again.

 Rev 6:5  And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 

Rev 6:6  And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. 

 The Bible says that those who are slain with the sword are better off than they that die from hunger.

 There will be great diseases, and we know disease shows no partiality.

 No one can buy their way out of an epidemic of disease.

 There will be fearful sights and great signs in the heavens.

 We know that the earth can be darkened by the dust of volcanoes, windstorms, and even smoke from huge fires.

 Whatever darkens the sun will also affect the moon.

 Meteorites fall from the sky, and we have been seeing very large meteorites pass through our solar system lately.

 Large enough to destroy our planet.

 The earth is primed for all these things to take place, but if we believe that the "Rapture" is the next event on God's calendar to take place, then there is one more thing that will take place.

 *****Luk 21:12  But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. 

Luk 21:13  And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 

Luk 21:14  Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 

Luk 21:15  For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 

 This is the sign that concerns the Christian that will happen before God removes His Church.

 Right now, there is a Christian murdered every two hours just for following the Lord Jesus Christ, and it is only going to get worse.

 For them, following the Lord Jesus Christ has cost them everything!

 They are tortured and murdered just for saying "I believe in Jesus Christ".

 This is the reality for Christians who live in the Islamic World.

 More than 388 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith.

 We had better understand that we will face persecution for claiming our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

 We stand for godliness; the world is not godly, nor does the world seek to become godly.

 The Muslims claim to serve the God of Abraham, yet they reject the Lord Jesus Christ, so this is an outright lie; they serve the Devil.

 All those who live for the world do not think they should have to change; therefore, the message of Jesus Christ is that they will die in their sin.

 Repentance is not even taught in many so-called houses of God today because few people left are willing to change their lives.

 When this persecution happens, we must be settled in our hearts that we will remain with Christ, and the Holy Spirit will use our own mouths to speak the words of Jesus Christ.

 Without a test of our faithfulness, we will never have a testimony!

 What will our persecution look like?

 Luk 21:16  And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 

Luk 21:17  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. 

Luk 21:18  But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 

Luk 21:19  In your patience possess ye your souls. 

 *****Luk 21:20  And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 

 Many believe that the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome in 70 AD was the fulfillment of this prophecy.

 1.1 million Jews were slaughtered.

 97,000 were taken captive and removed from Jerusalem.

 Not one Jew was left alive in Jerusalem.

 Not one Christian died because they fled Jerusalem before the siege of Jerusalem took place.

 Many Jews have used this as an excuse to hate Christians ever since, but our main job is to obey the Word of God and not this world.

 The Romans not only destroyed the Temple and Jerusalem, but they also ransacked the entire area around Jerusalem, so that it looked as if no one had ever lived there.

 Was this even what the Lord Jesus described?

 After the destruction of Jerusalem and the dispersion of the Jews predicted by Jesus in the previous verses, there would come a long period when Jerusalem would be dominated by Gentiles.

 But miraculously, in 1948, Israel again became a nation, and in 1967 Jerusalem was captured again by the Jews and is now again one of the mightiest nations on this earth.

 As long as the Muslim rule on the Temple Mount, Jerusalem is still trampled by the Gentiles, there remains prophecy to be fulfilled.

 Dan 9:27  And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. 

 As Christians, we believe that this one week is the seven years of tribulation that have not taken place yet and will not until the Rapture of the Church has taken place.

 The truth is that no one knows exactly when these things will happen, and the Lord Jesus says to watch and pray.

 To watch means to keep up with what is going on in Israel and Jerusalem at all times.

 *****Luk 21:21  Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 

Luk 21:22  For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 

Luk 21:23  But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 

Luk 21:24  And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. 

 No doubt these things took place in the siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

 Some who Jesus was teaching were alive to see these things happen.

 Some of the Apostles and the Christians fled to a place called Pella in the district of Decapolis.

 In reality, we are still to be prepared for the coming judgment of the end times because we know they have not taken place yet.

 As Christians, we may be actual witnesses to the beginning of these things of the end times.

 *****Luk 21:25  And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 

Luk 21:26  Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 

Luk 21:27  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 

Luk 21:28  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. 

We should understand that Jesus describes things that did not happen in the years around 70 AD, so the Lord Jesus is describing a future event.

Revelation Chapters 6, 8-9, 15-18 give us a much clearer picture of what the Lord Jesus is teaching here.

