Monthly Archive for February, 1999

1 Thessalonians 1:1b

Published on February 28, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ“

Silvanus,

Silvanus and Timothy united with Paul in sending this epistle to the Thessalonians. Silvanus is the Latin spelling of “Silas” (Acts 15:22) so Silvanus is the same as the Silas of the book of Acts. Silvanus served both great missionaries of the first century. He served Paul, the great apostle to the Gentiles. He also served the apostle to the Jews. Silvanus was an amanuensis (secretary, 1 Peter 5:12). Here is an anonymous Christian who did not take the credit to himself, but faithfully did his job as unto the Lord.Silvanus was a prophet from the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:22, 32). That church dispatched him along with Paul and Barnabas to take the decree from the Jerusalem conference to the church in Antioch.

At Antioch, Paul and Barnabas quarreled over Mark, because Mark defected from the first missionary mission (Acts 15:36-41). Mark was a relative of Barnabas. They divided over this. Paul refused to take Mark on his next mission, because of his earlier desertion. Paul chose Silvanus to accompany him on his missionary expedition to Asia Minor, and ultimately to Macedonia and Achaia. Barnabas chose Mark to go with him (Acts 15:41-18:5). We do not hear of Mark again in the book of Acts. An opportunity of a lifetime came to Silvanus because he was available for God to use him.

Setting out from Antioch, Paul made his way through Syria and Cilicia to the towns of Southern Galatia (Derbe and Lystra) where he took Timothy as a companion (Acts 16:1-3). From there he passed through Phrygia to Northern Galatia (Pessinus, Ancyra, and Tavium) and founded new churches.

Prevented from proceeding to Bithynia, Paul’s team moved on from Galatia into Mysia and Troy. Here Luke joined (Acts 16:10-17) the team. Silvanus accompanied the team through Syria, Asia Minor, Philippi and Thessalonica. He helped form the church in Thessalonica. He fled Thessalonica with the team to Berea. When Paul left Berea for Athens, Silvanus stayed at Berea and then joined Paul later at Corinth (Acts 16-18).

Silvanus was an important figure in the churches in Macedonia. Acts 18:18 suggests that he may have remained in Macedonia when Paul left. His early connections with the church in Jerusalem were helpful in giving added theological legitimacy to Paul’s missionary enterprises. Silvanus was a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37-38). He was also a Jew. This was a help to Paul as well.

Paul mentions Silvanus in his introductions to some of his epistles (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:19). Except in 2 Corinthians 1:19, Paul mentions him in reference to the writing of these epistles. He was a secretary to Paul and both secretary and a courier for Peter. The New Testament does not name him again until a reference in 1 Peter.

The fact that Silvanus worked closely with both Paul and Peter shows the theological closeness of Paul and Peter. Although their theology was compatible, the way of expressing that theology is very different. There are some people today who try to make us believe that Paul and Peter were at odds theologically. This disproves that assertion. There was no schism in the early church between Paul and Peter. There was a clear, cordial alliance between them.

Silvanus probably penned the epistle of 1 Peter. Peter may have penned the conclusion by his own hand. It was a general practice that writers of Scripture to use amanuenses (secretaries) to write their epistles (Galations 6:11-18; 1 Corinthians 16:21-23; Colossians 4:18; 2 Thessalonians 3:17-18).

Silvanus stands in similar relationship to Peter that he did to Paul. After ministering with Paul as a secretary, he joins Peter’s ministry. Paul was probably in prison by then. Silvanus was conversant with and known to the churches to whom 1 Peter is addressed (1 Peter 1:1). They knew what kind of man he was. They recognized his character.

The Scripture doesn’t record any word from Silas. This affirms the importance of subordinate work. One little chip in a computer can cause the computer to stop operating. There is an importance to little things. Little things are indispensable to ministry. No doubt, some people will receive more glory in Christian work than others will. Glory, however, is not how God measures things. God places value on our faithfulness to the role He gives us.


