WHAT IS CRUCIFIXION?

         Crucifixion was invented and used by other nations, but it was “perfected” by the Romans as the ultimate execution by torture. The earliest historical record of crucifixion dates to c. 519 BC, when King Darius I of Persia crucified 3,000 of his political enemies in Babylon. Before the Persians, the Assyrians were known to impale people. The Greeks and Carthaginians later used crucifixion, as well. After the break-up of Alexander the Great’s empire, the Seleucid Antiochus IV Epiphanes crucified Jews who refused to accept Hellenization.

Crucifixion was meant to inflict the maximum amount of shame and torture upon the victim. Roman crucifixions were carried out in public so that all who saw the horror would be deterred from crossing the Roman government. Crucifixion was so horrible that it was reserved for only the worst offenders.

The victim of crucifixion was first severely scourged or beaten, an ordeal that was life-threatening by itself. Then he was forced to carry the large wooden crossbeam to the site of the crucifixion. Bearing this load was not only extremely painful after the beating, but it added a measure of shame as the victim was carrying the instrument of his own torture and death. It was like digging one’s own grave.

When the victim arrived at the place of crucifixion, he would be stripped naked to further shame him. Then he would be forced to stretch out his arms on the crossbeam, where they were nailed in place. The nails were hammered through the wrists, not the palms, which kept the nails from pulling through the hand. (In ancient times, the wrist was considered part of the hand.) The placement of the nails in the wrists also caused excruciating pain as the nails pressed on large nerves running to the hands. The crossbeam would then be hoisted up and fastened to an upright piece that would normally remain standing between crucifixions.

After fastening the crossbeam, the executioners would nail the victim’s feet to the cross as well—normally, one foot on top of the other, nailed through the middle and arch of each foot, with the knees slightly bent. The primary purpose of the nails was to inflict pain.

Once the victim was fastened to the cross, all his weight was supported by three nails, which would cause pain to shoot throughout the body. The victim’s arms were stretched out in such a way as to cause cramping and paralysis in the chest muscles, making it impossible to breathe unless some of the weight was borne by the feet. In order to take a breath, the victim had to push up with his feet. In addition to enduring excruciating pain caused by the nail in his feet, the victim’s raw back would rub against the rough upright beam of the cross.

After taking a breath and in order to relieve some of the pain in his feet, the victim would begin to slump down again. This action put more weight on his wrists and again rubbed his raw back against the cross. However, the victim could not breathe in this lowered position, so before long the torturous process would begin again. In order to breathe and to relieve some of the pain caused by the wrist nails, the victim would have to put more weight on the nail in his feet and push up. Then, in order to relieve some of the pain caused by the foot nail, he would have to put more weight on the nails in his wrists and slump down. In either position, the torture was intense.

Crucifixion usually led to a slow, tortuous death. Some victims lasted as long as four days on a cross. Death was ultimately by asphyxiation as the victim lost the strength to continue pushing up on his feet in order to take a breath. In order to hasten death, the victim’s legs might be broken, which would prevent him from pushing up in order to breathe; thus, asphyxiation would follow shortly after (see John 19:32).

Crucifixion was finally outlawed by the Roman Emperor Constantine in the fourth century.

 

THE SCOURGE

 

The victim to be scourged was stripped and made to stretch his arms around a pillar, boulder, or another large object, typically at a forward-leaning angle. His hands were then "bound ... with thongs" (Acts 22:25) tightly on the other side of the pillar or boulder so that his arms were distended, and his back stretched taut. He was then whipped with the Roman flagellum, which is a whip with two or three long leather strips attached to a short wooden handle. Knotted in along the leather strips were pieces of metal and bone that dug into and then tore out flesh during the whipping, which shredded the victim's back from the neck to the buttocks. The victim had to endure 39 strikes with the whip. It wasn't uncommon for the victims of the Roman scourge to die from the ensuing blood loss and/or shock. The victim had to endure 39 strikes with the whip.

 

AUTHOR’S NOTE: While I know that this posting is gruesome and perhaps a little difficult to read, I believe it is very important to know in detail exactly what Jesus endured to set us free from our sin. An enormous price was exacted to pay our sin debt. His pain should make us extremely grateful. Easter is a holy day, not filled with candy and colored eggs, but with a GREAT EXCHANGE ... Christ’s life in exchange for our sin. The celebratory atmosphere that the world enjoys is innocent enough, but I believe it is the secular world’s way of ignoring God and the forgiveness of sin. Enter into this weekend with a solemn sense of gratitude for what has been done for you. It was because God loves you!

 

                  We will now get back on track with our “Bible at a glance” series by delving into the Mega Themes of 2^ndTimothy. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

SOURCES: https://www.gotquestions.org/crucifixion.html; https://www.bibleversestudy.com/acts/acts22-roman-scourge.htm

Word for the Day

 

2nd Timothy at a glance

PURPOSE: Paul’s 2^nd letter to his “son in the faith” Timothy was a very personal one. It focused on giving him final instructions and encouragement. At this time Timothy was the pastor of the Ephesian church.

