Here are five On That Day sequential events to keep End Time events distinct:
The appointed 7-year time of tribulation for Israel i.e., Jerusalem.
3 ½ years of false peace.
B. 3 ½ years of trials for Israel sometimes identified as Jacob’s Troubles
The time between the end of the 7 years, 3 1/5 are Jacob’s Trouble then comes the setting up of his Millennial Kingdom. He judges the nations between the end of the Tribulation and his Millennial Reign.
The 1,000-year Millennial Kingdom
Satan is released, and his final run at overthrowing Jesus on earth but for a short time.
Eternity: one of two places. Neither is a permanent grave.
Ahamoments has received questions about death and the temporary dwelling place of the believer’s and unbeliever’s souls when s/he dies. We dealt in article #14 with what happens to the believer upon death. That is present with the Lord in Paradise. What about those who deny Christ?
In Revelation 20:12-15, we find, in part, this quote: “…and death and Hades gave up the dead which was in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.” What did “death and Hades” surrender? They gave up their dead. This highly suggests that Hades is not hell itself. It is also not the Lake of Fire. All who die will be resurrected. The souls of all will be reunited with his and her body, then eternally judged. If Christ believers are in paradise, the ones whose souls have been contained in Hades must be those who die without Christ.
Why and how do we know this? The answer follows in the next sentence of Revelation 20:14. “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire”. What happens to “death and Hades”? They too are thrown into the lake of Fire. Two possibilities:
Those who have died as unbelievers and have been in Hades are simply part of the package deal when Hades is tossed into the Lake of Fire so are they. Its contents, the souls of the unbelievers go with it.
Hades is destroyed in the Lake of Fire and the eternal soul of unbelievers is added to the count in the eternal “place of suffering.” Hades is not a person but a place. It is destroyed but not the soul of unbelievers that are reunited with their bodies.
More on End Time scripture
Matthew 24:3 & 4 could use a better description of what is asked and how Jesus answers the three primary questions from his disciples. From 24:4b to the end of the chapter, it is Jesus who speaks. We often hear or read that the description of 24:4b, “Take heed that no one deceives you” is a list of areas humans can and will be deceived. The questions the disciples asked are:
When will these things be?
What will be the sign of your (Jesus’ second) coming?
[When will be] the end of the age?
What follows is a list of the characteristics of the deceptions hidden in the message(s) of those who will come and deceive. None mentions that it is not the revelation of the “evil one” being exposed or revealed as we read in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. We discussed this in some detail in our previous post. It is not so much as what to be aware of in the deception itself but of the one who is called by Jesus “the man of sin.” Read this verse considering the passage in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. It is the day that “the man of sin” is revealed.
To address the three questions posed by the disciples…
When will these things be?
Ans: When the man of sin is revealed; no longer hidden from our knowledge
NOTE: This answer needs an addendum. It will be added at the end of this short article.
What will be the sign of your (Jesus’ second) coming?
Ans: When things on earth by the hand of the man of sin are made more terrible than the days of Noah.
[When will be] the end of the age? (Two answers)
Ans: When the Tribulation of 7 years concludes by Christ returning in the eastern skies like when he left earth on the mount of Olives. He is coming to purge the earth and then set up his Millennial Kingdom on Earth.
B. Ans: What or which age (era) are Jesus’ disciples referencing, probably in their ignorance? It is Daniel’s 70th week of his 70-week dream i.e., the age of the Gentiles or the church. (cf. Daniel 24:15)
Addendum to Ans: [Revelation 20:12-15] When the man of sin is revealed; no longer hidden from our knowledge…up to first 3 1/2 year mark of the Tribulation Period, the man on the white horse with a bow and no arrows has not asserted himself as a god. He probably has only declared himself a great leader. Now that the Temple in Jerusalem is fully functional, he defiles it by making unholy sacrifices on its altar and putting himself on the throne in the Temple to be worshiped. This is the actual beginning of the second half of the 7-year Tribulation. It will now be public knowledge. Before this Temple encounter, his great workings, and miracles which captivate and deceive the nations will happen but not be recognized as the workings of the antichrist. This is the real beginning point of Jacob’s Troubles i.e. Israel and Israelis.
The book of Revelation is about the Tribulation and Israel, a tribulation which is subtitled Jacob’s Trouble. The book of Isaiah reveals some details of the Millennium. Daniel gives us insight as to events leading up to That Day of God. Matthew is End Time cautions that primarily focus on the Jews but applicable to all.
The curiosity of body, mind, and soul and end time judgment, then eternity is seldom taught as an inclusive and conclusive topic. The following narrative commentary will address End Time and the body, mind, and soul. The spirit sometimes means the soul?
Consider the body, mind, and soul by reading Genesis 1:26. God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit made man in his image. The three in one. This verse is singular…make man in our IMAGE…not images. Mankind is body, mind, and soul. Once a man’s soul leaves or departs the body, s/he is then a created body and mind unable to function minus the soul/life/breath. Medically the body and mind are dead. We cannot be alive without a soul, be the individual, good or bad. Scripture does not state one way or the other. The conscious state of mankind is driven by the soul, after death it lives on, but where? Any out-of-body experience comes from a living soul that is no longer residing within the body. The soul never dies. God created man from the dust of the earth, then “breathed” life into Adam’s nostrils.
Before we move on, we use the logic of scripture in explaining this phenomenon called the soul; a word or state that mimics a certain physical form or motion. Form or motion is a living being. It is all driven when the soul is still within the body. When life departs it is the soul itself leaving the body. Regarding End Time, the soul is our conscious state. It is eternal.
When the soul leaves the body, the body is dead, meaning without a living soul. To live requires body, mind, and SOUL. The soul has left the body. The body and brain are buried, burned, who knows, but the BODY and Mind are dead; a three-in-one creation now minus life (the soul). For the true believer, absent from the body is present with the Lord. What is it that is now absent FROM THE BODY? What is present with the Lord and WHERE?
Answer: the soul is missing. Genesis specifically tells us that the soul was “breathed into man.” It was not manufactured from the dust or elements of the earth. It is God-given. PS, Adam means “red clay”
Absent from the body is present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8). This is explaining the next phase of the true believer’s existence, now with Jesus Christ. However….
JIV: On that *resurrection day, “the souls” of believers that are absent from the body and present with the Lord God in Paradise, will accompany Christ back to earth, in the clouds, upon his second advent. Bodies will then be raised and reunited with their souls. The souls already with God/Jesus in Paradise are anxious to follow Christ to earth at the 1st resurrection to be reunited with their bodies. These are the DEAD BUT IN CHRIST (1 Thessalonians 4:16). At the end of time at the Great White Throne Judgement, the second resurrection, the rest of humanity will be raised from their graves, reunited with their souls, then judged. [https://davidjeremiah.blog/what-is-the-great-white-throne-judgment-in-revelation]
There are two different “Present with the Lord” statements: first the soul then, the body that is later reunited with the soul. This is true of all mankind. One cannot kill the soul. Our souls are created as eternal beings facing two different eternal destinations. We are created in the image (singular, not plural) of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, three in one (Genesis 1:26). God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are eternal, and so is man’s soul. 2 Corinthians 5:5Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. How is it a guarantee? The Spirit/soul breathed into us cannot be destroyed.
Be careful about drawing quick conclusions. We also have those who will not physically die leading up to and into the Millennial Reign. They will be living when the 2nd advent occurs. Upon his release from the Bottomless Pit, Satan will garner a huge army of people on earth in a final attempt to be the king of kings. There are two groups living at this “yet to be observed” end of time, soon-to-be history. (cf Revelation 20:7-10).
The ones who come to Christ under those tribulation times
Those who take the mark of the beast and are eternally condemned.
The believer remaining on earth at the return of Christ and the establishing of God’s Kingdom on Earth, lives on into the 1,000-year reign of Christ but is still subject to a “Once to die” Bible clause (Hebrews 9:27). Why conclude there will be those who die during the millennial reign? Read Hebrews 9:27… “And just as it is destined for people to die once, and after this comes judgment”. It is destined for people to once die…AFTER THAT comes judgment. Which judgment is this scripture referencing? This verse points to the Great White Throne judgment. It simply tells us that after death comes a judgment. Believers will be judged just as the Greek word indicates…judged for and rewarded for accomplishments in Christ while alive on earth.
Those who reject Christ, those before and DURING the Millennial Reign, will have live souls but very dead bodies. After the millennial reign on the old earth, their souls, one’s conscious state, will be suffering an eternal vacation on the beaches of the Lake of Fire with Satan and his minions. Once in the Lake of Fire, their bodies will then have “once died” as appointed [Hebrews 9:27] unto man. For some this is the second death. Their living souls, fully conscious of their surroundings, will understand and anguish in what they missed. Their conscious souls will remain alive and conscious. No, one will not spend hell with his or her friends. Bodies will not exist, so they are not the good-looking guy or gal down the street, but a living soul suffering the same consequences as will all other lost souls. This includes Satan and the fallen angels.
There is no desire to debate one religion over others, but there is strong disagreement with Jehovah’s Witness folks and their fundamental understanding of scripture per end time. Here are some of the arguments a Jehovah’s Witness gives for denying that the soul is eternal and alive when the body is dead.
Jehovah’s Witness: The condition of the dead is made clear in Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10, where we read: “The dead know nothing . . . There is no pursuit, no plan, no knowledge, or intelligence, within the grave.”
