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March 2020 Printable 179 KB .pdf

Father, thank you for your love, peace, grace, and righteousness we have through the complete accomplishment of your son the Lord Jesus Christ. Father, thank you for your Word which tells us your will for your sons and daughters. Father, thank you for giving us an understanding of what you have already done for us in Christ. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen

In the February 2020 teaching, we reviewed 1 Thessalonians 5:15-28, which is like a handbook of actions where we are told to do:

• Render not evil for evil.
• Rejoice always.
• Pray without ceasing.
• Give thanks in everything.
• Quench not the spirit.
• Despise not prophesying.
• Hold fast to good.
• Abstain from all forms of evil.

This month we will be working through the book of 2 Thessalonians Chapter 1. In the Word of God, the number two signifies being established. The Thessalonian believers were established in God's Word by the leadership of Paul, Silvanus, and Timotheus. Let's start with 2 Thessalonians 1:1:

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Greek word for "church" is ekklesia, literally meaning the "called out." Ekklesia is utilized of any group of people assembled for any specific purpose. Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus wrote this epistle to the called-out believers at rest and peace in Thessalonica that were in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

2 Thessalonians 1:2:

Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace is God's divine unmerited favor. We currently are in the Grace Administration. The next word from this verse we will look at is "peace." God's Word says "righteousness and peace have kissed each other" (Psalm 85:10). God's Word in 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, for he hath made him [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him [Jesus Christ]."

In Roman's 5:1-2, we are told:

Therefore, being justified by faith [of Jesus Christ], we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace [administration] wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

1 John 3:1-2 reminds us:

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore, the world knows us not, because it knew him not.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he [Jesus Christ] shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

God is our Father! We have peace with Him through our Lord Jesus Christ!

Let's continue with 2 Thessalonians 1:3:

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith [Greek word pistis for believing] growth exceedingly, and the charity [the love of God in the renewed mind in manifestation] of every one of you all toward each other abounded.

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus were obligated to thank God always for the brethren because their believing or the Greek word "pistis" which grew exceedingly. The only way believing grows exceedingly is by reading and putting into action God's Word! Remember, Romans 10:17 says:

So then faith [Greek word pistis for believing] cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

In 2 Thessalonians 1:3, the word "brethren" is in reference to the household of Thessalonian believers. It is used 7 times in 2 Thessalonians; the number 7 represents spiritual perfection!

The word" faith" in 2 Thessalonians 1:3 is the Greek word pistis for believing. I hear people say all the time "Brother, you have got to have more faith" or "You must take it by faith brother" or "Brother, where is your faith?" When we confess Jesus as Lord and believe in our hearts God raised him from the dead, we are born again of God's Spirit and receive the measure of faith which is the faith of Jesus Christ! Romans 12:3:

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

This "measure of faith" is the faith of Jesus Christ which every born-again believer receives via the new birth! In the Church epistles (Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Thessalonians), you will never find it documented where Christian believers are told to have faith. When you are born-again of God's Spirit, you have the faith of Jesus Christ! Romans 3:22:

Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.

Galatians 2:16 tells us:

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Galatians 3:22 also talks about the faith of Jesus Christ:

But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

And Galatians 3:26-28 provides more clarity on this subject:

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

For as many of you as have been baptized [spiritually] into Christ have put on Christ.

There is neither Jew [Judean] nor Greek [Gentile], there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

The second part of 2 Thessalonians 1:3 talks about how the "charity" or the love of God in the renewed mind in manifestation toward each other abounded among the Thessalonians! Wow! This tells me they obeyed Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus's teachings as documented in 1 Thessalonians 3:12:

And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you.

It is awesome to know that we too can abound and manifest the love of God in the renewed mind in manifestation toward each other. If the Thessalonians believers could do this, we can do it too!

2 Thessalonians 1:4 tells us more about the Thessalonians believers:

So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure.

Paul spoke in the churches of God regarding the Thessalonian believers who were standing on God's Word with endurance. Despite the persecutions and mental pressures, which they endured, they stood strong and had patience and believing in God's Word and the teachings they were provided.