Our universe will be in complete turmoil.

What Size Asteroid Would it take to destroy Earth?

It is believed that no single asteroid can completely and utterly destroy the Earth as a planet. However, an asteroid approximately 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) in diameter or larger could trigger a global catastrophe that renders the planet largely uninhabitable for humans and many other species.

In the last few years, there have been asteroids or comets that have entered our solar system larger than this.

Gravity is another power in the heavens, and gravity in some way must fail before the stars of heaven can fall.

The power above all power is in God, the Holy Trinity, who only can cause such things to fail.

It is at the end of these things that the Lord Jesus will return to this earth.

The Church will already be in Heaven or will be returning with the Lord Jesus, so those who are gathered would be those who were saved during the Great Tribulation, and they would be mostly Jews, who still have God’s covenant.

Rom 11:25  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 

Rom 11:26  And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 

Rom 11:27  For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 

Rom 11:28  As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. 

This is the remnant that is mentioned throughout the Bible.

Isa 10:21  The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God. 

This is a lot to take in, but when we see any of these things begin to take place, then we need to look up, lift our heads high, because we are soon going home.

Remembering that deception is the main culprit affecting the Church, we should be holding our heads up high now and not be deceived.

The Church will be out of here soon.

Amen

Called Up Into Heaven Come Home

The Vision of God's Throne

Book of Revelation Chapter 4 Verses 1 through 11

It should be very clear John is speaking the words given to Him by the Holy Spirit!

It is after the Words spoken by our Lord to the Church that the Lord will reveal the "Rapture of the Church" in this passage.

John's job remained the same! He was to write down the things he heard and the things that he saw.

John is now writing of the things that happen immediately after the Church Age comes to an end.

Remember the purpose of our Lord Jesus in the Book of Revelation, is to reveal the truth. Our Lord Jesus will never hide things from us!

Not many places in the Scriptures have given us the privilege to see into the Throne Room of God and none have been given us the view that John saw!

John saw a door opened into Heaven while the Church was still located upon this earth.

The golden candle sticks were still upon earth.

The seven stars were still upon earth in the hand of Jesus.

Now we get a realistic view of the things in Heaven.

*****Rev 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

It is like John was saying, "I have been looking up toward Heaven all these years and all of a sudden a door was opened, and I could see inside".

As believers we pray, we feel, we know, that we have a Heavenly Father and one day "we will see Him face to face"!

Not that we will see through some door, but we will see "because we will be at home".

In this passage the Apostle John is in fact, a type of the Church.

The Church will see what happens immediately after the Church Age ends, with the end of the Laodicean Church Age which is the one we are in now!

We all have a tendency to say, "I know who sits on the throne", well on this day, we will meet Him.

John did not imagine these things for John saw these things!

The Lord Jesus had been standing in the midst of the seven candlesticks holding the seven stars.

We must also remember that the Lord Jesus Christ is that "Door", that is now opened to the Church after the end of the Church Age.

Joh 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The truth is at the end of the Church Age, Heaven will be laid open to receive the Saints of God.

Those that are alive and remaining, and those in the graves whose souls are already with the Lord.

1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

How do we know?

John says: "the first voice which I heard, as it were a trumpet talking to me; which said Come up hither"

That word "Come" was a command!

When the Lord says "Come", He has already made the pathway to Him or we could say, the Lord has already built the bridge for safe passage!

The Lord said by the Holy Spirit "Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which "must" be hereafter".

These will be all the things that take place after the Church is in Heaven with the Lord!

Now we know that no man (or woman) can meet the Lord in the flesh as we have upon this earth, which is sinful, so the Scripture does not fail to mention, that John was in the spirit. John was not in the flesh!

*****Rev 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

Immediately, as in the twinkle of the eye, as in a split second, John found himself in the throne room of God.

We know from the Scriptures that even after our salvation, we will face the Lord at His "Judgment Seat".

Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Php 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

Php 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

This not a "Judgment" for salvation, because once we had accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, that cannot be taken away from us.

It is a "Judgment" for what we have done after becoming a child of God, while still upon this earth.

2Co 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

2Co 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

2Co 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

1Co 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

1Co 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

1Co 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

What we should know is at the same time we are at the "Judgment Seat of the Lamb", the earth and those who remain have been given over to the Antichrist for seven long years of “Tribulation”!

