Week of 25 Pentecost
- C
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Podcast Download: Week of 25 Pentecost - C
Sunday 25 Pentecost - C
First Posted
November 14, 2010;
Podcast: Sunday 25 Pentecost - C
1 Chronicles 29:10-13 – David's Prayer;
Psalm 148 -- All Creation: Praise the Lord;
2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5 –Thanksgiving and Exhortation;
Luke 20:27-38 – Questions about Resurrection;
1 Chronicles Paraphrase:
(On the occasion of the succession of Solomon, the son of David, to
his father's throne), David (the great human shepherd-king of
Israel) offered a prayer of eternal blessing to the Lord in the
assembly of the congregation in the temple. David acknowledged the
greatness, power, glory, triumph and majesty of the Lord, who is the
creator, and owner of everything in heaven and on earth. The Lord is
the exalted rightful head of the kingdom. The Lord is the source of
all riches and honor and the Lord is the sovereign ruler over all.
To the Lord belong all power and might, and his is the power to
exalt and give strength to all. So David and the assembly of the
congregation gave thanks and praise to the glorious name of the
Lord.
Psalm Paraphrase:
Praise the Lord, all things in heaven! Praise him, all angels and
the host (all who fight for the Lord's cause). May all the
astronomic bodies and the sources of weather praise his name, since
they have been created and are controlled by the Word of the Lord.
Let all the creatures, and all the elements of earth -fire, hail,
snow, frost and wind- praise their creator and ruler. May all the
geographic features, and every living plant and creature of the
earth, glorify and praise the Lord. Let all people, the great and
the lowly, old and young, male and female, praise the Lord!
May all the created universe praise the name (character and person)
of the Lord! Only his name and his glory are highly exalted, above
heaven and earth! The Lord has raised up a horn (of salvation) for
his people who are near to him. Let us praise the Lord!
2 Thessalonians Paraphrase:
Paul and his missionary team felt compelled to constantly give
thanks to God for the Thessalonian Christians. Paul was convinced
that God had chosen them from the beginning (as the first converts
-Paul entered Europe for the first time at Phillippi in Macedonia, a
Roman province. He founded the first Church in Europe at
Thessalonica; Acts 16:6-17:10), to be saved through belief in the
truth (God's Word; the Gospel of Jesus Christ) by sanctification by
the Holy Spirit (the process of carrying to spiritual maturity the
work begun in regeneration -spiritual “rebirth” to eternal life;
John 3:3, 5-8).
Believers are called to spiritual maturity through the Gospel, so
that they may attain the righteousness of Jesus Christ (which comes
by faith -obedient trust- in Jesus; Romans 3:21-22). So Paul urged
the new believers to hold fast to the doctrinal, moral and
liturgical (ritual of public worship) teachings (see 1 Corinthians)
taught by Paul and his missionary team by direct word or by letter.
In the name of Jesus Christ and God the Father, who gave us eternal
hope and comfort as a free gift, unmerited by us, Paul prayed that
the Thessalonian Christians (and all believers) would be comforted
and established in righteousness in word and deed.
Paul asked for the prayers of the Thessalonian congregation, that
Paul's proclamation of God's Word would be hastened and would
triumph, as it had among the Thessalonians. Paul asked them to pray
for Paul's deliverance from wicked and evil people who did not
believe in Paul's Gospel. Paul was confident that the Lord would
strengthen and protect the congregation from evil. Paul was
confident that the congregation was doing and would continue to do
what Paul taught them. Paul prayed that their hearts would be guided
to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
Luke Paraphrase:
Sadducees (members of a sect of Judaism which did not believe in
resurrection from physical death), came to Jesus and asked him a
hypothetical question (to challenge Jesus' teaching). Suppose a
married man died without producing children (heirs to his
inheritance in the Promised Land; according to Jewish practice, one
of his brothers was obligated to take his widow as wife, in order to
produce heirs for the deceased). Suppose that the deceased had seven
brothers, each took the widow as wife, and each died without
producing heirs for their brother. Then the woman died. In the
resurrection who would the woman's husband be, since all had taken
her as wife?
