Christ Divided

1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Acts 11:26 tells us, "It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians." (NLT)

The word "Christian" means "follower of Christ."  In 1 Corinthians 1:7-9, the Apostle Paul shows us a little of the benefits of being a follower of Christ when he says:

Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  (NLT)

With every spiritual gift having been provided and the promise that God will keep one strong, this is a privileged relationship.  One enters into this relationship with Jesus by faith.  As we are told in John 1:12:

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.  (NLT)

Many other passages of Scripture address both what it means to be a Christian and how one becomes a Christian, but the two just quoted form a good representation.  By our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, God has invited us into partnership with His Son.  This partnership with His Son involves us being called His body.  1 Corinthians 12:13 says:

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.  (ESV)

We are made one in Christ.  Based on this, the Apostle makes an appeal.

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.  (1 Corinthians 1:10, ESV)

This is not a harsh scolding, but rather a gentle, loving appeal.  The Spirit comes beside us and gently calls for us to come to unity in the faith, reminding us of the name and character of our Lord Jesus.

1 Corinthians 1:10 literally says, "...through the name of our Lord, Jesus the Christ..."  The word name in this case refers to His character as made known by deeds and reputation.  Therefore, this appeal or admonition is based on the tender mercies of our Lord.  As the epistle has just pointed out, we have received God's gracious gifts, forgiveness and cleansing from our sins and partnership with Jesus.  It is based on these things that we are called to unity.

Since this is a call to unity, it is necessary that we define what is meant by unity.  The Apostle does this effectively in very few words.  First, he says, "...that you all speak the same thing..."  (1 Corinthians 1:10 literal translation)  The word used here was: 

...originally, "lay down to sleep," used later of "laying an argument to rest," i.e. bringing a message to closure; (http://biblehub.com/greek/3004.htm) 

This implies coming to agreement on the crucial matters of faith.  He further explains this when he says, "...having been knit together in the same mind and in the same judgment."  Here, in this context, mind refers to reason and judgment refers to knowledge or facts.  Therefore, taking in the knowledge we have, we are expected to arrive at a reasonable conclusion that should lay the argument to rest or bring unity.

This is precisely what the Gospel does.  We all are equal at the foot of the Cross. 

In 335 and 381 A.D., the Church crafted a statement that we all still use to summarize the basics of the faith:

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds (æons), Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father;

by whom all things were made;

who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost and of the Virgin Mary, and was made man;

he was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried, and the third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father;

from thence he shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead. ;

whose kingdom shall have no end.

And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spake by the prophets.

While this statement serves as a rudimentary statement of faith for the Christian Church, the Gospel can be summed up even more succinctly in the words of John 3:16.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

However, this does not deal with all matters of faith and practice.  For this reason, we hold the Bible to be the final authority in matters of faith and practice.

Given the tremendous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, His great love and the truth and nature of the Scriptures, unity of the faith is both possible and necessary.  However, divisions are inevitable.

Later on in the letter to the Corinthian Church, Paul says:

But, of course, there must be divisions among you so that you who have God's approval will be recognized!  (1 Corinthians 11:19, NLT)

We can understand this statement more when we read passages like 2 Peter 2:1.

But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves.  (NLT)

Necessary divisions result from perversion of the truth of the Gospel and denying the Master, who bought us.  For example, any religion, church or teaching that denies that Jesus is God is a perversion.  1 John 4:3 makes it clear that any teaching that denies Jesus is from the spirit of the antichrist.  Unity of the faith then involves the exclusion or rejection of such heresies.

The appeal, then, that the Apostle is making is for those who are true believers in Jesus Christ.  Through people associated with Chloe, who everyone in Corinth apparently knew, Paul learned of strife in the Church.

As he addresses this strife, Paul defines the nature of the conflict.  In 1 Corinthians 1:12 he says,

What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”  (ESV)

Paul is shocked by this.  He gives the equivalent of a literary shout.  If this were a text message, it would be in all CAPS!  He says, "CHRIST IS DIVIDED!"  Our translations treat this as a question, "Is Christ divided?"  However, the original is a statement, a statement of shock and dismay.

