#The Epistle of Second Thessalonians

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

The Lord is Faithful

But the Lord is faithful. He will give you strength and keep you safe from the devil. — 2 Thessalonians 3:3 | New Life Version (NLV) New Life Version Bible Copyright © 1969, 2003 by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Cross References: Matthew 5:37; Matthew 6:13; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:17; 1 Peter 5:10

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2 Thessalonians 3:3 in all English translations (for comparison)

[anumberofhobbies]

THE RAPTURE--ACCORDING TO JESUS

Feb 2, 2024 Jesus taught such a comforting, hope-filled message of His return to rescue His Church before the Tribulation, that His disciples went everywhere teaching this same truth.

When Paul had only a month in a pagan city where he planted a church, the Rapture was central to their doctrine.

The Rapture was First Taught by Jesus

The Rapture is a doctrine started and taught by Jesus, continued and spread by His disciples, and believed and passionately lived out by His Church.

The early church heard and understood this doctrine of Christ’s any-moment return, and radiantly lived, looking for ways to please Him when He came to rescue them.

James in the first NT letter said that Christ was standing at the door (5:7).

The second NT book was I Thessalonians and every chapter shines with Rapture-induced hope-filled expectancy (1:9-10; 2:19-20; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:23).

Paul’s epistles start to finish, are seasoned with the flavor of a focused life awaiting Christ as in Philippians 3:20 where we as citizens of Heaven await Jesus eagerly, as Paul confesses in his last words of II Timothy 4 where he talks about His crown “at that day” when Jesus comes.

Peter says the same, going so far as asking what kind of lives should we live because we know the future (II Peter 3:11 ).

John’s Epistles are the same, in I John 3:2-3 he says that this “hope” causes us to purify our daily life looking for Christ’s coming.

In Revelation 3:7, Jesus Christ identifies Himself to the Church at Philadelphia as the One who is True, Holy, and has the unstoppable Messianic Key of David. When Jesus speaks He tells the Truth. When we listen to Him and hear what He says we can have confident assurance that He knows what He is talking about.

Jesus Christ taught repeatedly (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21) that His 2nd Coming is to Judge the ungodly.

That was the content of every sermon on the future that He ever preached.

Each sermon was taught in the context of Israel, was focused upon the Jews, and involved the city of Jerusalem and the nation of Israel.

The Rapture is Not The 2nd Coming

But, when Jesus spoke to believers His emphasis was different.

Jesus taught His own born-again children of the faith, three bedrock truths about the Rapture or His coming for His Church.

These truths are that: the Rapture will be a source of comfort; the Rapture will be similar to the Ascension; and that the Rapture will be an intentional rescue.

Those truths, taught by Jesus Christ Himself, constitute the Biblical, doctrinal basis for all that the early church was later taught by the Apostles and which extends to us throughout all the centuries since Christ’s ministry.

[prettyeaves]

“Church history from the first to the twentieth century shows that the history of the expectation of an early end is one of constantly repeated disappointments—even or more particularly in what are called ‘apocalyptic’ times. But even conceptions like those of the second epistle to the Thessalonians (presumably not composed by Paul), of a final accumulation of evil, a great apostasy before the end and the embodiment of anti-God and anti-Christian forces in an eschatological ‘lawless adversary,’ or—according to the Johannine letters—of one or several ‘Antichrists’ (individual or collective) are not, as is often assumed, special divine revelations about the end time. They are images from Jewish apocalyptic, making use partly of ancient mythological motifs and partly of historical experiences (King Antiochus IV Epiphanes who had to be worshipped as a visible god; Emperor Caligula, Nero redivivus). The ‘apocalyptic’ (revelatory) images cannot be harmonized with each other and—despite their name—today at any rate cannot be understood as disclosures or information about the chronological sequence of the ‘last things’ at the end of world history. They do not form a kind of script for the last act of the human tragedy. Despite the amazingly widespread curiosity even today, man does not learn here what will befall him and what will then happen. The picture of a great public gathering of all mankind—of billions and billions of people—for judgement is no more than a picture.

There is neither a clear scientific extrapolation nor an exact prophetical prognosis of the definitive future of mankind. In the history of freedom we must continually allow for the emergence of something utterly new, which could never have been deduced from the old. The end is not determined from the outset. Man should not simply await this end, but should take up his role creatively in world and history. In the interlacing of freedom giving and freedom given, man is the irreplaceable partner who should give a meaning to the irresistible evolution of the cosmos and set his stamp upon it. The coming of God’s kingdom does not condemn man to passivity, but demands his fearless activity inspired by faith on behalf of his fellow men. There must be no flight into the future, but—resisting all rising skepticism and fatalism—action here and now inspired by hope. In view of the coming kingdom of justice, freedom and peace, there must be a tireless struggle for justice, freedom and peace: against all powers of evil, bondage, desolation, lovelessness, death.”