Principle:

God uses unknown, unsung believers for His glory.


Application:

Who has thought much of this man Silvanus? The two greatest missionaries of the first century were Paul and Peter. Both of these mighty missionaries depended on Silvanus. Neither Paul nor Peter could have done what they did without him. He was their right-hand man.

Silvanus was available for God’s use. It did not matter whether he was the underdog. He played second fiddle to both Paul and Peter. He did not seek glory for himself, but only for his Lord. That is why he could serve the way he did.

Paul and Peter were the “stars” of the first-century community. God left to the lot of Silvanus to be a satellite to move around the greater orbs. If God calls you to this lot, will you willingly accept it?

May God give us many more like Silvanus.

“Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No? But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us” (2 Corinthians 1:17-20).

A principle in the nation Israel was that some were to “stand by the stuff.” “As his part is that goes down into battle, so shall his part be that tarries by the stuff; they shall part alike.” Stand by the stuff in your service for the Lord!

1 Thessalonians 1:1

Published on February 27, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ“

We now come to the second book Paul wrote, the book of 1 Thessalonians.

The first verse of 1 Thessalonians is the salutation or the greeting. Usually the salutation included three landmarks: names of the writer/s, the addressee(s) and a formal greeting.

Paul,

Paul is the author of First Thessalonians. He was known as Saul of Tarsus in his non-Christian days. He became the greatest missionary the world has ever known.Thirteen books start with the name “Paul.” Paul says nothing specific about himself in this verse. In many of his epistles, he calls himself “the slave of Jesus Christ” or “an apostle of Jesus Christ.” The Thessalonians did not doubt his credibility, so he did not feel the need to establish his trustworthiness here. They knew full well that he served Jesus the Lord.

Paul does not begin his epistles with the customary introductions common in our day. Salutations of our day are irrelevant. We begin a business letter with the term “Gentlemen” even though there may not be a gentleman in the whole crowd! We write, “Dear Sir,” when we know that they are neither “dear” nor “sir!!” However, we cannot start a letter with “Hey, you” either!

The name “Paul” means “little.” If there was anyone who could call himself “Mr. Big,” it was the apostle Paul. He was the greatest missionary of the first century.

In Judaism, he had a promising career. He was a Pharisee. He was an outstanding persecutor of the church. When he ran out of victims in Jerusalem, he went to Damascus to capture more Christians (Acts 9:1-2). He was on his way to murder disciples in Damascus.

On the road to Damascus, he met the risen Lord and received Jesus Christ as his Savior. As a Christian, he spread the gospel to the Gentile Roman world. The Lord Jesus ruined his previous career. One look at Jesus changed everything in his life. Jesus’ worst enemy became his greatest emissary.

Paul was not one of the 12 original Apostles. One qualification for apostleship was seeing Jesus. He saw the risen Christ (1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:8-9). God gave him miraculous powers to authenticate his apostleship (2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:3-4).

The word “apostle” conveys the idea of special commission from God. The apostle was under a divine commission to found the church and write Scripture. This is the highest-ranking gift in the Bible. There are no more apostles today. No one today has the right to write Scripture. This gift, as all gifts, can only be bestowed by the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:11,13).

Paul was the human author of Scripture but the Holy Spirit was the divine author (2 Peter 1:20). This does not mean that the human author mechanically writes Scripture with little or no input from His person. It means that the Holy Spirit guides every word he writes to convey accurately what God wants to communicate to humans.

Paul was Christ’s apostle, not an apostle of the church. He was a special emissary on a special divine assignment from Christ (John 17:18). He took his marching orders from Jesus Christ.

Paul concluded his brilliant career in a dungeon. Jesus promoted him to heaven by virtue of a guillotine–the Roman government decapitated him. This is a thumbnail sketch of the former Saul of Tarsus. He gave his entire life to Christ. His philosophy was this – “for me to live is Christ.”


Principle:

When Jesus Christ fills our horizon, we can do nothing else but serve Him.


