Some thoughts on Romans 3 and delivery.

Went to a bible study recently before going to work. Oh my that was painful.

Here is the jest of it. Studying (a very loose concept) the book of Romans; a book that I have come to love. It is expansive, filled with freedom, and constantly revealing things to me that I have never seen before. (At least not paid attention.)

Average age among the 8 that showed up, 65. Even I call this group "old school". Having gone the week before I knew that we would be covering chapter 3 starting at about verse 9. I will be honest with you. If I were leading this group there would be some nights that we would not make it off of one verse. So much depth and FREEDOM. I have seen the freedom in there, but struggle to grasp, as well as live in it, because I am constantly trying to break away from the ill-founded traditions that I was mired in.

Let me take a moment to expound upon traditions. Have you ever heard the story of the family, that for generations, prior to insertion into the oven, always cut the end off the pork roast served at the, holiday get together. When someone finally went to the source and asked why that was done, they learned that the oven had been too small and it was merely a necessity when using that particular oven. That necessity translated into years of unnecessary tradition, and questions, along with conjecture (like bringing good luck or some nonsense.) When all anyone had to do was to ask.

In that regard I envy, in a way, those that have only recently come to Christ, for they so often, without someone "revealing" it to them, walk in that freedom; their life not yet filled with rules about how to live. Now mind you, I have been in the Lord for most of my life. Regardless of the horrors that I have put myself through I have always been aware of God's love drawing me back to where I needed to be. Having been raised in church, a pentecostal one at that, I have seen everything, including the flakes. I will tell you straight out, I love the power of the Holy Spirit. I love that he overwhelms me at times, taking my breath away. I cannot even imagine what I will do when I get to stand before the one I have loved so long. (Yes, there is a song like that, and yes, I make it my prayer when I sing it.) So maybe I have slight advantage over the new Christian in that I may have some depth of knowledge about God's mercy that the newbie is yet to experience.

I think that if I let you in on my mindset this might make more sense. If you can picture this earth as an enormous adoption agency in which we have all been placed, with no way out short of someone adopting us. Here is the problem; we are all broken, and according to man's ways no one comes to adopt looking for a problem child to bring home, but then we do not even come close to thinking like God. God comes here, looks around at all us, in every state of being, and decides he has to have us all. One might think, at this point, that there is a small problem, our brokenness making us unacceptable (at least in our own minds.) apparently not a problem. God pays the price for our adoption with the blood of his own son. A price, by the way, that covers over all the unacceptable aspects. Now having paid the price, making us acceptable and wanted, there is only one catch, you have to sign the roster that says I want to go home with the one who paid the price for me.

That seems simple enough. There are no stipulations saying leave your bad attitude; He merely says come. Sure, as a child in his house you may have to take out the trash and take a shower once in awhile, but what parent would not expect the child to participate in the family social structure.

Why would anyone choose to stay when there is a destruction coming upon those who do not follow, when the price has been paid specifically so that you do not get destroyed. Did he say anything about your inability to come until you cleaned up your dirty mouth? No. He just said to come.

(Consider Jesus parable about the feast. People were invited but would not come. So the one giving the party tells the servants to go gather anyone who will come, especially the down and out.)

 

"The servant went back and told the master what had happened. He was outraged and told the servant, 'Quickly, get out into the city streets and alleys. Collect all who look like they need a square meal, all the misfits and homeless and wretched you can lay your hands on, and bring them here.' (Luke 14:21 MSG)

Romans is kind of like that. How?

1. God levels the playing field. We are all broken sinners, and no one has an advantage or easier access into God's grace.

2. Here is passage that we club outsiders with. Romans 3:23. The problem is that we only seem to memorize part of that paragraph, "for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Fortunately this is just a portion of the paragraph, and taken as we are apt to do, is a wee bit out context. Read on: (Romans 3:24) ^"but they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Isa 53:5; ²⁵ God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished--"

3. It would seem that God, himself, presented Jesus as the sacrifice of atonement. He had to lay him upon the altar. He had to pour out his blood, just as the high priest's did. The was a big difference. This it did not merely cover guilt temporarily, it obliterated all traces of the sin and the debt that was owed for it.
“God sacrificed Jesus on the altar of the world to clear that world of sin. Having faith in him sets us in the clear. God decided on this course of action in full view of the public--to set the world in the clear with himself through the sacrifice of Jesus, finally taking care of the sins he had so patiently endured. “(Romans 3:25 MSG)

This tells you God had faith in that blood too.

God, offered his son, a one time deal that covered all sins, for all time, to demonstrate his justice.

Laws are laws, but are they meant to be broken? No, and yet we do. We make laws to punish those who choose to exceed the boundaries that morals tend to call for. That usually means preventing your freedoms from infringing upon mine. Having been born into a broken condition, we quickly learned how to break the laws all by ourselves, and someone had to pay. Unfortunately that really meant all of us. But God passed over the chance to punish us, punishing the son that voluntarily took our place.

Again, God knew that Jesus would be enough. In so doing he eliminated our slavery to sin, wrote his laws upon our hearts, and gave us the chance to live with him in heaven.