-Hans Küng, On Being a Christian.

[syantiss]

2 Thessalonians 1:5 This morning we continue our study of Paul's second epistle to the Thessalonians. What is Paul saying in verse 5? What is the evidence of God's Righteous Judgment?

[bibleversegarden]

A Truly Liberated and Fruitful Life Brings Glory to God

The one, true and living God, the everlasting King, made the heavens and the earth and everything in them, by His great wisdom and power. Not the gods that are a lie and shall perish.

All God's works are done in truth; He is the truth. In Him, there is no falsehood or margins of error.

Being enticed by the devil, the first man and woman sinned and sin led to death, physically and spiritually. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, the second Adam from above, to reconcile us to God.

Jesus declares in John 14 verse 6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

To follow Christ, is to walk in truth and be set free. For whom the Son sets free is free indeed. (See John 8:31-59)

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." (John 15:7 & 8)

For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regards to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:20-23)

For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (The Third Epistle of John, Chapter 1:3 & 4)

A truly liberated and fruitful life, brings glory to God. Abide in Him and eat His words.

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Related Bible Readings:

John 1:14 & 17; John 4:23 & 24; John 7:14-29; John 8:31-59; John 14:6 and John 14:15-17; John Chapter 15 in its entirety; John 16:12-15; John 17:3 & 17; John 18:37; First Epistle of  John in its entirety; 1 Corinthians 13:6; 1 Corinthians 5:8; Galatians Chapter 5; Ephesians 6:10-24; 1 Thessalonians Chapter 2; 1 Timothy Chapter 4; 1 Timothy 6:3-6; 2 Timothy 2:15-19; Hebrews 10:26 & 27; James 5:19 & 20; Second Epistle of Peter in its entirety; Epistle of Jude; Genesis Chapter 3; Psalm 25:4, 5, 10; Psalm 33:4; Psalm 43:3; Psalm 85:10-13; Psalm 86:11; Psalm 89:14-18; Proverbs 3:3 & 4; Proverbs 23:23; Isaiah 42:8; Isaiah Chapter 44; Isaiah Chapter 61; Jeremiah 10:1-16

[sweet-suzume]

Second Epistle to the Thessalonians

checks out! lmao XD

What if when we were born we were each assigned a Wikipedia page like a social security number would that be fucked up or what

[mister-warlight-history]

Rough history of Christianity.

Several Essene communities surrounded the Dead Sea. In Hebrew they were called the Osei ha-Torah meaning 'Doers of the Torah', however in Greek language they were called Essenes.

In around 30 BC, an Earthquake struck the Dead Sea valley causing inhabitants of The Way Yazad in Damascus (Qumran), Judea to migrate away from those places, and when this happened, the Essene migrants that migrated to Nabatea, Syria, Babylon, Persia ...etc formed separate sects.

First Essene/Christian sects:

*First, Nazerenes: Most Jesus centered Essenes that believed themselves to be the embodiments of High Priest Joshua The Branch, and their name meant Branchians.

*Second: Nasaraioi: Various Arabia and Mesopotamia offshoot sects from Nazarenes with different versions of those names that interpreted the NZR root to mean Guardian or Keeper of Secrets, and various other forms of those words.

*Lastly, Gnostics: Various vastly differently named offshoot sects from Nasaraioi that expounded on the concept of secret knowledge guarded from those Aramaic nsr root names meaning to guard.

The formation of the Gospels started from two separate genres of literary works, each with many variants that eventually coalesced into the same books. There was the 'Sayings of the Lord' and a Dialogue narrative of Jesus Christ in Galilee. Papias describes these first gospel forms as "". The Sayings of the Lord originated as a translation of the Book of Sirach into one of various dialects of Aramaic; and the narrative gospel of Jesus Christ began as dialogues between Jesus and his disciples Simon, Judas, and James in Galilee. These first Jesus Dialogues originated from oral traditions of Yehoshua Ben Perachiah teaching his own disciples Simeon Ben Shetach and Judas Ben Tobbai, and this became a popular genre of rabbinical to disciple dialogues that spread to Galilee. Although Yehoshua Ben Perachiah and his disciples were Nasi that lived and inhabited Judea, they were written in fictional scenarios within Galilee in dialogues such as the Gospel of Thomas and Oxyrynchus 1224. These Dialogue gospels set in Galilee had no more than 1 to 5 disciples, and they lacked a nativity, arrival, or a crucifixion.