Jesus replied that people in this age (by physical birth) marry (to
protect their children), but people of the age to come (in the
eternal kingdom; by spiritual “rebirth” -John 3:3, 5-8- and
resurrection), don't marry, because they no longer produce children;
they are eternal, like angels, and are children of God. Jesus
referred to the scripture passage about “Moses and the Burning Bush”
to affirm the truth of the resurrection, since Moses referred to God
as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God is God, not of the
dead, but of the living, because they live to serve and glorify
God.
Commentary:
God is God, our Creator, whether we acknowledge him as our God and
Creator or not. We exist to please and glorify God.
This world has been designed to allow us the freedom to choose
whether to trust and obey God's Word, in the Bible and in Jesus
Christ, the “living Word,” the fulfillment, embodiment, and example
of God's Word lived in human flesh in this world (John 1:1-5, 14),
or not. But God is not willing to tolerate rebellion and
disobedience forever, or at all in his eternal kingdom, so God has
limited this Creation and we ourselves by time.
The meaning and purpose of life in this world is to seek, find, and
come to fellowship with God, our Creator, and to be spiritually
reborn to eternal life in the age to come, in God's eternal kingdom
in heaven, by the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Only
Jesus gives the baptism of the Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to
his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy
Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has
eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b,
11, 15-16).
Jesus is God in human flesh (Colossians 2:8-9). The Holy Spirit is
the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9). We can only
come to a personal knowledge of and fellowship with God through
faith (obedient trust) in Jesus (John 14:6) by the baptism of the
indwelling Holy Spirit. Those who have come to know Jesus through
the indwelling Holy Spirit have known and come to fellowship with
God (Matthew 11:27; compare John 14:7, 21, 23).
We have all sinned (disobeyed God's Word) and fall short of God's
righteousness (doing what is right, good, and true, according to
God's Word; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). The penalty for sin is
(eternal) death (Romans 6:23). God has designed a savior, Jesus
Christ, into creation from the very beginning (John 1:1-5, 14; see
God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home). Jesus is the
only way to be forgiven of sin, the only way to know divine, eternal
truth, and the only way to have true, eternal life (John 14:6; Acts
4:12).
Jesus is the “horn of salvation” which God raised up in our midst
(in his physical coming, and in his resurrection from the dead). God
instructed Moses to build altars to the Lord, made with raised
triangular projections at each corner, called “horns” (Exodus 30:10;
Leviticus 4:7a), symbolizing strength and power. A sinner could flee
to the altar for refuge and be saved from punishment by taking hold
of the “horn” of the altar (1 Kings 1:50; 2:28).
In ancient times, the name of a person revealed his character and
essence. Knowing the name of someone gave a person the right to make
and receive requests of the person. God has gradually been revealing
his name, character and person to us, first through the goodness and
complexity of nature, then through the physical ministry of Jesus,
and ultimately, in this world, through the presence of the
indwelling Holy Spirit within born-again believers, who is the
first-fruits, the “down-payment” on eternal fellowship with the Lord
in the kingdom of heaven.
When we come to realize and experience who God is and what God has
done for us in creation and in Jesus Christ, we will be glad to
praise and give thanks to him. Those who are spiritually, eternally
dead cannot praise and glorify the Lord.
Paul is the prototype and example of a modern, “post-resurrection,”
born-again disciple (student) and apostle (messenger; of the Gospel)
of Jesus Christ, as we can and should be. Paul was carrying out the
“Great Commission” (Matthew 28:19-20) which Jesus gave to all his
disciples, to carry on the mission of Christ: To proclaim the
Gospel, to make born-again disciples of Jesus Christ (regeneration),
to teach them to trust and obey all that Jesus teaches (the process
of spiritual growth to maturity at the Day of Christ's Second
Coming). This is only possible by the power and guidance of the
indwelling Holy Spirit (sanctification), but only after they had
been “born-again” (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8; 2:1-4; 9:17-18).