Paul then asks some important questions.  He asks:

Was Paul crucified for you?  Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?  (1 Corinthians 1:13, ESV)

The obvious answer to these questions is "No."

Paul next spends time explaining that he baptized only a few of them.  He stresses that Christ did not send him to baptize but to announce the Good News.  In other words, Paul was not trying to gather a following for himself.  His entire purpose was to gather a following for Christ Jesus.

The problems that Paul points out specifically are strife and divisions.  He addresses these more in 1 Corinthians chapter 3 when he says:

For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?  For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?  (1 Corinthians 3:3-4, ESV)

Strife and divisions come from our flesh or from being human.  Because of this, the root of strife is hard to pinpoint.  Jealousy, greed, pride or malice could all be involved in the motive of the heart.  Some, wishing to gain a following for themselves, will cause strife.  Some, wishing to cause harm to a person or ministry, will cause strife.  Some, having pride in their superior wisdom or knowledge, will cause strife.

Whenever this happens, there must be an intervention.  Paul as an Apostle carried both the authority and responsibility to intervene.  Therefore we have the book of Corinthians.  Because of our human nature, strife is inevitable and there are battles that must be fought.  However, they must be fought without wrath, malice and all those things that characterize the flesh. Paul does not yell at the Corinthians.  He appeals to them as brothers.  In giving instructions to Timothy on pastoral leadership he says:

Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.  (1 Timothy 5:1-2, NLT)

While maintaining a gentle and humble approach, Paul makes his answer to the strife and divisions among the Corinthians.  He first points out that his ministry was not what he calls "eloquent wisdom" or "skilled speech."

The appeal of human wisdom is one of the dangers that Paul spends a lot of time on both in Corinthians and in his other letters.  He spends time on the subject in chapters 1 and 2 and then concludes chapter 3 with:

Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world's standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise.  (1 Corinthians 3:18, NLT)

To the Colossian Church he said:

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.  (Colossians 2:8, ESV)

To the Ephesian Church he said:

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  (Ephesians 5:6, ESV)

To the Hebrews he said:

Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings...  (Hebrews 13:9, ESV)

Being led astray by "eloquent wisdom" or "skilled speech" is a real danger.  One of the early heresies in the Church was that of Gnosticism.  Gnostics claimed to possess special knowledge known only to a certain few or the enlightened.  They also taught that the body was entirely evil and that the spirit was entirely good.  This is undoubtedly an oversimplification of their teachings, but it is accurate enough to point out that "special" or "deeper" knowledge is a dangerous thing. Paul certainly had knowledge and he used it.  He says in 1 Corinthians 2:6-7:

Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.  But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.  (ESV)

In addressing the divisions, Paul says that he avoided words of eloquent wisdom "lest the cross of Christ be emptied..."  (1 Corinthians 1:17, ESV)  The word he uses for emptied means nullified or made nothing.  To add anything to the gospel is to make it meaningless.

The Scriptures tell us that evil people and imposters will continue to go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:13, ESV)  However, we must hold onto the simple truth of the Gospel.  We are not saved by special knowledge.  No teacher, leader, pastor or priest can save a single person.  Only Jesus saves.  We must faithfully proclaim the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ as the only means of salvation.

Colossians 2:3 tells us that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ.  In the end, He is our one and only pursuit and purpose.  When we value anything more than Christ, it will show itself in conflicts and strife, first internally and then externally.  Christ is, of course, not divided.  Therefore, strife is always a symptom of a spiritual problem.  We must begin to deal with it by returning to the cross, because only the cross has the power to heal our divisions.

We must not be like those that 2 Timothy 3:5 mentions who "...having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power."  (ESV)

Only the cross has the power to transform lives.  This is why the Apostle Paul says:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  Romans 1:16

The Church in Corinth

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

This week I read the following article on the web:

Calvary Baptist Church, a progressive Baptist landmark in the heart of downtown Washington, has named a gay couple as co-pastors.

Sally Sarratt and Maria Swearingen were presented to the congregation during worship services Sunday (Jan. 8) and are set to begin their new jobs on Feb. 26.

A spokeswoman for the congregation said she didn’t know whether a gay couple leading a church was a first for Baptists.