At this time, the main Christians and defacto Christians even mentioned in the Bible believed in Joshua Ben Jehozakak as the spiritual High Priest rather than a 'Jesus of Nazareth' which had not been created yet through writings. One such Christian was a Judean named Saulos Thaddeus Alexander Herod who was a messenger for the Romans in the Jewish War, active until 66 AD, who after he retired from Roman army service, settled in Athens, Greece and wrote for a Hellenized mystery rite of Christianity he helped establish in Greece. The literary works of Saulos all derive from one apocalyptic treatise from the late 70s AD, not sent to any specific cities, but had sentences that were later included in forged epistles to some cities such as Thessalonians and Corinthians: primarily in 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, and 1 Corinthians.

Possibilities for Paul:

*Saul had one treatise, that mainly said, in addition to other claims, the following: "Jesus is the Lord and the Son of God. Jesus was killed by the Archons of this Aeon. Jesus was killed by the Jews who killed the prophets. Jesus was crucified on a cross. Jesus will return in the Heavens. A man of lawlessness will set himself up as God in the temple of God." and also claims that he received these apocalyptic messages from High Priest Joshua in a vision. Saul, as he was called, became a most central Christian figure in the Roman/Greek cities from Greece to Italia, and so a dozen epistles were forged in his name by various churches in Greece and Rome with mostly additional claims added and little to none of Saul's original words.

*1 Thessalonians is the only true epistle since Saul was a messenger, he did travel and send letters as he was most qualified to do so. He also wrote a general treatise.

By the the late 90s AD, the first non dialogue Narrative gospel with 12 disciples and a crucifixion was made which is Proto Luke. This was simply called the 'Biography of the Lord' or sometimes the 'Gospel of the Lord', and it was the first to be called a gospel, however not always as the title, and not as a religious genre of book, but as a title expressing the message or gospel that the Lord Jesus shared in the narrative.

[freebiblestudyhub]

What is the Earliest Bible?

The Bible is one of the most influential and widely read books in the world. It has a rich history, and its origins date back thousands of years. Understanding the earliest Bible is essential for appreciating how this sacred text has been preserved and passed down to generations. In this article, we will explore the earliest Bible, its components, and how it evolved over time.

The Origins of the Bible

The Bible is a collection of religious texts that includes both the Old Testament (or Hebrew Bible) and the New Testament. The Old Testament is primarily written in Hebrew, with some sections in Aramaic. The New Testament is written in Greek. The Bible was written over many centuries, with different books and letters being composed at various times and in different places.

The Old Testament: The Hebrew Scriptures

The Old Testament is the first part of the Christian Bible, containing the scriptures of the Jewish faith. It is often referred to as the Hebrew Bible. The earliest parts of the Old Testament were written down in Hebrew around the 10th century BCE. However, the oral traditions that formed the basis for these writings likely go back even earlier.

The Old Testament includes a variety of literary genres, such as history, poetry, law, prophecy, and wisdom literature. Some of the earliest books include the Torah (or Pentateuch), which consists of the first five books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These books were traditionally attributed to Moses, although modern scholars believe they were written over several centuries by different authors.

The oldest surviving Hebrew manuscripts of the Old Testament are found in fragments known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. These scrolls, discovered in the 1940s and 1950s near the Dead Sea, date back to between the 3rd century BCE and the 1st century CE. They contain portions of almost every book of the Old Testament, including the Book of Isaiah, Genesis, and the Psalms.

The New Testament: The Christian Scriptures

The New Testament is the second part of the Christian Bible and contains writings that describe the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as the early Christian Church’s beliefs and practices. The books of the New Testament were written in Greek, primarily between 50 CE and 100 CE.

The earliest writings in the New Testament are the Pauline Epistles (letters attributed to the Apostle Paul). The first of these letters, 1 Thessalonians, was written around 50 CE. Other letters, such as Romans and Corinthians, were written in the 50s and 60s CE.

The Gospels — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John — are also key components of the New Testament. The Gospel of Mark is often considered the earliest gospel, written around 65 CE to 70 CE. The Gospel of Matthew and Luke were written later, in the 80s and 90s CE, while the Gospel of John was written in the late 1st century CE.

The Earliest Known Biblical Manuscripts

The Bible’s earliest manuscripts were not preserved in their original form but instead copied by hand over the centuries. Ancient manuscripts were usually written on materials such as papyrus or parchment. The Bible’s most significant early manuscripts include:

The Dead Sea Scrolls: As mentioned earlier, the Dead Sea Scrolls are some of the oldest known Hebrew manuscripts of the Bible. These scrolls date back to the 3rd century BCE and the 1st century CE, offering a glimpse into how biblical texts were used and preserved during that period.