Read the last three words again: …within the grave. The soul never goes to the grave. When it departs, the body is functionally brain and body dead but not the soul. The body goes to the grave but NOT the soul. God created man of red dirt (dust) but “breathed life” meaning the soul into Adam.
Jehovah’s Witness: What does the New Catholic Encyclopedia admit regarding the soul’s surviving death? THIS quoted reference from the Catholics, however, admits that “the notion of the soul surviving after death is not readily discernible in the Bible.”
Ask the question in reverse…does this Catholic quote say it is not readily discernible? Readily does not mean it argues for the absolute soul dying with the body. We at Aha Bible Moments are not Catholic. We are Bible believers. A Christian may die but only that which can be destroyed and then resurrected…the body and mind. The soul was put in man by God in Genesis 2:7. (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit = God in three parts just as he created Man in His image: body, mind, and soul).
Jehovah’s Witness: The dead are unconscious and inactive. When pronouncing sentence upon Adam, God stated: “Dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19)
Before God formed him from the dust of the ground and gave him life, Adam did not exist. When he died, Adam returned to that state. The body was made from dust and will return to dust. But the life breathed into man’s nostrils, according to Genesis 2:7 did not come from the dust. The last words of this verse say…and man became a living what…a living soul. What did not come from the dust cannot return to dust. It came from the eternal himself…יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהִים [Jehovah Elohim]. In Genesis 35:18, we read: “As her soul was going out (because she, Rachel died) she called his name Benoni. ” This example often quoted by the JW ignores that the soul WENT OUT. It did not join Racheal’s body in the grave. IT (the soul) DEPARTED. It did not enter the grave with her body.
Jehovah’s Witness: (their argument) Those who believe in the soul’s immortality has trouble explaining what happens to the soul between the time of death and the time of resurrection.
This argument simply denies scripture like 2 Corinthians 5:8. Ask the Jehovah’s Witness for their explanation of this verse. They have trouble explaining what happens to the soul other than saying the breath-of-life breathed into Adam went to the grave with him, it must have come from the dust. It gets buried. WHAT? The Bible in Genesis does not say that God breathed life into Adam’s nostrils and then added a soul. The soul is life. It is eternal. The grave will NOT HIDE THE SOUL. The soul is eternal. What does all of this have to do with our End Time series? Perhaps one needs to read this commentary one more time.
Rev. Dr. Jstark 2022
PS; What did Jesus say to the criminal who acknowledged him at Calvary? He said, “Today will you be with me in…(?).He said PARADISE, not heaven. More on this in our next article.
The book of Revelation is about the Tribulation and Israel. The book of Isaiah reveals the details of the Millennium. Daniel gives us insight as to events leading up to That Day of God. Matthew is God’s warning to Israel at End Time best known as Jacob’s Trouble.
Before setting another foot in or eyes upon end time events presented in the Book of Matthew, please keep foremost in one’s mind that Matthew was originally written in Hebrew. Why? Because it is primarily to the Hebrew Tribes of Israel. Therefore, it was originally written in a language almost exclusive to Israelis. Its primary goal or target market is the Hebrew people of Promise, Israel.
In reading Matthew, we see a great gulf of about 400 years between the end of the Old Testament (Malachi) and the beginnings of the New Testament. We won’t debate or discuss the reasoning, but Matthew was not the first of the New Testament gospel books written. That banner is most likely in the camp of the Book of Mark. Some declare this honor goes to the Book of Galatians or the Book of James. Our point? Matthew is NOT the first New Testament book. The message to the Jews (Hebrew people) comes after the life of Christ.
The following chart is based on conservative scholarship and archaeological findings and is intended as a guideline only. One Bible scholar and editor puts the chronology of the New Testament books this way:
1 Galatians 49 A.D.
2 James 49 A.D.
3 1 Thessalonians 50 – 51 A.D.
4 2 Thessalonians 50 – 51 A.D.
5 1 Corinthians 54 A.D.
6 2 Corinthians 55 A.D.
7 Romans 55 A.D.
8 Mark 57 – 59 A.D.
9 Luke 60 A.D.
10 Ephesians 60 A.D.
11 Colossians 60 A.D.
12 Philemon 60 A.D.
13 Acts 60 A.D.
14 Philippians 61 A.D.
15 1 Timothy 61 A.D.
16 Titus 62 A.D.
17 2 Timothy 62 A.D.
18 1 Peter 63 A.D.
19 2 Peter 63-64 A.D.
20 Matthew 60’s – We do not know when it was penned but we do know it was to the Hebrew Israelis and their leadership. It is written to provide evidence to them that Christ is for real to the Jews.
Since this chronology has some to do with our narrative commentary on End Time prophecies, we leave this for the reader to decide if the proposed datelines are right. We only wish to make it understood that the end time scripture found in Matthew has a primary target audience of the 12 Tribes of Israel (Jacob). This means the primary message is also focused on Israel and Israelis. This is also true of the Book of Revelation from chapter 4 to the end of that book.
One could begin by reading Matthew 24:1-51. We suggest end time verses in Matthew begin in Matthew 1:23 where it reads… “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD, AND BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which is translated, as “God *with us.”
*Met-ah‘ means “amongst or with us” in Greek. Eg-o’ [us] is in the singular. Why the singular? There is only one group called the church in scripture. It is those who are true believers and followers of Jesus. This includes Jews and Gentiles.
Matthew 2:6 is a prelude to the time yet to come when Jesus sits on the throne of Israel. Look at this verse carefully. “For out of you a ruler who will shepherd my people.” This end-time event is when Christ returns to earth, sets up his kingdom, brings peace to earth, and tribute [Feast of Tents, aka Tabernacles, In-gathering] is paid to the In That Day envied nation of Israel/Jerusalem.
JIV NOTE: There are three appearances mentioned in the scripture of Christ-to-earth. Two are in person and one is to resurrect and meet his faithful in the clouds. The first is his birth, death, and resurrection. The second is when he comes to rapture the true believers called his Church. The third will follow the Tribulation with a 1,000-year millennial reign. Jesus comes to set up his Millennial Kingdom. After that… A NEW heaven and a NEW earth. The heavens and earth will NOT be a remodel job of the old. Put in real terms it is a brand-new sky or atmosphere and a brand-new dwelling place, perhaps dwelling places identified as a grouping called heaven.
Not so prophetic but so often misunderstood is Matthew 2:15…”… for out of Egypt I called my Son,” said God through his prophet. This follows the retreat of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus to Egypt to avoid the ruling of King Herod to kill all male babies under the age of two. The Wise men from the far east, probably the Mountains of Zagros where tens of thousands of dispersed Israeli Tribes settled after the Assyrian dispersion, had told King Herod, this child will be the King of the Jews. When Mary, Joseph, and Jesus returned from Egypt after Herod’s death, Jesus was identified as “called out of Egypt”.
Aha moment: There was a tribe called the Magi that migrated out of the Zagros Mountains after the dispersed Israelis were forced there by the Assyrians. Six tribes are recorded as having occupied the Zagros area. They could be sub-clans of the 12 original Tribes of Israel.
We also read in Hosea 11:1 that Israel as a people are identified as being called out of Egypt and referenced as God’s sons. We have two legitimate options.
Matthew 2:15 is a reference to baby Jesus and his parents being called back out of Egypt after King Herod dies.
This is a reference to Israel after 400-plus years in Egyptian captivity.
NOTE: Hosea 11:2 suggests that #2 is the correct view. Be careful when concluding a meaning of a partial verse. Take it in the content and context of what precedes and follows. Especially so if what is considered in one’s deduction from only part of a verse.
However, if one continues reading Matthew 2 up to verse 15, we read it is Jesus who is (re) called out of Egypt as a young child along with Joseph and Mary. One might try to be neutral as to which position to take scholastically and conclude it is a reference to both.
Ahamoments will offer a third option. When God had Moses call his Israeli families out of Egypt, Jesus would not be born for another 14 to 15 hundred years. Yet, Jesus’ DNA through the Tribe of Judah goes back to their Egyptian captivity and release of what became a population of millions. They started as a wandering band of 70 or fewer relatives of Jacob escaping starvation in Canaan. Out of Egypt is not a line item, time-stamped, statement. Yes, out of Egypt came the 12 tribes of Israelis via Moses. Out of that tribe of Judah, Jesus is a descendant.
INSIGHT: Matthew 2:18 reads (NKJV)…
“A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more.”
Where is Ramah and what has that to do with End Time? First understand this verse in Matthew 2:18 is a quote from Jeremiah 31:15. Jeremiah was the prophet immediately preceding Daniel. Jeremiah foretold the destruction of Judah as a kingdom by the Babylonians. Ramah was a city in the territory of Benjamin. Benjamin was the brother of Joseph, both sons of Rachel.
It gets even more interesting when one considers the whole of this event of Jesus returning out of Egypt. Yes, the messenger told Joseph to return to Israel. He did NOT specifically state to return to Bethlehem. Joseph found out that a son of King Herod now ruled. Joseph became fearful and returned to Nazareth, not Bethlehem. Galilee was not a Jewish city. Isaiah 9 refers to Galilee as a land of the Gentiles. Jesus came “into the world” so that all who believe and follow him will be saved for eternity with him. All souls once reunited with their bodies will serve eternity in either heaven or hell. This is symbolic of Jesus coming to the world, not just the Jews as one might conclude given only his supposedly intended return to Bethlehem, Israel. He returned from Egypt with his parents to a territory that had a minority of Jews.
