Category: 2 Thessalonians (Page 3 of 5)

The Man of Lawlessness

October 9, 2016 / Allan Babcock

“Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawless is revealed . . . ” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3b).

In the first quote above, a secular educator predicts this century “could well become a period of lawlessness” (for blog and entire article see https://theoldpreacher.com/the-rebellion/) In the second, the apostle writes about a sinister “man of lawlessness” to be revealed.

The Thessalonians, persecuted for their faith , feared that “the day of the Lord” had come, and they had missed Christ’s Second Coming, which would save them from suffering. Paul, though unsure how that rumor started, warns them against being deceived.

Hard for us to relate, no? We’re not panicked over missing Jesus’ coming. In fact, caught up in our crowded calendars, it seems we care too little about his return or the world’s conditions leading to it.

For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? (2 Thessalonians 2:3b-5).

This “man of lawlessness” will be a man (Greek, anthropos) empowered by Satan (“The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders . . . “), who openly defies God (“opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God”).

Why is lawlessness called a “mystery”, especially when we see evidence of it in Washington (when politicians violate the Constitution, lie under oath to Congress, etc.) and in Syria (when Syrians and Russians brazenly slaughter innocent civilians) and in the streets of Chicago and Baltimore and Ferguson (when protesting gangs defy police)? Because lawlessness is a power at work “beneath the radar.” One day, according to God’s purposes, it will be fully and visibly unleashed. The results will be catastrophic. Until then lawlessness and “the man” are restrained . . .

And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8).

Unlike the Thessalonians, we don’t know what or who the restrainer is. Commentators have made educated guesses—the church, the Holy Spirit, gospel preaching, governments and so on. I’m rather intrigued by governments and governors being the restrainer. As long as they maintain a modicum of law and order, lawlessness and its “man” are relatively restrained. But if governments descend into chaos lawlessness will result and “the man of lawlessness” will be free to assume authority.

Paul doesn’t describe the suffering that unrestrained lawlessness will bring. But just think of the horrors men of lawlessness (who wrote their own laws and set themselves up like gods)—men like Adolph Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Pol Pot—inflicted on the world! And they were only precursors of “the man of lawlessness” to come!

Nevertheless, his dominance will be short-lived and easily ended (“the lawless one will be revealed, whomthe Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his [that is, the Lord Jesus’] coming”).

The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

Upon those who “refused to love the truth and so be saved” God sends “a strong delusion. ” Its purpose? , ” . . . so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” Note the choice made by unbelievers isn’t just intellectual or “spiritual”. It’s hedonistic, specifically one of pleasure. Those who found greater pleasure in what God calls “unrighteousness” will be condemned in final judgment.

Paul draws from Daniel.

Lest we think “the man of lawlessness” is a biblical outsider mentioned only once in Scripture, he recalls Daniel’s prophecies in the 6th century B.C.

“As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, |
and another shall arise after them;
he shall be different from the former ones,
and shall put down three kings.
He shall speak words against the Most High,
and shall wear out the saints of the Most High,
and shall think to change the times and the law;
and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time”
(Daniel 7:24,25).

“His power shall be great–but not by his own power;
and he shall cause fearful destruction and shall succeed in what he does,
and destroy mighty men and the people who are the saints.
By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand,
and in his own mind he shall become great.
Without warning he shall destroy many.
And he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes,
and he shall be broken–but by no human hand.”
(Daniel 8:24,25)

“And the king shall do as he wills.
He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god,
and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods.
He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished;
for what is decreed shall be done.”
(Daniel 11:36)

These prophecies find multiple fulfillment. First, during the Macabbean wars in 167 B.C., when Antiochus Epiphanes (“the visible god”) attacked Jerusalem, sacrificed a pig on the temple altar and tried to exterminate the Jews. Second, when Rome attacked Jerusalem in 66 A.D. and, after protracted war, destroyed the temple in 70 A.D. And, third, still to come in the last of the last days when the “temple” will be profaned by the ultimate “man of lawlessness.” (Those who hold that Jews will rebuild a literal temple in Jerusalem believe “the man of lawlessness” will sit there. Those who hold that “temple” refers to the church, as it does often in the New Testament, hold that his sitting is metaphorical but just as offensive.)

Last of the Last Days’ Lawlessness.

It should concern us, maybe even frighten us. Contrary to popular thinking, the world is not evolving up. We didn’t start in a primal swamp and develop into a better and better humanity. The opposite is true. God created the first man and woman “very good.” It’s been downhill ever since. Humans who created the Smart Phone are killing each other like barbarians. And times will worsen.