The Codex Sinaiticus: The Codex Sinaiticus is one of the oldest complete copies of the Christian Bible in Greek. It dates to the 4th century CE, around 330–360 CE. This manuscript contains the entire New Testament, as well as a substantial portion of the Old Testament (in the Greek Septuagint translation). The Codex Sinaiticus is one of the most important early manuscripts of the Bible, and it is housed in the British Library.

The Codex Vaticanus: Another significant early manuscript is the Codex Vaticanus, which is also from the 4th century CE. It is considered one of the best-preserved and most reliable manuscripts of the Greek Bible. The Codex Vaticanus contains almost the entire Old and New Testaments, though some parts are missing.

The Chester Beatty Papyri: The Chester Beatty Papyri are a collection of ancient Christian manuscripts, including parts of the Old and New Testaments. These papyri date from the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE, making them some of the earliest surviving manuscripts of the Christian Bible.

The Gospel of Thomas: Although not part of the canonical Bible, the Gospel of Thomas is an early Christian text that dates to around the 2nd century CE. It is a collection of sayings attributed to Jesus, and it provides insight into early Christian beliefs that were not included in the New Testament.

The Septuagint: The Old Testament in Greek

One of the earliest translations of the Hebrew Bible into another language is the Septuagint. This Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures was completed in the 3rd to 2nd centuries BCE in Alexandria, Egypt. The Septuagint played a crucial role in spreading the Old Testament scriptures to the Greek-speaking world.

The Septuagint was widely used by early Christians, many of whom were Greek-speaking. It was also used by the authors of the New Testament, who often quoted the Septuagint in their writings. For example, when the New Testament writers refer to Old Testament prophecies, they frequently use the Greek version rather than the Hebrew.

The Development of the Christian Bible

The process of assembling the Christian Bible was gradual and took several centuries. Early Christians did not have a standardized collection of scriptures, and various books and letters were circulated independently. By the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE, certain books were widely accepted by Christian communities, while others were debated or excluded.

The Muratorian Fragment, dating to around 170 CE, is one of the earliest known lists of New Testament books. This list includes most of the books that are now part of the New Testament, though it does not include the Epistle of James or the Book of Hebrews.

By the 4th century CE, the Council of Hippo (393 CE) and the Council of Carthage (397 CE) officially confirmed the canon of the New Testament. This included the 27 books that are still recognized today by most Christian denominations.

The Earliest Bible Versions

Throughout history, the Bible has been translated into numerous languages, making it accessible to people around the world. Some of the most significant early translations include:

The Latin Vulgate: The Latin Vulgate, translated by Jerome in the late 4th century CE, became the standard Bible for the Western Christian Church. It was based on the Hebrew and Greek texts, and it remained the primary Bible used by Catholics for many centuries.

The Syriac Peshitta: The Peshitta is an ancient Syriac version of the Bible, dating to the 5th century CE. It became the standard version of the Bible for many Christian communities in the East.

The Coptic Versions: The Coptic Church, which developed in Egypt, also produced its own translations of the Bible. These versions were written in the Coptic language and date back to the 3rd and 4th centuries CE.

The Gothic Bible: The Gothic Bible was translated by Ulfilas, a missionary to the Goths, in the 4th century CE. This version is significant because it was the first Bible translated into the Gothic language, allowing the Germanic tribes to read the Bible in their native tongue.

Conclusion

The earliest Bible is a product of centuries of careful transmission, translation, and preservation. From the Hebrew Scriptures to the Greek New Testament, early Christians played a significant role in ensuring that these sacred texts would be available for future generations. The Bible’s evolution from ancient manuscripts, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Codex Sinaiticus, to modern translations, has made it one of the most widely read and influential books in history.

Understanding the earliest Bible provides us with a deeper appreciation of the careful work that has gone into preserving these texts and their message.

[yhwhrulz]

Charles Spurgeon's "Morning & Evening" Devotional for December 4

Morning

“Walk worthy of God who hath called you.”

1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

This is the first of the apostles epistles, and was probably written by him from Corinth, when, having left Athens, he was joined by Silas and Timothy. Paul had founded the church at Thessalonica, and it had greatly flourished, but it had been subject to much persecution, hence he treats largely upon the second advent as affording the richest consolation to tried saints. The passage we shall read gives us a lovely picture of the apostles earnestness for the good of souls, and it furnishes us with a grand example of how we also in our measure should serve the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 2:3 , 1 Thessalonians 2:4

If the preacher of the word be not bold and truthful he cannot expect a blessing. A trustee of the gospel must be faithful to his charge.