2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

2Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

The Holy Spirit returned to Heaven with the Church, and is no longer a hindrance to that Wicked One, we know is Satan the Devil and his demons!

But, lets save that for later and have a look at our Savior.

Now how is the appearance of our Savior?

*****Rev 4:3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

The Jasper stone is a stone that glitters and is a stone of various colors which causes it to glitter and it is the stone most precious and it clear as crystal, as a diamond.

Rev 21:11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

But that is not all. Another color as described by John as he looked upon our Savior was as the sardine stone.

As the Lord glittered crystal clear, He would also have that "red color" to remind us that we had been washed in the pure red "Blood of the Lamb".

As we see a rainbow upon this earth, we can only see a half circle, but at the Judgment Seat of Christ we will get to see the whole circle of the rainbow. The glow of the Lord as Jasper and as Sardine with the glow of an emerald.

You cannot miss this “emerald glow” if you look close at a rainbow today.

Emerald is known as the glowing stone! The Greek word used here describes this glow as a live coal drawn from a furnace. Glittering and shimmering and announcing the absolute "Grace" of God which is the theme of the "Judgment Seat of the Lord Jesus Christ".

What a site to behold! Not enough words to give us the full picture, but just enough words to show us the "Glory" of God the Son.

Round about that throne we see the Church.

*****Rev 4:4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

We all know that numbers are used in the Scriptures for specific reasons. So then is the number 24.

The number 24 is a multiple of the number 12.

The number 12 can be found in 187 places in the Word of God. The Book of Revelation alone has 22 occurrences of the number 12.

The meaning of 12, which is considered a perfect number, is that it symbolizes God's power and authority.

The number 12 also serves as a perfect foundation of the Church!

The number 12 also symbolizes completeness!

Completeness in the Church because the Church is built upon the Apostle’s Doctrine! The Lord Jesus chose 12 Apostles when we count the Apostle Paul.

Completeness in the true Israel as Israel had 12 sons!

The number 24 is then associated with the priesthood of the believer!

1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

1Pe 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

1Pe 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

The number 24 being a multiple of 12 is then the complete Church!

Since the number 24 it is composed of a multiple of 12, it takes on some of 12's meaning (which is God's power and authority, as well as perfect foundation) except in a higher form.

Twenty-four, therefore, is also connected with the worship of God, especially at the Temple.

It was King David who divided those responsible for the music in the Temple services, those who served as priests, and the Levites who aided the priests, into 24 courses (1Chronicles 23 - 24).

These 24 persons are called elders. The number 24 here represents the enlargement of the Church through all the Church Age.

Jehovah is not just the God of Israel, not just the God of the Church by His Son Jesus, but He is God of this entire earth and God of all His creation!

Though saints usually stand upon earth. In Heaven these elders are a symbol of the “dignity and rest” and "Holy happiness", having overcome the wickedness of Satan and "Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb".

They now possess the rewards for their work upon this earth, represented by the crowns upon their head.

Remember there are 5 crowns subject to the work of believers after our Salvation. There are no works before our salvation that account for anything to our God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The first crown mentioned is the "incorruptible" crown. This means it is a crown that will never be destroyed; it will never turn to dust. We will be immortal, and so will this crown.

The "crown of rejoicing" is one example of when we, as Christian believers, will be expected to loudly rejoice or exalt. When Christ comes back and we will all be together, we can let everyone else know about it. Our brothers and sisters in Christ will make up the "crown of rejoicing".

The "crown of righteousness". Paul says he has fought a good fight -- he did not give up, lie down, or quit. He finished his race -- he kept believing. Because of this, a crown of righteousness has been reserved for him, and for others who look forward to the appearing of Jesus Christ.

'Righteousness' means that something is just and right! How many times have we read a news story, or seen something on television that made us say, "It just isn't right"? That will not happen even onetime once Christ returns! Paul wrote this to the church in order to exhort them (us) to stand for God in light of the hope of the return of Jesus Christ. If we look forward to our "crown of righteousness", we can stand firm and sure right now.

Today as this Corona Virus spreads around the world, we as Christians, must stand firm on our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the promises He has made to us. Remember Jesus said there would be days like this!

Happy is the person that endures (remains behind after others have left) trials, tribulations, and temptations. For when he is proved, he will receive (manifest) "the crown of life" (life in all its fullness, complete). This life will be our Heavenly Life!