Our only hope lies with the One who is coming again . . .

For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord,
that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord,
will by no means precede those who have died.
For the Lord himself, with a cry of command,
with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet,
will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive, who are left,
will be caught up in the clouds together with them
to meet the Lord in the air;
and so we will be with the Lord forever.
Therefore encourage one another with these words.
(1 Thessalonians 4:15-18, NRSV)

And then the lawless one will be revealed,
whom the Lord Jesus will destroy with the breath of his mouth,
annihilating him by the manifestation of his coming . . .
So then, brothers and sisters,
stand firm and hold fast to the tradition
that you were taught by us,
either by word of mouth or by our letter.
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,
who loved us
and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope,
comfort your hearts
and strengthen them in every good work and word.
(2 Thessalonians 2:8,15-17, NRSV)

The Rebellion

October 5, 2016 / Allan Babcock

The night before a family vacation to Paris, 8-year-old disobedient Kevin was banished to bed in the attic. Unfortunately, in the chaos of leaving the next morning, nobody remembered attic-sleeping Kevin. The boy awoke to a strangely empty house, Worse, he was the only one left to fight off two bumbling thieves. So starts the hilarious movie “Home Alone”.

The Thessalonians, too, faced a strange situation; but no one was laughing. A spreading rumor had shaken them out of their wits: “The day of the Lord has come!” Yet no one had heard an archangel’s voice or God’s trumpet or cry of command from the descending Lord (1 Thessalonians4:16,17). Had they been “left behind”?

Learning of their predicament from Silas and Timothy, who’d returned to Corinth after delivering Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul wrote to calm their fears . . .

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come (2 Thessalonians 2:1,2).

“The day of the Lord” is the day of “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him” as Paul had written earlier: “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17).

Their alarm seems bizarre. How could they think they missed such a momentous event? How could they think they might have slept through a cataclysm of Christ’s Second Coming with its attendent grandiosity and his terrifying wrath on his enemies?

It seems bizarre, too, because frankly we don’t think much about the day of the Lord. Christ’s Second Coming has been eclipsed by more immediate day-to-day concerns until it’s become more a matter of theological speculation. But the apostle warns against being deceived, either by heretical teachings or preoccupation with passing-away things.

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things (2:3-5)?

To calm the Thessalonians, Paul reminds them that the “day of the Lord” will be preceded by two unmistakable events. First “the rebellion comes.” Second, “the man of lawlessness is revealed.” These two events will go “hand-in-glove.” One will foster the other. Perhaps the rebellion will occur first, then the man of lawlessness will be revealed as one to quell the rebellion.

The original Greek word behind “the rebellion” is apostasia, also translated “revolt”, “desertion”, “defection”, “abandonment”, or “apostasy”. Before Christ returns “the rebellion”will come.

Jesus prophesied it to come at the end of this present age: “And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:10-12).

Years later, Paul provided more detail. “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth” (1 Timothy 4:1-3).

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God– having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3,4).

Such vices mark the “last days” since Christ’s first coming, but presumably increase like birth pains. We can expect, then, a falling away from the faith until, like Old Testament Israel, only a faithful remnant remains. In other words, the church is destined for increasing minority status.

However, this “rebellion” may include far more than the church. F. F. Bruce (Word Biblical Commentary) writes: “It appears more probable . . . that a general abandonment of the basis of civil order is envisaged. This is not only rebellion against the law of Moses; it is a large-scale revolt against public order, and since public order is maintained by ‘the governing authorities’ who ‘have been instituted by God’, any assault on it is an assault on a divine ordinance (Romans 13:1,2).

To that point an online article (“Lawlessness and Disorder: An Emerging Paradigm for the 21st Century”) by Phil Williams (holds the Wesley W. Posvar Chair in International Security Studies at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh and is the director of the University’s Matthew B. Ridgway Center for International Security Studies) is prescient. Williams begins with this paragraph:

“The 20th century will probably go down in history as the exemplar of geopolitical interstate conflict with two World Wars centered in Europe followed by over four decades of the Cold War between the United States and Soviet Union. The 21st century, in contrast, could well become a period of lawlessness and disorder—a century in which states are in long-term decline; new violent actors challenge states and one another; resources such as food, water, and energy become a central focus of violent competition and of large illicit markets; demographic and environmental trends pose challenges to sustainability, security, and stability; and the severity of problems is significantly increased by the interconnections and often perverse interactions among them . . .”

