King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Thursday, November 28, 2024
Chapters: I & II Thessalonians
Message: Christ Glorified in You
Hello My Friend,
Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends! Then again, it ought to be a day of thanks for all of my friends as it has been a trying year all over the world and God has seen us through it this far, so, praise God. You know, those of us who are saved and born again and continue to endure the afflictions we are facing with Christ may not be the best Christians in the world, but we are faithful. If you are anything like me, then you fall short quite often of being more like Christ, but the most important thing to remember is that we never give up. Why? Those who have no hope are looking up to us, they see our faith and that gives them the hope that if Jesus delivered us, He will deliver them also.
[1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.]
The Book of I Thessalonians was written by Paul in AD 54, shortly after his departure from Thessalonica. The purpose of the letter was to reconfirm young disciples in the foundational truths already taught them, to encourage them to live holy lives, and to comfort their concerns about those saved who die before Christ returns. What we are to learn from the book is that the second coming of Christ is coming, and sooner than we think, the hope of His return is the inspiration, and comfort of the true saved, born again Christian, [1 Thessalonians 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.]
Paul, presented this letter to the Thessalonians, along with Silas and Timothy, as we recall they were with Paul while he was in Thessalonica. The church was facing a lot of affliction, so Paul decided to write this letter to let them know that he was praying for them and that their labor and hope in Christ is dully noted.
[1 Thessalonians 1:1-6 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. 5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:]
[having received the word in much affliction, with joy] Most of us who find out the truth about Christ do so under great affliction and or conviction. When life becomes unbearable, impossible, and hopeless there is no other option, but Christ. You see, the reason why God’s faithful stand out and give hope to those who are looking for hope is that we are not living our lives to impress anyone, but just living for God. Paul, goes on to point out how they received Christ simply by a witness of Christ being in them.
[1 Thessalonians 2:1-4,13,19 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: 2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. 3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?]
[not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.] Of course, God, is going to try our hearts, not in the sense of whether or not we are true in our faith, as He already knows that, but rather to give ourselves assurance of our faith in Him, [2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.]
There is truly something incredible that only the Holy Spirit works on us that we certainly would never do on our own, and that is the desire to see lost souls receive Christ as their Saviour. I have said it before, we are automatically wired through the Holy Spirit to start living our lives through Him. And as Christians, we are not to be living the way the world does, Paul, commends the Thessalonian’s for their faithfulness.
[1 Thessalonians 3:1-2,5-8 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; 2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: 5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain. 6 But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: 7 Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: 8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.]
[lest by some means the tempter have tempted you,] The tempter, as my old preacher calls him, the devil, old smutty face himself, wants to see us fall, In fact, he wants to see if we are going to as he put it when he afflicted Job, “curse thee to thy face.” While we do not like affliction, and to be honest, have fallen short by the tempter more times than we care to admit, God’s faithful will get back up even stronger in their faith, [Proverbs 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.]
[For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.] As long as we carry this flesh, and until Jesus returns, sin is something we cannot escape. While Christ certainly does save us by grace that does not mean that He wants us to live anyway we please, we are to live our lives in a way that pleases God. In fact, it is the only way that gives people that hope they need to come to Him as well.
[1 Thessalonians 4:1-2,7,9,12-13 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. 13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.]
[even as others which have no hope.] The longer we walk with Christ the more we reflect Him, which only happens because we are living our lives to please God. That does not mean that we live as though we are holier than thou, but that we are truly humble, knowing that we are the chiefest of sinners, but somehow Christ sees fit to use us anyway. And what exactly is our hope? That we will see Jesus.
[1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.]
Praise God! When Jesus died on the cross it would have been enough to bring permanent salvation to all who believe, but He did not stop there, He arose three days later to prove not only that death cannot stop God, but all who believe in Him will live forever with Him. No matter what we do in this life, we must remember that everyone is going to spend eternity in one of two places, if we are not living by the example of Christ living inside of us, then we are not going to be prepared for that either.
[1 Thessalonians 5:2-6,9-10 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.]
[but let us watch and be sober.] To be sober means to be on alert for Jesus. So how are we to sober? Paul, explains this, [1 Thessalonians 5:14-22 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.]
II Thessalonians, was written also in 54 AD, shortly after Paul’s first letter, the reason being is that there was some confusion at the second coming of Christ. The purpose of this letter was to instruct believers awaiting the return of Christ while going through tribulation. What we are to learn from the book is that it is important to understand that tribulation will come, but it is for our benefit in obtaining the glory of Christ, [2 Thessalonians 2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.]