THE AUTHOR: It was the dynamic Apostle of the faith, Paul of Tarsus.

THE DATE WRITTEN: Paul wrote this, his final letter, from prison in Rome around AD 66 or 67. * According to tradition this letter was written 5 years after his 1^st letter to Timothy.

THE SETTING: Aside from Luke being with him, Paul was pretty much alone in prison. He wrote this letter to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders in the faith. While in prison he asked friends to bring him his books, papers (perhaps parts of the OT, the Gospels and other manuscripts) that had been in his possession. 

SPECIAL FEATURES: Being Paul’s final letter, he shares his heart and his personal priorities, which were: sound doctrine, steadfast faith, confident endurance, and a lasting love.

 

                  Paul’s introduction was tender, with his love for Timothy exuding from each phrase. He reminds his “son in the faith” that which is necessary to be a faithful minister for Christ. Paul continued by telling Timothy to remember his calling from God and to be sure to utilize the gift of boldness, which is within his grasp. Timothy was cautioned to keep to the truth, prepare others to follow him into ministry, as Paul was doing now. He was to be disciplined and prepared to endure suffering for the sake of Christ. Then Paul challenges Timothy to hold to sound doctrine, reject scriptural error, correctly explain God’s word of truth, and keep his life pure and holy in honor of God. He was to avoid foolish talk, idle banter and/or gibberish, for they serve no heavenly purpose.

                  Next, Paul tells Timothy about the opposition he and other believers would be facing in the last days. It would largely come from self-centered people who use the church for their own financial gain by teaching false doctrines, thus drawing the faithful to follow them instead of Christ. Timothy is told to remember the real source of their opposition and find strength in the power of the Word of God. Paul admonishes him to preach the word, thus fulfilling his ministry until the end of his days.

                  Paul’s 2^nd letter to Timothy happen to be his last words to him. The “missionary” apostle was known for his deep faith, undying love, constant sense of hope, tenacious conviction, and profound insight. All his writings were inspired by the Holy Spirit. Please recognize as you read this letter, that you are reading the last words of a great man of God.

                  Up next is a look at the Mega Themes found in 2^nd Timothy. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: The Life Application Study Bible

* After a year or two of freedom, Paul was arrested once again, but this time he was sentenced by Emperor Nero to be executed for preaching publicly about Jesus. Nero had determined to rid himself of the pesky Christians by crucifying them. - The Life Application Study Bible; p. 2701.

1st TIMOTHY: Taking a look at Timothy, the person.

Timothy means "honoring God”. One church tradition suggests he was born around AD 17.  He was a native of Lystra, the product of a mixed marriage. His Greek (Gentile) father is not mentioned by name. The mother of Timothy was a Jewess named Eunice. She later became a Jewish Christian (Acts 16:1, 2 Timothy 1:5). The grandmother of Timothy, on his mother's side, was named Lois and she, too, became a Christian. Both women were likely converted during Paul's first evangelistic journey to the city in AD 46.

Eunice, and Lois taught Timothy the Scriptures from the time he was a young boy. Despite his young age, Timothy was respected by fellow believers. Well-grounded in Paul's teachings, Timothy was a reliable evangelist skilled at presenting the gospel.

As Paul planted churches around the Mediterranean and converted thousands to Christianity, he realized he needed a trustworthy person to carry on after he died. He chose the zealous young disciple Timothy.

The first time Paul meets an unmarried Timothy is in Lystra, around early AD 50, soon after he began his second missionary journey. At that time Paul & Timothy were roughly 48 and 33 years old, respectively. Based on the recommendation of several church members both in the city and in Iconium, Paul decides to take the young man with him as he travels preaching the gospel (Acts 16:2 - 3). It was apparent that Timothy would at some point be preaching to many Jews, so before this could happen, Paul pays to have him circumcised.

The Bible records, after Timothy was ordained to serve by Paul and church brethren (1Timothy 4:14, 2Timothy 1:6), that he ministered in at least five New Testament churches (1Thessalonians 3:1 - 2, 1Corinthians 4:17, Philippians 2:19 - 22, Acts 17:14 and 1Timothy 1:3).

Timothy accompanied Paul on most of his second journey travels after he left Lystra. He had witnessed the sufferings of Paul and loved him as his father in Christ (1 Timothy 1:2, 2 Timothy 3:10-11). Scripture informs us he was with the apostle in Ephesus during his third missionary journey. While in the city he and a man named Erastus are sent by Paul to minister to brethren in Macedonia (Acts 19:22). Later on, he meets with others at Troas to accompany the apostle through Asia on his way to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4 - 5).