1 Thessalonians 2:7 , 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Gentleness wins far more than severity. Many will be led who will not be driven.

1 Thessalonians 2:7 , 1 Thessalonians 2:8

If we would do good to others we must be willing to sacrifice ourselves. Selfishness and soul-winning never go together. Love is power. What are we doing for our neighbours? Have we an affectionate concern for their eternal welfare? If not, how can we hope that we are ourselves converted?

1 Thessalonians 2:9-12

Holy living is the great end of preaching. Hearing is nothing if it does not lead to this.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 , 1 Thessalonians 2:15

They had no love either for God or men. It is said of them that they would not even point out the way to a person of a different religion. Their bigotry had destroyed their humanity.) Nothing is more hardening to the heart than religious pride, it is the death of love.

1 Thessalonians 2:16

Men cannot oppose the gospel without incurring great guilt. If they reject the Saviour who saves to the uttermost, they bring upon themselves “wrath to the uttermost,” and that must be terrible indeed. May none of us bring such a doom upon our own heads.

Give tongues of fire and hearts of love,

To preach the reconciling word;

Give power and unction from above,

Whene’er the joyful sound is heard.

Be darkness, at thy coming, light,

Confusion, order in thy path;

Souls without strength inspire with might;

Bid mercy triumph over wrath.

Evening

“Rejoice evermore.”

1 Thessalonians 5

Paul, having spoken of the coming of the Lord, now tells the Thessalonians that they were not curiously to inquire as to the appointed dale of the advent, but to live in daily preparation of the Lord’s appearing.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-10

To others the advent will be an unexpected calamity, to us a long hoped for day of exultation. Ours it is to live with Jesus always, so that life or death shall make no difference. As a child both sleeping and waking is at home in his father’s house, so whether here or in heaven we are still living together with Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Are we doing this? Mutual consolation and edification are very much too rare in these days.

1 Thessalonians 5:12 , 1 Thessalonians 5:13

Be well acquainted with your minister, and esteem him for the sake of his work and his Master. He has many trials, and his work is arduous: endeavour to cheer his heart.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-18

Prayer comes in between two precepts of joy. Praise, pray, and then praise again; ring the changes upon the silver bells of devotion.

1 Thessalonians 5:19

Resist not his sacred drawings, silence not his voice either in others or in your own soul.

1 Thessalonians 5:21

Some are so busy with proving all things that they forget to hold fast that which is good; such persons use compasses with one foot, and so cannot complete the circle of holy duty.

1 Thessalonians 5:22

You cannot be too careful: if there be any manifestation of evil, however slight, shun it at once. Flee from the lions roar, and you need not dread his teeth.

1 Thessalonians 5:25

If the apostle asked for prayer, how much more does our pastor need it! We ought never to forget him, either in family prayer or on our knees alone.

1 Thessalonians 5:26

Or as our western custom is, give them all a hearty shake of the hand. Christianity delights in sincere and loving courtesies.

I am waiting for the coming

Of the Lord who died for me;

Oh, his words have thrilled my spirit,

“I will come again for thee.”

I can almost hear his foot-fall

On the threshold of the door,

And my heart, my heart is longing

To be his for evermore.

Copyright Statement This resource was produced before 1923 and therefore is considered in the "Public Domain".

[thelladavidedison]

Lawless one

In the context of biblical prophecy, the term “Lawless One” refers to a figure described in the New Testament. Let’s explore this concept: Scriptural Basis: The concept of the Lawless One is primarily found in the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians (2 Thessalonians 2). The apostle Paul writes about the coming of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, and the events associated with the end…

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

May the Lord grant you peace

…and may the Lord of the peace Himself give to you the peace always in every way; the Lord is with you all! — 2 Thessalonians 3:16 | Young’s Literal Translation (YLT) Young’s Literal Translation of the Holy Bible is in the public domain. Cross References: Ruth 2:4; Romans 15:33; Ephesians 6:23; 1 Thesslonians 3:11

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2 Thessalonians 3:16 - by-Verse Bible Commentary

[eli-kittim]

The Gospel of Kittim

Eli Kittim’s Prophetic Gospel

1. The Gospels are nonhistorical theological documents. Only the Epistles——which are the more explicit and didactic portions of the New Testament——give us the “Real” Jesus! It appears, then, that the theological purpose of the Gospels is to provide a fitting introduction to the messianic story beforehand so that it can be passed down from generation to generation until the time of its fulfillment. It’s as though New Testament history is written in advance (Isaiah 46.10)!