The book of Revelation is about the End Time Tribulation and Israel. The book of Isaiah reveals the details of the Millennium. Daniel gives us insight as to events leading up to That Day of God called the days of the Gentiles, i.e. The Church Age.
“But understand that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. *Avoid such people.“ (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
*AVOID does not mean ignoring or shutting these people out of one’s life. How else and to whom might one witness if believers isolate from society? It is as says Romans 12:1,2…be transformed in mind and heart.
*Double notation: Do not confuse II Timothy 3 with the Tribulation period alone, i.e., in THAT DAY. II Timothy is talking about the time leading up to the Tribulation. How do we deduce this? If Paul is warning believers to avoid such people, and the church is already raptured, to whom is he talking? It could be the “Jews” meaning Israelis, or it could be that these are signs leading up to believers meeting with Jesus in the clouds.
This long list of issues is intended to be warning signs of the pending judgments of man. Things one can see in society and culture without wearing a pair of bifocals. It does not mean that each item listed above must be found in every person other than the antichrist and his minions. It is a definition or description of this world’s population, a general audience, and replacement culture. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 notes that this itself is not the tribulation. The tribulation will be consequential of 2 Timothy 3. How do we know this? What are the last three words in this passage? “Avoid such people.” Who is to do the avoiding? Believers! True Christians will still be on earth…not yet raptured.
JIV: This is difficult to write or one’s desire to accept. Taking the Bible for what it says, we as believers have life wrong today. “Avoid such people.” Read once again the extensive list found in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. One’s first reaction to avoiding such people may require one to avoid him or herself. One cannot avoid him or herself. There is no perfect church membership in human terms. Is there something in a worship service that is hindering the worship experience?
Consideration would be made for the world, but what about in a worship service? This verse does not mean avoiding the world or living in isolation. It does mean not being drawn to them in a personal relationship of any kind. The underscore is in worship. This falls under the category of being unequally yoked. Can an unbeliever, a person who wishes to give the appearance of worship, and true believers worship together? Can the first two people mentioned, unbeliever and one giving the appearance of worship, be counted in “where two or three are gathered in my name…”?
We Teach but You Decide.
The worst is yet to come. This is man-to-man implications. In the Day of Noah, Genesis 6:5 tells us of these nearing end time, man-to-man issues.
“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
The wickedness [râ‛âh, H7451] of man was great…. Boiled down to its primary definition, it means one cares only for him or herself. “…That every imagination (yêtser) of man(kind)…” Yêtser means all thoughts and purpose of man is to connive or do evil. The “all” or “every” in this passage means “without exception.”
“…the thoughts of his (mankind’s) heart were only evil continually.” This needs no elaboration. The word “only” is in the singular tense. These are the times of Noah. These similar times will repeat as we near the Day of the Lord. The flip side coin is that there is a total rejection of God. There may be signs of idle (including idol) worship of a false doctrine. This is the rejection of the Holy Spirit. A form of godliness as defined in 2 Timothy 3:5. One can have a form of CHURCH without ever considering the presence of God (Father, Son, or Holy Spirit). Such will have a strong cultural appeal in society and/or political issues, but studying to improve one’s knowledge of scripture will no longer come from the pulpit.
The next verse (2 Timothy 3:6) explains that there is not only rampant deceit from leadership, but this takes us back to our opening verses. People will be bent on “what’s in it for me?” Many can miss the point of verse 2 Timothy 3:7 when one does not fully grasp or accept the fact of verse #6.
2 Timothy 3:7 states that one can learn things without understanding or connecting the learning to life or eternity itself. One will think of lessons from scripture as pointless and without significance when it conflicts with his or her desires of the heart. The word “knowledge” or epignōsis in Greek using Strong’s definition (G1921): [no] “full discernment, acknowledgment.” It can mean the inability to discern or the refusal to accept the knowledge as actuality. This can take us back to the unequally yoked passage in 2 Corinthians 6:14.
2 Timothy 3:8 uses a comparison to two men who resisted the instructions and leadership of Moses…Jannes and Jambres. Moses is challenged many times during his life. Perhaps Jannes and Jambres are two of the magicians of Pharaoh’s court in Egypt found in Exodus 7:11. This naming tradition is well-attested in ancient and medieval literature. When secular evidence supports scripture, it is worth noting.
*Wikipedia: The [Apocrypha] book, known as The Apocryphon of Jannes and Jambres the magicians, exists in some Greek fragments present in the Chester Beatty Papyri No XVI (which has been edited and translated by Albert Pietersma), and in an extensive Ethiopic fragment discovered in 2014.
*We at ahabiblemoments do not recommend Wikipedia as a sole and solid source for research. Wikipedia is okay at times and misleading at other times.
JIV NOTE: This has been a difficult article to write even though making scripture-based comments. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL DEDUCTIONS POINT TO SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE. One can be very welcoming to visitors at the church entrance. However, why do we want the pastor to carry our responsibility to lead souls to Christ through our testimonies and witnessing? His job is to rightly divide the Word of God. Too often one wishes the friend, family member, or person we invite to church to decide for Christ and his or her eternity via the pastor’s message, not our verbal witnessing.
Here is the problem. This type of thinking and attitude forces the pastor to spend more time on evangelism than on Bible awareness, knowledge gained, and understanding for those who have already decided to follow for Christ. Those who have made no decision for Christ but attend the service do not understand worship. Such are deluded to think attending church is worship.
Rev. Dr. Jstark 2022
Appendage: Charles Spurgeon wrote: Ask for real vital godliness, for nothing else will serve your turn at the last great day [end time]. Now, this is rightly to handle the word of God; to use it to push truth home upon men for their present conversion, to use it for the striking down of their sins, to use it to draw men to Christ, to use it to arouse sinners, and to use it to produce, not a mere profession, but a real work of grace in the hearts of men. May the Holy Ghost teach all.
Chapter three of II Thessalonians is a benediction. There are two verses we should give some attention to considering their possibilities. They have to do with fellowship and can easily be contrary to our church experiences and customs or practices of today. Might their meaning carry over into end time as a sign of its arrival? This is a We teach but You Decide moment.
Chapter 3 is a benediction but has additional implications AND instructions to and for those who lay claim to being believers and occupy church pews. This chapter is short. Click here to read it for yourself, then consider what follows per a possible and personal aha-moment derived from II Thessalonians 3.
In this article, number 11 of this series, we concentrate on verses 10 and 14. Yes, this will raise the annoyance of some readers. Read the chapter noting the context of chapter 3. It MAY also have end-time consequences.
First, note the command to pray for them (each other) in verse 1. Take close note that Paul does not ask fellow believers to ask God to BE WITH THEM. So often we make the mistake in private and public prayers by asking God to “be with whomever.” Scriptures tell us that God will never leave nor forsake his followers [Matthew 28:20]. Scripture also instructs us to draw closer to God so that He may draw closer to us. We are missing a scripture-based step by asking God to BE WITH whomever. When one draws closer to God, He can then draw closer to him or her. Our prayers should be, God, please help so-in-so to draw closer to you so that you can then draw closer to him or her. HUH? Read James 4:8. Take God’s Word for what it says.
Verses 6-15 address those who are idle, non-workers, not disciples, not learners who share the tasks and workload commissioned to true believers. By application, this can mean spiritually and physically. If a self-claiming believer is idle in his or her Christian life, perhaps one should consider verse 3:10…”And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.”
Whoa!!! This is contrary to our current day thoughts and practices in society AND church settings. The Apostle Paul is talking about those who claim Christian membership in the family of God standing on the “God of Love” principle alone. If we are to shun them, does that possibly mean that the same will be separated as a goat on judgment day [Matthew 25:31-46]? We are not teaching this thought as absolute, but it is mightily worthy of thought. Our purpose in this article is to make believers aware and better understand God’s promise of salvation. There is no promise to be fulfilled regarding eternity. Eternity is universally assured. All will have an eternity after the grave. It is an issue of where one will spend it.
Psalms 89:48 states…What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave? However, we must also read that the spirit will not cease to live, right up to the point of when Christ returns in the clouds to resurrect those believers whose bodies are in the grave. And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last. (Luke 23:46). He committed his spirit into the hands of God the Father. His body went to the grave.
Ahamoment: This is how Satan through the antichrist will amaze the world. Antichrist will “APPEAR” to have died, then resurrected. Deception – deception – deception. Broadway magicians do it all the time. If one has observed, Satan tries to duplicate all the manifestations of God and Jesus. He even has his own trinity…Satan, antichrist, false prophet. Another example: [Bible Hub] [We] read of Christ going forth to sow the “good seed” (Matthew 13:24), then we also read of the enemy going forth to sow his “tares” — an imitation wheat (Matthew13:25).
To reiterate, verse 3:10 says “if one does not work, he will also not eat.” Verse 14 almost states the same thing…”If one does not obey our word(s) in this epistle, …do not keep company with that person.” Obey what words? This person is not an enemy but a human brother. So often we act as if we should be apologetic for sharing God with others. It tends to take the path of defensiveness. Paul is adamant. Be on the offensive. Point out evils. The following will help one understand this. Click on each passage to be briefed.
The question of consideration may be…God will not leave nor forsake us, but can we leave or forsake him? How is this connected to our series on End Time? What does End Time judgment mean to you?