Did I not tell you that this was a book of freedom. You have been released from your sin debt, and it really does not need to intrude into your regular life anymore.

Now if you choose to continue to sin can you sacrifice Christ anymore to cover for your lousy decisions? No. You are left to pay human consequences for your choices, but God is not judging you for the sin. Scripture tells us that we will be judged for our deeds, but that is another story.

Perhaps, if anything, this should have an impact on how we look at “the others", those outside of God's grace. As the lady that ran the bible study call them, "the evil people." Really? Is it possible that the blood of Christ was not enough? The simple answer is NO. Jesus paid the price for everyone; a price that even God, the Father had faith in.

What then separates us from God, and each other? Merely a lack of acceptance of his mercy and grace.

Enduring chastisement. What does that mean?

Heb 12:7  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
endureG5278
2. hupomeno (G5278), a strengthened form of No. 1, denotes "to abide under, to bear up courageously" (under suffering), Mat_10:22; Mat_24:13; Mar_13:13; Rom_12:12, translated "patient"; 1Co_13:7; 2Ti_2:10, 2Ti_2:12 (KJV, "suffer"); Heb_
Total KJV Occurrences: 18
endure, 5 Mar_13:13 (2), 2Ti_2:10, Heb_12:7, Jam_5:11; endured, 3 Heb_10:32, Heb_12:2-3 (2); endureth, 3 Mat_10:22, 1Co_13:7, Jam_1:12; patiently, 2
1Pe_2:20 (2); abode, 1 Act_17:14; behind, 1 Luk_2:43; patient, 1 Rom_12:12; suffer, 1 2Ti_2:12; tarried, 1 Luk_2:43
The NIV puts it this way: Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
If I am "to bear up courageously" under hardship at then at least there is the hope  that there may be no future punishment. That would seem to be the whole problem that I am having here. The Jews lived under the law, but the testator died and God's makes a new covenant with man. Under the new covenant, the one that we are living under, the law is written upon our hearts. That would mean that each one of us knows to do right.
Does any of that mean that punishment for breaking the law goes away?
Are we talking man's laws, which for the most part are really God's design, or exclusively God's laws. God's laws seemed more punitive, as the offender was usually killed.
You have to put things into perspective. Let's assume that we are talking God's law. Christ became the one time sacrifice for sins fulfilling the requirements of the law. Since then God is not judging the world for sins anymore. All judgement was placed upon Jesus. Now how was he punished? This passage says to endure your discipline. He was ridiculed, slapped, beaten, mocked, whipped, scourged, nail to a cross, forsaken by the Father (at least momentarily - he said so.), died, and went into hell. If that was what we deserved who would survive? No one. Truth is, believers are suffering fates like this daily. Does that mean they are being punished for their quiet little sins, or perhaps past sins? I do not think so.
Christ took all the punishment upon himself. An old pastor of mine, while trying to do some premarital counseling with the first wife and I, gave us an example in which his daughter had done wrong. She deserved the spanking with the belt (don't get stupid on me here, that seemed to have been the common method at the time, and a fairly effective deterrent). So he calls her in the room, lays out the facts and the punishment once again, and then tells her "but this time I am going to take the punishment for you" and hands her the belt. She of course could not do it, and broke down crying. His point was two fold. One of which was that Christ did the same for us. We deserved it, merely by birth.
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
(2 Corinthians 5:21, WBS)
"All children are disciplined by their fathers. ... God disciplines us for our own good so that we can become holy like him."
Discipline is the Greek word paideia
From G3811; tutorage, that is, education or training; by implication disciplinary correction: - chastening, chastisement, instruction, nurture.
According to the ISBE the radical meaning is that simply of training. In the New Testament the Greek paideia is used with a variety similar to its corresponding Hebrew in the Old Testament. Examples of the fundamental idea, namely, that of “training,” are found in such passages as Act_7:22; Act_22:3, where Moses and Paul are said to have been “instructed,” and 2Ti_3:16, where Scripture is said to be “profitable ... for instruction” (compare 1Ti_1:20; 2Ti_2:25; Tit_2:12; Rom_2:20).
So that I have it straight in my head. I am "to abide under or bear up under my education or training.
If I was training to be an Olympic athlete then I might expect some hardship. Having wrestled for a short time in high school, and I can tell you that training sessions were grueling at times. Although they did not really help me any, they were for a purpose, and that was to make us better.
Here is an interesting thought. I said that the training sessions did not help me much; they did. I got stronger, leaner, and faster. What they did not do was build a confidence in me that taught me I could win. That problem has been with me all my life. What training can do to the outside of the body does not necessarily equate to a reformation on the inside. Suddenly the need for a savior becomes apparent, because man cannot save himself. Yes, there are some deluded people that believe you can. Good luck with that. If you are successful, it is only because God has allowed it for a purpose. If you are not fulfilling that purpose then you are not receiving your training very well.
So the bottom line here is that this is not about God being punitive toward us but attempting to train us. I suspect that what we don't learn down here he will have to take a few extra minutes of our time when we get there. Beside all that scripture establishes that we are in Christ. Is God going to continue training and or punishing Him? NO. The Father loves the Son and has placed all things under his feet, and we are complete in him.
If it does not feel like this is who you are then I would suggest that you continue, in the Word, to abide under training.