Williams continues by citing the following “megatrends” as evidence of future increased disorder in society . . .globalization, population growth and demographic trends, urbanization, natural resources and global climate change, the decline of the state and the rise of alternative governance. I disagree with some of William’s argument, but agree that it lends a credible secular view of the biblically-prophesied coming rebellion. (You can read the entire essay at http://mercury.ethz.ch/serviceengine/Files/ISN/163854/ichaptersection_singledocument/0217aa14-981b-41a6-86a0-0ab0c2ca9046/en/convergence_Ch2.pdf.).

Next time we’ll take a close look at “the man of lawlessness”. Meanwhile, we would do well to give heed to Paul’s conclusion to the Thessalonians: “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter” (2 Thessalonians 2:15). For us I take that to mean . . .

Don’t take your Christianity casually.
Follow the news with your Bible in hand.
Prepare to live as part of a minority community in the world.
Faithfully follow Jesus and his Word even when the majority turns away.

Payback

September 30, 2016 / Allan Babcock

Benjamin hurried down the narrow street toward home as dusk fell over Thessalonica. It wasn’t safe for a Christian Jew alone. Suddenly he sensed he wasn’t. A glance behind was met with fists assaulting his face and back. Kicks to his legs felled him. On the ground the punching persisted. He couldn’t defend himself against four men. “Blasphemer! Traitor! Jesus is not Messiah!” Then, as suddenly as it had started, it stopped. Benjamin was left on his back, bleeding and alone, his money-purse gone. The cost of believing in Jesus Messiah had intensified in the last months.

Why does pain come with following his Son? Why do the “bad guys” win and the “good guys” lose? Should we just throw up our hands in defeat and admit “life is unfair”? Makes you want to “get even”, to pay back the perps pain-for-pain.

Of course, I don’t suffer like Benjamin. My enemy is a chronic illness, a disability. It, like Benjamin’s beaters, tests my faith. Life isn’t fair. I want to take revenge. But on whom?

One way or other many of us occasionally feel a burning desire to “get even”. Yet, the Lord forbids us: “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19).

But Paul has more to say. In today’s text, he announces a coming “payback” day . . .

“Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:4-12).

Evidence of God’s Payback

“This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God . . . ” What’s the evidence? Paul presents two pieces of proof. #1— The Thessalonians’ steadfast faith in the face of persecution cries out for justice to the righteous God. #2—“God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you and to grant relief to you who are afflicted”. The evidence supports the promise: God will judge with justice. Which brings us to the . . .

Ground of God’s Payback

God is righteous. Twice Paul reminds us. “This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God . . . ” and “God considers it just . . . ” Both words translate the Greek dikaiosunay—“morally right, upright, just, fair”. Payback day’s ground is rock solid. The solid rock is not changing circumstances. Not fallen man’s idea of justice. But the righteous nature of God himself that demands judgment.

Anticipation of God’s Payback

For what are these Christians suffering persecution? Why has Benjamin been beaten and bloodied on an empty street? ” . . .that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God for which you are suffering . . . “. They are suffering “for the kingdom of God”. They are suffering so when Jesus returns and consummates his kingdom, they may be considered worthy of it.

“Worthy” translates the Greek kataxio-o—“to be considered worthy or deserving.” This is not worth-by-sinlessness but worth-by-faithfulness. If they faithfully endure the persecution, they will reign with Christ (2 Timothy 2:12). “To those who win the victory I will give the right to sit beside me on my throne, just as I have been victorious and now sit by my Father on his throne” (Revelation 3:21).

Christians, then, are a people looking forward to Christ’s kingdom while being beaten down in the kingdoms of this world.

Two Parts to God’s Payback

Part One.

” . . .repay with affliction those who afflict you.” “Repay” is the Greek antapodidomai, “to give back as an equivalent, repay, return.” As the persecutors have afflicted Christians, so they will likewise be afflicted. The bullies don’t win in the end. Yet worse will come for them . . .

” . . .inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might . . . ” Not just the persecutors will be judged. Those disobedient to the gospel and who, therefore, do not know God (this will include the persecutors, of course) will be driven from the Lord’s presence and his glorious power. Justice will be served and the punishment will be more than the guilty can bear.

Part Two.