PS, a very good article written by Arthur Pink “The Antichrist” can be found by clicking here. He does a great job of researching the comparisons between God’s doings and Satan trying to provide deceiving copycat manifestations.
The book of Revelation is about the Tribulation and Israel. The book of Isaiah reveals the details of the Millennium. Daniel gives us insight as to events leading up to That Day of God; week #69 of his dream found in Daniel 9:24-27.
In II Thessalonians chapter two we get into some predetermined details of end time happenings, On That Day. Details that include identities and sequences of some events.
We are clearly told in verse, “concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ…”believers will be with Christ. However, Paul raises a curiosity of the strength and patience of the believer. Some believers during Paul’s time on earth had distorted some of the things Paul wrote about in his I Thessalonians letter. In particular, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. This seeming confusion exists even today for lack of personal Bible study and understanding. This confusion required Paul to write an appendage to 1 Thessalonians, i.e., 2 Thessalonians.
JIV NOTE: The confusion back then which remains today is the “taking home” of believers. Today it is pre, mid, or post tribulation rapture questions. Pay great attention to the wording in this passage. Christ will arrive with a shout, the dead IN CHRIST will arise, then those believers who are on earth will betaken up…where? To meet Christ in the clouds. This is not when he establishes his Kingdom on Earth. There is no mention of Christ standing on the Mount of Olives. He is in the clouds where the dead in Christ and living believers join him. The Mount of Olives return of Christ is when he condemns Satan to a 1,000-year bondage in the bottomless pit then sets up his Kingdom on Earth. That event follows the 7-year Tribulation. However, what does happen is the man of sin (antichrist) will be revealed.
II Thessalonians 2:3 lays out the problem of misinterpretation by some be it deliberate or from a lack of understanding. Paul sets the record straight per the prophecy that must precede the second advent of Christ.
“For it [NASB] will not comeunless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed…”
The “It” (That Day in many translations) in this verse means the second advent (return to earth) of Jesus to set up his Millennial Kingdom. What is certain is that the great deceiver, the apostasy, aka man of sin, will be made known…revealed. To help understand this question of “it” we must go back to both I Thessalonians 5:2 and II Thessalonians 2:2. The technical question: Is this the Day of the Lord or the Day of Christ?
What is the difference? The Day of Jesus Christ is the rapture of believers. The Day of the Lord is the beginning of the Millennial Reign. A good explanation can be found in an article written by Mark Kolchin in 2013:
“…the Day of Christ is that period in biblical prophecy that will commence the long-awaited union in heaven of believers [the Bride of Christ] with her Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus. It is the culmination of the “blessed hope” of the believer (Titus 2.13), a hope that has been operative through the centuries (though obscured at times); ever since the days of the Thessalonians who eagerly awaited for the Son from heaven (1 Thessalonians 1.10). It will begin when the Church is raptured from this scene to meet the Lord in the air (clouds) to ever be with Him (1 Thessalonians 4.13-17) It will also begin the judgment seat of Christ in which each Christian’s life and works will be reviewed and rewarded in accordance with faithfulness to the Lord. Because this bema seat judgment is one of evaluation rather than punishment, it will not deal with the issue of salvation, but instead with the issue of service for the Lord — reward for proper motives in ministry and the loss of reward for improper motives. (1 Corinthians 3:14-15) The judgment seat of Christ will apparently conclude before the Tribulation period begins since the twenty-four elders in Revelation 4-5 viewed by many as representatives of the Church are described as being in heaven and crowned.”
Go back to II Thessalonians 2:1 then 2:2… “Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,” This is a singular event.
Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is the rapture
…our gathering together to Him (Jesus) in the clouds
These thoughts when put together are the Day of Christ and the gathering or rapture of believers. (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)
In II Thessalonians 2:2 we read… “…not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.” This melds into verse 2:3 about the warning to not be deceived. It is the preamble to the beginning of THAT DAY.
We teach but you decide. Think it through. First, how can one be deceived unless s/he does not understand or know of this passage? It says to not be troubled about wondering if Christ had already returned and a believer missed the boat. One who is not Bible studied or knows not this forewarning will not know what is to happen and the sequence of events. Paul makes it plain. Believers will be raptured then the great deceiver is identified. The deceiver takes the ignorant world into his confidence with a false global peace with Israel. 3 ½ years later he sets himself up in the rebuilt third Temple. It is then that the people of Israel will open their eyes to the false prophet and false peace of the antichrist. It is at this moment Israel will fall into the “Troubles of Jacob” spoken of in Matthew 24:15-31 and Jeremiah 30:7. Be careful here. Matthew was not originally written to the Gentile believers. It was written in Hebrew to the Jewish communities. This means the wording “when you see the abomination of desolation” is a note of caution to Israelis (Jews), not the body of believers.
JIV: We are talking about the Jews and Israel. Matthew was originally written in Hebrew to the Hebrew people. Believers at this time have been taken up with Jesus in the clouds.
Verse 3 of II Thessalonians gives additional knowledge. There must be a mass falling away from believing scripture. There are many “false ministers” that stand behind pulpits today. The church today as a building with members and has become a compromised place of worship. It is growing daily for the sake of social correctness and probably church attendance and size. How can a parishioner be discerning of false or true pulpit messages if s/he has no personal awareness, knowledge, or understanding of scripture? The falling away of all, including those who are traditional churchgoers but not true followers of Christ, is obvious since the believers are no longer on earth.
This is the real goal of this website. Increase awareness, knowledge, and understanding.
We see identity in verse 4: [The]man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 2Th 2:4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as (the)god in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Of course, anyone without prior knowledge of this prophetic description will easily be deceived. The man of sin will appear and perform great signs and miracles, even deceive many of the elect (Jews) — when it is possible. [see Matthew 24:24].
When Christ returns to set up his millennial kingdom (recall the Lord’s Prayer: Thy Kingdom come…) there will not be a need to try and make others understand who he is. He will appear on the Mount of Olives 3 ½ to 7 years after the rapture. The Kidron Valley in Israel will expand greatly. The Mount of Olives will be driven part to the north and part of it to the south. Other than this happening, it will NOT be of God. We will continue with II Thessalonians later.
GEOLOGICAL NOTE: A natural fault line goes through the Kidron Valley.
PS: Does this sound a bit like current events?
“Leading up to end times will be marked by chaos, upheaval, unrest and terror. A GREAT NUMBER of systems, products, societies, and other parts of man’s existence which have worked for (in some cases) thousands of years will appear to be breaking down. End time will be seen as a movement to throw out the old ways and trying something completely different. Some may call it attempts to ‘cancel – cultures’. In many cases man claims he is FORCED into these changes because “mistakes have been made in old time religions” OR “the old ways just don’t work anymore.” OR “Some problems are bigger than one country by itself can solve. We must be UNITED!” Man must have a global mindset.” (Beware and be aware)
This is an appended commentary on Part 8 of our End Time series. We posted the original a few weeks back but found it lacking. Thus…this updated and appended version. Enjoy!
NOTE: Ezekiel provides the prophetic name of the leader of this coalition of anti Israel and anti God nations—“Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal” (Ezekiel 38:2-3 NKJV). Gog is a real name. It is mentioned in scripture as a descendant of *Reuben in 1 Chronicles 5:4. The thought or idea Israel will need someone from one of the Israeli Tribes to believe and follow (possibly being Antichrist) at the time of the false 7-year peace treaty is not unreasonable. Considering how the UN has often aligned against actions of the modern nation of Israel, why would they trust a non-Israeli?
*Why Reuben? He was the first born of the 12 sons of Jacob. Supposedly leadership is to go to the first born. It never happened in scripture. NOW, if this is a correct assumption, the right of the first born will be given to him.
This man of sin called Antichrist will deny the God of his fathers – *Daniel 11:37. In Matthew 10:32 one must be acknowledged by Jesus to God the Father for salvation. To deny God the Father is what Daniel 11:37 states. The only places in scripture we find this statement “God of our fathers” has to do with Israelis. This may suggest that the Antichrist is [will be] of Israeli descent, perhaps a DNA of Reuben. It is doubtful Israel can or will ever be willing to surrender their hopes as a nation into the hands of a non-Israeli.
*NOTE: The Antichrist denies the GOD (singular) of his fathers, PLUS any other gods of this world. The Antichrist (beast) is a puppet of Satan (dragon).
The opposing view is that of the Muslim, believers in Allah. They are just as dedicated in their beliefs as is those of Judaism and Jewish descent. We will not discuss this in this commentary blog, but this opens the possibilities of a Jewish DNA to be the Antichrist in the north (Europe) and his opposing forces being the Muslims (Arabs) of the south, mixed in with the added issues of Jerusalem and Israelis. [Revelation 6:8 cf.] This will be covered in a later article but consider Revelation 6:8…If one adds the land mass of the Middle East (Muslim territories) and Africa, we get ¼ of the earth’s habitable lands. (cf. Revelations 6:8)
THOUGHT: If one thinks there are not those of Israeli descent who rule in governments today, consider Zelenskyy of Ukraine, a Jew in a major leadership role. The royalty of England claim DNA of the Tribe of Judah. Rulers of Ethiopia for over 200 generations claimed to descend from King Solomon and Queen of Sheba.
JIV: Quick insight to the Hebrew word God. Judaism uses G-D to not speak or write the word God. ’ĕ·lō·hê or Elohim has the plural “im” in the spelling. This makes it plural. What Daniel 11:37 is saying is not that there are or will be multiple gods of his fathers. It means the plural of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit…the 3-in-one God we call the trinity. Some Bible translations use the plural gods with a little “g”. The correct use is with a capital “G” but meaning the trinity Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Satan’s contention has always been to deny Jesus as the Son of God.