Application:

When we truly meet the Lord Jesus, we lose interest in pleasing our self. The greatest thing that can happen to young people is to meet the Lord Jesus young enough so that they can give their entire lives to the Lord. Boyfriends, girlfriends, cars, careers do not compare with knowing and serving Him (Philippians 3:10). When we devote our life to the Son of God, we live without regret.

Paul makes his own commitment clear in 1 Corinthians 9:16,17, “If I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” He said, “I must preach the gospel whether I want to do it or not. Whether it is convenient or not, I have no choice.”

God is not a cruel taskmaster. He is a wonderful Master who gives us a sense of satisfaction when we serve Him. Paul did not quit. He served to the best of his ability, which is all God asks. This kind of commitment gives us direction, point and purpose. We keep our drive no matter what opposition may come our way.

A hundred years from now it will make very little difference where we stood before the great people of our day. However, a hundred years from now it will be of utmost importance where we stand in reference to Jesus Christ. That will determine where we will be in eternity; it will demarcate how we lived our life in time.

Revelation 22:21

Published on February 26, 1999 in Revelation. 0 Comments
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“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen“

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

God’s final word in Scripture is a word of grace. This is the salutation of the book. Only the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ will keep us through it all. We should add our “amen” to this as well.

The exhortation of grace to Christians stands in stark contrast to those without Christ.


Principle:

Each of us needs to be aware of our need for God’s sustaining grace.


Application:

We have the promise of God’s sustaining grace through anything we might face in life. Whether it be adversity or ecstasy, God promises that His grace will always be there for us.

Jesus may come momentarily. No signs need to be fulfilled before His coming. The rapture is a signless, timeless event. He could come at any moment.

May Jesus come today. Oh, what a blessed day!!

Jesus promised a special blessing to those who study the book of Revelation. I am sure He did that for you in this study.

Revelation 22:20

Published on February 25, 1999 in Revelation. 0 Comments
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“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!“

Verses 20 and 21 are the benediction to the book of Revelation.

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”

This verse sets forth the third announcement of the Second Coming of Christ (22:7,12). This is the last thing that Jesus ever said in the Word of God. He made this statement about 60 years after His resurrection.

Jesus gives the final of three words of assurance in the epilogue that He will come quickly. The word “surely” means yes. Jesus confirms His coming. He gives assurance about the future. He will keep His promises. This is the last promise of the Bible.

“Quickly” does not mean immediately. It means he will come suddenly, without warning.

Amen.

The word “amen” means so be it, “I believe it.” John responds to this word of assurance with an “Amen.” He echoes Christ’s promise.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

When Jesus comes it will put an end to suffering and sorrow. This is the last prayer of the Bible. “Take us to Heaven, Lord.”


Principle:

Jesus will be faithful to His promise to come back again and take us to Heaven.


Application:

Jesus will keep His word to come and take us to Heaven. He will keep His promise. He never goes back on His word.

No sign needs to be fulfilled before He comes. The Rapture is a timeless, signless event. Can you honestly pray the prayer that Jesus would come soon? Do you anticipate seeing Him, meeting Him? He may come momentarily.

Revelation 22:18-19

Published on February 24, 1999 in Revelation. 0 Comments
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“For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book“

John gives a final warning for those who might tamper with this prophecy.

For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;

On the one hand, God promises a blessing to those who read this prophecy but on the other hand, to those who reject the revelation of this book, He gives a double warning. God gives a warning to those who would undermine the Word of God. He warns of special judgment to those who do so.

There will be strong delusion in the future. We need God’s Word to know what we believe.

“For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:7-12).

and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

The first warning is a warning to those who take away the words of this prophecy. If they do this, God will take away their “part in the Book of Life, from the holy city and from the things which are written in this book.” To tamper with the Word of God is to reject God Himself. When someone rejects any part of the book of Revelation, God will take away his part from the Book of Life.