Peter writes these lines to the elders of the church, so we see "the crown of glory" will be available to leaders in the Word of God.

They are supposed to feed the "flock" the undiluted and perfect Word of God, not for money or any personal gain, but willingly and out of love.

They are not to be "overlords" of the other believers, but should lead by example! If they do this, Peter says, when Christ (the chief Shepherd) returns, they will receive a "crown of glory" that will never fade away. It is everlasting, and the color and brilliance will abide forever.

The five crowns will be part of our reward we receive after the return of Christ. The Word of God tells us some things about the crowns, but not everything.

A big part of the reward will be the surprise of finding out everything about our new life, and the privileges and responsibilities that go with it. For now, we can do the best we can for God, and look forward to the Hope, the return of Jesus Christ.

As John writes in the Book of Revelation, these elders of the Church are wearing those crowns!

That is not all they are wearing. They are wearing "robes of pure white"!

These White robes are glorious.

These White robes are beautiful. They are white and shining.

These White robes are Heavens loveliest garments!

Then the things of the throne again catch John's eye!

*****Rev 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

This is the throne of our Creator!

Many people say that the Book of Revelation is the most mysterious book in the Bible, but we must consider that John the Apostle saw things he had never seen and many he did not know how to describe. You cannot take a man from the first century and drop him into the twenty first century and expect him to explain what he sees. It is the same for John in Heaven!

He was led by the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit and if we are filled with the Holy Spirit and understand these things of John and realize that God does not hide things from us, we can accept the Book of Revelation just as it is written!

If we picture in our own mind the words that John says about many things, we can see the many things that resemble what John is saying.

We must also know that the throne he is witnessing here is point blank exactly what John saw!

When God speaks, He will command your attention!

Psa_103:19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

There is not one thing upon this earth that God is not in command of!

If God wanted to stop this virus, this plague, He could do so in the blink of an eye, so we know there is a purpose to what is happening now, and we need to seek that purpose and be busy about it.

One purpose is to realize that what the Lord says is the perfect truth and the world does not ever have perfect truth!

If we stand on the Word of God with the faith that He demands, we will see what the Lord wants us to see!

Psa 91:5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Psa 91:6 Nor "for the pestilence that walketh in darkness"; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

Psa 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Psa 91:8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Psa 91:9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

Psa 91:10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

Luk_21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

The Lord is serious about the things He says and when we do not pay attention, then He has to show us!

There is an awesomeness to the Word of God and there is an awesomeness in the throne of God!

The throne of God is a throne of "glory" and a throne of "blessedness" but also a throne of "judgment".

Those that sat before this throne were there for rewards as every saint of God is judged and pardoned before they reach this throne in Heaven.

There were lightnings.

There were thunderings.

There were voices.

The voice of God will be an awesome thing to hear when He speaks to us and says, "have no fear", "you are home now".

We should also understand while the Lord welcomes His saints, His voice is also commanding the events to begin in the seven years of tribulation.

The Lord God of this world is always doing things according to His own will!

The will of God is wise, is pure and is just, and is guided by His great love for all those who have trusted Him with their souls!

This throne is a throne of Holiness!

Weak people see this place as terrible, but to the saints of God, this is a place of joy. A place of pleasure. A place to reverence our Divine Majesty.

The seven lamps of fire denoted the fulness and the perfection of the Holy Spirit. The light from those lamps show He is sufficient in His work with the Church, who He has now returned home with those saints of God.

2Th_2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

John was standing some distance from the throne and after observing the throne, John took a look at the throne room.

*****Rev 4:6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

Rev 4:7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

Rev 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

Rev 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

Many things could be said about this Sea of Glass, which in reality reads "a Glass Sea like crystal".

This could be a Sea that is clear and calm and prepared as the Lord Jesus walked on the Sea of Galilee.

We know that the Seas upon this earth are never calm as they are driven by winds and storms.

The Scriptures tell us that wicked are like the troubled sea.

Isa_57:20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.

There is no wickedness in Heaven nor around the throne of God!

The sea before God was clear, deep, and pure!

Now we know the Seven lamps of fire and this Sea of glass and we know that the Holy Ghost, whose powers, and operations, are many times mentioned as fire and water.