What of Jacob, or Can a woman really heal what is broken in you?

This covers a lot of ground, so if you are interested look at Genesis 25 -31.

Church Saturday night. Pastor is talking about relational issues between husbands and wives, and tonight brings up Jacob. He, of course had to do the fast recap of who Jacob is and what "created" him. What I mean by created is the dynamics within his family that made him respond to situations the way he did. This equates to, in this case, a broken man, Jacob, that looks to a woman, Rachel, to bring him wholeness.

Here is a shocker! We are all broken and though we may not want to admit to it, most of us are looking for something that helps to dull the pain and take our mind off of it for at least a few moments. Sometimes, in the case of a man, it takes the form of a woman because she quiets the storm momentarily. If a man could be honest, he would tell you that there is little that takes away the hurt inside. Come on. Scripture tells us that all of creation is crying out for redemption, so how can you be excluded.

What we know about Jacob.

Esau was born first, and quickly becomes a very hairy man. Jacob of course was born second. At an early age this second child thing is not important to you, but, depending on how you treated in the home (For example: your father makes sure that you eventually understand the position that you do not hold; that the older will rule the family when father is gone, and the elder will get the lion's share of any inheritance.) there may also be sibling rivalry and favoritism shown toward the elder. (That could work the opposite too, for often the eldest is held to a higher standard and takes more punishment for mistakes.)

Whatever the case is with these two we do not know, but we have some clues.

Gen 25:27 tells us: And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.

What does that mean when it comes to Jacob? While one was constantly out being manly the other seems to have busy playing video games and cooking. In the eyes of a father that wants to pass on the family business Esau is the boy you brag about in the market place. This has to play a role in the character of Jacob.

Outside of speculation you do not know what made Jacob such a conniver.

Here is what we have next.

One day, Jacob was cooking some stew, when Esau came home hungry and said, "I'm starving to death! Give me some of that red stew right now!" That's how Esau got the name "Edom." Jacob replied, "Sell me your rights as the first-born son." "I'm about to die," Esau answered. "What good will those rights do me?" But Jacob said, "Promise me your birthrights, here and now!" And that's what Esau did.

(Genesis 25:29-33 CEV)

While you probably do not pick up on a major attitude when you read most translations, there is no doubt that it is there.

Here is an example of attitude that Jesus told us about. The parable of the rich man and poor Lazarus. Both have died. Lazarus is now comforted and the rich man is now demanding, pretty much just as he had always done, that Lazarus be sent back to warn his family.

And he said, Father, it is my request that you will send him to my father's house;

(Luke 16:27 BBE)

This parable is another example that probably escapes most people because the interpreters of the bible, in order for words to make sense, inserted the word please, as though the man was now being polite. It was his custom to order people around, and he still thinks that he can order Lazarus around.

Esau, though probably not on the verge of death, is hungry enough sale his birthright to Jacob. Doesn't this imply that the birthright issue has been part of Jacob's thinking for a long time.

If you felt confident that you were going to be taken care of by your father then why would you steal what was not meant to be yours? Obviously Jacob did not feel very confident.

Okay, Esau sells his brother his birthright. Yeah right, only in cheap words, for Esau seems to have had no intent of giving up what was his. Besides that, how do you enforce an illegal sale, with a father who is the only one who has the right to give it, and who is probably not that fond of Jacob anyway.

If Esau had thrown away his birthright nonchalantly, then why go to the trouble of going in to his father in hopes of receiving the blessing?

As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, when Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, Esau his brother came in from his hunting. He also prepared delicious food and brought it to his father. And he said to his father, "Let my father arise and eat of his son's game, that you may bless me." His father Isaac said to him, "Who are you?" He answered, "I am your son, your firstborn, Esau." Then Isaac trembled very violently and said, "Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me, and I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed." As soon as Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry and said to his father, "Bless me, even me also, O my father!" But he said, "Your brother came deceitfully, and he has taken away your blessing." Esau said, "Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing." Then he said, "Have you not reserved a blessing for me?" Isaac answered and said to Esau, "Behold, I have made him lord over you, and all his brothers I have given to him for servants, and with grain and wine I have sustained him. What then can I do for you, my son?"

(Genesis 27:30-37 ESV)

Some time has passed, and personalities have not changed.

Now we get to add Rebekah into the mix.

And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it. And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying,

(Genesis 27:5-6 KJV)

It would seem that she knew about the deal that Jacob had made with Esau, and has decided that she is going to make this deception happen. There is little about what happens next even believable, but it does. Sheepskin, with all that hair, and the voice had to be decidedly different. Besides, Jacob was the cook not Esau.

The deception is pulled off, and now Jacob has to flee; an exile. He, in a sense, stumbles upon Rachel, and she is a vision of what a girl should look like. He wants her bad, and is willing to work for her to get her. There is an irony here in that Rachel, is not an accident by any means, for Laban, her father is Jacob's uncle. (Consider: If Rebekah knew how to be devious it only makes sense that Laban would too.)