“We look for the best people in the world and that’s who they were,” said Carol Blythe.  “We’re very excited.”[i]

Calvary Baptist Church is very proud and happy about their choice.  For us conservatives, this is quite shocking.  We ask, “How has this come about?”  However, this is nothing new.  The Apostle Paul dealt with similar issues in the Church of his day.  Paul, in his letter to the Church in Corinth said:

¹I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you—something that even pagans don’t do.  I am told that a man in your church is living in sin with his stepmother.  ²You are so proud of yourselves, but you should be mourning in sorrow and shame.  And you should remove this man from your fellowship.  (1 Corinthians 5:1-2, NLT)

In the Church in Corinth, a wise, understanding approach to morality and sexuality were a source of pride.  They were so proud of themselves.  We are no different.  We are proud of our wisdom.  By looking at what Paul says to the Corinthian church, we will confront the sources of conflict, immorality and false doctrines that have always plagued the Church.

At this time, I will look at the first nine verses of 1 Corinthians 1, and will take up the rest of the chapter in subsequent articles.  In the opening of his letter, the Apostle Paul expresses His thankfulness, introducing himself as the author of the letter and the Corinthian church as the recipients.  Then he takes us to the source of his confidence.  This is the approach I wish to take.  I will look first at the author, then at his recipients and finally at the source of his confidence.

First then, let us consider Paul.

In addition, we must also consider Sosthenes, because Paul lists him as a co-author.  Most of us are familiar with Paul, but not with Sosthenes.  Paul, as an Apostle, is in a unique position of authority.  The Apostles spoke with authority that is passed down only in their writings.  Their authority stems in part from the fact that they were personally trained and commissioned by Jesus.  This authority is of utmost importance, and I want to look at it more in depth.  However, Paul does not include Sosthenes to strengthen his authority.

We meet Sosthenes in Acts 18.  Paul ministered in Corinth for a year and a half before persecution from the Jews in Corinth took on a violent form.  Acts 18 lists Crispus as one of the Jews who accepted Jesus as Savior.  Crispus was the ruler of the synagogue at the time, but was replaced by Sosthenes.  At least, Acts 18:17 lists Sosthenes as ruler of the synagogue.  Sometime after the events of Acts 18, Sosthenes apparently accepted Christ and we find Paul writing with Sosthenes who he calls “our brother.” 

This is important because Paul is an outsider.  As an outsider, he was vulnerable to the accusation of not understanding the culture.  Sosthenes was not an outsider.  He was one of the Corinthians.  Paul uses a similar approach in a number of his letters, referencing others as being with him.  He does this, not to strengthen his authority, but as a softening measure.  By including local influence, he makes the authority by which he speaks more palatable, thus taking away the, “He doesn’t understand us because he is not one of us.”

Paul wrote with Divine authority.  He points this out when he says, “…chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.”  The New Testament was written by apostolic authority.  This is why Peter says:

…Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him—speaking of these things in all of his letters.  Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture.  And this will result in their destruction.  (2 Peter 3:15-16, NLT)

We see in this passage that the Apostle Peter speaks of Paul’s writings as being Scripture.  The question of authority is important, because it is the foundation on which we build our faith and practice.  How are we to determine what is right and what is wrong?  According to what we just read from 2 Peter, to distort the things of Scripture will result in our destruction.  Jesus used the analogy of building with a firm foundation or with a foundation firmly planted in the sand. 

Paul, by addressing his authority in the opening of his letter, is establishing his right and responsibility to address issues in the Church.

In 2 Peter 3:2, Peter starts out by saying:

I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles.  (2 Peter 3:2, NLT)

The phrase, “…what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles,” reminds us that we would not have a New Testament if it were not for the apostles.  There are histories, such as those written by Josephus, that provide evidence that what the New Testament says is historically accurate.  However, the actual teachings of Jesus are passed down to us in the writings of those who accompanied Jesus night and day for 3 years.  Thus, we can be certain that Jesus said:

For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.  These are what defile you.  Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.  (Matthew 15:19-20, NLT)

Apparently, Jesus thought adultery and sexual immorality were just as wrong as murder, theft, lying and slander.  Do we recognize Him as having authority to speak into our lives?  Do we believe that He is God?  What about His apostles?  Do they have authority?  Paul introduces himself as an apostle in order to establish his claim to authority and right/responsibility to write the letter.  Therefore, he says with the authority of Jesus:

Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God?  Don’t fool yourselves.  Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.  (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, NLT)

There are several ways around this statement if we would like to justify our thievery or immorality.  We can question its authority.  We can question its authenticity or we can claim to have greater authority or wisdom.  The Corinthians were doing all three of these, but chief among them was the greater wisdom that they claimed to have developed.