Mat_3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: "he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire":

1Co_6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, "and by the Spirit of our God".

We know that it is those who are washed and mingled with fire that have gotten victory over the beast!

Rev 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: "and them that had gotten the victory over the beast", and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

Then in the end that pure, crystal clean river of life with flow out of the New Heaven into the New Earth.

Rev 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Then there were four beasts.

These beasts are the closest things to God in Heaven in distance.

They are Angelic beings who are posted in the middle of each side of God's throne.

They are the guardians of God's throne!

They are the guardians of God's Holy Presence!

Rev 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

They are always found near the throne.

They have six wings (3 pair) and are full of eyes.

Their function has to do with the Holiness or the Wrath of God!

Rev 6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.

Rev 15:7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

They never cease to declare the holiness of Jehovah God!

They never leave God's presence!

The Holy Spirit decided we did not need any more information about these four beings than what we have here in this Scripture. They belong to God for His specific purpose.

We will all have a purpose in Heaven, just as we have a purpose here upon this earth, though it will be far different then.

They are living creations of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Act_17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

Heb_1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.

Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Joh 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

What do we know as humans?

1)The lion denotes majesty and power among the animal world.

Pro 30:30 A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;

2) The calf whether be calf or ox denote humility and patience.

1Co 9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

1Co 9:10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

3) The third beast with the face of a man is the highest of all God's creation, denoting wisdom, reason, and intelligence.

1Co 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

4) The fourth beast with the face of an eagle. The eagle is the wisest of all birds. He flies the highest. His eyes the keenest. He is swift to take action when it is time to take action. He does so then without hesitation.

Job 39:27 Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?

Job 39:28 She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place.

Job 39:29 From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off.

Job 39:30 Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.

Brother Oliver Green writes that it is these characteristics combined, that express the character of God's Throne in relation to earth.

We can ask these things of the Lord when we meet Him for, He made them!

For what is their main purpose?

They give glory and honor to Him who sits upon the throne in the Throne Room of God!

*****Rev 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

As those beast give glory to the Lord, those elders, who represent the redeemed children of God, who have received the rewards for the works they did after salvation and realize they are still unworthy of any rewards, fall down on their faces having casts those crowns at the feet of Jesus.

Yes, we can still come under conviction even in Heaven!

If we do not understand today that no matter what has happened in our lives, the fact that we are saved from the wrath of the Father by the actions of His Son Jesus then, we need to verify our salvation!

Our salvation is all about the actions and the love of our Lord and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!

There certainly is no other way to reach the gates of Heaven and enter into the City of God!

The world is foolish to think anything different!

We must always be ready to acknowledge our obligation to the work of the Gospel no matter our circumstances!

If we are given anything at the "Judgment Seat of Christ" we are still unworthy to receive it!

So the object remains not to earn rewards for our own self, but to earn rewards to cast at the feet of Jesus.

It will be bad enough not to earn a reward after becoming a Christian, but it will be far worse not to have even something small to give back to the Lord for all He has done for me!

It is the Lord Jesus Christ who created all things and it is the Lord Jesus Christ who has done all these things for His own pleasure.

God did not have to save anyone!

He is God, He does not need us!

He saved us just because He wanted to!

He saved us because He loves us!

Amen

Let’s Pray!

Faithfully Following The Lord

Following Faithfully

2 Thessalonians 3:1-18


We have reached the end of our study of the two books to the Thessalonians. These letters were written to the Church at Thessalonica but the Apostle Paul insisted that they be circulated throughout to every church as they are today.

God has now given us the complete canon of the Bible.

There are 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament that are considered to be the Inspired Word of God.

In 303 AD the Emperor Diocletian demanded that all sacred books to be burned. It was at this time that the books that were considered the Inspired Word of God, including the New Testament, some called the Apostles Doctrine, were collected into what we now call the Bible and are the preserved Word of  God.

What did God say?

Isa 40:8  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: "but the word of our God shall stand for ever".

What did Jesus say?

Luk 21:33  Heaven and earth shall pass away: "but my words shall not pass away".

What did Peter say to the Church?

1Pe 1:25  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And "this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you".

We have God's complete Word to us and this not a book of suggestions, This Is A Book Of Commandments!

Let's begin:

*****2Th 3:1  Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

Finally after everything we learned in 1 Thessalonians and everything we have learned so far in 2 Thessalonians, Paul said to use our greatest weapon and that is prayer.