Affliction is the state of being afflicted; a state of pain, distress, or grief, but tribulation is severe affliction, also called vexations. Sometimes the afflictions become quite severe to the point that we wonder if God is even with us and how can He allow the tempter to put so much pain in our lives. This is where we need the reminder that the pain we are enduring right now is only temporary, and comes with a day of recompense. Paul, reminds us that patience and faithfulness to God through tribulation is what gets Christ’s attention.
[2 Thessalonians 1:3-6 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: 5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;]
[to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;] The day will come when the tempter will get what is coming to him, and everyone else he used to send the tribulation, [2 Thessalonians 1:7-9,12 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.]
[Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him,] This sounds greatly familiar, I am pretty sure that Jesus prays to our Father, something like this, [John 17:23-24 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. 24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.]
Wow! The truth of it all is starting to reveal itself, the afflictions and even tribulations that we endure do more than reveal Christ in us, they also point to the day that we too will be glorified, meaning given a brand new body, one that will never feel pain again, [1 Corinthians 15:52-53 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.]
Now, with that said, this is when the true believers will be separated from the fakes. Paul, encourages us to keep holding on to our faith, and shows what will take place when that trumpet sounds, [2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.]
[except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed,] This is known as the Antichrist, who appears to be Christlike, but is the complete opposite and before Christ Himself returns this fool will show up and entice many to follow him. Paul, goes on to describe what will happen to them.
[2 Thessalonians 2:8-12 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.]
[the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth,] Jesus, will not lift one finger to make the Antichrist suffer, He is simply going to speak the Word of God and it will destroy him and all those who follow him, [Revelation 19:13-15 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.]
[for this cause God shall send them strong delusion,] These are the true reprobates, those who walk in the ways of the Antichrist and this also explains why we are seeing so much immorality and down right hatred toward God as the Creator, [Romans 1:29-32 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.]
[That they all might be damned who believed not the truth,] This is where Jesus will separate the sheep from the goats so to speak, the true believers from those who were only pretending. As much as God would like every soul to be saved, He will not waste His time with the reprobates, and that is why He hardens their heart. He is more concerned about those who love Him than those who do not.
[2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.]
[from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit] This is the same thing as what Jesus also said, [John 17:17-19 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.] From the very beginning God did put His Spirit into man, then due to sin, He took it away, but had always made a way for true believers to receive His Spirit. Now, granted before Christ’s passion His Spirit did not indwell them permanently as He does today, but He they still died holding on to the hope that they will live again, [Hebrews 11:35,39-40 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.]
If we think things are bad now, wait until the Antichrist makes his presence known, And yes, he is already here, and has been here since Christ went back up into heaven, but the day will come when he will show his face, deceiving so many into believing that he is Jesus. Now, more than ever, we as saved, born again Christians need to let go of the things that we cannot control, do what we can in our own ability, and pray for one another because we are in the last days.
[2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.]
[who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.] Paul, is referring to wicked evil, these are the soul possessing acts of the devil that we see so many people falling into. While Satan cannot send one of his demons into saved souls he can send them near them to oppress them, which are the very tribulations that so many of us are facing today. I will say this, when we take our sights off of ourselves for a while we will see just how blessed we are. Paul’s final instructions are what we all need to be doing right now.
[2 Thessalonians 3:10-16 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. 14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.]
[Yet count him not as an enemy,] There is absolutely nothing that we can do about the wicked evil that is coming, but we can lead others to the truth and be prepared for it ourselves. Okay, so we are not going to get it right all the time and we are going to let these afflictions and tribulations bring us to do things less desirable, but that is what mercy and grace is for and why we need not judge one another, [Ephesians 2:4-6 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: 13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. 2 Thessalonians 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.]
Today’s Prayer: God, I admit that I am not thrilled at the tribulation that I am going through, it seems as though the second I get over one problem another arises. Thank You for everything You do for me, I know nothing I go through is in vain and has a purpose. I also know that the pain is only temporary and I will be recompensed. Lord, Lead me and guide me, give me the strength only You can give me to stand firm in my faith, and not be drawn away from You and give me Your mercy and grace to see me through. Instead of focusing on my problems, I pray for all who are struggling today, that I might lead some to the same hope that I have in You. I love You Lord, and pray in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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