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April 2020 Printable 196 KB .pdf

Father, we thank you for giving us an understanding of your Word, which is your will for us regarding the coming of your son the Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together with him. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

The key points from March 2020 teaching:

• Paul, and Silas, and Timothy wrote this epistle to the called-out believers at rest and peace in Thessalonica who were in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
• God is our Father! We have peace with Him through our Lord Jesus Christ!
• When we confessed Jesus as Lord and believed in our hearts that God raised him from the dead, we were born again of God's Spirit and received the measure of faith which is the faith of Jesus Christ!
• 2 Thessalonians 1 describes the second part of Christ's second coming, where he comes upon the earth with his mighty angels and the Church saints. As a result, the unbelievers are judged.
• Jesus Christ knew he would come back upon the earth, but he did not know about the saints coming with him. This was part of the mystery hid in God.
• 2 Thessalonians 1 tells us about the second death for the unbelievers. It is described as everlasting destruction "from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power."
• This second death is for the unbelievers and all those that do not know God, and do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ!

This month we will be working through the book of 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2.

Paul, and Silas, and Timothy, loving implored the brethren, the born-again believers, to keep the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in their minds and hearts. Our gathering together with him is a continual reminder of our hope.

2 Thessalonians 2:1:

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming [Greek word - parousia meaning coming and presence] of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto [in] him.

This Word of God is addressed to the brethren, the faithful born-again believers! The Bible is not addressed to unbelievers!

The Lord Jesus Christ is used 10 times in the second book of Thessalonians. In this first verse, we see "Lord Jesus Christ." The word "Lord" means master. We must first make him Lord or our master! And how do you know you have made Jesus your Lord? 1 Corinthians 12:3 tells us:

and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost [speaking in tongues].

This is God's Word! Speaking in tongues is our infallible proof in the senses' world that you have made Jesus your Lord! This is how you know by experience you have made Jesus your master!

The next word in the phrase "Lord Jesus Christ" is "Jesus." This name means the one who humbled himself and became obedient until death, even the death of the cross.

The last word in the phrase is "Christ" which became the name of Jesus' changed position, as raised from the dead, exalted in glory and seated in heaven at the right hand of God. When all three are utilized collectively "Lord Jesus Christ," the phrase denotes the Lord Jesus Christ's authority and power!

The last phase in 2 Thessalonians 2:1 is our "gathering together in him." This refers to all those born-again of God's Spirit. Remember Romans 10:9-10 instructs us that:

By confessing with your mouth, the Lord Jesus, and believing in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

No one could be born-again until the Grace Administration which started on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4). This administration ends with Christ's return in the air for his saints (1 Thessalonians 4:17)! See the March 2019 teaching for more information on the Grace Administration. In Colossians 1:18, we are called the Body of the Church.

Our understanding of the gathering together provides endurance and stamina for the individual and the household in our day-by-day living as sons and daughters of God. It's the promise of the gathering together that enables us to do what these verses declare and to walk daily in God's Word.

2 Thessalonians 2:2 tells us not to be shaken in mind or in any way that the day of the Lord has come.

That ye be not soon shaken in mind [Greek word - nous - entire mind], or be troubled, neither by spirit [devils], nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ [day of Christ is the day of the Lord] is at hand [is "set in" is the text].

The born-again believers of Thessalonica were told not to be: 1. Shaken in mind or troubled by devil spirit possession of people's word, and 2. Letters by false teaching declaring that the day of the Lord had already started. Why? Because that time was and still in the future. The gathering together of the born-again believers must happen first, which Paul explained in verse 3. 2 Thessalonians 2:3:

Let no man [no one] deceive you by any means: for that day [the return of Christ upon earth] shall not come, except there comes a falling away first [departure], and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition [loss, destruction, ruin, the destruction of such in body, soul and spirit; an utter and final ruin, which will not be reversed].

We are told to let no man, or no one deceive us by any means that day of the return of Christ upon earth shall not come, except there comes a departure of the born-again believers! The day of wrath or tribulation cannot come until there is a departure of the believers. This is the second reference to the gathering together.

The words "a falling away first" is a "departure" (2 Thessalonians 2:3) which indicates "the gathering together" (2 Thessalonians 2:1). Before the King James translation in 1611, "a falling away first" is translated "a departure first." For reference, see the Cranmer Bible published in 1537, the Tyndale Bible published in 1539 and the Geneva Bible published in in 1599. This verse tells us the Church of the Body will be departed with Christ before the wrath of God's judgement!

We the born-again believers must depart first. Then the man of sin or the son of perdition, will be revealed. When the son of perdition is revealed, the true nature of Satan will be revealed.

In the period of the wrath, documented in the book of Revelation, the born-again believers are delivered from the wrath by what Jesus Christ accomplished for us! But don't take my word, let's go to God's Word and search the scriptures and see what the Bible says (for more additional teaching see June 2019 teaching).