” . . .to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us . . . ” “Relief” is the Greek anesis—literally, “mitigation, freedom”; figuratively, “rest, relaxation, relief.” To the afflicted the Lord will give freedom and rest from all affliction. A permanent oasis in the desert. A secure fortress in war never to be breached.

” . . . to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.” The Lord Jesus will come with all his holy ones; that is, the sinner’s justified and sanctified. ” . . . may [he] establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints” (1 Thessalonians 3:13). “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). ” . . . provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Romans 8:17). Christ will be glorified in us and we in him!

The Time of God’s Payback

God will repay “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire and when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed”. When that will be no one knows but the Father (Matthew 24:36). But it will come!

* * * * *

So, bleeding Benjamin lying broken in the street, guilty of nothing but acknowledging Jesus as Messiah, silence that rising roar for revenge. Vengeance is the Lord’s. He will repay. Remember Jesus: crucified for no guilt of his own. But vindicated on the third day. Raised to reign.

He’s coming again. And he will raise you up, Benjamin. He will take vengeance on your enemies, who are, in fact, his enemies, because you are his. Then, justice will reign forever. Wrongs will be righted. Because our God is a God of righteousness and justice!

Jesus is coming!

“Afflict” translates the Greek thibo—literally, “press hard, rub together”; figuratively, “oppress, cause trouble to”. “Affliction” is trying to stand on a mobbed subway car, hanging on to the strap for dear life, while the jostling of the train slams people into you and you into people from every direction. “Affliction” in persecution is a mob threatening your life because of your faith.

Growing Faith, Increasing Love

September 27, 2016 / Allan Babcock

In what kind of soil does faith grow best and love increase most?

The question isn’t academic. For years I’ve endured my life’s toughest faith-test. Some days my faith feels as weak as my body. I need growing faith. Immersed in my own needs, my love for others shrinks. I need increasing love.

After greeting the Thessalonians (1:1,2—https://theoldpreacher.com/grace-and-peace/), Paul gives thanks to God for them . . .

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. (2 Thessalonians 1:3,4)

“Ought” (Greek, ophaylo) makes Paul’s thanks seem obligatory. “Right” (Greek, axios—worthy, fit, in keeping with what should be done) reminds us thanks is a moral obligation before God for what he’s done. Thus, even though thanks is an “ought”, it’s in keeping with how we should respond to God for his goodness. These brothers believed the Lord’s message because it came empowered by God the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:5). Consequently, they had “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:9b,10).

Are you a believer? Thank God!

Paul, however, thanks God for the Thessalonians’ “faith [that] is growing abundantly” and “love . . . for one another [that] is increasing”.

Abundantly Growing Faith.

The concept of growing faith raises a question: How to measure faith? Jesus did when he spoke of faith’s size. ” . . . if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:21). Again, “When Jesus heard [the man’s reply], he was astonished and said to those following him, “‘I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith'” (Matthew 8:10). Faith, therefore, can be “small” or “great”—and still accomplish astounding results.

On the other hand, Hebrews 11:36-38 commends the faith of those who suffered. No sensational miracles there! Or were there?

In any case, faith is challenging to measure. But one thing is clearly true: abundantly growing faith is a virtue for which to always thank God.

Increasing Love.

As faith is God’s gift (Ephesians 2:8,9), so love is the Spirit’s fruit (Galatians 5:22,23). Love is also the expression of faith. “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” (Galatians 5:6). This is why Paul thanks God for the Thessalonians’ increasing mutual love: it is the Spirit’s fruit and the expression of God-given faith. We should also note Paul speaks of love, not as a feeling, but an action. It’s an observable virtue seen in how the believers treat one another.

Growing & Increasing.

Is God the only actor in growing faith and increasing love? Do we play no role? Listen again to Paul: “Therefore [because of your growing faith and increasing love] we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.” Paul doesn’t say, “We boast about God”, but “We boast about you for your steadfastness of faith . . . ” Implication: Christians have a part to play in growing faith and increasing love. The part to which Paul refers here may be surprising.

The Soil.

I’d prefer my faith growing and love increasing sitting comfortably at my desk prayerfully pouring over God’s Word. Probably that would have been the Thessalonians’ preference too. But see the soil where the Thessalonians’ faith grew and love increased: “we ourselves boast about you . . . for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and afflictions that you are enduring.”