I hope that everyone realizes the importance of prayer.

Heb 7:24  But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
Heb 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost "that come unto God by him", seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

We would lose our salvation without Christ Jesus interceding between us and a Holy God!

Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

We would have no payment for our sin and therefore no Advocate in Heaven without Christ Jesus interceding for us and in our behalf!

1Jn 2:1  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, "we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous".

We could have no contact with our Father in Heaven without Christ Jesus!

Joh 15:16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: "that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you".

And we are all one "Body Of Christ".

1Co 12:20  But now are they many members, yet but one body.
1Co 12:21  And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

We must pray for each other and especially for those, like our own Pastor!

But, we see that Paul did not say to pray for his personal needs.

Paul asked for prayer that the Word of God have "free course".

We should pray this same prayer every day!

Paul desired that his preaching be accepted and applied to all those that heard God's Word wherever God sent him.

In last weeks lesson we learned that it the Holy Ghost filled Church that does not allow the "Man of Sin" to show himself in the Church Age.

The most important weapon we have are our prayers!

Paul asked for prayer that the Word of God be glorified where he preached the "Gospel".

Paul sought nothing for himself and no glory for himself for his work for the Lord.

2Co 12:6  For though I would desire to glory, "I shall not be a fool"; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

In everything we do we need to give God the glory!

Paul also knew that wherever he preached the "Gospel" he would meet with resistance.

The "gospel" still meets resistance everywhere it is preached and believed.

When the entire truth of God is preached and taught, there will be opposition from the religious, and even from many that call themselves Christians.

People do not want to hear the truth because the truth points out sin that should cause a change.

Most people love their sin to much to change and this is even more evident in the days we live right now!

Those that hate Jesus, those that do not care to hear the truth, and the carnal hearts of evil people all try to hinder the work of the "Gospel".

Paul also requested for deliverance from such people.

*****2Th 3:2  And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

These unreasonable men would be those who opposed the truth and had absurd principles.

These are those who are opposed to truth even when common sense, and sound judgment dictates the reality of that truth.

Today these are those who absolutely reject creation and honor evolution though there is absolutely no proof of evolution.

At least God describes His Own Creation through means that cannot be denied by true science.

These are those who reject the common sense of God's Word.

These are those who strive to have their own way, regardless of the truth and regardless of the consequences.

These are those that practice evil and evil principles which is everything contrary to the moral law of the Bible.

These are usually those that are dissatisfied with there own miserable lives and want everyone else to be miserable just like they are, such as Stephen Hawking!

Those that say they have faith in only themselves are liars because "true faith" is a gift that can only come from God!

Any faith they claim is only temporary and changes with the circumstances in their lives.

But not that of the Lord!

*****2Th 3:3  But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

Faith on the part of man answers to the faithfulness of God!

For this reason the Word of God will never change!

Those that try to change and modernize the Word of God show their lack of faith!

When we walk by faith and not by sight, God will help us through all the events in our life because God is faithful!

When we fail Him, God will forgive us immediately when we repent because God is faithful.

When temptations overwhelm us, God will provide a way out because God is faithful.

When we are discouraged, God will comfort and encourage us because God is faithful.

Since God is faithful then the Word of God shows His faithfulness to us.

Num 23:19  God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

This is why we can be so confident in the Inspired Word of God.

*****2Th 3:4  And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.

Where is our confidence?

If we have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ we will be saved!

Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

It is a fact of the Gospel, when we place our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ we will be saved!

The fact that the Holy Spirit of God comes to dwell in each believer is good reason for our confidence.

What commandments was Paul referring to?

1Th 4:1  Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

Our walk with God "after salvation" is our most important witnessing tool!

And this walk can only begin with our "faith"!

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

And with that faith we will be looking for that "Blessed Hope", the return of Christ Jesus to take us home.

*****2Th 3:5  And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

Paul has given us the 5 things that we need in our walk with God.

1) Prayerfulness. Our greatest weapon.
2) Preservation. Deliverance from sin.
3) Protection. God is faithful to His promises.
4) Perseverance. If we trust the Lord, He will save us.
5) Patience.

Heb 10:36  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
Heb 10:37  For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

In order to have patience we must "be set" in our hope of a better future.

This takes confidence, hope, and belief in our still future but perfect redemption!

