Tag: Advice

Salvation Through Sanctification – Part 2

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

2Thessalonians 2:13-14 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Sin is not necessarily involved in sanctification, because the word means to set apart. God has sanctified both people and material things, and even immaterial things. If sin is not involved in the person or thing set apart, then no sin is cleansed in the process of setting apart: [1] Material things have been sanctified without taking an old man (satan) out of them: Bread (1Sam. 21:5); the tabernacle and its furniture (Ex. 29:43 – 30:29; Lev. 8:10-15); the priests’ garments (Lev. 8:30); houses and lands (Lev. 27:9-29); meat (1Tim. 4:3-5); Solomon’s temple and furniture (2Chron. 7:16-20; 29:17-19); gates (Neh. 3:1); Mt. Sinai (Ex. 19:23); the offerings (Ex. 29:27); Herod’s temple (Matt. 23:17). [2] Holy persons have been sanctified who never had an old man in them: God the Father (Lev. 10:3; Num. 20:13; Isa. 5:16; Ezek. 20:41; 28:22-25; 36:23; 38:16; 39:27; 1Pet. 3:15) and Jesus Christ (John 10:36; 17:17-19). [3] God’s name has been repeatedly sanctified without taking an old man out of it (Isa. 29:23; Ezek. 36:23). [4] Babies have been sanctified from birth before sinning (Jer. 1:5; Luke 1:15-17; Gal. 1:15) and one never did have an old man in Him (Luke 1:35; John 10:36). [5] Heathen soldiers and husbands have been sanctified who never were Christians (Isa. 13:3, 17; 1Cor. 7:14). [6] Believers sanctify God and never take an old man out of Him (1Pet. 3:15). [7] Christ sanctified Himself though He never had an old man in Him (John 17:19). [8] The same people were sanctified many times so sanctification cannot be limited to one act (Ex. 19:14, 22; 28:41; 29:33, 44; 30:29; Lev. 8:30). [9] People have sanctified themselves (Lev. 11:44; 20:7). Did they take an old man out of themselves? [10] The same people that sanctified themselves (Lev. 11:44; 20:7) were also sanctified by Moses (Ex. 19:10-14) and by God (Ex. 29:43-44; 31:13; Lev. 20:8; 21:8, 15, 23; 22:9, 16). Which ones took the old man out? [11] All the firstborns of Israel were sanctified at birth (Ex. 13:2; Num. 8:17). If the old man was taken out at this time, then none of them had an old man after that. [12] Sanctified disciples (John 13:10; 15:3) were further sanctified in the same sense that the sanctified Christ (John 10:36) further sanctified Himself (John 17:17-19). [13] The seventh day was sanctified without sin and cleaning being involved (Gen. 2:3-4).

However, if sin and filth are involved in a person or a material thing to be set apart unto God, then such must be dealt with to make it presentable to God.

To be continued…

Salvation Through Sanctification – Part 1

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

2Thessalonians 2:13-14 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

‘Bound to give thanks alway to God for you.’ Christian obligation: [Greek: opheilo] be under an obligation to do a thing. Translated “bound” (1:3; 2:13); “be guilty” (Matt. 23:18); “behoved” (Heb. 2:17); “must needs” (1Cor. 5:10); “need so require” (1Cor. 7:36); “duty” (Luke 17:10; Rom. 15:27); “should” (1Cor. 9:10); “ought” (John 13:14; 19:7; Acts 17:29; Rom. 15:1; 1Cor. 11:7, 10; 2Cor. 12:11, 14; Eph. 5:28; Heb. 5:3, 12; 1Jn. 2:6; 3:16; 4:11; 2Jn. 1:8); “owe” (Matt. 18:28; Luke 7:41; 16:5, 7; Rom. 13:8; Phm. 1:18); “due” (Matt. 18:34; 1Cor. 7:3); “be indebted” (Luke 11:4); “debt” (Matt. 18:30); and “be a debtor” (Matt. 23:16).

‘Chosen you to salvation.’ God’s choice is to salvation through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth. No man can receive salvation except through these two things. It is folly to claim salvation without sanctification and belief in the truth.