Let's continue with 2 Thessalonians 1:5:

Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer [affected by anything].

The word "righteous" means "fulfilling all claims which are right and becoming; just as it should be; a right state, of which God is the standard." The word "judgment" means "separating, sundering; judgment, esp., of judicial procedure; the act or time of pronouncing sentence."

God our Father is the standard that is used to judge the unbelievers and pronounce sentence! The devil does not have the right to attack us. The devil must back down when we stand on God's Word. Remember, we have been delivered from the power of darkness and were translated into God's kingdom by the work of His dear Son (Colossians 1:13).

James 4:7 build us up by stating:

Submit yourselves therefore to God [by adhering to His Word]. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

In 2 Thessalonians 1:5, the "the kingdom of God" includes all seven administrations documented in God's Word! These 7 administrations are the Original Paradise, the Patriarchal Administrations, the Law Administrations, the Gospel Administrations (or the Kingdom of Heaven), the Grace Administrations, the Appearing Administrations (initiated by the gathering together of the born-again believers), and the final Administrations Glory, Paradise, the Third Heaven and Earth.

2 Thessalonians 1:6:

Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you.

This verse tells us that God's judgment, which is forthcoming, will be completely to our satisfaction. God is going to take care of those who are devil-spirit possessed that trouble us. Remember Ephesians 6:12?

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

2 Thessalonians 1:7:

And to you who are [were] troubled rest [are at rest] with us, when [at the time] the Lord Jesus shall be revealed [Greek word apokalupsis which means "appearing"] from heaven with his mighty angels [ the Greek word angelon dunameos meaning "messengers of his power" and the Church saints].

This is the second part of Christ's second coming, where he comes upon the earth with his mighty angels and the Church saints (see June 2019 teaching). This is when the unbelievers are judged. Remember, the born-again believers are not present as they have been gathered together with Christ at this time.

2 Thessalonians 1:8:

In flaming fire [God accepted the Old Testament's sacrifice by fire] taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This "flaming fire" is described in several verses.

Hebrews 12:29 tells us:

For our God is a consuming fire.

1 Corinthians 3:13 says:

Every man's work [this is earned by the believer's walk on God's Word] 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.

1 Corinthians 3:15 goes on to say:

If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved [God's grace provides everlasting life]; yet so as by fire.

Revelation 19:20 states:

And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Revelation 20:10 describes this event as:

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

As you re-read this verse, notice that it is not people who are tormented day and night for ever and ever. It is the devil, "beast and false prophet[s]."

Revelation 20:14 clarifies by stating:

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Jesus Christ knew he would come back upon the earth; however, he did not know about the saints coming with him. This was part of the mystery hid in God!

Continuing with 2 Thessalonians 1:9:

Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.

This verse describes the second death for the unbelievers. It is everlasting destruction "from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power." For all those that do not know God and did not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, they will be punished at this time with "everlasting destruction" which is the second death! Remember, this does not apply to us the born-again believers.

The following verses refer to Israel, and is described in Revelation 2:10-11:

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death.

Revelation 20:6 provides more clarification:

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests [the Church of the Body are never called priests] of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Let's continue with 2 Thessalonians 1:10-11:

When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power.

These verses (10-11) provide a conclusion to the teachings in 2 Thessalonians 1: 1-9. I pray that God our Father will count us worthy of this calling. I pray also that we are able to fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of believing with power. By putting God's Word into action, we can walk and stay faithful on his Word!

Finally, 2 Thessalonians 1:12:

That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This final verse of 2 Thessalonians was intended to build up the born-again believers in Thessalonica. Despite the pressures and all they endure, Paul desired that "the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in" the Thessalonian believer's walk. I pray that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, his authority and power, may be made manifest and brought to light in you and you in him!

Key points in this teaching:

• Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus 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 part was 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!
  

Father, thank you for the privilege of sharing your Word once again with my brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. Thank you for opening up your Word and giving us an understanding of this great, fantastic second book, first chapter of Thessalonians.

May we let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord (Colossians 3:16).

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

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

In the Lord,

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

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