2. The New Testament Epistles comprise revelations and “prophetic writings” (Romans 16.25-26; 2 Peter 1.19-21; Revelation 22.18-19). They give us the actual timeline of Christ’s only visitation at the end of the age (Hebrews 1.2; 9.26b; 1 Peter 1.20; Revelation 12.5)!

3. Second Peter 1.16-19 demonstrates that the so-called “eyewitness accounts” of the gospels were actually based on visions & prophecies that were then written down as if they had already happened proleptically. Similarly, Acts 10.40—41 says that Jesus’ resurrection was a vision because it was only visible “to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God.” Revelation 19.10 also declares that “the testimony to Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

4. There is only one coming of Jesus in the end-times (1 Peter 1.10-11; emphasized especially in 1 Peter 1.20)!

5. The birth of Jesus occurs at the consummation of the ages (Galatians 4.4; Ephesians 1.10; Revelation 12:5). Acts 3.19-21 implies that the Messiah will not be sent to earth “until the time of universal restoration.”

6. Jesus’ death and resurrection occur “once in the end of the world” (Hebrews 9.26-28; see Zephaniah 1.7-18 in which the sacrifice or death of the Lord takes place during the day of the Lord)!

7. The resurrection of Jesus occurs during the consummation of the ages (Daniel 12.1; Isaiah 2.19, 21; 1 Corinthians 15.22-23; & he conquers death at the end of the world in 1 Corinthians 15.54, 57).

8. Jesus is the first horseman of the apocalypse (he’s the restrainer of 2 Thessalonians 2.7; cf. Revelation 6.2; 19.11).

9. Jesus represents the two witnesses of Revelation 11 (Jesus is the Witness in Revelation 1.5; 3.14; see also 1 John 5.7-9, & verse 11 where the anointed witnesses declare the testimony to Jesus). The 2 witnesses represent the 2 messiahs of Judaism (king/priest) which in the NT are conflated into one person: the Son of God (Hebrews 7.1-3).

10. The day of Christ (1 Corinthians 1.8; 3.13; Philippians 1.6; 2.16; 2 Thessalonians 2.2) or the Revelation of Christ (Luke 17.30; 1 Corinthians 1.7; Colossians 3.4; 1 Thessalonians 1.10; 2 Thessalonians 1.7; 1 Timothy 6.14; 2 Timothy 4.1; Titus 2.13; 1 Peter 1.13; 5.1; 1 John 2.28) occurs once in the end of the world!

11. Jesus is Greek (Isaiah 46.11; 61.9; Amos 9.12; Revelation 1.8-9; John 7.41-44, 52; 8.48-49; 4Q120; that’s why all the messianic types of the OT are depicted as Gentiles: e.g. Joseph/Moses/Cyrus).

12. Jesus is born in 1960. The key to solving this puzzle is found in Matthew 1.17. Notice that there is a constant repetition of 14 generations throughout the foregoing lineage. We also know from Scripture that a generation is equal to 70 years (Psalm 90.10). One final clue: the calculation does not begin from the time of Abraham but from the time of David who alone represents the Messiah! So, let’s work out the calculation. Matthew tells us that there were 14 generations from David to Babylon. Each generation is equal to 70 years. Thus, 14 x 70 = 980 years from David to Babylon. And there were 14 generations from the exile to the Messiah. Therefore, 14 x 70 = 980 years. So, from David to the exile are 980 years, and from the exile to the Messiah are another 980 years. Hence 980 (+) 980 = 1960, the year of the Messiah’s birth! The 70 weeks of Daniel are based on the birth of the Messiah, which is another way of saying the rebuilding of the heavenly Jerusalem (Daniel 9.25). That’s probably why Sister Lúcia Santos did not reveal the third secret of Fátima but sealed it in an envelope not to be opened until 1960, when “it will appear clearer."

13. Jesus is born in August. Luke 1.26-27 tells us the month of Jesus’ birth. In Luke 1.26, the angel was sent “in the sixth month.” That’s the clue! That’s the key. Simple and to the point. The sixth month (in the Jewish religious calendar) is called Elul. In the Gregorian calendar it falls on the month of August. Thus, that’s the month that the Messiah is born!