Revelation 13:2 symbolically depicts Satan as “the dragon” and the Antichrist as “the beast” and says that Satan (the dragon) will give the Antichrist …his power, his throne on earth, and great authority…” That is until Satan becomes unsatisfied with the Antichrist.
“And I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; and they worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” – [Revelation 13:3-4]. NOW comes the Jacob’s Trouble mentioned in Jeremiah 30:7. There are contrary opinions as to when this supposed death of the beast occurs. This reference in Jeremiah needs to be read carefully. “as if it [beast] had been slain”; “his [beast] wound was healed”; “who is able to wage war with him?” Here is a rational consideration. A dead person is not healed but resurrected. There is no mention that there is already an ongoing war but the wording in this verse hints to WAR between and against someone or something. Follow the wording of the text. It appears to us at ahabiblemoment that the beast ‘appeared’ to be dead but was not. He then wages war against Israel and Jerusalem at the 3 ½ year intersection of the 7-years peace agreement with Israel.
Satan himself will possess the body, mind, and soul of the beast. Once the supposed “wound to the head” is healed, he is now possessed by Satan. He then turns on Israel violating his 7-year contract of peace. He sets himself up in the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem and Jacob’s Trouble (Israel and Israelis alike) will flee to the mountains. Those who don’t will suffer the wrath of Satan. The first 3 ½ years of this 7-year peace treaty appears to be okay, but now Satan knows his time is very short. He needs to take drastic action and does.
Israel is unlikely to sign a peace agreement with anyone they believe will be a treaty of deceit. Satan has the attitude that some humans have even today. If he can’t have something, he, as do people, would rather destroy it than share it. Satan wishes to destroy as many people as possible in any way possible (such as abortion or wars). He will turn kingdoms (small groups of apposing views) and nations against each other. They will unite as one to go up against Israel. Satan knows he cannot defeat God but to muster a huge army to try and destroy whatever apposes him, he accomplishes the “if I can’t have them then I will destroy them so God can’t have them either” syndrome. Wars accomplish this. It is probably that Satan, knowing he can’t win, wars against God just to send as many unbelievers to hell as possible…before they have a change of heart and mind accepting the deity of Jesus as Savior.
Those who align with Satan against God and his forces of Saints and angels are nothing more than proxy. Keep in mind that there are two future battles against the forces of heaven. One is upon the return of Jesus to set up his Millennial Kingdom, the one mentioned in the Lord’s Prayer, and the second upon the release of Satan at the end of his thousand-year bondage that is simultaneous to the Millennial Reign of Christ.
One might reasonably question the need and purpose of the second war between Satan and Jesus at the end of the thousand years? Hang onto this as many do not understand the motive and purpose of this war. During the Millennial Reign, people will still have free will. All are instructed to once a year attend the feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. Both Micah 4:2 and Zechariah 14:16 state this. But there is a difference in these two verses one MUST grasp.
In Micah 4:2 people desire to go up to Jerusalem to worship and learn. A quote from the website gotquestions.org: Micah 4:2 contains an interesting prophecy that people from around the world will come to Jerusalem to learn about God. It reads, “Many nations shall come, and say: ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’” Based on this verse, many have wondered if everyone will need to go to Jerusalem to worship God in the last days. This verse demonstrates an eagerness to “go up.” It also reads many nations, not all nations. Some will not be so eager.
Though both passages reference the same event, in Zechariah 14:16 we gain additional insight. It reads in the New International Version: Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles. Who are these survivors? They are those who survive the Tribulation and enter the Millennial Reign. There will be people on earth other than Israelis. It reads, ”the survivors from all the nations.” We know it is after the great alliance and attack by Satan’s forces on Jerusalem because it also reads: “from all nations that have attacked Jerusalem.” These are those who will enter the Millennial Kingdom.
Note what is does NOT SAY. It does not say only Jews (Israelis) and believers will enter the Millennial Kingdom. It will be a mixed bag of people like what exists today. One would think that after this experience there would be no non-believers. Well, for the immediate moment that might be true. However, this does not mean all will be automatic followers of Christ. Add to these 1,000 years of time with many births during this time, plus the required obligation of families going up once a year to the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, there will be a hardening of the hearts by great numbers of the populated earth at that time who rebel against this Jerusalem visit to worship and learn.
Families of the earth are commanded to go up to Jerusalem once a year
If they are not represented, their land will have no rain
Egypt is mentioned in verse 18 but the word mishpâchâh can mean “a tribe or people” (Strong’s H4940)
Plagues will come upon those who refuse to “go up” to Jerusalem at the Feast of Tabernacle
(KJV) We read that there are heathen on earth at this time.
Many people will become resentful of the requirement to “go up” to Jerusalem. From these multitudes Satan will recruit his forces for the final battle on earth. This is after he, Satan, is released for a short time following his thousand-year bondage.
There will no longer be multiple races to judge, just the Human Race.
One of the greatest book chapters of the Bible for end time studies and to increase recognition of events to happen is Matthew 24. Many think theologically may not be what Jesus is saying is the end in and of itself. Pay close attention to this series.
A Bible student or casual reader must keep scripture in context and one is the fact that Matthew was originally written in Hebrew. Only later was it translated into Greek (Septuagint) by order of Ptolemy of Egypt, a former general in Alexander the Great’s army. This alone identifies the original market (people) to whom this book is written. Evidence of to whom this book is intended is found by understanding the Book of Matthew was/is addressed to the Israeli populations, Hebrew speakers. Matthew 1:1-17 begins the lineage of Jesus with Abraham. By comparison, Luke 3 begins the lineage of mankind with Adam through Jesus. Matthew was/is intended to convince the “Jews” that Jesus is in the line of King David AND the promised Messiah. This means that the primary target market of Matthew is not to Gentiles but Hebrew Israelis.
We begin with a sentence from Matthew 24:13… “Whoever reads, let him understand”.
“…Read to understand”
We add as insight Hosea14:9… “Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right; The righteous walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them”. One cannot understand something s/he has not previously studied or at minimum, examined. One cannot know without pursuing information. This sums up Matthew 24:13. Without knowledge one cannot understand. We state this in this article to challenge those who claim to not understand the Bible, so s/he tries to excuse him or herself for not reading it. That is NOT a reason. It is an excuse to not take the time to seek knowledge. With knowledge eventually comes understanding.
Awareness-Knowledge-Understanding
Study note: Jesus answers them saying, “Where there is a [a carcass/food], there the vultures [eagles] will gather” [Matthew 24:28]. The lesson is in that day when the returned Lord is gathering his “elect” he will attract them as eagles [vultures] are attracted to food. “Where there is a carcass [food to feed upon during the time of our Lord’s presence], there the vultures/eagles will be gathered together.” This may seem like an odd example to be used in scripture. Perhaps even a bit contrary. The core of this passage: Matthew is pointing out that when there is food to be had, those who seek it will get it. The same is true of Bible study. There is food to be found, but who actually seeks it? Going to church by itself is not the spiritual answer. Jesus in making this comment in the Mount of Olives Discourse may be using Job 39:30 as his backdrop. We do not know as no additional clarity is offered in either Job, Matthew 26:28, or where it is used once again, Luke 17:37. Some commentators say the vulture/eagle is an example of Roman power. The point does not change. Are we attracted to the food the Bible has to offer?
The food of “present truth” now provided by our Lord, and the gathering of his saints to it, fits the description of Jesus’ prophecy. The present call is not out of one “grinding mill” into another “grinding mill” (differing denominations). Instead, it is a gathering together into and onto Christ himself. The *gathering ones come together because they “hunger and thirst after righteousness” and truth and each is eating thereof. To the seventh and last Church of Laodicea our Lord gave this admonition, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)
*Does one easily find in today’s church, regardless of denomination, a gathering together of believers seeking to satisfy their spiritual hunger and thirst or is it more of going to church for the purpose of going to see others and give the appearance of spirituality? Bring an unsaved friend so “we can worship together???” This is being unequally yoked.
In Matthew 24:41, the mill is a place where food is prepared. The spiritual “food” that Christendom (Catholicism as well as the many various Protestant Churches) had prepared for the flock was poor. Consequently, each “grinder” was obliged to prepare what is given him by his own denomination. Presenting truth gathers some of the grinders and leaves others—one is taken and another left. In Luke 17:37 Jesus’ disciples ask where these people would be taken. It is then that Jesus answers them essentially saying, “Go where the food is and find the seekers” (paraphrased to emphasize those who seek).
We do not wish to teach you what to think, but what to think about.
There are five On That Day sequential events to keep this study of End Time distinct:
The appointed 7-year time of tribulation for Israel i.e., Jerusalem.
3 ½ years of a false peace.
3 ½ years of trials for Israel sometimes identified as Jacob’s Troubles
The time between the end of the 7-years, 3 1/5 of Jacob’s Trouble and Jesus setting up his Millennial Kingdom. He judges the nations between the end of the Tribulation and his Millennial Reign.
The 1,000-year Millennial Kingdom
Satan is released, his final run at overthrowing Jesus on earth begins for a short time.
Eternity: one of two places. Neither eternal destination is a grave.