But we must also be obedient to the Word of God and be humble in the things of God.

It is a privilege to be given such an opportunity to serve God!

Heb 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

And notice that we are to be waiting on the appearance of Jesus Christ and not be waiting to see when the Antichrist will show his ugly face!

Since we know all these things we must protect our ability to witness to the world and be examples of Christ Jesus to others.

*****2Th 3:6  Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
2Th 3:7  For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
2Th 3:8  Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

What are the two greatest threats to the Church in our age? The same as it was in the days of Paul.

A disorderly walk with God and idleness!

Disorderly means confused. We cannot allow false teaching in the House of God because it will only bring confusion.

We must avoid those that cause confusion!

Disorderly means lawless. We must obey the Word of God. We must take God's Word literal. God does not offer suggestions, God gives commandments.

We must avoid those that do not walk the walk of Jesus Christ!

Disorderly means unruly. We are sheep who know the true Shepherd, not a bunch of cattle on a cattle drive.

We must avoid those that are unruly!

There must be discipline in the House of God!

Notice this is also a command and not a suggestion.

Paul, Silas, and Timothy had presented themselves as examples of how to walk the Christian walk.

Were they perfect? No.

But they did not preach confusion, they taught the entire Word of God.
They preached the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" and not some other gospel.
They live holily.
They lived justly.
They lived unblamably.
They behaved themselves and they were never disorderly among those of the Church.
And they did not live an idle and inactive life among them!

They were always busy about the things God gave them to do!

These things were very important to the Apostle Paul and these things should be just as important to each believer.

1Th 5:22  Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Paul even gave up his right to expect financial help from this young Church so that he could be an example to these young believers.

In the synagogues of the Jews, the people were expected to support the preacher but these new Gentile Churches knew nothing of these things and they were very poor to begin with.

A truly dedicated leader will use his rights to build up the people and not try to build up himself!

The greatest influence we can offer is that personal sacrifice to the Lord.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

*****2Th 3:9  Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
2Th 3:10  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

From the beginning, God has ordained that men should work for their own food.

Gen 2:15  And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
Gen 2:16  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

This became even more necessary when sin entered this picture.

Gen 3:17  And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
Gen 3:18  Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
Gen 3:19  In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

We will even continue to work serving the Lord after we move into our mansion in Heaven.

Rev 22:3  And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and "his servants shall serve him":

It is inexcusable for Christians, when they are no longer children, to expect others to provide the things that sustain physical life, while they stand idle and have the ability to provide for themselves.

In fact it is inexcusable for anyone not to try to provide for their own selves in a legal and moral manner.

There is no spiritual excuse for this type of thinking.

But our government's policies influences this type of behavior.

All of us may need some help sometimes, I can attest to that myself.

But God says those that refuse to work, when they able, then neither should they eat.

Again liberals refuse this Word of God!

Why? Idleness causes problems in society but especially in the Church.

Why are there so many protesters when something happens?

Most of those people do not have a job to go to.

They are idle and refuse to work!

*****2Th 3:11  For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

What is a busybody? This is someone who does not look to their own business but they are overdoing in the business of others.

They are real busy about everyone's business but their own!

The word disorderly is used 4 times in the letters to these Thessalonians.

The disorderly are those who refuse to obey civil laws and in this case also the laws of God!

In America today, we see a government that will not obey it's own laws. This shows up in it's people!

More than one fourth of people who call themselves Americans are perfectly willing to live off the backs of the taxpayer, those willing to work!

These same busybodies are those that refuse the truth of the Word of God.

Not only this, but they refused to work but they were perfectly willing to eat at the hands of the Church.

In verse 6 the Church, each believer, is commanded to withdraw from all such people.

We as the Church are not to entertain such people!

We of the Church should not get discouraged by the conduct of those that do not obey the Word of God!

Sin in the life of any believer will always affect the work of the Church!

These are some that are a plague to the Church and also to their own nation.

1Ti 5:13  And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

*****2Th 3:12  Now "them" that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

These busybodies were now the "Them" of the Church.

Every Church has a "them".

Every nation has a "them" and a "they"!

As always, these people know who they are and what they are doing!

Remember they have rejected the truth and have made up in their own mind what the Word of God says.

God's Word is settled whether It is believed or not!

What does God say?