Only born-again disciples can make born-again disciples (Acts
9:10-12).
Paul was repeating the process of making born-again disciples of
Jesus Christ among the Thessalonians, as Jesus had demonstrated with
his original Twelve disciples, and as Paul had been “discipled” by
Ananias. Paul taught the Thessalonians (and Timothy; 2 Timothy 2:2)
to repeat the process also (2 Thessalonians 2:15, 17:3-4).
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus'
disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John
14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first
truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ
and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew
28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity
(1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Monday 25 Pentecost - C
First Posted November 19, 2012;
Podcast: Monday 25 Pentecost - C
Psalm 98 - Coming Kingship of God on Earth;
Paraphrase:
Let us sing a new song to the Lord for the marvelous things he has
done! “His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory”
(Psalm 98:1b). The triumph of the Lord has been revealed and his
victory made known throughout the earth. His steadfast love and
faithfulness to Israel has been fulfilled. The ends of the earth
have witnessed his victory.
Let all the earth join in a joyful song of praise to the Lord, the
King, accompanied by a great orchestra! Let the hills rejoice; let
the roar of sea and rivers and all the creatures in them join in the
song of praise before the Lord, as he comes to judge the earth. The
Lord will judge with righteousness and equity the world and all
people!
Commentary:
The great things that the Lord has done are revealed first in the
goodness of Creation! Further, they are revealed in the Bible in the
history of God's dealings with Israel, his called and chosen people,
and through the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Ultimately they
are revealed to us individually and personally by the coming of the
Holy Spirit within “born-again” Christian disciples of Jesus Christ,
who testify that the Lord continues to do great things for us.
Jesus is the right hand of the Lord; his holy arm! Jesus has won the
victory over sin (disobedience of God's Word) and (eternal) death;
he has defeated them at the cross, and demonstrated this by Jesus'
resurrection. Every truly born-again Christian personally testifies
that Jesus has risen from death and is eternally alive.
Even now, the Bible is being translated into the most obscure
languages so that God's marvelous works will be made known to the
most remote people on earth, and that work continues until the end
of the world at the Second Coming of Christ on the Day of Judgment.
Jesus has promised to return to judge the living (“quickened”) and
dead (John 5:28-29, 14:3; 1 Peter 4:5) in both physical and
spiritual senses. Jesus is the righteous judge and the standard of
judgment by whom all people who have ever lived physically in this
world will be judged. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord
(ruler, to whom service and obedience are due; one who has achieved
mastery; one who exercises great power and authority: Matthew
28:18), and have trusted and obeyed Jesus will have been spiritually
“born-again” by the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and
will enter eternal life in God's heavenly kingdom. Those who have
refused to accept Jesus as their Lord will be condemned to eternal
destruction in Hell (eternally separated from God's love and
providence) with all evil. ( Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians
1:5-10).
Jesus said that one must be born-again in order to see and enter
eternal life and God's kingdom in heaven (John 3:3, 5-8). Jesus is
the only way to be saved from eternal damnation, the only way to
know divine eternal truth, the only way to have true eternal life
(John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Only Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit
(John 1:31-34), only his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John
14:15-17). It is possible for one to know with certainty for oneself
that one has been born-again (Acts 19:2). The Holy Spirit is the
seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2
Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus'
disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John
14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first
truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ
and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew
28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity
(1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Tuesday 25 Pentecost - C
First
Posted November 20, 2012;
Podcast: Tuesday 25 Pentecost - C
Malachi 4:1-2a: “Sun” of Righteousness;
Paraphrase:
Watch and see! The day (of Judgment) is coming; it will be like a
hot oven, burning up the arrogant and evildoers like straw. The day
that is coming will completely destroy them; no trace of them will
remain. But for you who fear (have the appropriate awe and respect
of) the name (whole person and character) of the Lord, the “Sun” of
righteousness will rise, on wings of healing.
