1Thessalonians 3:12-13 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
‘To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.’ This is the 3rd New Testament prophecy in 1 Thessalonians (3:13) and it is unfulfilled. This refers to the rapture when Christ meets the saints in the air (4:16) and takes them to heaven where they are presented before God the Father and established in eternal and unblameable holiness by God. Up to this point salvation and eternal life are given to men on condition (John 6:27). In the rapture men receive unforfeitable life for the first time as a harvest of life of sowing to the Spirit and to fulfil the promises of eternal life in the next life (Matt. 7:13-14; 18:8-9; 19:28-29; Mark 10:29-30; Luke 18:29-30; Rom. 2:7; 6:21-23; Gal. 6:7-8; 1Tim. 1:16; 4:8; 6:12, 19; Tit. 1:2; 3:7; 1Pet. 1:5, 9, 13; 3:7; 1Jn. 2:25; Jude 1:20-24; Dan. 12:2).
Twenty-three conditions of eternal life are given in Scripture – no amount of ‘grace-only’ preaching will change the facts of the Word: Come to Christ (John 6:37, 44, 45, 65). Eat His flesh – drink His blood (John 6:50, 51, 53, 58). Labour (John 6:27). Reap – win souls through living according to His example (John 4:35-38; 1Pet. 2:21-23). Hate (love less) the life in this world (John 12:25). Know God and Christ (John 17:2-3). Enter the right gate (Matt. 7:13-14). Cause no offence (Matt. 18:8-9). Keep commandments (Matt. 19:17). Forsake all (Matt. 19:27-29; Mark 10:28-30; Luke 18:28-30). Live free from sin (Rom. 5:21; 6:16-23; 8:1-13; Tit. 2:11-14). Continue in well-doing and seek eternal life (Rom. 2:7). Sow to the Spirit (Gal. 6:7-8). Fight the good fight of faith; lay hold on it (1Tim. 6:12, 19). Be sober and hope to the end for it (Tit. 1:2; 3:7; 1Pet. 1:5, 9, 13 with Rom. 8:24). Endure temptations (Jas. 1:12).
To be continued…
Living the Word 