If we tamper with God’s book, He will tamper with our book! The word “book” is tree or wood in the Greek. God will not give these people the opportunity to become Christians. The Word of God is our only source for understanding the nature of salvation. This is a terrible penalty. This passage does not teach that a Christian can become lost at some point. The issue here is that those who play with God’s Word as non-Christians cannot become Christians.


Principle:

God gives strong warnings against tampering with the Word of God.


Application:

God will weed out those who play with His Word. God gives strong warnings against tampering with the Word of God. We dare not add to or subtract from the Word of God. Both are grave issues with God. In Genesis 3, chapter 3, Eve made the mistake of adding the phrase “nor touch it” to God’s warning about eating from the Tree of Knowledge. By making the commandment seem stricter than it really was, she betrayed her suspicions about God and His goodness. Insulting His majesty this way was the first step on her road away from God.

“You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you” Deuteronomy 4:2).

“Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it” (Deuteronomy 12:32).

There is a great contrast between the lot of the lost and that of the believer.

“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3).

Revelation 22:16-17

Published on February 23, 1999 in Revelation. 0 Comments
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“‘I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.’ And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely“

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches.

Jesus personally revealed the book of Revelation to give an eternal guarantee to the churches.

I am the Root and the Offspring of David,

Jesus states His claim to the throne of David with the phrase “Root and the Offspring of David.” The Davidic Covenant promised that someone in the line of David would inherit David’s throne over Israel (2 Samuel 7; Matthew 1:1; cf. Isaiah 11:1, 10,11; Revelation 5:5).

the Bright and Morning Star.”

Jesus also describes Himself as “the Bright and Morning Star.” Christ’s coming is like a morning star. A morning star announces a new day. His coming is a brilliant new era (2 Peter 1:19).

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!”

The Holy Spirit joins the bride to encourage the coming of Christ. This is a special joint invitation by both God and believers to become Christians. Three times the word “come” occurs in this verse.

“And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: “of sin, because they do not believe in Me; “of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; “of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged” (John 16:8-11).

And let him who hears say, “Come!”

The person who listens to the message of Revelation will say “Come!” to the Lord Jesus.

And let him who thirsts come.

Notice the words “thirsts” and “desires.” These are words of our will. Those who have a taste for salvation by Christ, are to “come.” The word “come” occurs three times in this verse (Isaiah 11:28).

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts,
Come to the waters;
And you who have no money,
Come, buy and eat.
Yes, come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without price” (Isaiah 55:1).

Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

Those who thirst need to “take of the water of life freely.” Eternal life is free (John 7:37-39).This verse is an invitation to the church of all ages.


Principle:

Eternal life is free of charge.


Application:

God gives us eternal life free of charge. Notice in Ephesians that salvation is by grace through faith. We receive grace by faith, not works.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9).

Paul declares in Romans that not only is salvation not by works but we must stop working in order for God to impute righteousness to us.

“But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works….” (Romans 4:5,6).

Have you been making attempts at pleasing God by your works? In order for you to become a Christian, you must stop relying on your good works. Good works follows salvation. It is not a part of it. If a person truly comes to God, he will demonstrate his salvation by works. The only way we can come to God is by faith.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ….” (Romans 5:1)

Will you make that decision right now? Here are the factors of becoming a Christian:

1) Recognize that you stand in need of salvation because you sinned against an absolutely holy God.

2) Understand that only Jesus can pay for your sins by His death on the cross.

3) Personally rely [put faith in] on His death for your sins to give you eternal life.

Revelation 22:15

Published on February 22, 1999 in Revelation. 0 Comments
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“But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie“

But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

In contrast to those who receive rewards from Christ are those who remain on the “outside.” Those without Christ are like “dogs.” Dogs in the first century were not domestic animals as they are in our day. They were scavengers who ate garbage. Many were wild. Generally, they were hated creatures. The people of this verse are bestial who live like dogs. They know little more than what they taste, feel, hear, see and smell. They cannot see eternal things.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

Faith gives sight to eternal things. It reaches out to the future and brings it into the present.