NOTE: Ezekiel provides the prophetic name of the leader of this coalition of nations—“Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal” (Ezekiel 38:2-3 NKJV). Gog is a real name as is used of a descendant of Reuben in 1 Chronicles 5:4. This fits well with the idea Israel will need someone from one of the Israeli Tribes to believe and follow (Antichrist) at the time of the false 7-year peace treaty.
Reuben is the first born of Jacob. Technically the first-born is the traditional leader after the father dies. Reuben tried multiple times for that position amongst his other brothers but it seems that responsibility fell on Judah or Ephraim. The scenario that a person from the DNA of Reuben may be acceptable to Israel as a trusted leader is not far fetched. Reuben did prevent the death of Joseph by his brothers when he propose selling Joseph to traveling traders (Genesis 37:21).
This man called Antichrist will deny the God of his fathers – *Daniel 11:37. In Matthew 10:32 one must be acknowledged by Jesus to God the Father. To deny God the Father is what Daniel 11:37 states. The only places in scripture we find this statement “God of our fathers” has to do with Israelis. This may suggest that the Antichrist is [will be] of Israeli descent. It is doubtful Israel can or will ever be willing to surrender their hopes as a nation into the hands of a non-Israeli (Jew).
*NOTE: The Antichrist denies the GOD (singular) of his fathers PLUS any other gods of this world. The Antichrist is a puppet of Satan.
The opposing view is that of the Muslim, a believer in Allah. They are just as stringent in beliefs as is those of Judaism and Jewish descent. We will not discuss this in this commentary blog, but this opens the possibilities of a Jewish DNA as Antichrist in the north (Europe) and his opposing forces being the Muslims (Arabs) of the south, mixed in with the added issues of Jerusalem and Israelis. This will be covered in a later article.
JIV: Quick insight to the Hebrew word God. Judaism uses G-D so as to not speak the word God. ’ĕ·lō·hê or Elohim has the plural “im” in the spelling. This makes it plural. What Daniel 11:37 is saying is not that there are or will be multiple gods of his fathers. It means the plural of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit…the 3-in-one God we call the trinity. Some Bible translations use the plural gods with a little “g”. The correct use is with a capital “G” but meaning the trinity Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Satan’s contention has always been with the fact of Jesus also being the son of God.
Revelation 13:2 symbolically depicts Satan as “the dragon” and the Antichrist as “the beast” and says that Satan (the dragon) will give the Antichrist …his power, his throne, and great authority…” That is until Satan becomes unsatisfied with the Antichrist.
“And I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; and they worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” – [Revelation 13:3-4]. NOW comes the Jacob’s Trouble mentioned in Jeremiah 30:7. There are contrary opinions as to when this supposed death of the beast occurs. This reference in Jeremiah needs to be read carefully. “as if it [beast] had been slain”; “his [beast] wound was healed”; “who is able to wage war with him?” Here is a rational consideration. A dead person is not healed but resurrected. There is no mention or suggestion that there is already an ongoing war. Follow the wording of the text. It appears to us at ahabiblemoment that the beast ‘appeared’ to be dead but was not. He then wages war against Israel and Jerusalem at the 3 ½ junction of the 7-years agreement with Israel.
We also suggest this is the time that Satan himself possess the body, mind, and soul of the beast. He then turns on Israel violating his 7-year contract of peace. He sets himself up in the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem and Jacob’s Trouble (Israel and Israelis alike) will need to flee to the mountains. The first 3 ½ peace treaty appeared to be okay, but now Satan knows his time is very short. He needs to take drastic action and does.
Another bit of reasoning is that Israel is unlikely to sign a peace agreement with anyone they believe a treaty of deceit. Satan has the attitude that some humans have even today. If he can’t have something, he, as do people, would rather destroy it than share it. Satan wishes to destroy as many people as possible in any way (such as abortion or wars) possible. He knows he cannot defeat God but to muster a huge army to try and destroy whatever apposes him, he accomplishes the “if I can’t have them then I will destroy them so God can’t have them either” syndrome. Wars accomplish this. It is probably that Satan, knowing he can’t win, wars against God just to send as many unbelievers to hell as possible…before they have a change of heart and mind accepting the deity of Jesus as Savior.
(Part 9) – End Time is one contiguous event… II Thessalonians 1
There are five On That Day sequential events to keep this study of End Time distinct:
The appointed 7-year time of tribulation for Israel i.e., Jerusalem.
3 ½ years of a false peace.
3 ½ years of trials for Israel sometimes identified as Jacob’s Troubles
The time between the end of the 7-years, 3 1/5 of Jacob’s Trouble and Jesus setting up his Millennial Kingdom. He judges the nations between the end of the Tribulation and his Millennial Reign.
The 1,000-year Millennial Kingdom
Satan is released, his final run at overthrowing Jesus on earth begins for a short time.
Eternity: one of two places. Neither eternal destination is the grave.
The book of Revelation is about the Tribulation and Israel. The book of Isaiah reveals the details of the Millennium. *Daniel gives us global insights as to events leading up to That Day of God. Ezekiel covers the wars of THAT DAY. Both the wars of Antichrist during the 7-year Tribulation and the war of Satan after his 1,000-year prison term. 2 Thessalonians give us end time self-protection advice. Jeremiah tells us of from where Israel will be attacked and the calling together of the Northern Ten Tribes and Judah. Psalm 2, The entire Book of Isaiah. Specific verses in 2 Peter and the Book of Jude give additional insights. The New Testament gospels give up the way of salvation in preparation for “IN THAT DAY.”
*The first 6 chapter up to 7:4 is about Israel be prepared. From 7:4 we learn of global histories leading up to the birth of Christ and the Church Age.
1 and 2 Thessalonians focuses on end time events of this world and Israel. There is legitimate discussion per this book and who might be its author. The opening greeting of chapter 1 in II Thessalonians identify the greeting as from ”Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy.” Many of Paul’s writings were dictated to a helper like Tertius of Iconium (Romans 16:22). Tradition says Luke wrote much of what Paul desired to write to the churches he established.
Paul shared with the Christians at Thessalonica his belief that the end of the Gentile Age would come when God the Father determines it. This world is currently in Daniel’s week 69 of his 70-week dream (Daniel 9:24-27). David Jeremiah has a good discussion blog on this topic. We have discussed the 69th week in previous articles found in ahabiblemoments.com. The 70th week of Daniel’s dream is the 7-year Tribulation period.
After formal introductions to this short book (2 Thessalonians) in verses 1-4, we begin our conversation in verse 5. Take serious note of something that is often read right through without perception of its meaning. Verse 5 picks up from verses 3 and 4… (NKJV) “…which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;” Notice, if you will, the righteous judgement, to be counted as worthy, for which you ALSO will suffer. This is a future judgment statement that includes those (v6) who are Gentiles still alive at the time of the Tribulation and, the Jews (Israelis). No mention of the church or true believers of Jesus Christ. Perhaps this is another suggestion that the rapture has by then already occurred.
Verse 6… “it is a righteous (equitable) thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you (Jacob’s trouble)…” [cf. Romans 12:19]. The NKJV offers a direct reference to the time of the 7-year Tribulation and the evils (tribulations) brought upon mankind and Israelis by those who Satan attempts to influence and/or destroy. This takes us back to Genesis when the encounter and subsequent consequences of Satan and Eve in the Garden of Eden is defined by God himself (Genesis 3:15).
Her (Eve’s) seed is mankind (specifically Gods’ chosen in Jacob/Israel) and Satan’s offspring being those who reject God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
V7…to give you who are troubled [a] rest with us when the *Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,…” Hmmm? “you who are troubled”, “A rest WITH US”? Fascinating that this verse hints at those in Christ at the second advent will finally be given “a rest” from tribulations along with those who have already been raptured.
*This is the return of Jesus we identify as the second advent of Christ. He comes to judge and set up the millennial kingdom to which the Lord’s Prayer references.
Verse 7 is explained in verse 8. Jesus will come …in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know (eidō/haven’t accepted) God, and on those who do not obey (reject) the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the time between the end of the 7-year Tribulation and the beginning of the Millennial Reign. The Greek word for “know” is eidō. It means to consider or seek. To not do so means God’s eternal judgment will be against him and her.
V9 “…will be judged with everlasting destruction” needs explanation. We assume it may mean one will be gone for eternity; incinerated, vanish. Not so! The grave will not hide one’s conscious state-of-being, the soul. Everlasting destruction means a perpetual or continual state of destruction. Not a once done no longer existing scenario but, an everlasting PERPETUAL state of being. It is without end, never to cease, everlasting. See Revelation 20:11-15.
Verse 10 once again uses the phrase In That Day. So often end time is described as In That Day. Too often overlooked or not understood is the first word in this three-word statement: IN…a fixed position in time, place, and state (of being). It means a specific time when time will be no more but eternal judgement is a continuous state. It will be a permanent state-of-being with no exit door, reprieve, or hiatus. And Jesus said: “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all(G3956) who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out – those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned” (John 5:28-29). WOW! All meaning past and present humans in the grave or walking the face of this earth.
JIV NOTE:
The lake of fire is the final judgment for God’s enemies, including Satan, his fake trinity, his demon angels, and his human followers, as well as *death and Hades.
*No more death
The lake of fire is a place of conscious torment, not obliteration or annihilation. It is final separation from God’s saving presence.
The torment of the lake of fire is eternal, lasting “forever and ever.”
The end of this world is not the end of an existence of a conscious state-of-being.