Jacob makes no effort to barter for her, but tells Laban that he will work seven years for her.

(That in it self may be significant on several levels. 7 is the number of perfection, and redemption, a theme that recurs throughout scripture.)

He does not do what desperate men do, raping her, he waits for the seven years. He then goes to Laban and demands that she be given to him for he has paid for her. Laban deceives Jacob just as Jacob had deceived and gives him Leah.

Laban makes a statement here, in response to Jacob's shock and disappointment, that I never noticed before.

And Laban answered, It is not done thus in our country, to give the younger before the elder.

(Genesis 29:26 Brenton)

As pastor explained: "this had to cut Jacob like a knife". This is precisely what Jacob and his mother had done to Esau. And Laban may well be aware of it. If not, it is amazing how the Holy Spirit puts words in your mouth.

Now the premise for all this is: that Jacob, a broken man, and I am not so sure he could understand that for a long time, pursues Rachel, the vision of perfection, in hopes that she would heal him and make him a better man.

While that may actually be happening in the back of his mind it is not directly noted. Sure, much smarter men than I have analyzed this scenario and concluded these things from the story, but is that necessarily the point that God is trying to make in sharing this with us?

One of the things that I see in scripture is that God is in control, regardless of how lousy the circumstances seem to be. Pastor said “that God gives us examples of people who are messed up so that we can know what not to do.” If that theory is true, then why would God tell Israel, explicitly, not to learn from the surrounding nations, for the surrounding nations were doing everything wrong, worshiping idols, and sacrificing their children to gods.

While I might argue that learning from my neighbor how to work with Iron could be a necessity that would allow my civilization to eventually create sewer pipes, there is always a hazard in close associations, especially for those not so grounded. As it can, and most of the time will cause us to be drawn away by the deviant and those used by Satan.

You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods. They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against Me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.

(Exodus 23:32-33 AMP)

And you shall consume all the peoples whom the Lord your God will give over to you; your eye shall not pity them, neither shall you serve their gods, for that would be a snare to you.

(Deuteronomy 7:16 AMP)

You didn't merely live by their ways and act according to their disgusting practices, but in a very short time you acted more corruptly than they in all your ways.

(Ezekiel 16:47 CJB)

Is it the person becoming the snare? Perhaps, but what we do know is that Satan will deceive you through any means possible. In some cases it might be an innocent, but attractive looking woman.

Yes, Jacob's life is one big psycho drama. He is a liar, a cheat, and generally a mess; he does not even seem to slow down all those years later when he meets Esau. But there is a method to God's madness. God seems to use broken people; he even seeks them out. He seems to find pleasure in lifting them up and healing them.

Our savior is a descendant of the line from Jacob.

My point: That no matter how messed up the story we can and should glean as much as we can from each one, for it is God's story. Sure, you think it is yours, but it is never anything less than God's plan, you just get to be a part of it.

"For I know what plans I have in mind for you,' says Adonai,'plans for well-being, not for bad things; so that you can have hope and a future. "

(Jeremiah 29:11 CJB)

it was for this that he called you

2Thessalonians 2:14 it was for this that he called you by our gospel, to gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Context is everything. 

If I read this as a stand-alone sentence, then I would have to ask the question: 

What is the "this " that he called me for?

The word reference 'this" primarily goes back to 2 Thessalonians 2:13, where Paul wrote, "because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation,"

Our salvation comes through a continuing process of sanctification by the Holy Spirit and our belief in the truth. The Modern King James version of this verse says: "belief of the truth,"

The truth, then, is "respecting God and the execution of his purposes through Christ,"
(Webster's )

Truth is integrated into our salvation, for we have to believe the truth, which is Christ Jesus and his word.

Salvation might well be extrapolated as:
In English Versions of the Bible, the words salvation and save are not technical theological terms but simply denote deliverance in almost any sense the latter word can have. In systematic theology, however, salvation denotes the whole process by which man is delivered from all that would prevent his attaining the highest good that God has prepared for him. (ISBE)

Because verse 13 has us being saved through sanctification, we need to look at that word more intently.

The ISBE tells us that:

"To understand this primary meaning we must go back to the word holy in the Old Testament. That is holy which belongs to Yahweh. There is nothing implied here as to moral character. It may refer to days and seasons, to places, to objects used for worship, or to persons. Exactly the same usage is shown with the word sanctify. To sanctify anything is to declare it as belonging to God."

Sealed by the Holy Spirit, we are God's after we have believed the truth. The progress along that path toward transformation (not really clear on what all that encompasses) is a constant work in progress that will only be complete upon the day that we are changed. I am sure that is debatable, and there will be those who argue that there is a chance that God will continue the change process even while in heaven. (Note that scripture tells us that nothing sinful/evil will be allowed in heaven, so that is really not likely.) A book I read about a young man returning from heaven said that Jesus taught him everything (I transliterated a little here). The implication was more of an instant download of information. That might be part of the change that we go through.