We the born-again believers are saved from the wrath to come. Romans 5:9:

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

There is no judgement for the born-again believers which are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1:

There is therefore now no condemnation [Greek word katakrima, for judgement] to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 1:10:

And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

To further collaborate this, the Greek words for "a falling away first" are "he apostasia." The word he is the article "the." The prefix apo means "away from." Stasia means "to separate" or "draw out." He apostasia is a separation away from or a drawing or separate out from among. It is a departure with Christ. The born-again believers shall be departed from this world with Christ. Then the man of sin or the son of perdition will be revealed, and the day of wrath follows. With this understanding, you can now believe God's Word or man word. You decide.

Let's turn back to 2 Thessalonians 2:4:

Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

The word "opposeth" is the Greek word antikimai which means "to lie opposite, to oppose, be adverse or repugnant to." The word "exalteth" is the Greek word huper-airomai which means "to lift up one's self over other, or over much, become conceited, arrogant." The man of sin, the son of perdition is opposite, adverse, and repugnant of the true God. The man of sin lifted himself over others and is conceited and arrogant "above all that is called God or that is worshipped." The man of sin sits in the house of God, displaying himself that he is God.

Paul reminds the born-again believers he told them these things were going to occur. 2 Thessalonians 2:5:

Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

Paul told the Thessalonians believers so that they would have a clear visual picture when that man of sin and the son of perdition will be revealed in his time in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. Paul continues in 2 Thessalonians 2:6 to tell them:

And now ye know [Greek word - oida - a video; a clear mental picture] what withhold that he might be revealed in his time.

For the third time in this chapter there is a reference to the gathering together of the born-again believers! In this verse, we are told that we shall be taken out of the way!

2 Thessalonians 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.

Once we the born-again believers are taken out of the way, the wicked one will be revealed. We are told in the next verse that the master shall consume the wicked with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy them with the brightness of his coming!

2 Thessalonians 2:8:

And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume [destroy] with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.

We are told in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 that man of sin, the son of perdition, will be doing the work of Satan.

Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.

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 will of God is not for anyone to perish. 1 Timothy 2:4 tells us:

who will have all men [everyone] to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth?

But when people by their free will "received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved," (2 Thessalonians 2:10) they perish. Because of the unbelievers (body and soul) deceiving and unrighteousness, they will perish. God must let them perish because they would (and will) believe the lies of Satan.

2 Thessalonians 2:11:

And for this cause God shall send [Greek word - pempo, which means; to let go, as well of persons or things; to send forth or away] them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.

The unbelievers will be judged. 2 Thessalonians 2:12 clarifies:

That they all might be damned [Greek word - krino, which means; to divide, to separate, make a distinction, come to a decision; hence to judge] who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

We're so thankful for our fellow believers both nearby and far away for their belief of the truth of God's Word! We love those who love the truth of God's Word! 2 Thessalonians 2:13 brings us comfort and reminds us to give thanks always to God for our fellow believers:

But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit [the new birth] and belief of the truth.

In numerous other verses in the church epistles (see teaching November 2018), we see that Paul thanked God always for the brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God from the beginning chose us to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit (the new birth) and belief of the truth. When Christ returns, we will be with him in glory! The Thessalonian believers were called by the good news taught by Paul, Silas and Timothy. 2 Thessalonians 2:14:

Whereunto he called you by our gospel [good news], to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, because of verse 14 above, we the born-again believers stand firm and continue in the instructions of God's Word which we are taught. We hold God's Word in mind, and we don't let circumstances, environment, or other people change our minds. 2 Thessalonians 2:15:

Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions [instructions] which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

This is the fourth occurrence of the phrase "Lord Jesus Christ." The number four in God's Word is made up of three which is perfection, plus one, which is unity. Perfection and unity together always indicate the number of man's relationship to the Creator. Therefore, number four is always the world number, because this is the world's relationship to God who formed, made and created it. Remember John 3:16?

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

2 Thessalonians 2:16:

Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace.

Now who does the world need the most? The Lord Jesus Christ; especially if the world wants everlasting life and good hope through grace!

2 Thessalonians 2:17:

Comfort your hearts and stablish you in every good word and work.

Now the Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father has loved us and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace. Our hearts are comforted together and we are established in every good word and work!

Summary or key points:

• This Word of God is addressed to the brethren, the faithful born-again believers.
• Paul, and Silas, and Timothy, loving implored the brethren the born-again believers to keep the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in their minds and hearts. They taught them about the immense joy of their future with Christ as they remained faithful.
• We are told to let no man, or anyone deceive us by any means for that day the return of Christ upon earth shall not come, until after the departure of the born-again believers!
• Paul said to the Thessalonians believers that they have a clear visual picture when the man of sin and the son of perdition will be revealed.
• The will of God is not for anyone to perish.
• In numerous other verses in the Church's Epistles, we see that Paul thanked God always for the brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God has chosen us to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit (the new birth) and belief of the truth.
• When Christ returns, we will be with him in glory!
• Now who do the world needs the most? The Lord Jesus Christ; especially if we want everlasting life and good hope through grace!

Father, thank you for saving us from the wrath to come. Thank you that before that day comes, we shall be gathered together with Christ. Thank you for these words of comfort. Thank you for establishing us in every good word and work. Thank you that as we believed your word and act on it, we are one with you and your son the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

Next month's teaching with continue with 2 Thessalonians 3.

In the Lord,

Ministry of Reconciliation
Son of God through Jesus Christ
Ambassador for Christ

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