We have come now to the point that it is necessary to talk about who Paul was writing to:  the Corinthians.

First, we see that the Corinthians were genuine believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Paul says of them:

I am writing to God’s church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people.  He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.  (1 Corinthians 1:2, NLT)

They are called holy or saints, depending on which translation one uses.  Paul also says that they have been given gracious gifts by Jesus and that God has enriched their church in every way.  We can understand then that while Paul was writing to address problems and issues in the Church at Corinth, it was because they were fellow believers and saints that he was addressing the problems.

However, they were proud of things that according to Paul would keep them from inheriting the kingdom of God.  Paul affirms that they were enriched in every way.  And, it becomes evident in the letter that follows that they had become proud of this and considered themselves superior because of it.  This pride became the source of divisions and many other problems in their fellowship.

Corinth was a trade city, and it was very prosperous.  It lay in a position between Italy and Asia that allowed it to profit by the traffic along a major trade route.  This also made it a multicultural and multiethnic center for that area of the world.  This meant that the city was a crossroads for different ideas, religions, philosophies and vices.  To behave as a Corinthian became euphemistic for behaving immorally.

Philosophically and morally, the Church in the United States has Corinthian-like influences.  Our media, our schools and many of our churches have forsaken the authority of the Apostles and of the Lord Jesus Christ for what they perceive is greater wisdom and enlightenment.

Even so, we can have the same confidence that the Apostle Paul expresses in the opening of his letter to the Corinthians.  We find this confidence in 1 Corinthians 1:7-9.

⁷Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.  ⁸He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.  ⁹God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  (NLT)

A summary statement would be, “Our confidence is in God and in His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”  And, this is enough.  However, three elements of this confidence are worth considering.

First, we have every spiritual gift we need.

The Lord has poured out His Spirit and gifts on the Church in full measure.  We have gifted teachers, musicians, poets, scholars, pastors and ministries in abundance.  We have excellent Bible translations, study materials and available resources in all formats in incredible variety and abundance.  Radio programs, podcasts, YouTube and books beyond counting are available to us.  The abundance of gifts and provision both physical and spiritual that God has poured out upon His Church in the United States is truly remarkable.

However, gifts are not all that we need.  The second element in our confidence in God is His faithfulness. 

Paul says, “He will keep you strong.”

What a tremendous promise.  This promise is echoed in a number of places in the New Testament.  A favorite of mine is Philippians 1:6, which says:

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.  (NLT)

This promise of God does not mean that we will not go through refining, fiery trials.  It means that God, in His faithfulness, will take us through whatever is necessary to refine, purify and sanctify us for Himself as a spotless bride.

It occurs to me to ask, “Do we want God’s gifts, or do we want God Himself?” 

Oh, for a heart for God, to love Him with heart and soul and strength as I have been commanded!  What treasure in life can compare with the treasure of knowing Jesus?

God is faithful.  We can have full confidence that He will complete the work He has begun.  But, it is important to realize what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15.

¹²Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw.  ¹³But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done.  The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.  ¹⁴If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.  ¹⁵But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss.  The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.  (NLT)

What am I building with?  We must each ask ourselves this question.

Finally, a third element in our confidence is our calling.  Paul says, “…he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Like Paul, we have a calling, a purpose.

Our calling, purpose and mission give us great confidence.  My value is not found in superior wisdom or knowledge.  It is not found in my gifts or in me at all.  The calling of God fills my life with meaning, value and purpose.  Such confidence comes from having confidence in God.  This is why Paul could express such thankfulness even while writing to correct abuses, problems and divisions.

What is your confidence?

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[i] http://religionnews.com/2017/01/09/gay-couple-will-pastor-historic-baptist-dc-church/. Accessed November 15, 2017.