Commentary:
God has always intended to create an eternal kingdom of his people
who willingly choose to trust and obey God. This world has been
designed to allow us the freedom to choose whether to trust and obey
God, and the opportunity to learn by trial and error that God's will
is our very best interest. But God has limited this Creation and we
ourselves, by time, because God is unwilling to allow rebellion and
disobedience forever, or at all in his eternal kingdom.
This lifetime is our only opportunity to be spiritually “born-again”
(John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life, by the “baptism” (anointing;
infilling) of the Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John
1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John
14:15-17). The baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit is a personally
discernible, ongoing, daily experience (Acts 19:2). The Holy Spirit
is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life
(2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
We have all sinned (disobeyed God's Word) and have fallen short of
God's standard of righteousness (doing what is right, good, and true
according to God's Word in the Bible and in Jesus Christ, the
“living Word, fulfilled, embodied, and exemplified; John 1:1-3, 14;
see Romans 3:23). The penalty for sin is (eternal) death (Romans
6:23). Jesus is God's only provision for our forgiveness and
salvation from (eternal) death (Acts 4:12; John 14:6), designed into
Creation from the very beginning (John 1:1-3; see God's Plan of
Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).
There is a Day of Judgment coming, when Christ will return to judge
the living (“quickened”) and dead (John 5:28-29; 1 Peter 4:5)
in both physical and spiritual senses. Jesus will return at the end
of time in this Creation, and for us individually and personally at
our physical death. We will be accountable to him for what we have
done in this lifetime. Those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and
have trusted and obeyed Jesus will have been born-again by the
baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and will enter eternal life
in paradise in God's eternal kingdom. Those who have rejected or
failed to accept Jesus as Lord, who have not trusted and obeyed
Jesus, will be spiritually un-reborn and will be condemned to
eternal destruction in Hell with all evil, separated forever from
the love and providence of God (Matthew 25:31-46, 2 Thessalonians
1:5-10).
Jesus is the “Sun” of righteousness. He is the (only) source of the
spiritual light of righteousness, divine eternal truth and eternal
life (John 1:4-5, 9, 3:19-21; 8:12; 9:5; 12:46; 14:6), like our Sun
is the source of power, energy and light for our world.
Jesus is also the “Son” of righteousness. God alone is truly
righteous (see God's Plan of Salvation). Jesus is God in human flesh
(John 14:7-11; 20:28; Colossians 2:8-9), who alone lived in this
world without sinning (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus is the Son of God,
conceived by the Holy Spirit in Mary, a virgin (Matthew 1:18-20;
note the concept of the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, God
the Holy Spirit; and see Romans 8:9). He is the Son of God by the
Holy Spirit, and the Son of man by his mother Mary.
Jesus rose from physical death to eternal life, and his resurrection
was witnessed by over five hundred people (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).
Every truly born-again Christian has personally witnessed that Jesus
is risen and eternally alive. Jesus' Second Coming will be with
great glory and power like the rising of the Sun (Matthew 24:29-30;
Acts 2:20; Revelation 21:23).
Jesus' resurrection demonstrates that there is existence after
physical death. Jesus' miracles of physical healing were intended to
show that he is also, and more importantly, able to heal
spiritually. Physical healing only lasts until the next illness.
Spiritual healing lasts for eternity. Only Jesus can give us
physical healing and eternal life.
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus'
disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John
14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first
truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ
and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew
28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity
(1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Wednesday 25 Pentecost - C
First
Posted November 21, 2012;
Podcast: Wednesday 25 Pentecost - C
Paraphrase:
In the name of Jesus Christ, their Lord, Paul commanded the Thessalonians not to associate with brethren who were living in idleness (had quit working because of the imminence of Christ's return). Rather they were to follow the example of Paul, who had earned his own living at a secular trade (tent-making) while he was with the Thessalonians, so they would not be burdened by the expense of supporting Paul. Paul did so not because he didn't have the right to be supported by them (because of his ministry to them) but in order to give them a good example to imitate.