I can tell you this. I have seen more changes in me in the last couple of months than I have ever experienced in my previous 56 years. I know it is a God thing, for I am even witnessing something I enjoy now. Go figure.
Take it easy on the condemnation until you try walking in my shoes. Ask me when we meet in heaven, and I will tell you all about it. Besides, there, I will not be so apt to take a swing at you. Just kidding, I think.

Something outstanding about 2 Thessalonians 2:14 is this: "he called you to share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."

I will not try to define what the glory is but think about what we know about him now.

Even when we were dead in sins, has made us alive together with Christ (by grace ye are saved;) And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:5-7 KJV)

Even though it seems as though we are to attempt to live in this state of euphoria, something I have not mastered, we do have the promise of God showing us what is to come. And trust me, this is beyond my imagination.

I can hardly wait.

God chose you

2Th 2:13  But we, brethren beloved by the Lord, ought and are obligated [as those who are in debt] to give thanks always to God for you, because God chose you from the beginning as His firstfruits (first converts) for salvation through the sanctifying work of the [Holy] Spirit and [your] belief in (adherence to, trust in, and reliance on) the Truth.

"brothers loved by the Lord,.."
Paul had only moments before been talking about the lawless one and those deceived by his signs, because they are perishing, essentially describing those attempting to live with out Christ, therefore not brothers in the Lord.

"because from the beginning God chose you.."
- We are talking about some point before God even created the worlds and time.
How would I know if I had been chosen? If I have a relationship with Him then I was.

Alright then, what about the others, those outside of his love?
Look at this verse:
The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people's conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.
(2 Peter 3:9 AMP)

You should know that Gods desire is toward everyman, and though the decision is yours He knew the decision before you made it. Does that tangle your mind? It would seem that even though He knew your mind he still sent His Son to redeem you and make a way for you. My humanness sees that as wasted energy. God on the other hand sees you as something valuable and worth making the effort to rescue.

So, God knew me before, and knew my decision, then what did he choose me for?
I will say that my life has not been as spectacular as I had hoped, and yet He chose us to be saved.

How does that happen?
1. Through the sanctifying work of the Spirit
2. Through belief in the truth.

Let's look at point 1 for a moment. - To be sanctified really means to be set apart as something Holy for God's work. The priests had particular items, meant exclusively for God's service. Considering how we treat our bodies and God, I cannot even imagine what he sees in us, and yet he does. This tells me that there are dynamics going on that I do not see, and that he sees a future for me that I often cannot picture.

We are also chosen to be saved. Saved through the sanctifying work of the spirit. This is not the human spirit, but God's. There is nothing in man, except a rare case of fortitude, and none of that can change you. So God's spirit, the Holy Spirit is in the process of sanctifying.

If it had been a one time, done deal, wouldn't Paul have used the term sanctified, past tense. Instead he uses a not only active,  but a proactive form. What I get from that is that I am in a constant state of change.

Point number 2. Chosen to be saved through faith. One translation puts it this way: through belief of truth.

Truth, this word has so many facets to it. Jesus said he was the truth, and we are told that his word is truth.

TRUTH, n.
1. Conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been, or shall be.

And the Word became flesh, and tabernacled among us. And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and of truth.
(John 1:14 MKJV)

For the Law came through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
(John 1:17 MKJV)

God is a spirit, and they who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.
(John 4:24 MKJV)

You are of the Devil as father, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and did not abide in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own, for he is a liar and the father of it.
(John 8:44 MKJV)

Consecrate them by thy truth: thy word is truth.
(John 17:17 Moffatt NT)

and for their sake I consecrate myself that they may be consecrated by the truth.
(John 17:19 Moffatt NT)

"So you are a king?" said Pilate, "you!" "Certainly," said Jesus, "I am a king. This is why I was born, this is why I came into the world, to bear testimony to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."
(John 18:37 Moffatt NT)

This is He who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water only, but by the water and blood. And the Spirit is He who bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth.
(1 John 5:6 MKJV)

Our being gathered to Him.

A look at 2 Thessalonians 2:1-11

Now as to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and our meeting with him, it is our desire, my brothers, That you may not be moved in mind or troubled by a spirit, or by a word, or by a letter as from us, with the suggestion that the day of the Lord is even now come; Give no belief to false words: because there will first be a falling away from the faith, and the revelation of the man of sin, the son of destruction, Who puts himself against all authority, lifting himself up over all which is named God or is given worship; so that he takes his seat in the Temple of God, putting himself forward as God. Have you no memory of what I said when I was with you, giving you word of these things? And now it is clear to you what is keeping back his revelation till the time comes for him to be seen. For the secret of evil is even now at work: but there is one who is keeping back the evil till he is taken out of the way. And then will come the revelation of that evil one, whom the Lord Jesus will put to death with the breath of his mouth, and give to destruction by the revelation of his coming; Even the one whose coming is marked by the working of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, And with every deceit of wrongdoing among those whose fate is destruction; because they were quite without that love of the true faith by which they might have salvation. And for this cause, God will give them up to the power of deceit and they will put their faith in what is false:

(2 Thessalonians 2:1-11 BBE)

Verse 1) "our being gathered to Him," We tend to call this the rapture, though the

terminology is not found in scripture. It is the Latin term rapio, found in the Vulgate translation. 