14. Jesus, who is the first horseman of the apocalypse, is revealed in 2025 or thereabouts (see Genesis 5.21; Dr. Chuck Missler agrees that something happened to Enoch, who is a type of Christ, when he was 65 years old). After that, Christ will be slain (Hebrews 9.26). Since the 70 weeks of Daniel are based on the birth of the Messiah——which is depicted in scripture as the building of the heavenly Jerusalem (Daniel 9.25)——then it follows that AFTER 62 years, “the Messiah will be cut off” (Daniel 9.26)! Don’t forget Irenaeus’ argument that Christ was a much older man, and that the promise to Abraham, a messianic type, was fulfilled in his old age! Theosophist Alice Bailey also predicted Christ’s appearance in 2025 (The Externalisation of the Hierarchy).

15. World War 3 begins in the latter half of the 2020 decade! Notice that there are 21 judgments in the Book of Revelation, and that the Messenger of God (in Daniel 10.13-14) was withstood for 21 days from coming to earth, with regard to the vision of the latter days. This would suggest that the Messiah——who is elsewhere depicted as Eli (which means “God”; Matthew 27.46)——will come to earth in the 21st century, just prior to “the great and terrible day of the Lord” (Malachi 4.5).

16. The general resurrection of the dead begins in the latter half of the 2020 decade, right after Jesus’ resurrection (Daniel 12.1-2; 1 Corinthians 15.22-23).

17. The Antichrist is here as well. He is Russian (Ezekiel 38). Daniel 8.25 calls him a “master of deception,” which is another way of saying “a spy.” Daniel’s 4th kingdom with 2 legs was Rome. The western Roman Empire was sacked in the 5th century AD. Then, in 1453, the Turks sacked Constantinople (the eastern part of the Roman Empire) and most of the Byzantine elites fled north to Moscow, where Moscow became the third Rome. Astonishingly, Putin came to power on the last day of the year 1999 (666), which marks the end of a thousand-year period. This important timeframe coincides with a Biblical prophecy in which the Antichrist will not appear “until the thousand years . . . [have] ended” (Revelation 20.3, 7-8)! The seer Nostradamus also predicted the coming of Antichrist in 1999 (Century 10, Quatrain 72).

18. The 10 Kings of Daniel 7.20 & Revelation 17.12 are the 8 leaders of the USSR plus the 3 leaders of the succeeding Russian Federation since its formation on December 25, 1991, with Putin being the 11th horn (the 11th king) of Daniel 7.20, “to make room for which three [kings] . . . fell out” (emphasizing the last 3 leaders of the new federal republic that arose out of the former USSR)!

19. The Great Tribulation (Nuclear War/WW3) will begin in the latter half of the 2020 decade.

20. We are living in the prophesied end-times! Revelation 22.20: “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

[tdowning79]

Read: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-2 SOAP: 2 Thessalonians 1:2 Paul opens this second epistle to the church at Thessalonica by greeting the believers with God’s grace and peace. God’s grace gives undeserving sinners the opportunity to receive forgiveness, and His peace allows us to rest in His presence even in the midst of a problematic, fallen world. God has poured His grace and peace into Paul, and these treasures overflow from his heart to the church. Do your words and actions invite others to experience God’s grace and peace? We should not hoard the treasures God has gifted us. This week, ask God to show you what steps you can take to welcome others in to know Him more fully. Lord, thank You for your grace and peace. Help me to invite others to draw close to You through my welcoming words and actions this week. Amen. #morningdevotional #youversion https://www.instagram.com/p/CpkUPtbOBUO/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bernardo1969]

The First Epistle to the Thessalonians is a writing that shows what the times of the early Church were like. The apostle Paul moved by the Holy Spirit had founded the Church of Thessalonica during his second missionary journey and this Christian community was placed in one of the most important Greek cities the apostle visited during that incredible trip. And Paul addressed this letter to this important Christian church with the objective of forming the believers spiritually, because he had to hastily leave the city at night accompanied by his friend Silas, due to the persecution and the enemies of the gospel. He probably wrote the letter while in the city of Corinth, where he remained for more than a year. And in the letter Paul began by explaining that he did not teach a worldly philosophy based on sophistry but on the truth of the gospel and the power of Jesus: "Our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction" 1 Thessalonians 1:5. The spiritual gifts were a very obvious reality during the early days of the Church that Paul always kept in mind, that is why Paul mentioned them in his letter, and these gifts were what allowed a rapid spread of the gospel as Paul highlighted in his letter. This is why Paul taught that he did not preach the gospel subordinated to the weaknesses of the flesh but moved by the grace of God: "We had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God" 1 Thessalonians 2:2-4.

[biblebloodhound]

What’s the Point of All This Suffering? (2 Thessalonians 1:3-12)

Every book of the Bible addresses human suffering.