The Return of the Lord

Revelation 19:11-21

Jesus is coming back.

He promised us:

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  (John 14:3, KJV)

The belief that Jesus is coming again is central to the teaching and faith of all Christians.  However, how and when this will occur is not agreed upon.  That He is coming is not in doubt.  How He is coming is not clearly understood.  This can be explained by looking at how the Jews of the Old Testament interpreted the promises of His coming.

The Old Testament prophets promised that a Messiah, a Savior, would come.  Many details were given.  He was to be born of a virgin.  He was to be of the line of David.  He was to be born in Bethlehem.  He was to save His people from their sins.  Along with these promises, there were promises for the Gentiles.  He was to be a light for the nations, and a Savior for all peoples.  In addition, there were promises for the kingdom of Israel:  promises of a restored nation and a kingdom.

As the people anticipated His coming, they understood only ONE coming.  They thought the Messiah would come and restore all things all at once.  They did  not envision a process or more than one coming, certainly not a second coming.  In the paragraph above, I have described three separate promises: the Incarnation, the salvation of the Nations and the Kingdom of Israel.

The people who had only the Old Testament had trouble understanding both His sufferings and the glories to follow in the context of one coming.  They did not separate the promises for the nation of Israel from the promises for the nations.  They did not separate the promises of salvation for all peoples from promises for the kingdom of Israel.

We are no different.  We have trouble discerning what the Spirit is saying to us.

For example, the Kingdom of God is not of this world.  The Kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom and God reigns as King in our hearts.  This has always been true.  Jesus taught that God seeks worshipers who worship Him in spirit and in truth. Abraham was such a man, and he worshiped God before there was any nation of Israel.  The same is true of Noah and Enoch.  However, this truth does not negate or nullify the promises God made to Israel and to David of a lasting kingdom and throne.  And yet, many, based upon the truth of the spiritual kingdom, teach that the Church has replaced Israel.  This is an error and it leads to errors in regards to our understanding of the times and seasons of Jesus' return.

The importance of the issue is addressed in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 where the Spirit says:

Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.  (NLT)

If one teaches that the Kingdom that is promised is now and that it is a spiritual kingdom and that the teaching of Revelation 20 regarding the Millennium is symbolic, then one must also teach that the day of the Lord has already begun or at least leave open the possibility,  which, according to 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2, is impossible.

The reason a clear understanding is important is given:  to prevent us from being shaken or alarmed.

It is easy for us to be shaken or alarmed.  Let's consider what the Bible has to say about the world we live in.

Psalms 2:1-2 says:

Why are the nations so angry?
Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
the rulers plot together
against the LORD
and against his anointed one. (NLT)

This has long been the attitude of the world toward God, our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We have all heard of the Antichrist and his coming. Daniel 9:26 describes him as "the prince who is to come" and 2 Thessalonians 2:3 describes him as the "man of lawlessness."  In the book of Revelation, he is called "the beast."  However, 1 John 4:3 tells us:

...every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. (ESV)

Jesus warned us:
If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.  (John 15:18, NLT)

And, the Apostle John added to this when he said:

So don't be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.
1 John 3:13, NLT

When 26 believers are killed on a Sunday morning in a church just outside of San Antonio, we are shaken to the core.  However, we should realize that the spirit of the Antichrist is at work in the world.  Throughout the world, Christians die for their faith every day.

The spirit of the Antichrist has long been at work in the world.  Things that happen may cause us to think the day of the Lord has come. However, the day of the Lord has not yet begun.  2 Thessalonians 2:3 makes it clear that the man of  lawlessness, the beast, must first be revealed, and 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 makes it clear that he cannot be revealed until the restrainer is removed.

And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.  (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7, NASB)

The One who holds him back is the Holy Spirit present in the Church, the Body of Christ.  The removal of this Restrainer will occur with the rapture of the Church.  This will complete the age of the Gentiles where God has been working to fulfill His promise to bring salvation to the Nations.