Verse 10 says… when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. Because our testimony among you was believed means from the point of this being stated by Paul up to the very end of “In That Day.”
Note in verse 10 the words “because our testimony among you WAS BELIEVED”. This is a future/past tense statement. First it is an event yet to happen from the writing of this verse plus one that has a prophetic past…was believed. Future believers will come from the time of this verse. Not only that, but these reference believers in that day that are redeemed.
JIV NOTE: For readers of this article who wish to believe s/he can and will escape any judgment of God via the grave, going back to the very existence of Adam and Eve, read the following from Isaiah 28:15.
Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we have made a pact. The overwhelming scourge will not reach us when it passes by, For we have made falsehood our refuge and we have concealed ourselves with deception.”
(Part 9) – End Time is one contiguous event… II Thessalonians 1
There are five On That Day sequential events to keep this study of End Time distinct:
The appointed 7-year time of tribulation for Israel i.e., Jerusalem.
3 ½ years of a false peace.
3 ½ years of trials for Israel sometimes identified as Jacob’s Troubles
The time between the end of the 7-years, 3 1/5 of Jacob’s Trouble and Jesus setting up his Millennial Kingdom. He judges the nations between the end of the Tribulation and his Millennial Reign.
The 1,000-year Millennial Kingdom
Satan is released, his final run at overthrowing Jesus on earth begins for a short time.
Eternity: one of two places. Neither eternal destination is the grave.
The book of Revelation is about the Tribulation and Israel. The book of Isaiah reveals the details of the Millennium. *Daniel gives us global insights as to events leading up to That Day of God. Ezekiel covers the wars of THAT DAY. Both the wars of Antichrist during the 7-year Tribulation and the war of Satan after his 1,000-year prison term. 2 Thessalonians give us end time self-protection advice. Jeremiah tells us of from where Israel will be attacked and the calling together of the Northern Ten Tribes and Judah. Psalm 2, The entire Book of Isaiah. Specific verses in 2 Peter and the Book of Jude give additional insights. The New Testament gospels give up the way of salvation in preparation for “IN THAT DAY.”
*The first 6 chapter up to 7:4 is about Israel be prepared. From 7:4 we learn of global histories leading up to the birth of Christ and the Church Age.
1 and 2 Thessalonians focuses on end time events of this world and Israel. There is legitimate discussion per this book and who might be its author. The opening greeting of chapter 1 in II Thessalonians identify the greeting as from ”Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy.” Many of Paul’s writings were dictated to a helper like Tertius of Iconium (Romans 16:22). Tradition says Luke wrote much of what Paul desired to write to the churches he established.
Paul shared with the Christians at Thessalonica his belief that the end of the Gentile Age would come when God the Father determines it. This world is currently in Daniel’s week 69 of his 70-week dream (Daniel 9:24-27). David Jeremiah has a good discussion blog on this topic. We have discussed the 69th week in previous articles found in ahabiblemoments.com. The 70th week of Daniel’s dream is the 7-year Tribulation period.
After formal introductions to this short book (2 Thessalonians) in verses 1-4, we begin our conversation in verse 5. Take serious note of something that is often read right through without perception of its meaning. Verse 5 picks up from verses 3 and 4… (NKJV) “…which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;” Notice, if you will, the righteous judgement, to be counted as worthy, for which you ALSO will suffer. This is a future judgment statement that includes those (v6) who are Gentiles still alive at the time of the Tribulation and, the Jews (Israelis). No mention of the church or true believers of Jesus Christ. Perhaps this is another suggestion that the rapture has by then already occurred.
Verse 6… “it is a righteous (equitable) thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you (Jacob’s trouble)…” [cf. Romans 12:19]. The NKJV offers a direct reference to the time of the 7-year Tribulation and the evils (tribulations) brought upon mankind and Israelis by those who Satan attempts to influence and/or destroy. This takes us back to Genesis when the encounter and subsequent consequences of Satan and Eve in the Garden of Eden is defined by God himself (Genesis 3:15).
Her (Eve’s) seed is mankind (specifically Gods’ chosen in Jacob/Israel) and Satan’s offspring being those who reject God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
V7…to give you who are troubled [a] rest with us when the *Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,…” Hmmm? “you who are troubled”, “A rest WITH US”? Fascinating that this verse hints at those in Christ at the second advent will finally be given “a rest” from tribulations along with those who have already been raptured.
*This is the return of Jesus we identify as the second advent of Christ. He comes to judge and set up the millennial kingdom to which the Lord’s Prayer references.
Verse 7 is explained in verse 8. Jesus will come …in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know (eidō/haven’t accepted) God, and on those who do not obey (reject) the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the time between the end of the 7-year Tribulation and the beginning of the Millennial Reign. The Greek word for “know” is eidō. It means to consider or seek. To not do so means God’s eternal judgment will be against him and her.
V9 “…will be judged with everlasting destruction” needs explanation. We assume it may mean one will be gone for eternity; incinerated, vanish. Not so! The grave will not hide one’s conscious state-of-being, the soul. Everlasting destruction means a perpetual or continual state of destruction. Not a once done no longer existing scenario but, an everlasting PERPETUAL state of being. It is without end, never to cease, everlasting. See Revelation 20:11-15.
Verse 10 once again uses the phrase In That Day. So often end time is described as In That Day. Too often overlooked or not understood is the first word in this three-word statement: IN…a fixed position in time, place, and state (of being). It means a specific time when time will be no more but eternal judgement is a continuous state. It will be a permanent state-of-being with no exit door, reprieve, or hiatus. And Jesus said: “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all(G3956) who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out – those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned” (John 5:28-29). WOW! All meaning past and present humans in the grave or walking the face of this earth.
JIV NOTE:
The lake of fire is the final judgment for God’s enemies, including Satan, his fake trinity, his demon angels, and his human followers, as well as *death and Hades.
*No more death
The lake of fire is a place of conscious torment, not obliteration or annihilation. It is final separation from God’s saving presence.
The torment of the lake of fire is eternal, lasting “forever and ever.”
The end of this world is not the end of an existence of a conscious state-of-being.
Verse 10 says… when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. Because our testimony among you was believed means from the point of this being stated by Paul up to the very end of “In That Day.”
Note in verse 10 the words “because our testimony among you WAS BELIEVED”. This is a future/past tense statement. First it is an event yet to happen from the writing of this verse plus one that has a prophetic past…was believed. Future believers will come from the time of this verse. Not only that, but these reference believers in that day that are redeemed.
JIV NOTE: For readers of this article who wish to believe s/he can and will escape any judgment of God via the grave, going back to the very existence of Adam and Eve, read the following from Isaiah 28:15.
Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we have made a pact. The overwhelming scourge will not reach us when it passes by, For we have made falsehood our refuge and we have concealed ourselves with deception.”
(Part 9) – End Time is one contiguous event… II Thessalonians 1
There are five On That Day sequential events to keep this study of End Time distinct:
The appointed 7-year time of tribulation for Israel i.e., Jerusalem.
3 ½ years of a false peace.
3 ½ years of trials for Israel sometimes identified as Jacob’s Troubles
The time between the end of the 7-years, 3 1/5 of Jacob’s Trouble and Jesus setting up his Millennial Kingdom. He judges the nations between the end of the Tribulation and his Millennial Reign.
The 1,000-year Millennial Kingdom
Satan is released, his final run at overthrowing Jesus on earth begins for a short time.
Eternity: one of two places. Neither eternal destination is the grave.
The book of Revelation is about the Tribulation and Israel. The book of Isaiah reveals the details of the Millennium. *Daniel gives us global insights as to events leading up to That Day of God. Ezekiel covers the wars of THAT DAY. Both the wars of Antichrist during the 7-year Tribulation and the war of Satan after his 1,000-year prison term. 2 Thessalonians give us end time self-protection advice. Jeremiah tells us of from where Israel will be attacked and the calling together of the Northern Ten Tribes and Judah. Psalm 2, The entire Book of Isaiah. Specific verses in 2 Peter and the Book of Jude give additional insights. The New Testament gospels give up the way of salvation in preparation for “IN THAT DAY.”
*The first 6 chapter up to 7:4 is about Israel be prepared. From 7:4 we learn of global histories leading up to the birth of Christ and the Church Age.
1 and 2 Thessalonians focuses on end time events of this world and Israel. There is legitimate discussion per this book and who might be its author. The opening greeting of chapter 1 in II Thessalonians identify the greeting as from ”Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy.” Many of Paul’s writings were dictated to a helper like Tertius of Iconium (Romans 16:22). Tradition says Luke wrote much of what Paul desired to write to the churches he established.
Paul shared with the Christians at Thessalonica his belief that the end of the Gentile Age would come when God the Father determines it. This world is currently in Daniel’s week 69 of his 70-week dream (Daniel 9:24-27). David Jeremiah has a good discussion blog on this topic. We have discussed the 69th week in previous articles found in ahabiblemoments.com. The 70th week of Daniel’s dream is the 7-year Tribulation period.
After formal introductions to this short book (2 Thessalonians) in verses 1-4, we begin our conversation in verse 5. Take serious note of something that is often read right through without perception of its meaning. Verse 5 picks up from verses 3 and 4… (NKJV) “…which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;” Notice, if you will, the righteous judgement, to be counted as worthy, for which you ALSO will suffer. This is a future judgment statement that includes those (v6) who are Gentiles still alive at the time of the Tribulation and, the Jews (Israelis). No mention of the church or true believers of Jesus Christ. Perhaps this is another suggestion that the rapture has by then already occurred.