‘Sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.’ The doctrine of sanctification: [Greek: hagiasmos] consecration; a separation unto God FROM a profane, secular, and carnal use TO a sacred, religious, and spiritual use.

The words “sanctify” and “sanctified” are used 132 times; “sanctification” 5 times (New Testament only); and “sanctifieth” 4 times (New Testament only) – 141 times total in Scripture: 110 times in the Old Testament and only 31 times in the New Testament A study of the various passages shows that to sanctify means to set apart from other uses to God’s particular use, not to cleanse from sin or rid of carnal nature (sometimes called “the old man” or Adamic nature). Even Christ, the Sinless One, was sanctified (John 10:36; 17:19). Where humans are concerned one begins to be sanctified when he begins to consecrate his life to God, and the process is continued as he continues in his dedication (2:13; 1Cor. 1:30; 6:11; 1Jn. 1:7-9; 3:8-10; 5:1-4, 5:18).

To be continued…

They Received not the Love of the Truth

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

2Thessalonians 2:9-12 Even him, whose coming is after the working of satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 

‘Coming is after the working of satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.’ His preparation and revelation will be the work of satan. The satanic angel now in the abyss will come out and use the human Antichrist to fulfil satan’s will in these last days. He will have satanic power (2:8-9; Dan. 8:24; 11:36-39; Matt. 24:24; Rev. 13:1-18; 16:13-16; 19:20).

‘All deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish.’ With every cunning art and wicked practice men and demons can produce to deceive men who reject the truth (2:10-12; 1Tim. 4:1-8; 2Tim. 3:5; 4:1-5; Matt. 24:24; Rev. 13:1-18; 19:20).

‘Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.’ This states the reason God will permit such strong delusion at this time (2:10-12). If men are determined to go to hell, there is nothing further that God can do to rescue them (Matt. 25:41; Rom. 1:21-32).

‘God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.’ Is God responsible? In what sense does God send such things? This question is answered in Romans 1:21-32. It is not God’s will that any man perishes, but that all come to repentance (John 3:16-20; 2Tim. 2:4; 2Pet. 3:9; Rev. 22:17). If men persist in rebellion, then God gives them over to their ways which will damn their souls. It is something that He is forced to do because He cannot save men who persist in damning their souls. God has made the laws of sowing and reaping and this is the sense in which God has anything to do with such destinies (Gal. 6:7-8; Isa. 45:7). God has made the law of sowing and reaping, and evil results will come when men sin. God has decreed that misery, wretchedness, sorrow, trouble, and distress will come as a result of sin (Gal. 6:7-8). Ra‛ is translated “evil” 442 times and never with the idea that sin is created by God. If people sin and reap for it, the responsibility for both is theirs. God simply made the law and penalties for breaking the law will always be in force.

Then Shall that Wicked be Revealed – Part 3

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming

Twenty-one facts about the Antichrist (continues): He will be satan’s agent and his last attempt to raise a world dictator (2:9; Dan. 8:24; 11:37-39; Rev. 13:2). He will have miraculous powers from satan (2:9; Dan. 8:24; 11:37-39; Rev. 13:2, 11-18; 16:13-16; 19:20; Matt. 24:24). He will be a deceiver (2:10; Dan. 8:24-25; 9:27; 11:36-45; Matt. 24:15-31; Rev. 13:1-18; 19:20). Only those who are lost will follow him (2:10-12; Rev. 13:1-18; 14:9-11; 16:13-16; 19:20). The reason for people being deceived by him is that they have rejected truth, loved sin, and refused salvation (2:11-12). He will be a great delusion and a lie (2:11-12; Dan. 8:10-14, 25; 11:39).

‘The Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.’ Whomever the Antichrist will be he will fulfil many prophecies and be slain by Christ at Armageddon (Dan. 7:11; Isa. 11:4; Rev. 19:19-21).

‘Consume’ [Greek: analisko] (G355), to kill, destroy (2:8; Luke 9:54; Gal. 5:15). Other scriptures speak of his being slain by Christ (Dan. 7:11; 8:23-25; 9:27; 11:45; Isa. 11:4). This does not contradict Revelation 19:20, for this passage only shows that after he is slain, he will be cast into conscious and eternal torment along with others (Matt. 25:41, 46; Rev. 19:20; 20:10). The fact that he will be slain disproves the theories of the Antichrist being Judas or some other historical man resurrected as the beast of Revelation 13:1-18. If he were a resurrected man he could not be slain. It is not necessary for Judas or some other historical man to be brought back from death to fulfil Scripture. A future man could do this, as well as one of the past. All that is necessary is his yieldedness as a tool of satan.