However, in relation to the Lord's return, at the rapture we are described as meeting the Lord in the air.  Jesus is not described as setting His feet on the ground.  1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 says:

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. (NASB)

Once this occurs, the man of lawlessness will be revealed, the seventieth week of Daniel 9 will begin, and so will the day of the Lord.  This will complete the 70 weeks decreed for the nation of Israel and be the period known as the great tribulation.  This has to do with God's promises to the nation of Israel.

At the end of this tribulation period, the Lord Himself will fight against the Beast and his army.  This is what is described in Revelation 19:19-21.

19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. 20 And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21 Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies.

 This battle is also foretold in Zechariah 14:3-4, which says:

Then the LORD will go out to fight against those nations, as he has fought in times past. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. And the Mount of Olives will split apart, making a wide valley running from east to west. Half the mountain will move toward the north and half toward the south.  (NLT)

This describes a coming of the Lord not understood by those who did not foresee the church age and/or perceive the separate promise of God to bring salvation to the nations.

This second coming described by Revelation 19 and Zechariah 14 will precede the Millennial Kingdom.  While Isaiah, Ezekiel and other passages refer to the Millennial Kingdom, Revelation 20 describes it in very clear language:

1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand. 2 He seized the dragon—that old serpent, who is the devil, Satan—and bound him in chains for a thousand years. 3 The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished. Afterward he must be released for a little while.

4 Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their forehead or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.  (Revelation 20:1-4, NLT)

At the time of His incarnation, Jesus was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.  He bore our sins.  He bore our sorrows.  By His wounds, we are healed.  God laid on Him the iniquity of us all.  (Isaiah 53)  However, look at how He is described in Revelation 19:11-13:

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.

This is the Jesus who was born in a manger to a young virgin named Mary.  This is the same Jesus who allowed Himself to be beaten, stripped and spit upon.  This is the same Jesus who died to save us from our sins.  However, this time He is coming to judge the nations.  A great spiritual truth will be demonstrated before the eyes of all the earth.  John 3:36 says:

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (ESV)

These things are coming.  Jesus will come, first for His Church and then to judge the nations.  Are you ready?

I do not want believers in Christ to be shaken, thinking the day of the Lord has already begun.  But, I do want us all to be shaken if we are serving anything or anyone besides the Lord.  We are so busy.  Life is full of challenges, adventures and pleasures.  Our appetite for these things can easily become our god.  1 John 2:15-17 tells us:

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.  (ESV)

We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  (Romans 3:23)  The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)  The Lord promises, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  (Romans 10:13)

Come and accept Jesus as your Savior today.

If you, for some reason, choose not to accept Jesus now and one day find that all the believers have disappeared, remember this message.  Seven horrible, terrible, very bad years are decreed and then the King of Kings and Lord of Lords will appear.  At any time during those seven years, you can save your eternal soul by calling on the name of the Lord to be saved.  It will be better for you though if you just do it now.

Jesus is coming and:

On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.  (Revelation 19:16, ESV)

The Day of the Lord

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11


The day of the Lord is coming.

For those who believe in Christ, this is good news.  For as 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 says:

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. (NLT)

The day of His appearing will be a time of rejoicing for those who believe, but for those who do not, there is only the certain expectation of wrath, judgment and trouble.  However, even then there will be hope for those who repent. 

The day of the Lord is a term used to describe a series of events foretold by the Scriptures regarding what could be termed the end of the world or end times prophecies.  There are ministries whose entire existence centers around end times prophecies and world events: interpretations abound.

The passage we just read refers to the rapture of the church.  However, three major teachings are dominant in regard to the rapture of the Church.  These three are pre, mid and post.  That is to say, pre means pre-tribulation.  This is the teaching that Jesus will rapture His Church before the tribulation.  This is often shortened so that one hears "pretrib." Mid and Post correspond to teachings that Jesus will return either in the middle of the seven year tribulation or at the end of the seven year tribulation.

These teachings are not to be confused with teachings regarding the millennium.  The "tribulation" refers to seven years of unsurpassed evil and suffering.  It will be a time of God's judgment, and a chance for the unbelieving to repent and be saved.  The "millennium" refers to the thousand year reign of Christ on earth referred to in Revelation 20.

There are also three major teachings on the millennium:  Pre, post or "a-."  These three teachings have to do with when and whether or not Jesus will set up a literal, physical kingdom on earth.  We are pre-mil, according to our doctrinal statement.  In other words, we believe and teach that the tribulation and Jesus' return will happen before the millennial kingdom of Christ on earth.