Timothy suffered from frequent illnesses, apparently largely having to do with his stomach. This is why Paul writes in 1^st Timothy 5:23: “Don’t drink only water. You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often.” ^(NLT)

Timothy struggled to overcome fear and timidity. Paul urged him in 1 Timothy 4:12: "Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." (NLT) Again, Paul encouraged him in 2 Timothy 1:6-7: "This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (NLT)

Catholic tradition states Timothy died in Ephesus when he was over 80 years old ^{(1913 Catholic Encyclopedia)}. According to the first chapter of Foxe's Book of Martyrs, he died in AD 97, upholding the truth of the Bible. Foxe's states he was the bishop of Ephesus and was murdered when he told a crowd of pagans that their idolatrous celebrations were ridiculous.

 

An afterthought:  Be kind to others, regardless of who they happen to be. “Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) “God forgives us, not because we forgive others, but solely because of his great mercy, however, we will want to be like him. Having received forgiveness, we will pass it on to others.” ^[1] Forgive like Christ, who was even willing to forgive those who crucified him (Luke 23:34).

Up next we will take our first look at Paul’s 2nd letter to Timothy. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing. 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Sources: The Life Application Study Bible; https://www.biblestudy.org/bible-study-by-topic/people-in-the-bible/timothy.html;

https://www.learnreligions.com/timothy-companion-of-the-apostle-paul-701073; https://bibleportal.com/articles/who-was-timothy-in-the-bible;https://bornofspirit.net/here/timothys-stomach/.

^[1] The Life Application Study Bible; p. 2623 ... note on verse 32.

1st TIMOTHY: THE MEGA THEMES part 2

CHURCH LEADERSHIP - To operate smoothly and efficiently, while honoring God, Paul gives the church members pinpoint instructions regarding the qualifications of prospective church leaders. Whether deacon or elder, they must be entirely committed to Christ. Those young Christians who wish to become leaders in the church, don’t rush into it. Allow yourself to mature spiritually. Work at developing your Christ-like character first. Then be sure to seek God regarding the matter and not be led by your own personal ambition. God will know when the time is right for you to become either a deacon or an elder.

 

PERSONAL DISCIPLINE - Any person in a position of leadership, whether it be pastor, deacon, or elder, must be disciplined in their approach to ministry. They must check their motives, to make sure they are rational and godly, rather than irrational and self-centered. Pastors must spiritually and morally conform to that which is pleasing in God’s sight. 

                  To remain spiritually fit, you must discipline yourself to not just read, but STUDY God’s Word. Then you must OBEY it. No hedging. No shortcuts. If you love God and trust that the Bible is his literal word, then abide by it. As Jesus said: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV) Following the Lord and his directives isn’t burdensome, but an exciting journey that will cause you to grow exponentially according to the time and effort you put into knowing more about your Creator.

 

CARING CHURCH - Love is an action word, not a passive one. It is our duty to care for those in need within the body of Christ. This is what Paul said to Timothy and it holds true to this day. If you don’t follow these instructions then how are you any different than non-believers. Those who are sick, poor, or widowed need assistance and it is up to the church members to bring that care to them. Caring must go well beyond good intentions, for as the saying goes: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” *

                  When you care for members of your church family you are exhibiting a Christ-like attitude and genuine love. When you do the same for non-believers you are being Jesus to them. Another saying that is very true is: “Your life may be the only Bible a person will ever read.” ** We must make a point of walking our talk. Anything less and we’re wasting our time. To live a contradiction to what we belief can destroy our integrity with our peers. Without integrity the perception will end up being that we cannot be trusted. This is not what God intended for us. We aren’t perfect and never will be this side of heaven, but consistent living according to God’s statutes will speak volumes to those who are on the outside looking in.

                  Up next we will take a closer look at Timothy, the recipient of Paul’s letters. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: The Life Application Study Bible

* An old English proverb - who said it is unknown.

** Origin unknown.

1st TIMOTHY at a glance + THE MEGA THEMES

THE PURPOSE: It was to encourage Timothy and give him instruction, since he was a young leader in the Ephesian church.

THE AUTHOR: Once again, it is the Apostle Paul.

ORIGINAL AUDIENCE: Paul’s son in the faith, Timothy.

THE DATE IT WAS WRITTEN: This letter was written around AD 64 from either Rome or possibly Philippi, more than likely just prior to Paul’s final imprisonment in Rome.

SPECIAL FEATURES: This letter is very personal and acts as a handbook of church administration and discipline.

 

                  1^st Timothy is considered one of Paul’s “Pastoral Letters”. There are three; 1^st & 2^nd Timothy and Paul’s letter to Titus. His 1^st letter to Timothy vouches for their close relationship. Paul starts off with some fatherly advice regarding false teachers. The next things he shares are about public worship, stressing the high importance of prayer, and having orderly church meetings. Paul urges Timothy to hold on tightly to his faith and not be discouraged. This was in light of Emperor Nero’s campaign to eradicate Christianity altogether. Next the Apostle discusses the qualities needed to be an elder and/or deacon in the church. Here is where Paul listed very specific criteria for each office. 