 

      What we have to go on is this: 1Th 4:17 AMP Then we, the living ones who remain [on the earth], shall simultaneously be caught up along with [the resurrected dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so always (through the eternity of the eternities) we shall be with the Lord!

The Greek word that was translated caught up is harpazo, and it means to seize or carry off by force. Force implies a violent, strong action but could also mean rapidly with strength. There is nothing that will stop this action.

Verse 3) "that day" - This terminology, scripturally, is often used in reference to Jesus physical reappearance on earth. It is also synonymous with judgment. We are not talking about judgment here, what we are talking about is our rescue from unprecedented wrath, the great tribulation (Not wrath in general; this is where I think people get hung up. No doubt people are suffering wrath even now.) This will come at the three and half year mark of the peace treaty with Israel.

(Consider: Sudan, Ethiopia, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Bahrain, Yemen, you name the Muslim majority nation and you will find violence against believers has increased dramatically in many of them.)

Great tribulation - how could it get any worse. Picture attempts at ethnic cleansing that begin to take on global proportions. The word great means large in bulk or dimensions. Jesus said of this time: if the time were not shortened no man would survive.

Verse 6) For Paul to say "now you know" would imply my being told previously or having some kind of understanding. I have no inside track, therefore I have to deduce this for myself. I believe that the answer is in here, in the scriptures. "And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time."

Something or someone is holding him back. Who is the "him" that Paul is referring to? The man of lawlessness.

      Verse 7)

      2 Thessalonians 2:7 GNB (7) The Mysterious Wickedness is already at work, but what is going to happen will not happen until the one who holds it back is taken out of the way.

The one holding it back; is this Christ? No!, for He has already gone away. Heb_12:2 ".. and he is now seated at the right side of God's throne."

Jesus said it was necessary that He go, but in His place He sent the comforter - the Holy Spirit. Joh_16:7 It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

We might assume that is it the Holy Spirit that is removed from the earth? I do not believe so for several reasons. One of the primary reasons I do not believe that to be the case is: After our gathering to him we see an angel flying over the face of the earth declaring the gospel of Jesus. (Look at Rev_14:6 ) There will be many that respond to this; obviously not all.

John 12:32 says; "if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." That active force, still relevant on the earth after the snatching away, is the Holy Spirit of God for the drawing of the heart still continues. Take a look at Revelation 7:9. John sees martyred saints before the throne on two occasions. The second time the number could not be counted. Does this not say something about a drawing of people and the Holy Spirits work.

God has not stepped away momentarily, turning the mad man loose, for the earth was his creation for us, and He has further plans for it.

So what changed?

If you have been paying attention you might have caught something. Many will refer to it as organic, indicating a living thing that grows, moves, and adapts to environmental changes. God never changes, but we like a trained military do. With our purpose directed toward God we can adapt to the environment around us. Reasons: as Pastor Greg Laurie says; Take as many people to heaven with us as we can.

I see far to many people walking around in a darkness that they are choosing to bring upon themselves. That darkness may not get them into the heaven on the first pass and will subject them to the horrors that are to come. What if I can get anyone to wake up, find the truth, and avoid the harder road that comes along with the antichrist. Even if the horror does not knock directly on your door, just the thought of knowing it is out there, and or seeing it happen would be bad enough. You know that gut wrenching feeling of watching the bad thing happening to someone and there is nothing you can do about it.

2Thessalonians 2:7 says: "..but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way."

When we accepted that Christ died for us, relinquishing us from the debt of sin, we became one with Him.

Take the time to look up these passage: 1 Cor 8:6; Col 2:10; Eph 2:4,5 "his love..has..made us alive together with Christ,"

When John sees into heaven he never speaks of the church, the body of Christ, at all after chapter 4 begins. What he does see is Christ and the elders.

There is strong speculation that because we are in Him that he is seeing us when he sees Christ. We might be pictured when he sees the elders.

One other thing. In Revelation 21 John is told to come and see the bride. We, the church, are designated as the bride on several occasions. This different for this reason - John sees the new Jerusalem, a physical structure, where we are building blocks, and we are made of pure gold.

I think this is a strong argument for the church, the body of Christ, being the thing that restrains the lawless one until he, the church, is taken out of the way. Again a singular, organic entity. This would not be uncommon language in God's world for God's name carries a plural implication.

If we have established that it is the church that restrains him, then what is it that we are doing to restrain him?

May I be perfectly honest here. I am undisciplined and I guarantee you that I have not carried my weight in this regard. Sadly, I strongly suspect that most of us are like this. Prayer warriors are few and most are old single ladies, with fewer distractions. If the majority of us are doing little to stop this man, then what is it that is stopping him?

What if it is merely the presence of God, in the form of the Holy Spirit, living inside of us and we in Him. Even if it is the Holy Spirit, are we not talking about God here? If it is the Holy Spirits' indwelling then there is a level of activity happening constantly, that we are not aware of. We know, because scripture tells us, that when we do not know how to pray the spirit does and prays within with groanings that cannot be uttered.