Paul had told the Thessalonians while he was there that anyone who was unwilling to work for their living should not be allowed to eat without paying. Paul had heard that some of the Thessalonians were living in idleness and refusing to work, busy with doing nothing. So Paul commanded them to earn their living without creating a fuss. Paul exhorted all believers to not become weary of doing good works.
Commentary:
This text applies today, in that we are not to quit our regular jobs to wait in idleness for Christ's Return, as some in recent history have done. We are not to sit around with other believers and speculate on “End Times,” the “Rapture,” the Second Coming, as some like to do. I have personally known new believers who have chosen to speculate on “End Times” instead of “working” on being disciples of Jesus Christ.
Social Ministry is not solely the responsibility of the State, as some “church members” would like to believe, nor is it solely the responsibility of the Church, as some political leaders would have us believe. Evangelism is not solely the responsibility of the “Pastor.” Evangelism isn't just inviting our neighbors to attend church services, nor merely “praying” over our “Happy Meals” when we eat out.
This text can be terribly misused to condemn public welfare. In today's economy, at least in America, we have the highest unemployment since the Great Depression. There are many people who want to be gainfully employed, but cannot find a job. There are other factors such as job “outsourcing” to other countries with cheap labor, and “guest worker” programs where cheap labor is allowed to compete with citizens for jobs and public health and social services.
The context of the Gospel message is to treat others as we would like to be treated: to provide jobs with dignity (for example: Matthew 20:1-15), to provide food for the hungry and assistance for the poor. The reality is that it is the wealthy who live in idleness who don't want to contribute to a just society. They don't want to pay taxes for the benefits they have received; they don't feel responsible to provide decent jobs with fair pay.* Common people are coming to be regarded merely as “sheep to be sheared.”
God's Word warns that there is a Day of Judgment coming when everyone who has ever lived on earth will be accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ for what they have done in this lifetime (John 5:28-29; see Luke 16:19-31). Those who have done what is good, right and true according to God's Word (in the Bible and in the example of Jesus Christ, the “living Word:” John 1:1-3, 14) who have accepted Jesus as their Lord (“boss;” master, teacher), and have trusted and obeyed Jesus will have been born-again (John 3:3, 5-8) in this lifetime and will enter eternal life in heaven with the Lord. Those who have done what is evil, who have refused or failed to accept Jesus as Lord, who have not trusted and obeyed Jesus, will be condemned to eternal destruction in Hell with all evil. (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-09-12/u-s-poverty-rate-stays-at-almost-two-decade-high-income-falls.html
Huge Gap Between Super Rich and Everyone Else
Thursday 25 Pentecost - C
First Posted November 22, 2012;
Podcast: Thursday 25 Pentecost - C
Luke 21:5-19 – The End of the Age;
Background:
In 18 B.C., to curry favor with the Jews, Herod the Great began rebuilding the Second Temple, which had been built after the return of the remnant of Israel from exile in Babylon (516 B.C.*). The main construction had been finished in ten years, but the building of the outer courts and the embellishment of the whole temple were conducted during the period of Jesus' ministry.*
Paraphrase:
People were commenting on the adornment of the temple with precious stones and offerings, and Jesus said that the day was coming when the temple would be destroyed, and none of the stones with which it were built would be left standing one on another. The people asked when this would occur, and what sign would appear when this was about to happen, and Jesus warned the people not to be led astray, because many would arise in Jesus' name and claim [falsely] to be the Messiah (God's “Anointed;” the “Christ;” both words mean “anointed,” in Hebrew and Greek, respectively). They will proclaim that the time (of Christ's Second Coming) is at hand. We are warned not to follow these false “christs.” When we hear of wars and rumors of wars we are not to become alarmed, because these things will take place before the End Times come.
Jesus then also told them that nations and kingdoms would arise against each other, and there will be earthquakes, famines, epidemic diseases, terrors and astronomical disturbances. But before these take place, believers will be persecuted, arrested, and tried before religious and political authorities and imprisoned for Jesus' name's sake. That will be a time for believers to testify to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Decide not to prepare anything to say beforehand, because Jesus (by the indwelling Holy Spirit) will give his (born-again; John 3:3, 5-8) disciples wisdom and what to say, at the time it is needed, that none of their adversaries will be able to contradict.