                  Paul then addresses the problem of false teachers, only this time he shares how to both recognize and respond to them. Then he offers practical advice regarding pastoral care for both the young and the old, widows, elders, and slaves. He finishes the letter by urging Timothy to closely guard his motives, to stand firm in his faith, live a godly life completely above reproach, and minister faithfully. 

 

THE MEGA THEMES

 

SOUND DOCTRINE - Paul advised Timothy to uphold the Christian faith by teaching sound biblical doctrine to the congregation and be an example of proper Godly living. Timothy had to deal with false teachers in his midst who were leading members away from the belief that more was required besides faith in Christ alone.

                  We must know the truth to be able to defend it. We must hold fast to the belief that Christ came to save us from our sins. Today, we must avoid those who would twist scripture for their own purposes. This requires keen insight and judgement (discernment); a gift that can be had by simply asking God for it. Focusing on that which is important from a Godly perspective can be challenging, but we must sharpen our focus on the things of the Lord to avoid the many pitfalls of the enemy. Know the source from which you glean your information so as not to stumble. The Lord wishes you to thrive spiritually, but you must put in the effort. Be relentless. Let there be no quit in you. Your eternal destination depends on it.

 

PUBLIC WORSHIP - We need to have the proper attitude when we pray during public worship. It must be done with reverence, awe and respect toward God and respect toward our fellow worshipers. When worshipping the Lord, it is important to leave anger, resentment, or any offensive behavior at the door when we enter. To not do so might disrupt worship or damage the unity that exists in the church itself.

                  Up next we will share the balance of the Mega Themes. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: The Life Application Study Bible

2nd THESSALONIANS: The Blueprint & The Mega Themes

THE BLUEPRINT

 

1) The bright hope of Christ’s return (Ch. 1:1 - 2:17)

 

2) Living in the light of Christ’s return (Ch. 3:1 - 18)

 

                  Everyone needs encouragement at one time or another, and Paul knew the Thessalonians were definitely in need of some. The persecution and trials that they were dealing with would discourage any believer, but an encouraging letter from the Apostle Paul was just what they needed. On top of the persecution, they misunderstood Paul’s explanation of Christ’s Second Coming. That misunderstanding caused many within the congregation to become idle. The misunderstanding had to do with Paul’s statement that Christ could return at any moment. They took that to mean his return was imminent. 

                  Today we have a concrete reason to believe Christ might return soon, though we don’t truly know. All that is going on in the world today is reason enough to believe in his imminent return. That is NO reason to become idle. We need to work not only in the easy times but in the hard times as well. We must use our time wisely, live a pure life and work for God’s kingdom. God’s will for us, in part, is to patiently wait for the Lord’s return and work for him while we wait.

 

THE MEGA THEMES

 

PERSECUTION

 

God will bring victory to his faithful followers and will judge those who are persecuting them. God allows trials to help us grow spiritually. If our lives were effortless and easy, what would we learn about dealing with hardship. The more difficult things get, the more we need to rely on the Lord to sustain us and he will if we ask him and allow his help to manifest itself.

Our faith shall be rewarded; it is a promise from God. He will fill us with his power to help us survive thru persecution. Suffering for our faith will galvanize our relationship with Almighty God, strengthening us to bear it. It is incumbent upon us to be faithful to our Lord.

 

CHRIST’S RETURN

Due to the fact that Paul did indeed say that the Lord could come back at any time, some Thessalonian believers stopped working to wait for Christ. It’s quite possible that Paul said what he said to make sure believers stay ready, stay prepared for his return, rather than relax and let ourselves become unprepared. Only speculation, but that makes sense, especially since it’s over 2000 years later and Christ has yet to return.

When Christ returns victory will be assured for all those who have trusted him. It should be irrelevant to Christians as to when Christ will return. We cannot know the day and time, so why concern ourselves with it. We need to stand firm in our faith, keep working in the name of Christ, and wait. This way you will be ready when he DOES come.

 

GREAT REBELLION

 

         There will be a great rebellion prior to Christ’s return. It will be led by the “man of lawlessness”, the Anti-Christ. All restrains on evil shall be removed before God administers justice on those who promote evil. During this time Satan will attempt to deceive many.

                  Don’t let fear overtake you when you see evil rise. Know that God is in complete control of all that transpires on the earth, no matter how evil this world becomes. God guards us from the attacks of the enemy. We can be victorious over evil by remaining faithful to God.

 

PERSISTANCE

 

                  Paul wasn’t happy about Thessalonian church members becoming idle. As Proverbs 16:27 states: “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece.” * In their idleness they had become disorderly and even disobedient. Paul took them to task for this, calling them out by telling them to show courage and behave like a true Christian with their personal conduct.