Then Shall that Wicked be Revealed – Part 2

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming

Twenty-one facts about the Antichrist: he is called “the man of sin” because he will be the embodiment of lawlessness and leader of the great apostasy of 2Thessalonians 2:3, 8-12 and Revelation 13:1-18; 14:9-13; 15:2-4; 16:2-12. He is called “the son of perdition,” because of being destined to destruction by his rebellion, like Judas or any other man who sells himself to satan (2:3, 8-12; Rev. 13:2; Dan. 8:24; 11:37-39). He is to be revealed (2:3). He will be the opposer of God (2:4). He will exalt himself above God. He will accept worship as God. His worship will be carried on in the future Jewish temple at Jerusalem (2:4; Dan. 8:10-14, 23-27; 9:27; 11:36-45; 12:1-7; Matt. 24:15-21; Rev. 11:1-2; 13:1-18; 14:9-11; 15:2-4; 16:2-12; 20:4-6). He will claim to be God (2:4). He has time to be revealed (2:6). Something now holds back or hinders his revelation (2:7). The spirit of lawlessness now works preparing for his revelation. The mystery of iniquity, or spirit of lawlessness cannot reveal him until the hinderer of lawlessness is taken out of the world. When the hinderer of lawlessness is taken out of the world, then shall that wicked be revealed (2:7-8). When the wicked is revealed, he will live until the second coming of Christ, will head the armies at Armageddon and will be destroyed by Christ (2:8; Rev. 19:11-21; Dan. 7:24-28; 8:23-27; 9:27; 11:36-45; 12:1-7; Matt. 24:15-31). He is a man, for he will be killed by Christ at Armageddon (2:8; Dan. 7:11; 8:25; Isa. 11:4; Rev. 19:11-21). This man could not be Judas or someone else who has died already (Heb. 9:27).

To be continued…

Then Shall that Wicked be Revealed – Part 1

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming

‘And then shall that Wicked be revealed.’ And then. When? When he who hinders will be taken out of the way, “then shall that Wicked be revealed” (2:7-8). The Antichrist cannot possibly come until after the rapture of 1Thessalonians 4:13-16. All who go in the rapture will not be here during the days of the Antichrist and the tribulation of Revelation  6:1-9:21; Matthew 24:15-21 and Daniel 12:1.

‘That Wicked’ is the “little horn” of Daniel 7:8, 24; 8:9, 23; “the prince that shall come” of Daniel 9:26-27; “the king of the north” of Daniel 11:36-45; “the man of sin of” 1Thessalonians 2:3, 4, 8; “the beast” of Revelation 13:1-18; 14:9-11; 15:2-4; 16:2-16; 17:1-18; 19:19-21; 20:10.

There are fifteen titles of the Antichrist: Antichrist (1Jn. 2:18). The Assyrian (Isa. 10:20-27; 30:18-33; 31:4 – 32:20; Mic. 5:3-15). The king of Babylon (Isa. 14:4). The spoiler (Isa. 16:4). The extortioner (Isa. 16:4). Gog, the Chief Prince of Meshech and Tubal (Ezek. 38:2-3). The little horn (Dan. 7:8, 24; 8:9, 23). King of fierce countenance (Dan. 8:23). The prince that shall come (Dan. 9:26-27). The king of the north (Dan. 11:5-45). The man of sin (2Thess. 2:1-12). The son of perdition (2Thess. 2:1-12). The wicked (Isa. 11:4). That wicked (2Thess. 2:8-12). The beast (Dan. 7:11; Rev. 13:1-18).

To be continued…

Our Gathering Together unto Him

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

2Thessalonians 2:1-2 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That you be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 

‘Now we beseech you, brethren …’ This is the 2nd and last New Testament prophecy in 2 Thessalonians that is unfulfilled.