I cannot control my own life, and yet this, if it is true, tells me that God in me is controlling such a destructive man from emerging on the scene.

(I in no way compare with God, but shouldn't his presence in me – contrary to my broken failings – give me at least an understanding that the power of the universe dwells within. Hence Paul can say: I am not of this world, and that we reign with Christ. How meaningless that sounds without some reference point. For me at least things are starting to become clearer. Now how do I translate that clarity into “walking in the spirit and not the flesh”.)

This adds fuel to the argument that it is the church that must be removed in order for this man, who is waiting in the wings, to emerge on the scene.

Verse 8:) And then the lawless one will be revealed,

Paul tells us, as you read on, that the spirit that empowers him is already at work in the world, but short of comic book heroes no one lives forever, therefore when the timing is not only right, but ripe, a man will come on the scene.

Islam believe this man to be the 12th or hidden Imam, otherwise known as the Mahdi. A descendent of Mohammed, a man 40 years old, a military leader, and obviously a spiritual leader. He will initiate a 7 year peace treaty with Israel

(Islamic tradition indicates that he will make this treaty with the aid of a Jewish high priest. Why is that so odd? Muslims are taught to hate the Jews for much the same reasons that Hitler did. Add to this toxic confusion the false prophet of scripture. Islam tells us that “Jesus” comes back for them, not us. And that of course he is a Jew, but not the son of God. Mohammed saved him from death. Their Jesus is a great prophet, and a follower of Islam. When he shows he will defer to the Mahdi and tell everyone how wrong they were and that there is no god but Allah. Can you begin to see why when the Son of God comes back, that he dispatches these two characters immediately; the deception is so ugly and pervasive.)

The potential for the need for a treaty becomes stronger daily.

On Tuesday May 2, 2011, there has been put forth a call for Muslims from every nation surrounding Israel to invade Palestine. Although they claim it will be peaceful demonstration what can that possibly mean when they are also calling it the third intifada - these were the rock throwing wars that they initiated in Israel previously, and that those who come, (there is a fervor in their tone as they address a lack of action on the part of complacent Muslims) must be prepared to die.

Understand that there is no assurance of “salvation” for the Muslim short of your blood being spilled as a martyr. Add to the mix the fact that Sunday evening television (May 1, 2011) was interrupted by special reports indicating that "Sheik" Usama Bin Laden had been killed in a military action by Navy Seals.

Do you not think that tensions will rise. What a fertile ground for the cry of peace.

In light of 2 Thessalonians 2:7,8 it would seem that the timing between our being caught up with Christ and the entrance of the man of lawlessness would be seamless.

It is quite possible that on that day believers in Christ will be gone. Just the fact that so many of us disappear, as we, and God's word have said, should be a strong conviction of error and a motivation to stand against Islam, regardless of your outcome. That is of course dependent upon you understanding what is coming.

Keep in mind that the number of slain, that John saw the second time, was innumerable.

"And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming."

We tend to think of a "new" actor as a sudden star, when in fact they have been working at their craft for years.

Logically thinking, how would throw a personality onto the world scene and expect every one to comply with him, unless you take that same person, and arm him with the ability to perform all kinds of signs and wonders. Following him might now be more out of fear, unless somehow he is construed as representing god, perhaps Allah.

A motivation to follow this personage could well be some form of deep respect and admiration, based upon my religious beliefs. In other words, if he fits into the pattern of what I understand and have been taught then he must be the one I have been waiting for.

The deception here will run deep. Based upon the premise that I just stated the signs must fill some religious parameters, and according to Islam's creeds they will. But how would this guy have that kind of impact upon the world if they have no clue about the tenets of Islam. Does that not demonstrate how easily people are duped when they desire something extraordinary to satisfy their selfish desires.

Here in is the sad reality of this: Many will follow him because of what they think they can receive from him.

(Insight: Islamic tradition says the Mahdi will be able to bring rains and make crops grow. Not very high tech, but important in the arid middle east. Do not exclude personal safety when you consider these two characters that are coming. For the false prophet tends to play the role of the strong man, forcing people accept Islam or be beheaded.)

This is not a new phenomenon. I saw it in church on many occasions, and it was the cause of a regretful falling out that I had several christian brothers in the Lord. People came where great demonstrations of God's power were present, merely (it would seem) to suck in as much as they could, walk away with their momentary good feelings, and never reproduce any of those things in or toward others as God had commanded.

Jesus told His own disciples, “freely you have received, now freely give”. Give what? The whole package; the emotion, the giftings, the health, and the promise of a new life with the Father.

Verse 9) "The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan.."

I thought God had the only plan. Satan was clever enough to attempt to either destroy God's plan or destroy God himself.

What if Satan could have tricked God into lying, something that God is incapable of. The effect would have been cataclysmic; Satan would have trapped God, and won.

Suppose (it is actually a given) that Satan is the one who is deceived and actually thinks there is a chance for him to succeed. If there is a point here it would be that Satan has had an alternate plan since creation began. His rebellion apparently came before man had been clothed with a body of flesh.