                  It is on us to not become tired of doing what’s right. We must have no quit in us. To stay sharp spiritually, we must stay in God’s word, pray for others, spend time worshipping the Lord, attend a Bible preaching and teaching church regularly and engage in fellowship with other believers. We need to be extremely diligent in cultivating our relationship with our Creator. It is too easy to become spiritually lazy. It can befall any one of us. We should make a personal assessment of our relationship with our Heavenly Father, for the devil would like nothing better than to cause you to trip up as you walk aimlessly about. Be focused. Commit your words, thoughts, and actions over to the Lord each morning. Don’t dwell on mistakes, but rather seek forgiveness and move on. God loves you without conditions placed upon that love. He only wants what is best for you. Bask in the glow of his majesty and glorify his name forever.

 

                  One final thought on when Christ’s 2^nd coming shall be: “Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction.”** (2 Thessalonians 2:3 - New Living Translation)

                  Up next, our first look at Paul’s first of two letters to Timothy, one of the Apostle’s closest companions. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name and for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: The Life Application Study Bible

* Taken from The Living Bible translation.

** Verse also reads, “and the man of sin - the son of destruction”

2nd THESSALONIANS at a glance

PURPOSE: The purpose for Paul to write this 2^nd letter only several months after the 1^st one was to clear up a misunderstanding regarding Christ’s return. 

AUTHOR: Another epistle (letter) written by the Apostle Paul.

DATE WRITTEN: This letter was written around AD 51 or 52 ... just a few months after 1^st Thessalonians, from Corinth.

THE SETTING: “Many in the church were confused about the timing of Christ’s return. Because of the mounting persecution, they thought the day of the Lord must be imminent, and they interpreted Paul’s first letter to say that the Second Coming would be at any moment. In light of this misunderstanding, many persisted in being idle and disorderly, with the excuse of waiting for Christ’s Return.” ^[1]

SPECIAL FEATURES: This is a follow-up letter to 1^st Thessalonians. In this letter, Paul indicates various events that must precede the second coming of Christ.

 

            This letter starts as Paul’s always do, with a personal greeting & an encouraging statement of thanksgiving for their courageous faith in spite of the heavy persecution that they are being bombarded with daily. He praises them for their perseverance in spite of the trials & tribulations they are facing. He uses this situation to broach the subject of Christ’s return. At the time of Christ’s return he will defend the righteous who endure till the end & punish those who have proven to be wicked.

            Paul then deals straight on with the misunderstanding of when Christ will return. He tells the Thessalonians NOT to listen to rumors and/or reports that say that Christ’s return has already begun. This is because a number of events must take place before Christ’s return. While they wait they mustn’t become idle. They need to stand firm in their faith and on the truth of God. They must seek to receive God’s encouragement and a sense of hope. They are to pray for strength as they look to spread the gospel. Those that are idle need to be warned. His ending to the letter is a personal greeting and a benediction (a blessing or utterance of good wishes).

            As you read 2^nd Thessalonians see clearly the reality of Christ’s return & our responsibility to live for him until that day. Up next we will look at The Blueprint & The Mega Themes. Until then walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: The Life Application Study Bible

^[1] Taken from the Life Application Study Bible; p. 2677.

1st THESSALONIANS: When will the Rapture take place?

           In eschatology, it is important to remember that almost all Christians agree on these three things: 1) there is coming a time of great tribulation such as the world has never seen, 2) after the Tribulation, Christ will return to establish His kingdom on earth, and 3) there will be a Rapture—a translation from mortality to immortality—for believers (John 14:1-3;1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). The question is when does the Rapture occur in relation to the Tribulation and the Second Coming of Christ?

Through the years three main theories have emerged concerning the timing of the Rapture: pre-tribulation (the belief that the Rapture will occur before the 7 year Tribulation period begins), mid-tribulation (the belief that the Rapture will occur at the midpoint of the Tribulation), and post-tribulation (the belief that the Rapture will occur at the end of the Tribulation). This article deals specifically with the pretribulation view.

Pre-tribulation teaches that the Rapture occurs before the Tribulation starts. At that time, the church will meet Christ in the air, and then sometime after that the Antichrist is revealed and the Tribulation begins. In other words, the Rapture and Christ’s Second Coming (to set up His kingdom) are separated by at least seven years. According to this view, the church does not experience any of the Tribulation. 

Scripturally, the pre-tribulation view has much to commend it. For example, the church is not appointed to wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10, 5:9), and believers will not be overtaken by the Day of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:1-9). The church of Philadelphia was promised to be kept from “the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world”(Revelation 3:10). Note that the promise is not preservation through the trial but deliverance from the hour, that is, from the time period of the trial. 