What kind of faith were they growing in? Steadfast. The Greek is hupomonay—used of steadfast adherence to a course of action in spite of difficulties and testings; “patient endurance, perseverance.” Jews who disbelieved in Jesus Messiah abused the believing Jews (and probably the believing Gentile “dogs” too). But the believers clung to Jesus in faith. They chose to keep trusting him no matter the cost. So like weathered trees high up on the tree-line, their faith grew tough. There’s a world of difference between faith grown only in the soil of Scripture’s pages and faith grown in the soil of affliction!

A Dilemma.

In affliction I feel faithless, not as if my faith’s growing. I quote Jesus: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? I ask, “Why me? Why this? But heaven’s silent. I’m left with God’s Word on printed page reminding me he’s at work for good. But I see no good no matter how I strain my eyes.

Yet it’s precisely at this point I face a choice: keep trusting despite not knowing or shipwreck my faith once and for all. And it’s then a still, small voice whispers: where will you go if you turn from trusting Jesus?

Grace and Peace to You

September 25, 2016 / Allan Babcock

Hello . . . good morning . . . hi . . . what’s happenin’, dude? . . . wazz-up, brotha? . . . grace and peace to you. Common greetings. Even that last one that makes this look like one of those what-term-doesn’t-belong-in-this-group test. But the one we’d chuck out is the one Paul began all of his 13 New Testament letters with (in some form). Here it is in his second letter to the Thessalonians . . .

Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:1,2).

Silas and Timothy have returned to Paul at Corinth after delivering his first letter to the Thessalonians. In response to their report, Paul pens 2 Thessalonians. He begins with his typical greeting, the second part of which we’ll look closely at.

First, an important question: Is “Grace and peace to you” similar to our “Good Morning”, just a common greeting? Or does it carry weighty theological content? From a practical standpoint, if “Grace and peace to
you” is similar to our “Good Morning”, we can continue to gloss over it as we normally do. But if these are weighty words, we should pause and ponder them. I think they’re weighty. I think Paul used them to speak a “greeting/blessing” over the church because the Holy Spirit inspired Paul, and he doesn’t mumble to a passer-by “Grace and peace” out of compelled politeness. So let’s look more closely at those weighty words . . .

What is “grace”?

The Greek charis can be translated “grace, kindness, goodwill, mercy, favor, gift.” Luke uses it of the Jerusalem population’s attitude toward the new believers—“[the church was] praising God and having favor (charis) with all the people” (Acts 2:47). The citizens were treating the church with kindness and good will.

Paul uses it in the familiar text of Ephesians 2:8,9—“For by grace (charis) you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Here grace is God’s “gift”—God showing mercy to sinners in the sacrificial death of Christ.

Paul also uses charis in 2 Corinthians 12:9 when he records the Lord’s answer to his prayer to be rid of his “thorn in the flesh”: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Here’s a dimension to grace we easily miss. When God is grace-giver, grace is more than an undeserved gift; grace is power that gives strength in human weakness.

What is “peace”?

The Greek eiraynay is translated “peace, harmony, order.” Corresponding to the Hebrew shalom it means “health, welfare.” (Eiraynay is so used especially in greetings.) In Romans 15:13 Paul uses it of a state of inner rest and harmony with God—“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace . . . ”

Luke records the angel and a multitude of the heavenly host saying in announcement of Jesus’ birth, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased” (Luke 2:14). Here eiraynay is used of the last days’ salvation in which sinners are reconciled to God.

Who is the source ?

God, of course. “Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” That is, God the Father is the ultimate source with grace and peace being mediated through him to those who believe. Paul’s not writing of the church being gracious to one another so they can enjoy peaceful relationships. He’s writing about supernatural grace and peace coming from God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ.

He makes it more personal by writing, “To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” The church is in God, meaning at least in union with God. And the God grace and peace are received from is not just the Father, but “our” Father.

Knowing this of Paul’s blessing/prayer would likely have greatly encouraged the Thessalonians. They first had “received the word in much affliction” (1 Thessalonians 1:6). Since then, persecution has grown. Paul refers to
” , , , the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering” (2 Thessalonians 1:5) and “God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you” (1:6).

Did Paul expect the Thessalonians to actually receive “grace and peace”?

Yes. Paul expected, through both the proceeding words of his letter and the working of the Holy Spirit, God would give a measure of grace and peace to the Thessalonians. If not, his blessing/prayer was nothing more than “May all your dreams come true”.

How can we use this blessing/prayer in our lives?