‘By the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ This could refer to both comings – the coming in the air for the saints (1Thess. 3:13; 4:13-18), and the coming of the Lord to the earth with the saints (Matt. 24:3).

The Greek word Parousia means a personal visible presence or reappearing. Two appearances: [1] Rapture – personal coming in the air (not to the earth) for the saints (1Thess. 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-17; 5:23; 1Cor. 15:23, 51-58; 2Thess. 2:1, 7-8; Jas. 5:7-8; 1Jn. 2:28; John 14:1-3). [2] Second coming to earth with His saints to reign (Matt. 24:3, 27-51; 25:31-46; Jude 1:14; Rev. 19:11-21; Zech. 14:1-5).

‘Gathering together’ [Greek: episunagoge] is a gathering together in one place (2:1; Heb. 10:25; cp. the verb in Matt. 23:37; 24:31). Here is a gathering together to Him in the air (1Thess. 4:13-18). This could only refer to the rapture, not the second coming.

‘Neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us.’ Three things disturbed the Thessalonians: Spirit – spirit-communication, pretended revelation, or spirit demonstration. Word – teaching, preaching, discourse, reasoning, argument, fluent speaking. Letter as from us. False teachers had come to Thessalonica with a letter that had been forged in the name of Paul containing false doctrines about the day of the Lord being at hand (2:2-3).

Come to Be Glorified

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

2Thessalonians 1:10-12 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

‘When he shall come to be glorified in his saints.’ The judgment of the nations – At the second coming Christ will judge the living nations and send the goats of Matthew 25:31-46 to eternal punishment. This is not a general judgment or one of the wicked dead, so both passages refer primarily to the living people at the second coming (1:10; Matt. 25:31-46). Christ will not only judge the wicked living nations at that time but will be glorified in His saints and be admired by all who believe among those who are alive on earth.

‘Be glorified’ [Greek: endoxazo] to adorn with glory. It refers to His glory seen in the blessings conferred upon saints as the eternal rulers of the universe and as the heirs of all things (1:10, 12). Compare sundoxazo, glorified together (Rom. 8:17-18); endoxos, glorious and honourable (Luke 13:17; 2Cor. 4:10; Eph. 5:27); and doxazo, glorify, extol.

‘Be admired’ [Greek: thaumazo] Translated “admire” (1:10; Jude 1:16); “marvel at,” 30 times (Luke 7:9; John 5:28; Gal. 1:6; etc.); and “wonder at” 14 times (Luke 24:12; Acts 7:31; etc.). ‘Pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power.’ Fourfold prayer for Thessalonians: That God would count them worthy of the eternal calling. That God would fulfil all His pleasure of goodness in them. That God would fulfil in them the work of faith with power. That Christ and saints may be glorified in each other by grace (1:12).

Taking Vengeance on Them – Part 2

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

2Thessalonians 1:8-9 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

Thirty-four purposes of the Second Coming (continues): To restore all things (Acts 3:19-21). To bind satan and his angels (Rev. 20:1-10; Isa. 24:21-23). To punish the inhabitants of the earth for sins (Isa. 26:21; 27:1; Rev. 11:18). To give man one more probationary trial (Rev. 20:1-10; Isa. 11:1-16; 65:20-25). To fight the battle of Armageddon and restore man’s dominion (Rev. 19:11-21; Matt. 5:5; 25:31-46; Ps. 8:1-9). To establish a theocratic government (Ps. 2:1-12; Isa. 2:1-4; 4:1-3; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-14; Zech. 14:9; Rev. 20:1-15). To gather together in one all things in heaven and on earth (Eph. 1:10). To heal everyone (Isa. 32:1-5; 33:24; 35:5). To fulfil the Abrahamic, Davidic, and other covenants with man (Gen. 12:1-3; 2Sam. 7:1-29; etc.). To be glorified in the saints (1:10, 12; Matt. 25:31-46). To be admired by believers (1:10). To prepare the earth for the eternal habitation of God (Isa. 35:1-10; Zech. 14:1-21; Rev. 20-22; 1Cor. 15:24-28). To purge man of all possibility of future rebellion, so that the original program with man can be finally and eternally realized (Gen. 1:26-31; 8:22; 9:12; Ps. 8:1-9; 1Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 20-22).