Verse 6… “it is a righteous (equitable) thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you (Jacob’s trouble)…” [cf. Romans 12:19]. The NKJV offers a direct reference to the time of the 7-year Tribulation and the evils (tribulations) brought upon mankind and Israelis by those who Satan attempts to influence and/or destroy. This takes us back to Genesis when the encounter and subsequent consequences of Satan and Eve in the Garden of Eden is defined by God himself (Genesis 3:15).
Her (Eve’s) seed is mankind (specifically Gods’ chosen in Jacob/Israel) and Satan’s offspring being those who reject God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
V7…to give you who are troubled [a] rest with us when the *Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,…” Hmmm? “you who are troubled”, “A rest WITH US”? Fascinating that this verse hints at those in Christ at the second advent will finally be given “a rest” from tribulations along with those who have already been raptured.
*This is the return of Jesus we identify as the second advent of Christ. He comes to judge and set up the millennial kingdom to which the Lord’s Prayer references.
Verse 7 is explained in verse 8. Jesus will come …in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know (eidō/haven’t accepted) God, and on those who do not obey (reject) the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the time between the end of the 7-year Tribulation and the beginning of the Millennial Reign. The Greek word for “know” is eidō. It means to consider or seek. To not do so means God’s eternal judgment will be against him and her.
V9 “…will be judged with everlasting destruction” needs explanation. We assume it may mean one will be gone for eternity; incinerated, vanish. Not so! The grave will not hide one’s conscious state-of-being, the soul. Everlasting destruction means a perpetual or continual state of destruction. Not a once done no longer existing scenario but, an everlasting PERPETUAL state of being. It is without end, never to cease, everlasting. See Revelation 20:11-15.
Verse 10 once again uses the phrase In That Day. So often end time is described as In That Day. Too often overlooked or not understood is the first word in this three-word statement: IN…a fixed position in time, place, and state (of being). It means a specific time when time will be no more but eternal judgement is a continuous state. It will be a permanent state-of-being with no exit door, reprieve, or hiatus. And Jesus said: “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all(G3956) who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out – those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned” (John 5:28-29). WOW! All meaning past and present humans in the grave or walking the face of this earth.
JIV NOTE:
The lake of fire is the final judgment for God’s enemies, including Satan, his fake trinity, his demon angels, and his human followers, as well as *death and Hades.
*No more death
The lake of fire is a place of conscious torment, not obliteration or annihilation. It is final separation from God’s saving presence.
The torment of the lake of fire is eternal, lasting “forever and ever.”
The end of this world is not the end of an existence of a conscious state-of-being.
Verse 10 says… when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. Because our testimony among you was believed means from the point of this being stated by Paul up to the very end of “In That Day.”
Note in verse 10 the words “because our testimony among you WAS BELIEVED”. This is a future/past tense statement. First it is an event yet to happen from the writing of this verse plus one that has a prophetic past…was believed. Future believers will come from the time of this verse. Not only that, but these reference believers in that day that are redeemed.
JIV NOTE: For readers of this article who wish to believe s/he can and will escape any judgment of God via the grave, going back to the very existence of Adam and Eve, read the following from Isaiah 28:15.
Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we have made a pact. The overwhelming scourge will not reach us when it passes by, For we have made falsehood our refuge and we have concealed ourselves with deception.”
(Part 9) – End Time is one contiguous event… II Thessalonians 1
There are five On That Day sequential events to keep this study of End Time distinct:
The appointed 7-year time of tribulation for Israel i.e., Jerusalem.
3 ½ years of a false peace.
3 ½ years of trials for Israel sometimes identified as Jacob’s Troubles
The time between the end of the 7-years, 3 1/5 of Jacob’s Trouble and Jesus setting up his Millennial Kingdom. He judges the nations between the end of the Tribulation and his Millennial Reign.
The 1,000-year Millennial Kingdom
Satan is released, his final run at overthrowing Jesus on earth begins for a short time.
Eternity: one of two places. Neither eternal destination is the grave.
The book of Revelation is about the Tribulation and Israel. The book of Isaiah reveals the details of the Millennium. *Daniel gives us global insights as to events leading up to That Day of God. Ezekiel covers the wars of THAT DAY. Both the wars of Antichrist during the 7-year Tribulation and the war of Satan after his 1,000-year prison term. 2 Thessalonians give us end time self-protection advice. Jeremiah tells us of from where Israel will be attacked and the calling together of the Northern Ten Tribes and Judah. Psalm 2, The entire Book of Isaiah. Specific verses in 2 Peter and the Book of Jude give additional insights. The New Testament gospels give up the way of salvation in preparation for “IN THAT DAY.”
*The first 6 chapter up to 7:4 is about Israel be prepared. From 7:4 we learn of global histories leading up to the birth of Christ and the Church Age.
1 and 2 Thessalonians focuses on end time events of this world and Israel. There is legitimate discussion per this book and who might be its author. The opening greeting of chapter 1 in II Thessalonians identify the greeting as from ”Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy.” Many of Paul’s writings were dictated to a helper like Tertius of Iconium (Romans 16:22). Tradition says Luke wrote much of what Paul desired to write to the churches he established.
Paul shared with the Christians at Thessalonica his belief that the end of the Gentile Age would come when God the Father determines it. This world is currently in Daniel’s week 69 of his 70-week dream (Daniel 9:24-27). David Jeremiah has a good discussion blog on this topic. We have discussed the 69th week in previous articles found in ahabiblemoments.com. The 70th week of Daniel’s dream is the 7-year Tribulation period.
After formal introductions to this short book (2 Thessalonians) in verses 1-4, we begin our conversation in verse 5. Take serious note of something that is often read right through without perception of its meaning. Verse 5 picks up from verses 3 and 4… (NKJV) “…which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;” Notice, if you will, the righteous judgement, to be counted as worthy, for which you ALSO will suffer. This is a future judgment statement that includes those (v6) who are Gentiles still alive at the time of the Tribulation and, the Jews (Israelis). No mention of the church or true believers of Jesus Christ. Perhaps this is another suggestion that the rapture has by then already occurred.
Verse 6… “it is a righteous (equitable) thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you (Jacob’s trouble)…” [cf. Romans 12:19]. The NKJV offers a direct reference to the time of the 7-year Tribulation and the evils (tribulations) brought upon mankind and Israelis by those who Satan attempts to influence and/or destroy. This takes us back to Genesis when the encounter and subsequent consequences of Satan and Eve in the Garden of Eden is defined by God himself (Genesis 3:15).
Her (Eve’s) seed is mankind (specifically Gods’ chosen in Jacob/Israel) and Satan’s offspring being those who reject God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
V7…to give you who are troubled [a] rest with us when the *Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,…” Hmmm? “you who are troubled”, “A rest WITH US”? Fascinating that this verse hints at those in Christ at the second advent will finally be given “a rest” from tribulations along with those who have already been raptured.
*This is the return of Jesus we identify as the second advent of Christ. He comes to judge and set up the millennial kingdom to which the Lord’s Prayer references.
Verse 7 is explained in verse 8. Jesus will come …in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know (eidō/haven’t accepted) God, and on those who do not obey (reject) the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the time between the end of the 7-year Tribulation and the beginning of the Millennial Reign. The Greek word for “know” is eidō. It means to consider or seek. To not do so means God’s eternal judgment will be against him and her.
V9 “…will be judged with everlasting destruction” needs explanation. We assume it may mean one will be gone for eternity; incinerated, vanish. Not so! The grave will not hide one’s conscious state-of-being, the soul. Everlasting destruction means a perpetual or continual state of destruction. Not a once done no longer existing scenario but, an everlasting PERPETUAL state of being. It is without end, never to cease, everlasting. See Revelation 20:11-15.
Verse 10 once again uses the phrase In That Day. So often end time is described as In That Day. Too often overlooked or not understood is the first word in this three-word statement: IN…a fixed position in time, place, and state (of being). It means a specific time when time will be no more but eternal judgement is a continuous state. It will be a permanent state-of-being with no exit door, reprieve, or hiatus. And Jesus said: “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all(G3956) who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out – those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned” (John 5:28-29). WOW! All meaning past and present humans in the grave or walking the face of this earth.
JIV NOTE:
The lake of fire is the final judgment for God’s enemies, including Satan, his fake trinity, his demon angels, and his human followers, as well as *death and Hades.
*No more death
The lake of fire is a place of conscious torment, not obliteration or annihilation. It is final separation from God’s saving presence.
The torment of the lake of fire is eternal, lasting “forever and ever.”
The end of this world is not the end of an existence of a conscious state-of-being.
Verse 10 says… when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. Because our testimony among you was believed means from the point of this being stated by Paul up to the very end of “In That Day.”
Note in verse 10 the words “because our testimony among you WAS BELIEVED”. This is a future/past tense statement. First it is an event yet to happen from the writing of this verse plus one that has a prophetic past…was believed. Future believers will come from the time of this verse. Not only that, but these reference believers in that day that are redeemed.
JIV NOTE: For readers of this article who wish to believe s/he can and will escape any judgment of God via the grave, going back to the very existence of Adam and Eve, read the following from Isaiah 28:15.
Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we have made a pact. The overwhelming scourge will not reach us when it passes by, For we have made falsehood our refuge and we have concealed ourselves with deception.”
AHA Bible Moments 