Jesus' disciples will be turned over to the authorities even by their own parents, brothers, kinsfolk and friends. Some believers will be put to (physical) death, and all will be hated for the sake of Jesus' name, but none of them will perish (eternally) in even the slightest way. They will gain eternal life by their endurance.
Commentary:
The temple was completed in 65 A.D..* Jesus' lifetime was about thirty-three years. Within forty years* of Jesus' prediction, the temple was destroyed by the Roman Army in 70 A.D.,* and has never been rebuilt. The only thing that remains is a portion of the western wall.
The defining characteristic of God's Word is it's fulfillment (Deuteronomy 18:21-22). The Word of God is always fulfilled, and it is fulfilled over and over as the conditions for its fulfillment are met.
Judaism effectively ended at Jesus' Crucifixion, when the curtain of the temple separating the people from the “holy of holies” of God's presence was supernaturally torn in two from top to bottom (Luke 23:45), symbolizing that a new and better way into God's presence had been opened through the sacrifice of Jesus' blood on the cross. The destruction of the temple effectively ended the temple sacrificial system of the Old Covenant (Testament) of Law (Works; keeping of the Law of Moses). Jesus is the only sacrifice acceptable to God through the New Covenant of Grace (unmerited favor; free gift) to be received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus. Jesus established the New Covenant at the Last Supper (“New Passover”) on the eve of Jesus' Crucifixion (Matthew 26:28, RSV note “g;” Hebrews 8:6-13; 10:16-20).
Many false “christs” have arisen. There have been many false predictions of the date of the Second Coming. No one knows the date or hour, not even Angels or Jesus himself (Mark 13:32-33). Jesus doesn't want us to know the day or hour, because he wants us to always be prepared (Matthew 24:42-47).
Many, including myself, are convinced that Jesus' Return is imminent. The major prophecies have all been fulfilled. It is only possible within the last twenty years for the “mark of the beast” prophecy to be technologically possible (Revelation 13:16-17; perhaps a microchip implant). It is now possible for rogue nations to unleash nuclear weapons of mass destruction. Iniquity abounds, and for many, love has grown cold (Matthew 24:12). Look around at world as it is today and see that Christ's Return is imminent!**
Every truly “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) Christian has experienced some form of persecution for the Gospel, even within America and the American Church, and I personally so testify. But it is not as severe as the torture and physical death of Christians which others have experienced historically, and even today in non-Christian parts of the world. I have personally experienced and testify that the Holy Spirit has given me wisdom and uncontradictable testimony at the moment needed on a number of occasions.
Are you ready for Christ's Return (Matthew 24:38-42, 44, 50; 25:13)? Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
*The Sword Project digital Bible tools:
http://www.crosswire.org/sword/index.jsp
- Easton Bible Dictionary module:
http://www.crosswire.org/sword/modules/ModInfo.jsp?modName=Easton
“Temple, Herod's, at time of Christ
"Second Temple"
**"Signs of the Times," Dr. Ed Hindson, 10/10/10,
http://www.thekingiscoming.com
Friday 25 Pentecost - C
First Posted November 23, 2012 ;
Podcast: Friday 25 Pentecost - C
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - The Coming of the Lord;
Paraphrase:
Paul wanted the Christians in Thessalonica (and all Christians) to know that they should not mourn for their fellow believers who have died (physically; “asleep;” 1 Thessalonians 4:13a), as unbelievers do. Believers have the hope (of resurrection to eternal life) which unbelievers do not have. Because we believe that Jesus died and arose again, so also we believe that through (faith – obedient trust- in) Jesus, God will bring us with him (to his eternal kingdom). Paul declared that, by God's Word, we who are alive at the Day of Christ's Return will not have any advantage over those who have died physically in faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ before then. The Lord himself will descend from heaven at the shouted command of an Archangel and the sound of the trumpet of God. Those who have died in Christ will be raised and we will be caught up with them to meet with the Lord in the air as he comes on the clouds (as he ascended; Acts 1:9-11). From then on we will be together with our resurrected brethren in the presence of the Lord forever.