(Side trip - God made man in His image. What is God? A spirit. How do I know this? Jesus said He was and that those that worship Him must do so in spirit and in truth.)

Verse 9, 10) continues to define the work of Satan.

"The coming ... will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10) And in every sort of evil that deceives ...

“all kinds of counterfeit miracles...”

Paul also indicates that there will be signs, wonders, and every sort of evil that deceives.

The word counterfeit means: to copy or imitate, without authority or right. Jesus gave his disciples the right to go out do what He had shown them. They had the authority, and so do we, but that authority, that comes from God, extends only to those that are His. As I write this I can hear many say "yeah but!" Perhaps the answer to that lies in the fact that Satan has been counterfeiting since time began.

What can we say about signs, wonders, and miracles. Consider Elijah, he stopped and started the rain. That's impressive. Isaiah spoke and the sun went backward ten degrees on the sun dial; Elisha called fire from heaven and consumed troops; Moses threw down Aaron's rod and it turned into a serpent, not to mention the water into blood, bugs, and frogs. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, as well as at least one other; he healed the sick, and gave hope to many.

People seem to be most impressed with the large, notable things. Islam tells us that the Mahdi will control the weather, and do things similar to any of these; that should draw some attention.

Verse 10)

“and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.”

If you think about the process of deception you might find it easier to insert a magicians image here. Deception is what makes a magic act effective. How is the audience deceived? You are drawn away from the truth by a distraction. In the case of Chris Angel or David Blaine people might actually believe that these guys can levitate.

The lawless one may well be able to actually do wonders due to his being empowered by Satan. Reasonable people might watch, smile and walk away feeling entertained, while others take what they see as reality. Is it reality if he calls fire down and you get burnt to a crisp?

What of the deceived?

The evil deceives those who are perishing. We are surrounded by evil. Evil seems to own the world, and if we did not have police I think the evil would consume us all. How is it then that evil has the ability to deceive? Because not all evil looks so bad. Everybody is aware of the statement that the love of money is the root of all evil; Why? Because it is based in selfishness, and therein lies the problem with evil. All evil is based in selfishness and no one wants to see it that way. Selfishness says, I want what I want and I want it now.

Do they know that they are going to their destruction? It may be safe to say that if they do it is no longer an aspect of their thinking. Doesn't deception require a mind that wants to believe? Television pitchmen are effective because: they seem believable, and people are looking for something that seems better or satisfies their wants and desires.

Paul said to the Romans, and by extension to us, Romans 6:16 GW Don't you know that if you offer to be someone's slave, you must obey that master? Either your master is sin, or your master is obedience. Letting sin be your master leads to death. Letting obedience be your master leads to God's approval.

James wrote: James 1:14-15 AMP But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions). (15) Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death.

This self-entrapment does not happen overnight, it is a pursuit, something that you desire, and demonstrates a deliberate rejection of God's grace toward them.

“They perish because they refused to love the truth.”

We have all allowed ourselves to be deceived, and yet here we are, if we are followers of Christ, caught up in the arms of the Father.

What is the difference?

You did not refuse to love the truth.

Pilot's response was, “ what is truth?” Truth was standing before him. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth”. “If you have seen me you have seen the Father”, therefore we can say that Jesus, his words, and the Father are truth.

To love the truth is to love the Father and His word.

Judging is not our business, therefore those who show little love or interest in his word or life are His problem, and God will sort us out in the end.

Verse 11)

“For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie..”

What reason?

• because they refused to love the truth.

What does it mean to refuse?

Someone can offer you more to eat after you have already eaten, and you politely turn them down; you have refused. But here is the difference. You have not chosen to never eat again, placing a judgment upon the one who offered you the food. Your decision to step away from the table has not changed your desire to eat, nor has it condemned you to punishment.

Apparently we are talking about the conscious decision to refuse all aspects of God and His efforts to show you love.

Unless you are mentally unstable you would not casually sacrifice your own son. My Jesus made himself obedient to the cross, knowing full well the pain and the joy, as many would eventually accept this act as an act of love redemption for and toward them.

I often try to use an analogy that likens Christ death as God coming to this earth, a large adoption agency, and paying the price for everyone of us. The action needed from us is to choose to come with Him and live in His home. Some come with a great appreciation, others come with their attitudes, refusing to act like a family member. Some out right refuse the offer. Does that change the fact that the price was paid? No. Does it change the love and effort made? No. My human nature just reels at someone paying such a huge price, with no guarantees, for those who will refuse to come along. Think about the interactions that God has made with man from the beginning of time. It has always been along the lines of – this is what I will do for you, regardless. It would be wisdom for you to respond.

Everything about this scenario shows the benevolence of the Father toward a people who he knew would refuse and were in man's eyes unworthy of redemption. By the way, there was nothing we could do to buy our way out, the price was to high, and required an impossible perfection. Fortunately, Jesus was willing and fit the perfection aspect. He was completely obedient to the Father's will. Imagine that, with the Father, speaking the worlds into existence. A degree of power that does not lend itself to humility in the human mind, and yet out of love for us he came, and now we are redeemed.