Pre-tribulation also finds support in what is not found in Scripture. The word “church” appears nineteen times in the first three chapters of Revelation, but, significantly, the word is not used again until chapter 22. In other words, in the entire lengthy description of the Tribulation in Revelation, the word “church” is noticeably absent. In fact, the Bible never uses the word "church" in a passage relating to the Tribulation. 

Pre-tribulation is the only theory which clearly maintains the distinction between Israel and the church and God’s separate plans for each. The seventy “sevens” of Daniel 9:24 are decreed upon Daniel’s people (the Jews) and Daniel’s holy city (Jerusalem). This prophecy makes it plain that the seventieth week (the Tribulation) is a time of purging and restoration for Israel and Jerusalem, not for the church. 

Also, the pre-tribulation view has historical support. From John 21:22-23, it would seem that the early church viewed Christ’s return as imminent, that He could return at any moment. Otherwise, the rumor would not have persisted that Jesus would return within John’s lifetime. Imminence, which is incompatible with the other two Rapture theories, is a key tenet of pre-tribulation. 

And the pre-tribulation view seems to be the most in keeping with God’s character and His desire to deliver the righteous from the judgment of the world. Biblical examples of God’s salvation include Noah, who was delivered from the worldwide flood; Lot, who was delivered from Sodom; and Rahab, who was delivered from Jericho (2 Peter 2:6-9).

One perceived weakness of the pre-tribulation view is its relatively recent development as a church doctrine, not having been formulated in detail until the early 1800s. Another weakness is that pretribulation splits the return of Jesus Christ into two “phases”—the Rapture and the Second Coming—whereas the Bible does not clearly delineate any such phases. 

Another difficulty facing the pretribulation view is the fact that there will obviously be saints in the Tribulation (Revelation 13:7, 20:9). Those who hold to the pre-tribulation view answer this by distinguishing the saints of the Old Testament and the saints of the Tribulation from the church of the New Testament. Believers alive at the Rapture will be removed before the Tribulation, but there will be those who will come to Christ during the Tribulation.

Some point to Jesus’ statement in John 6:40 as posing a difficulty to pre-tribulation: “My Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” Jesus promises believers a resurrection “at the last day,” but the pretribulation model has believers being raised at the rapture, at least seven years before the Christ’s second coming. The answer to this involves a general use of the word “day”—the end times, called “the last day,” will span the entire time from the rapture to the second coming. Also, the rapture will mark the end of the church age and thus is “the last day” of this dispensation.

And a final weakness of the pre-tribulation view is shared by the other two theories: namely, the Bible does not give an explicit timeline concerning future events. Scripture does not expressly teach one view over another, and that is why we have diversity of opinion concerning the end times and some variety on how the related prophecies should be harmonized.

 

                  Up next is our first look at Paul’s 2^nd letter to the Thessalonian church. Until then, walk with the King today and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/pretribulationism.html

eschatology - The branch of theology that is concerned with the end of the world or of humankind.

dispensation - The divine ordering of worldly affairs.

1st THESSALONIANS: The Timing of the Rapture

           The timing of the rapture in relation to the tribulation is one of the most controversial issues in the church today. The three primary views are pre-tribulation (the rapture occurs before the tribulation), mid-tribulation (the rapture occurs at or near the mid-point of the tribulation), and post-tribulation (the rapture occurs at the end of the tribulation). A fourth view, commonly known as pre-wrath, is a slight modification of the mid-tribulation position.

First, it is important to recognize the purpose of the tribulation. According to Daniel 9:27, there is a seventieth “seven” (seven years) that is still yet to come. Daniel’s entire prophecy of the seventy sevens (Daniel 9:20-27) is speaking of the nation of Israel. It is a time period in which God focuses His attention especially on Israel. The seventieth seven, the tribulation, must also be a time when God deals specifically with Israel. While this does not necessarily indicate that the church could not also be present, it does bring into question why the church would need to be on the earth during that time.

The primary Scripture passage on the rapture is 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. It states that all living believers, along with all believers who have died, will meet the Lord Jesus in the air and will be with Him forever. The rapture is God’s removing of His people from the earth. A few verses later, in 1 Thessalonians 5:9, Paul says, “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” The book of Revelation, which deals primarily with the time period of the tribulation, is a prophetic message of how God will pour out His wrath upon the earth during the tribulation. It seems inconsistent for God to promise believers that they will not suffer wrath and then leave them on the earth to suffer through the wrath of the tribulation. The fact that God promises to deliver Christians from wrath shortly after promising to remove His people from the earth seems to link those two events together.

Another crucial passage on the timing of the rapture is Revelation 3:10, in which Christ promises to deliver believers from the “hour of trial” that is going to come upon the earth. This could mean two things. Either Christ will protect believers in the midst of the trials, or He will deliver believers out of the trials. Both are valid meanings of the Greek word translated “from.” However, it is important to recognize what believers are promised to be kept from. It is not just the trial, but the “hour” of trial. Christ is promising to keep believers from the very time period that contains the trials, namely the tribulation. The purpose of the tribulation, the purpose of the rapture, the meaning of 1 Thessalonians 5:9, and the interpretation of Revelation 3:10 all give clear support to the pre-tribulation position. If the Bible is interpreted literally and consistently, the pre-tribulation position is the most biblically-based interpretation.