As a benediction. The pastor can use it in a worship service. A father could recite it over his family at the dinner table. (It’d take courage. Teenagers would moan something about sounding like Puritans!) But worth it, right, if we enjoyed more “grace and peace from God”?

As a prayer. “God our Father, please give us your grace for these difficult days. And may we then be able to rest in the peace that the world cannot give. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.” Reflect on this Scripture while listening to the Youtube video in this post.

As a greeting. Not as an empty mantra. But as a sincere greeting to everyone on Sunday morning. A hug or handshake and, “Grace and peace to you, my friend.” Certainly more meaningful than “wazz-up, brotha?”

Preach It Again, Paul

September 23, 2016 / Allan Babcock

Early in my pastoral ministry, I assumed if I preached on 1 Thessalonians 4 (or any other passage) the congregation “got it”. They heard it, right? Certainly they “got it”. (How naive!)

We’re ready to embark on a journey through 2 Thessalonians. We’ll discover Paul addressing some of the same issues he did in 1 Thessalonians. Granted that he wrote 2 Thessalonians in 51 or 52 A.D., a mere six months after writing his first letter to them. Not a lot of time to reflect and practice. Nevertheless, it would appear the Thessalonian believers didn’t quite “get it” all the first time through.

Example One.

In 1 Thessalonians 1:6, Paul wrote, “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. They “received the word in much affliction,” he wrote.

Now in 2 Thessalonians 1:4,5 he writes, “Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering.”

The Thessalonians suffered persecution in a hostile environment from the start. Now, six months later Silas and Timothy have returned from delivering Paul’s first letter. They report to Paul in Corinth of increased persecution in Thessalonica. So, inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul again encourages them to remain steadfast in the faith and adds additional thoughts in view of additional persecution.

Repetition remains a key means of our learning God’s Word. We may hear our pastor preach another time from the same text or on the same theme from a different text. That’s because we didn’t “get it” all the first time. And it’s also because God uses what he’s taught us before as a foundation for more he wants to teach us.

Building on the persecution theme, Paul writes, “This (your enduring all your persecution and afflictions with steadfastness and faith) is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God . . . ” (2 Thessalonians 1:5). In 1 Thessalonians Paul said that receiving the word in much affliction with Holy Spirit joy made them examples to others believers. In 2 Thessalonians Paul tells them their steadfastness and faith in afflictions is evidence of God’s righteous judgment that they may be considered worthy of God’s kingdom.

Our suffering while holding on to faith makes us an example and, taking it one step further, proves God’s righteous judgment to come when, if we hold on to the end, that suffering marks us as worthy of God’s eternal kingdom. In a suffering world, such truth deserves repetition and building upon.

Example. Two.

In 1 Thessalonians 2:3,4 Paul wrote, “For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak not to please man but to please God who tests our hearts.” In short, Paul wanted the Thessalonians to be sure they could trust what he wrote, especially about Christ’s Second Coming. With that in mind he wrote, “Now concerning the times and seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For your yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:1,2).

But now, something has happened demanding a “refresher sermon” with some new information thrown in. So in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, Paul writes, “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?”

Someone had sent the church a letter purporting to be from Paul. It whispered that the day of the Lord had come, and they’d missed it. Paul reminds them it was counterfeit (Paul would never talk out of both sides of his mouth!). Then he reminds them what he had told them in person: namely, that the day of the Lord would come only after “the man of lawlessness is revealed.”

Like the Thessalonians, even without a deliberately-deceptive letter, we need the Second Coming message reinforced. First, because we easily get bogged down in confusing details about it and consequently pay little attention to the core message—that Jesus is coming again. Second, because day-to-day living in this “real” world makes Jesus’ coming seem unreal. So it gets shoved to our mind’s back-burner. Rather than a boring rerun this is great news about a most momentous event!

Example Three.

In1 Thessalonians Paul had mildly and briefly rebuked believers who refused to work because Jesus was coming soon. “But we urge you, brothers . . . to aspire to live quietly and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on nobody” (1 Thessalonians 4:10,11). And again, “admonish the idle” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

We now discover in 2 Thessalonians that the “idle” didn’t “get it” at all. Now Paul’s rebuke is lengthier and stronger. “Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother” (2 Thessalonians 3:5-15).

If a believer is able to work, he must. No sponging off a sympathetic church or soft-hearted believer. Not signing up for a welfare check if you can find a job. The church is to rebuke and even shun a fellow Christian “who is walking in idleness.” Paul’s letters twice reminds us.