‘Flaming fire’ [Greek: phlox] flame of fire (Luke 16:24; Acts 7:30; Heb. 1:7; Rev. 1:14; 2:18; 19:12).

‘On them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel.’ Two classes of people to be judged: They that know not God – that put forth no effort to know or understand Him (2Cor. 4:4; Matt. 13:19). They that obey not the gospel – that put forth no effort to obey it (John 3:17-20, 36; Acts 7:51; Rom. 1:21-32).

‘Punished with everlasting destruction.’ Eternal punishment [Greek: dike] penalty awarded by a judge; suffer punishment. Translated as punishment (1:9); judgment (Acts 25:15); and vengeance (Acts 28:4; Jude 1:7). The penalty here is eternal destruction. The Greek for destruction is olethros, ruin; undoing; that which causes destruction, a plague, pest. Translated as destruction (1:9; 2Cor. 5:5; 1Thess. 5:3; 1Tim. 6:9). Whatever it is that causes the destruction or ruin is eternal. It is not annihilation, for the destruction is eternal and the ones being so punished eternally are as eternal as the destruction itself. There will be no possibility of their ever being reconciled to God beyond this life, for they are eternally banished from the presence of God and the glory of His power (1:10; Heb. 9:27). This in itself would be dreadful punishment, but besides this, there will be the punishment in eternal hell (Matt. 8:12; 13:49-51; 25:41, 25:46; Mark 9:43-49; Rev. 14:9-11; 20:11-15; Isa. 66:22-24).

Taking Vengeance on Them – Part 1

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

2Thessalonians 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ

‘In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ Thirty-four purposes of the Second Coming: To take vengeance on rebels (1:7-10; Jude 1:14-15; Rev. 19:11-21). To judge living nations (Matt. 25:31-46; Ps. 67:4; 96:10-13; 98:9). To establish universal religion and civil government (Ps. 72:11; Isa. 2:1-4; Zech. 14:1-21; Mal. 1:11; Rev. 11:15; 20:1-10). To deliver Israel (Zech. 14:1-21; Rom. 11:25-29; Isa. 63:1-6; Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 19:1-21). To destroy enemies (1:7-10; 2:8-12; Jude 1:14-15; Rev. 19:11-21; Zech. 14:1-21). To re-establish David’s throne and his kingdom (Isa. 9:6-7; Jer. 30:7-11; Ezek. 37:20-26; Hos. 3:5-6; Luke 1:31-33; Acts 15:13-16). To deliver creation from bondage (Rom. 8:21-24; Isa. 11:1-2; 35:1-8; 65:20-25). To bring salvation (Isa. 11:9; 49:6; 52:7; 1Pet. 1:5-13; Rom. 11:25-29). To mete out justice to all (Isa. 11:1-9; 42:1-4; Jer. 23:5-6; 1Cor. 15:24-28). To reign over all nations (Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-14; Zech. 14:1-21; Rev. 11:15). To make resurrected saints eternal rulers of earth (Matt. 19:28; 1Cor. 6:1-3; Rev. 2:26; 5:10; 20:4-9; Dan. 7:18-27). To gather Israel (Gen. 49:10; Isa. 11:10-12; 66:19-21; Matt. 24:31). To put down all rebellion on earth (1Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 2:27; 11:15; 19:11-21). To rebuild the Jewish temple (Ezek. 43:7; Zech. 6:12-13). To manifest God’s glory (Isa. 4:2-6; 35:2; 40:5; 60:1-9; Ezek. 39:21; Matt. 16:27; 25:31). To remove the curse from the earth (Isa. 35:1-10; 65:20-25; Mic. 4:1-7; 1Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 21:1-7; 22:3). To bring universal peace and prosperity (Isa. 2:1-4; 35:1-8; Mic. 4:1-7). To end the times of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24; Rom. 11:25; Zech. 14:1-21). To possess the earth (Ps. 2:1-12; Rev. 11:15). To build up Zion (Ps. 102:16; Ezek. 37:11-28; 40:4 – 48:35). To evangelize the world (Isa. 2:1-4; 11:9; 52:7; 66:19-24; Mal. 1:11; Zech. 8:23; 10:1; 14:16-21).

To be continued…