            I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the mid & post tribulation theories, along with the 4^th theory, post-wrath. Do a search so you can compare all four and make up your own mind.

 

            Up next we will take a look at the rapture in another article that deals with the subject. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/rapture-tribulation.html

 

1st THESSALONIANS: What is the Rapture?

         The word rapture does not occur in the Bible. The term comes from a Latin word meaning “a carrying off, a transport, or a snatching away.” The concept of the “carrying off” or the rapture of the church is clearly taught in Scripture.

The rapture of the church is the event in which God “snatches away” all believers from the earth in order to make way for His righteous judgment to be poured out on the earth during the tribulation period. The rapture is described primarily in 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 and 1 Corinthians 15:50–54. God will resurrect all believers who have died, give them glorified bodies, and take them from the earth, along with all living believers, who will also be given glorified bodies at that time. “For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).

The rapture will involve an instantaneous transformation of our bodies to fit us for eternity. “We know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). The rapture is to be distinguished from the second coming. At the rapture, the Lord comes “in the clouds” to meet us “in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). At the second coming, the Lord descends all the way to the earth to stand on the Mount of Olives, resulting in a great earthquake followed by a defeat of God’s enemies (Zechariah 14:3–4).

The doctrine of the rapture was not taught in the Old Testament, which is why Paul calls it a “mystery”now revealed: “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:51–52).

The rapture of the church is a glorious event we should all be longing for. We will finally be free from sin. We will be in God’s presence forever. There is far too much debate over the meaning and scope of the rapture. This is not God’s intent. Rather, the rapture should be a comforting doctrine full of hope; God wants us to “encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

 

            Up next we will look at one view of when the Rapture of the Church will take place.

Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/rapture-of-the-church.html

1st THESSALONIANS: The 2nd Coming of Christ (Part 2)

           The second coming of Christ is referenced many times in Scripture, with over 1,500 passages in the Old Testament and one out of every 25 verses in the New Testament mentioning the Messiah’s return. The large amount of material devoted to this important event underscores what God says in Amos 3:7: “Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.”

In short, the return of Christ brings about what is referred to as the kingdom of God in Scripture—God’s absolute rule over His creation, including humankind. To accomplish that, Jesus ushers in two different judgments, two different resurrections, and two different eternities.

When Jesus returns, He will be ready for war (Revelation 19:11–16). The nations will be gathered to fight against Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:2) in what we call the battle of Armageddon. But that will be the day Jesus returns: “His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south” (verse 4). It will be a unique day in the history of the world: “On that day there will be neither sunlight nor cold, frosty darkness . . . a day known only to the Lord—with no distinction between day and night. When evening comes, there will be light” (verses 6–7). God’s enemies will be defeated, and the Antichrist and the false prophet will be “thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur” (Revelation 19:20). Jesus will set up His kingdom, and “The Lord will be king over the whole earth” (Zechariah 14:9).

In establishing His kingdom on earth, Jesus will first set up a judgment for those who are still alive after the tribulation and who are on the earth at the time of the second coming. This is referred to as the “judgment of the sheep and the goats” or “judgment of the nations” (Matthew 25:31–46). Those who survive this judgment will remain on earth and enjoy a time of peace and prosperity with Christ for 1,000 years (referred to as the millennium; see Revelation 20:4–6). Those who are found guilty in this judgment are cursed and consigned to “the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). Satan is bound and forbidden to act during the millennium (Revelation 20:1–3).

During this time there will also be a resurrection of all believers in God (Revelation 20:4–6). These resurrected believers will join believers who are alive at the time of Christ’s coming, and those Christ brings with Him from heaven, and all will live with Jesus during His 1,000-year earthly reign.

At the end of the millennium, Satan will be released, and one final battle will occur, which will rapidly be won by Christ (Revelation 20:7–9). Satan is then permanently consigned to the lake of fire. At this point the second resurrection will occur, and another judgment. Unbelievers will be resurrected and judged at what is referred to as the great white throne judgment; based on their works, they will be assigned to the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11–15).

So, the return of Jesus will usher in two different eternities—one with God and one without Him. This truth is captured in two verses in the book of Malachi: “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire ... Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves” (Malachi 4:1–2).

What happens when Jesus returns? Evil is defeated, the earth is restored, and God wins. Your response to Jesus’ return depends on your relationship with Him. It will either be, as John MacArthur calls it, “the greatest calamity in all of human history” or the fulfillment of the Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13). Faith in Christ makes the difference. “But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?” (Luke 18:8, NLT).