* * *

Maybe you’ve read the Bible from cover to cover. Maybe more than once. Think you “got it” all? Maybe you’ve heard several sermons from 2 Thessalonians. It’s a short letter. Surely you “got it”, right? I’ve read it often, too. And preached from it several times over the years. But I’m expecting to learn more from traveling through its three short chapters in days ahead. I hope you are too. Our Father, in his graciousness, patiently teaches us again and again. Not only because we’re slow learners, but because his lessons call for diligent study over and over again. With a child’s humble attitude let’s learn life’s deepest lessons!

100 Pray-ers

September 15, 2016 / Allan Babcock

The headache was fierce and unrelenting. Dizziness unfocused everything I looked at. I could hardly move, literally. It continued for 36 hours. Our daughter, Meridith, posted a Facebook prayer request. One hundred friends responded. So let me tell you what the Lord has done.

When Lois called my primary doctor for help, she found he was away. His covering doctor called back with a prescription for a new medication. The next day both headache and dizziness were gone. Neither returned. Perhaps my primary would have prescribed the same; I don’t know. But I choose to believe the Lord used the covering doctor for just what I needed.

While Lois was speaking with my primary’s nurse about in-home help, she “happened” to mention a Hospice program called “Failure to Thrive.” It’s designed, not for the terminally ill, but with special-needs planning to be around for a while. That Beverly should “just happen” to mention that program seems more than just happenstance.

Ah, but one must qualify for this program. The intake administrator visited. I fell on the floor and flopped like a fish. I cried. She took all pertinent information and phoned the deciding doctor. We got a thumb-up. (Review in three months.) We took that approval as God’s gracious answer. (I really didn’t flop.)

Then the Hospice nurse visited. She was most knowledgeable and genuinely caring. And she’s quite familiar with Primary Lateral Sclerosis, which is almost miraculous since apparently there are only 500 cases of PLS in the U.S.!

Hospice is a wonderful organization, as some of you know. I’ll have, at this point, biweekly visits from the nurse and monthly from the doctor. They’re available by phone 24/7. Lois and I both view that as the Lord telling us, “I know sometimes you feel forsaken. You’re not. I’m with you.”

We both look at this as an answer to 100 pray-ers. Now when you read Meridith’s request, you probably didn’t fast and pray for three days. (I wouldn’t have.) Most of you probably breathed a sincere, but brief prayer. I’ve said often I don’t know how prayer works. (Would answers have come from only 50 pray-ers?) But, you see, our Father who not only sees what we pray in secret, also hears what we whisper briefly. And in his time and way, he answers. He has.

So thank you every one of you hundred pray-ers from the bottom of my heart. Your prayers won this battle and I’m grateful. Praise the Lord!

Idol City

July 25, 2016 / Allan Babcock

After the threatening mob, believers in Berea covertly conduct Paul to the coast. They find passage on a ship and stay with him, sailing southeast for hours, the sea offering a welcome respite from the chaos in Berea, and, before that, in Thessalonica.

Docking in Athens, they leave Paul for their return to Berea. Paul arrives at Athens once the intellectual capital of the Mediterranean world. Now its glorious pulse of politics and literature and theater is past. Nevertheless, it houses one of the Roman empire’s best universities. Tourists are attracted to its architecture and sculpture. It’s still the center of philosophy, still the city of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. And the remaining magnificent architecture of the Parthenon and the Acropolis for us today is still a world wonder. Athens abides as the cradle of Western democracy.

At once the believers sent Paul away to the coast;
but both Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea.

The men who were taking Paul went with him as far as Athens
and then returned to Berea with instructions from Paul
that Silas and Timothy should join him as soon as possible.
(Acts 17:14,15, TEV).

Waiting for Silas and Timothy to join him, Paul tours the city. He’s struck, not by Athens’ glorious history or magnificent buildings, but by its idols.

While Paul was waiting in Athens for Silas and Timothy,
he was greatly upset when he noticed how full of idols the city was.
(Acts 17:16, TEV).

The TEV’s “greatly upset” doesn’t quite capture Paul’s reaction. The Greek word is parozuneto—“provoked, irritated.” More like convulsion than distress. This idol-provocation will elicit Paul’s “sermon” coming in the following post—the next in our “Acts Eight” series.