2Pe 1:20  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

When God inspired the writers of the Bible, He did not expect them to completely understand what they were writing.

So even when we do not completely understand the reason for God's commands, we are still to obey God's commands!

It was "those" who did obey by faith the Word of God that were to give "them" who did not obey the Word of God, this message and to all busybodies.

In other words, "here is God's command to you (the them) and we will not have any part with you until you repent".

1Th 4:11  And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

It "is not" our job to feed those that refuse to work and are able!

I saw a picture of a shoe store in Ferguson, Missouri that had been looted and not one pair of work shoes had been stolen but most all other shoes were completely missing.

It "is" our job to help those that have a real need!

Eph 4:28  Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

We just cannot allow these things to wear us down in our labor for the work of the Lord.

*****2Th 3:13  But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

Not to the "them" but to the rest of "those that gather", not forsaking the assembling for the Lord, we need to be busy about the work of God.

In contrast to those "disorderly busybodies" who only God can fix, we are to give "our" very best to God.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Gal 6:9  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Gal 6:10  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

When we are able to help others, the first priority is to be given to those that are poor within the Church and then those in the world, as we are able.

But suppose these busybodies still reject the Word of God after they have received the warning from God's people, what then?

*****2Th 3:14  And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

These are those who have rejected the preaching of the "Gospel".

They have been observed in their wrong doing and have been warned by the Church.

They have even rejected that warning and also rejecting the written Word of God, which is full of God's truth.

Now the entire Church is to have no part with that person!

Each individual child of God will have to decide if they will obey the Word of God or remain in the company of this disorderly walking busybody!

We are to mark him in our mind as one to be avoided!

We are not to be busybodies ourselves!

Why?

That he may be ashamed. Sometimes when these people are shunned by godly brethren, they will come to their senses.

This person may have already been talked to by the Pastor or the Church Elders but the body of Christ must also be obedient to the Word of God and this verse exists just as all those that teach us about salvation.

But thank goodness we have a God of the second chance!

*****2Th 3:15  Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

We must still go to this person and explain why we can have no part with him or her!

Church discipline to the church member must be administered as a family would discipline a child!

Church discipline is not the pastor and some official board acting like God's policemen to trap a sinning saint of God and kicking him out of the Church.

When the Church disciplines a "Born Again" child of God who has made a serious mistake and living in sin, "we are not to be like a judge punishing a criminal" but only as a father may punish his own children.

Mat 18:15  Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

Only if that person refuses to settle the matter should any other saint of God be involved.

Php 4:3  And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

When we can help each other, especially in these latter days, the Church can remain strong until the Lord returns.

Only God knows whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life!

And only the Lord is the "Lord of Peace" within the Church.

*****2Th 3:16  Now the "Lord of peace" himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

This is the only place in the New Testament that Jesus is called the "Lord of peace".

He is called the "God of peace" in 5 other places, this next verse being just one of them.

Php 4:9  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

It is the Lord Jesus who "creates" peace.

It is the Lord Jesus who "sustains" peace in each believer.

How?

He is not just the "Lord of Peace" and the God of Peace but He is also the "Prince of Peace"!

Isa 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

He is also the Author of Peace.

1Co 14:33  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

He is also the King of Peace.

Heb 7:2  To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

Jesus Christ is our only means of true peace!

Eph 2:14  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

And one day in the not so distant future after the Rapture of the Church, Jesus will "speak peace" to all the heathen.

Zec 9:10  And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.

And in the very end of time, as we know it, and our own new beginning, there will be complete peace!

Isa 9:7  "Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end", upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

True peace can only come through God, the Lord Jesus Christ!

*****2Th 3:17  The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
2Th 3:18  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Possibly because of bad eyesight, Paul normally would dictate his letters to be written by those that traveled with him such as Luke but also others and maybe Silas or Timothy in this case.

Many times Paul was behind bars and had to dictate his letters.

Paul would place his personal signature on these documents but he may not have always mentioned this.

To these Thessalonians, Paul wanted them to be sure to know that this letter was from him and they were to always look for his personal signature.

They had already been deceived by someone writing to them, claiming to be Paul.

And Paul always reminded the Church that if not for God's "Grace" there could be no Church!

Grace comes by the Lord Jesus Christ!

This will end our brief study of the Letters to the Thessalonians and next week we will begin in the Book of Psalms.

Questions?

Let's Pray!