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted…

[cruger2984]

THE DESCRIPTION OF THE THREE ARCHANGELS Feast Days: September 29, March 24 (St. Gabriel's traditional feast), May 8 (St. Michael's apparition at Monte Gargano), October 24 (St. Raphael's traditional feast)

"Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this. And he said to him, 'Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man!'" -John 1:47-51

St. Michael. St. Gabriel. St. Raphael. These are the Three Archangels that is been mentioned in the Holy Scriptures, and they are honored by the Roman Catholic Church.

The archangels are spiritual beings of the highest rank created by God before the beginning of the world. They have no material body and are immortal. Their name is given according to the mission have received from God. The word archangel is only used twice in the New Testament: In the 4th chapter of Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians and the Epistle of Jude. 

The archangel Michael, whose name means 'who is like God (or Quis ut Deus?)', was assigned to fight the devil. He was appointed to cast Lucifer out of Paradise, for challenging the sovereignty of God, as according to the Book of Revelation: 'Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.' 

Michael helps us in the daily struggle against Satan, who will be defeated in the Apocalyptic war at the end times. 

In Roman Catholic teachings, Saint Michael has four main roles or offices. His first role is the leader of the Army of God and the leader of heaven's forces in their triumph over the powers of hell. He is viewed as the angelic model for the virtues of the spiritual warrior, with the conflict against evil at times viewed as the battle within. The second and third roles of Michael in Catholic teachings deal with death. In his second role, Michael is the angel of death, carrying the souls of all the deceased to heaven. In this role Michael descends at the hour of death, and gives each soul the chance to redeem itself before passing; thus consternating the devil and his minions. Catholic prayers often refer to this role of Michael. In his third role, he weighs souls on his perfectly balanced scales. For this reason, Michael is often depicted holding scales. In his fourth role, Saint Michael, the special patron of the Chosen People in the Old Testament, is also the guardian of the Church. Roman Catholicism includes traditions such as the Prayer to Saint Michael, which specifically asks for the faithful to be 'defended' by the saint, and the Chaplet of Saint Michael consists of nine salutations, one for each choir of angels. 

The archangel Gabriel, whose name means 'God is my strength or hero of God', received the mission to proclaim God's almighty power. He was sent to announce the birth of Jesus to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the Gospel of Luke, when Mary objected that she was still virgin, Gabriel replied: 'Nothing is impossible from God.' 

Gabriel has the power to assist us in the most desperate cases, and to protect those who announce the Good News. It is said that Gabriel is the destroyer of the sinful city of Sodom.

It is said that Gabriel played some important roles: he taught Moses in the wilderness to write the Book of Genesis, the revealing of the coming of the Savior to Daniel, his appearance to Joachim and Anne the birth of Mary, and the appearance to Zechariah to announce the birth of John the Baptist. 

In the Gospel of Matthew, Gabriel may have been the unnamed angel, who appeared to St. Joseph in his sleep and instructed Joseph not to divorce Mary quietly, and explained that Mary’s child was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and that He would be named Emmanuel, which means God is with us. And in the Gospel of Luke, Gabriel may have been the angel who appeared to the Lord Jesus himself, in the Garden of Gethsemane before His Passion, to strengthen him. 

The archangel Raphael, whose name means 'God has healed', was appointed to cure the sickness of the spirit and of the body, and appeared in the Book of Tobit, and is also identified as the angel who moved the waters of the healing sheep pool.

After getting blinded, God hears both Tobit and Sarah's prayers and Raphael is sent to help them. Tobias is sent to recover money from a relative, and Raphael, in human disguise, offers to accompany him. On the way they catch a fish in the Tigris, and Raphael tells Tobias that the burnt heart and liver can drive out demons and the gall can cure blindness. They arrive in Ecbatana and meet Sarah, and as Raphael has predicted the demon, named Asmodeus, is driven out. Tobias and Sarah are married, Tobias grows wealthy, and they return to Nineveh (Assyria) where Tobit and Anna await them. After revealing his true identity, he said to him: 'I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who enter and serve before the Glory of the Lord.'

Tobit's blindness is cured, and Raphael departs after admonishing Tobit and Tobias to bless God and declare his deeds to the people (the Israelites), to pray and fast, and to give alms. Tobit praises God, who has punished his people with exile but will show them mercy and rebuild the Temple if they turn to him.

Michael is the patron of the military and police forces, Gabriel is the patron of messengers, those who work for broadcasting and telecommunications such as radio and television, postal workers, clerics, diplomats, police dispatchers and stamp collectors, and Raphael is the patron of the blind, of happy meetings, of nurses, of physicians and of travelers.