For now, lest we think this an ancient history lesson, let’s think about idols today. First, idol definitions. From the “Oxford Dictionary”: (1) An image or representation of a god used as an object of worship; (2) A person or thing that is greatly admired, loved, or revered.” From the “EasyEnglish Bible Dictionary”: a false god that people made out of wood or stone or metal. Two of these three definitions fit the ancient idol above. But, apart from certain churches, what idols fill our cities today?

Nicholas T. Batzig is the organizing pastor of New Covenant Presbyterian Church in Richmond Hill, Ga. He wrote a provocative blog, “Sophisticated Temples of Modern Idolatry” (http://feedingonchrist.com/sophisticated-temples/, well-worth reading in its entirety.

Here’s his opening paragraph . . .

“For decades, the consumeristic and narcissistic culture in which we live has served the unsuspecting and unconscious worshippers of North America with extravagant buildings in which to showcase the idols of a sophisticatedly synchronistic (coexistent) and paganistic society.”

In plainer English. we live in a consumer-centered, self-centered culture. We don’t suspect, and we are unconscious of this sophisticated and pagan society that has drawn us to worship its idols showcased in its extravagant buildings.

Batzig identifies these “extravagant buildings”—the mall (now supplanted by the internet?), the university, the movie theater, the stadium and the gym.

The Mall. We go to buy necessities, but also luxuries. As we do, we see other items we’d love to have. So here our desires for more are fed—desires that can never fully be satisfied.

The University. We attend to learn for a career. But in the mix we also study and imbibe all sorts of ungodly worldviews. These exalt the individual mind while displacing God.

The Movie Theater. Here’s where the worldviews of the university are set out in narrative form to entertain us while subtly showing us how these worldviews can be lived in exciting, challenging , bigger-than-life ways.

The Stadium. We spend millions to build new sports stadiums, scream like banshees for our football team, wear their shirts, shout their praises, celebrate their victories, groan at their defeats. We identify with them. Their victories and defeats become ours.

The Gym. Here, amidst the long lines of workout equipment, we worship our bodies and, by extension, ourselves. Bike faster. Lift heavier. Stretch further. Keep at it longer. Look younger, tighter, leaner. We fight off age itself.

We’re not wrong to shop at the mall, etc. But we should at least consider the possibility that these buildings are modern temples and what they contain are modern idols. And beware accordingly. Lest we unsuspectingly fall into 21st century idolatry.

Pastor and author J.D. Greear offers one further definition. “An idol,” he writes, “is anything that promises a life of security and joy apart from God.” He goes on to ask, ” What do you so desperately need that you can’t imagine a fulfilled life without it?” (Go to http://www.jdgreear.com/my_weblog/2014/07/5-insights-into-idolatry.html for Greear’s blog.)

Ugh! A right to the gut! No. A knife to the heart! Does that make good health (no more Primary Lateral Sclerosis) my idol? Are my wife, children and grandchildren idols? If Greear is correct, idols aren’t limited to certain churches or ancient cultures or even those “extravagant buildings” Batzig writes about. They may very well be unconsciously set up in our hearts.

Paul’s sermon to the Athenians (coming next time) will help us root them out. For today, let’s hear the words Paul wrote months later to the Thessalonians . . .

” . . . you turned to God
from idols
to serve the living and true God,
and to wait for his Son from heaven,
whom he raised from the dead,
Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.”
(1 Thessalonians 1:9b,10, ESV)

This calls for a heart-mind self-examination. Do any of these buildings in my city contain something I imagine my life can’t be fulfilled without? Do I treasure my health, my family or anything else more than God?

“Show me, O God, if I do. And then, enable me to do what the Thessalonians did. Enable me to turn from these idols to you, the living and true God. What I can buy at the mall, learn at the university, enjoy at the movie theater, celebrate at the stadium or improve at the gym isn’t life-fulfilling, isn’t worth giving my life to, and will not come to save me from your coming wrath on this world. Keep me, O Lord, from the empty idols of this world to find fulfillment in you alone.”

Laugh

June 19, 2016 / Allan Babcock

O Preacher I can’t believe Jesus didn’t laugh at this. Well, I did anyway. Nothing theological about it. Nothing spiritual. Just very funny. If you haven’t seen it, I hope it brings a grin to your face and a little happiness to your day. (I think we’ll laugh at lot on the new earth. So let’s practice now.)

Adopted

April 25, 2016 / Allan Babcock

O Preacher Watch this video from Justin Taylor’s blog and “Moving Works’ films. Don’t be afraid to tear up a bit, and marvel at the picture of how God adopted us!