Up next is our first look at Paul’s 2^nd letter to the Thessalonian church members. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: www.gotquestions.com

1st THESSALONIANS: The 2nd Coming of Christ (Part 1)

            The second coming of Jesus Christ is the hope of believers that God is in control of all things and is faithful to the promises and prophecies in His Word. In His first coming, Jesus Christ came to earth as a baby in a manger in Bethlehem, just as prophesied. Jesus fulfilled many of the prophecies of the Messiah during His birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection. However, there are some prophecies regarding the Messiah that Jesus has not yet fulfilled. The second coming of Christ will be the return of Christ to fulfill these remaining prophecies. In His first coming, Jesus was the suffering Servant. In His second coming, Jesus will be the conquering King. In His first coming, Jesus arrived in the most humble of circumstances. In His second coming, Jesus will arrive with the armies of heaven at His side.

The Old Testament prophets did not clearly make this distinction between the two comings. This can be seen in Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7 and Zechariah 14:4. As a result of the prophecies seeming to speak of two individuals, many Jewish scholars believed there would be both a suffering Messiah and a conquering Messiah. What they failed to understand is that there is only one Messiah, and He would fulfill both roles. Jesus fulfilled the role of the suffering servant (Isaiah chapter 53) in His first coming. Jesus will fulfill the role of Israel’s deliverer and King in His second coming. Zechariah 12:10 and Revelation 1:7, describing the second coming, look back to Jesus being pierced. Israel, and the whole world, will mourn for not having accepted the Messiah the first time He came.

After Jesus ascended into heaven, the angels declared to the apostles, “‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven’” (Acts 1:11). Zechariah 14:4 identifies the location of the second coming as the Mount of Olives. Matthew 24:30 declares, “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.” Titus 2:13 describes the second coming as a “glorious appearing.”

The second coming is spoken of in greatest detail in Revelation 19:11-16, “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses, and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter.’ He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Up next is the second part of our look at Christ’s Return. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: www.gotquestions.com

1st THESSALONIANS: The Mega Themes

A. PERSECUTION 

 

EXPLANATION - Paul and the newbies of the faith were experiencing persecution from the enemy, which is essentially anyone who is against God. Specifically, it would be Jews, Greeks & Romans, all fueled by lies from the evil one. We will experience persecution in some form or another, so we need to deal with it the way the Thessalonicans did; stand firm in our faith, being strengthened by the Holy Spirit within us.

 

IMPORTANCE - The Holy Spirit, the 3^rd Person of the Holy Trinity, enables us to remain strong and show genuine love to others, while maintaining our moral character. Focusing on the Lord and not that which surrounds us is a key to our success.

 

B. PAUL’S MINISTRY

 

EXPLANATION - Even while being slandered, the Apostle Paul still expressed concern for the church in Thessalonica. Sharing the gospel was far more important to Paul than suffering difficult circumstances or experiencing physical harm. We need to be like Paul regarding persecution.

 

IMPORTANCE - Paul gave of himself while on the road. He was faithful & bold, yet at the same time sensitive & self-sacrificing. For that he is a perfect example for us to follow. Blending the attributes of Jesus and Paul, along with the guidance and assistance of the Holy Spirit is ideal. While Paul’s attributes do not supersede those of the Lord, they do provide a nice balance of divine and mortal characteristics that are easy for others to see and experience firsthand.

 

C. HOPE

 

EXPLANATION - The main hope we as Christians have is that one day in the future all believers in Christ, both those who are alive & those who have died, will be united with Christ in heaven. Those who have already passed from this earth base their hope on the resurrection of the body from death. 

 

IMPORTANCE - Our confidence lies in the promise that those who believe in Christ & receive forgiveness will live with Christ forever. As I’ve said before, it isn’t simply believing in Christ, for the demons in hell believe in his existence. It is belief which leads to faith & unwavering trust in him that causes us to desire to please him with the way we carry on our business. Imitating Christ’s behavior is the way to impact society in a positive way. Consistency is the key to making that impact. If we say one thing and do another, we are contradicting that which we intend to exhibit to the public. Focus on Christ ... focus on consistency in our thoughts, words & actions.

 

D. BEING PREPARED

 

EXPLANATION - No one knows the time of Christ’s return except the Father. Therefore, we are to live moral & holy lives. We cannot do that alone, which is why Jesus promised the Holy Spirit, which came to fruition shortly after his ascension. Although we are not to neglect our daily responsibilities, we are to work & live to please the Lord, all the while being watchful for his return.

 

IMPORTANCE - We need to live out the gospel with the assistance of the indwelt Holy Spirit. We need to become tuned in to what he is trying to say to us. Discernment is achievable for the asking. Hone that skill, concentrating on the Spirit’s leading. Live your life as if Christ could return any day so as not to be caught unprepared.

 

                  Up next we take a brief look at Christ’s return. Until then, walk with the King & be a blessing.

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: The Life Application Study Bible