Commentary:
Paul said, in 1 Corinthians 15:3-9, that Christ's physical death, burial, and resurrection were of utmost importance to the Gospel and Christian faith. It was testified to by over five hundred eyewitnesses, and personally by Paul himself.
I'm convinced that Paul was deliberately intended by God to be the replacement for Judas, the one of the original Twelve disciples, who betrayed Christ. While the Eleven were supposed to be waiting in Jerusalem for the anointing of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5, 8), they chose, without the benefit of the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Matthias, who is never heard of again in the New Testament, as Judas' replacement (Acts 1:12-26). On the other hand, after Paul's conversion (Acts (9:1-22), most of the rest of the New Testament is by or about Paul. Paul is deliberately intended by God to be the prototype and example of a modern, post-resurrection, disciple and apostle of Jesus Christ, as we can and should become.
Paul apparently hadn't known Jesus' during Jesus' physical life and ministry. But Paul personally experienced the risen, eternally alive Jesus, on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6), and testified to Jesus' Resurrection, with as much authority as the other eyewitnesses. So likewise, every truly “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple and apostle of Jesus Christ, including myself, has personal fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ, and personally testifies that Jesus has been raised from physical death and is eternally alive.
Jesus' Resurrection demonstrates that there is existence after physical death, and the possibility of eternal life. Mankind has previously been in lifelong bondage to the fear of death, but Jesus' death and resurrection has defeated Satan, who has the power of eternal spiritual death, and has freed us from bondage to the fear of physical death (Hebrews 2:14-15).
In the First Century Church, most believed that Christ's Return was imminent and would occur within their physical lifetimes. When believers started to die, believers were worried that perhaps they had missed the Second Coming. So Paul wrote to the Churches to reassure them that physical death would not affect their salvation and eternal life.
Jesus has promised in the Bible that he will come again, on the Day of Judgment, to judge the living (“quickened”) and dead (John 5:28-29; 1 Peter 4:5) in both the physical and spiritual senses. Jesus is the righteous judge (2 Timothy 4:8) and the standard by which all will be judged, because he was fully human and lived in this world, just as we do, but without sinning (Hebrews 4:15).
We are saved, not because we are sinless; we have all sinned and fall short of God's standard of righteousness (doing what is right, good, and true, according to God's Word; Romans 3:23; See God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home). We are saved from eternal damnation (condemnation to eternal death) only by God's grace (unmerited favor; a free gift), by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus, who is God's only provision for our forgiveness of sin and salvation from eternal destruction (Acts 4:12; John 14:6).
The Day of Judgment is coming for each one of us, within our lifetime or at the moment of our physical death, when we will all be accountable to the Lord for what we have done in this lifetime. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord (one who has power and authority over us; our master, teacher), and Savior, and have trusted and obeyed Jesus will have been spiritually born-again by the baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit in this lifetime, and will enter eternal life in paradise in God's kingdom. Those who have refused or failed to accept Jesus as their Lord, to trust and obey Jesus, will be condemned to eternal destruction in Hell with all evil, eternally separated from God's love and providence (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
Only Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). It is possible for one to know with certainty for oneself whether one has been baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2).
No one knows the date or hour, not even Angels or Jesus himself (Mark 13:32-33). Jesus doesn't want us to know the day or hour, because he wants us to always be prepared (Matthew 24:42-51). But he warns us to note the signs of the times (Matthew 16:3). All the major prophecies have been fulfilled (see entry and links for yesterday, 25 Pentecost Thursday C, above). The Day of Christ's Return is at hand. Are you ready for Christ's Return?