Notice the nasty crowd here. They are described as those who practice sorcery (9:21; 18:23; 21:8) and the sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters and those who love and practice a lie. These practices typify the lost. Those that do not accept the shed blood of Christ for them do not have that right.

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).


Principle:

Not everyone is going to Heaven.


Application:

Those without Christ are dog-like people. The dog of the first century was no pet. He was a scavenger who invaded garbage dumps. God depicts the non-Christian as someone who lives on garbage. They are an unsavory crowd because they do not have God in their lives.

The wonder of the gospel is that it can turn people who live on garbage into people who possess eternal life. Will you accept the fact that Jesus paid for your sins on the cross and that you can do nothing about your salvation except believe that Jesus gives us eternal life for free? You do that by faith (Romans 4:5; 5:1).

Revelation 22:14

Published on February 21, 1999 in Revelation. 0 Comments
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“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city”

Blessed are those who do His commandments,

The word “blessed” occurs 50 times in the New Testament, seven of those occurrences in the book of Revelation.

This verse presents the last of the seven beatitudes of Revelation (1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7). Those who “do His commandments” are “blessed.” As believers, we have the right to the “tree of life” and to “enter through the gates into the city.”

The phrase “do His commandments” in some manuscripts reads “who wash their robes.” We qualify for heaven by the shed blood of Christ. Because of that, we have the right to enter New Jerusalem.

that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.

Christians are blessed because they have the hope of eternal life. They are sure they are going to Heaven. Those without Christ have no hope. Their future is bleak, dark hopelessness.


Principle:

Christians have the guarantee of a bright future.


Application:

People who perceive that they have no eternal future are miserable. They search for happiness in activity and things. They will spend any energy to fill the void in their lives. They never achieve happiness. It is a will-of-the-wisp hope that they cannot attain.

Sometimes people may get the breaks in life for a time but then some sickness or surgery or problem with children comes their way. Their happiness disappears like the wind. That happiness is temporary. People listen to the news today and they hear nothing but rape, crime, evil, rebellion, death. They live in misery. Where is their hope?

Jesus does not give happiness but blessedness. Christians have a bright future. They will meet the One they love one day. They have an endless, bright, quality future.

Revelation 22:13

Published on February 20, 1999 in Revelation. 2 Comments
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“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last”

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last”

Jesus describes Himself with three pairs of titles. All three sets of titles affirm the same thing: that Jesus is eternal (1:4, 8, 17; 2:8; 21:6). The assertion of His eternity means that we can count on Him fulfilling His promise. He will deliver on what He promises. Jesus consummates and concludes all things. He is God almighty.

Jesus is God’s last word to us.

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they” (Hebrews 1:1-4).


Principle:

God will be true to His promises.


Application:

We can count on Jesus to be true to Himself. He will deliver on His promises. We have a title to eternity because of Christ. We know that when we arrive in Heaven, God will welcome us.

Revelation 22:12

Published on February 19, 1999 in Revelation. 0 Comments
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“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work“

The conclusion of Revelation runs from 22:6 through 22:21. John now turns to applications to the churches.

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.

When Jesus comes during the Rapture (verse 7), He will come with rewards for the church. Immediately after the Rapture, He will evaluate believers according to their works and reward them at the judgement seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10-11). This evaluation at the judgement seat of Christ is a judgement of works (1 Corinthians 3:1f).


Principle:

Jesus will reward Christians according to the standard of their works.


Application:

When we stand before the Lord our works will either be “wood, hay or stubble” or they will have lasting impact as do “gold, silver and precious stones” (1 Corinthians 3:1f). God will be fair to the Christian.

God will allow no trumped up evidence. There will be no circumstantial evidence. He will evaluate every last Christian who has ever lived in absolute fairness, including you and me. We will receive nothing we did not earn. We will receive rewards for everything we did for His glory.

“And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:14).

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad [worthless]” (2 Corinthians 5:10).