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Saturday 25 Pentecost - C
First Posted November 24, 2012;
Podcast: Saturday 25 Pentecost - C
Jesus said that when signs of the fulfillment of the prophecy of Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11, of a desolating sacrilege taking place in the temple are seen, the Judeans should flee. The time of the end will be so imminent that people should flee immediately, without taking time to grab any personal items (like food or clothing). Woe to nursing mothers in that day! We should pray that the end will not come in winter or on a sabbath, because the greatest time of tribulation which has ever been experienced on earth will occur. The length of the tribulation will be shortened, so that the elect (God's chosen people) can be saved; otherwise no one could survive.
Be careful, then, if anyone says that the Christ is in a specific place do not believe it, because false “christs” and false prophets will appear and do miraculous things, in order to lead people astray, including the elect. We have been warned! If we hear that the Messiah is in a certain place, we are not to go there, because when Christ returns he will be present everywhere. Jesus used the metaphor of buzzards circling above a corpse to illustrate that Jesus will find us; we don't need to worry about finding him.
Commentary:
The test of prophecy and the defining characteristic of God's Word is its fulfillment (Deuteronomy 18:21-22). If someone prophesies in God's name and the prophecy is not fulfilled, that prophet is false and does not speak God's Word. God's Word is always fulfilled, and it is fulfilled over and over as the conditions for its fulfillment are met.
The prophecy by Daniel of the desecration of the temple was fulfilled by Antiochus Epiphanes, in 167 B.C., when he dedicated the temple at Jerusalem to Zeus Olympius. This led to the Maccabean Revolt of orthodox Jews against the Maccabees. The purification of the temple in 164 B.C, is the origin of the Hannukkah festival of the Jews (John 10:22).*
The prophecy was again fulfilled in 70 A.D., when Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed by the Romans. The Jews were scattered throughout the world, and the nation ceased to exist until its re-establishment in 1948, after World War II. The prophecy remains to be fulfilled again at the End of the Age, when Christ returns on the Day of Judgment (Matthew 24:29-31).
There have been rumors of Christ's return since his ascension (Acts 1:9-11). In 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 Paul dealt with the false teaching that the day of the Lord had already come (2 Thessalonians 1:2). We have heard predictions of specific dates of the Second Coming several times in current memory: most recently the rumor that the Mayan calendar predicts the end of the world in 2012. I personally have experienced times in my own life when I have heard rumors of (false) “christs” and of the Second Coming.
No one knows when the End of the Age will come; not angels or even Jesus Christ (Mark 13:32-33). Jesus doesn't want us to know the day or hour, because he wants us to always be prepared (Matthew 24:42-51). But he warns us to note the signs of the times (Matthew 16:3). All the major prophecies have been fulfilled (see entry and links for 25 Pentecost Thursday C, above). The Day of Christ's Return is at hand. Are you ready for Christ's Return?
Christ has promised to return on the Day of Judgment, when the living (“quickened”) and dead in both physical and spiritual senses, will be accountable to him for what each has done individually in this lifetime (John 5:28-29; 1 Peter 4:5). God's Word, and Jesus himself, assure us that Jesus will come again in power and great glory, just as he ascended into heaven after his resurrection (Acts 1:9-11; Matthew 25:31-32).
Jesus is both the righteous judge appointed by God, and the standard of judgment by which all will be judged. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord (master; ultimate authority; “boss”) and have thus trusted and obeyed Jesus will have been spiritually “born-again” during this lifetime, and will enter eternal life in paradise with the Lord. Those who have refused or failed to accept Jesus as Lord and thus have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus will be condemned to eternal destruction in Hell with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
We are all born physically alive into this world, but are spiritually “un-born” until “baptized” (anointed; filled) with the indwelling Holy Spirit which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). It is possible to know with certainty for oneself, whether one has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit or not (Acts 19:2). Jesus said that one must be born-again by the baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit in order to see the Kingdom of God all around us now, and to enter it in eternity (John 3:3, 5-8).
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
*The Oxford Annotated Bible, Revised Standard Version, Ed. by Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger, Survey of Bible Lands #15 (Seleucid Policy), p. 1527-1528, New York, Oxford University Press, 1962.