While our doctrinal statement says nothing about pre, mid or post trib, we clearly state that we are pre-millennial or "pre-mil."  This is because of the clear teaching of Scripture.  We know the Spirit is indicating that Jesus will reign on earth.  We know the Spirit is indicating there will be a period of tribulation preceding Jesus' reign.  However, we are not in agreement about the timing of the rapture of the Church in relation to the tribulation.  While I am convinced the Scriptures are clear on this point, I leave room for the Holy Spirit to convict me if I have misinterpreted His Word.

The tribulation and millennium together form a concept known as the "Day of the Lord."  1 Thessalonians 5:2 uses the term "day of the Lord" to describe the events of the last days. 

 As I said, there are ministries whose whole focus is on the end times or the day of the Lord, and interpretations abound.  Some have been led astray by false doctrines in regard to these things, and even false religions and cults have sprung up as biblical prophecies are twisted or misused.  Therefore, it is surprising that Paul starts 1 Thessalonians 5 with the statement:

Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you.  (1 Thessalonians 5:1, NLT)

Literally, he says, "Now concerning times and seasons..." 

Is he saying this because these things are not important?

No, he is saying this because they already knew the truth.  He is saying this to us as well.  We already have all the revelation we need to discern the truth. 

He uses the same language in 1 Thessalonians 4:9 in relation to love.  He says:

But we don't need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another.  (NLT)

Loving each other is very important, and the reason Paul says there is no need to write to them about the importance is because they are taught by God.  It is the same way with times and seasons.  We are expected to know.  Jesus scolded the religious teachers of His day because they could read the signs in the sky for the weather, but they could not discern the signs of the times.  In truth, the point of the passage we are looking at today is that we should not be caught by surprise at the coming of the day of the Lord.

What is essential for us is that we encourage each other and build each other up.  This is the conclusion that the Spirit works toward in verse 11.

We have all heard the saying that the day will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.  And indeed, this is what verse 2 of 1 Thessalonians 5 starts with.  It says:

For you know quite well that the day of the Lord's return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.  (NLT)

At first glance, this does not seem encouraging.  However, it works to the encouraging of us believers, and as a strong warning to those who do not believe.

First, he gives the warning.  1 Thessalonians 5 3 says:

When people are saying, "Everything is peaceful and secure," then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman's labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.  (NLT)

It is important to note that this says, "When people are saying..."  It is ambiguous who is talking.  However, it is clear that believers are not saying this.  The Spirit clearly says that in the last days mockers will come, mocking the day of His appearing.  2 Peter 3:3-4 says:

Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.”  (NLT)

It is upon such people that disaster will fall suddenly.  This is why 1 Thessalonians 5:4 says:
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief.  (NASB)

The teaching and encouragement begins here.  Only those who do not take the word of God seriously will be caught off guard.  The "thief in the night" analogy is for those who are asleep, not for us believers.  There is no need to write to us believers about the times and seasons because we are already taught by God to be aware of the times and the seasons.  Jesus is very clear that no one knows the day or hour of His appearing, but He also makes it clear that we should know the season.

This is where 1 Thessalonians 5:6 says, "Stay alert and be clearheaded."  This is a two-part exhortation.  The first part is to be alert, and the second part is to be clearheaded.

First, how do we stay alert?

I know I am speaking to those who take the word of God seriously, but I fear for those who do not.  How often does the word of God warn us to stay alert?  Jesus told a parable of a master who went away and left a servant in charge.  In this parable Jesus taught, "Blessed is that servant whose master returns and finds him doing his job."  (Matthew 24:46, Berean Study Bible)  This seems to indicate there is a tendency for us to let down our guard and start "goofing off," as it were.

The first step in staying alert is to make our spiritual life a priority.  The goal of a daily quite time is a relationship.  Everyone has knowledge.  I do not need to fill you with more knowledge, but I must exhort and encourage  you to spend time alone with God every day.  This is what Paul is talking about when he says he does not need to write to us about times and seasons.  Knowledge is not the problem, staying alert is.  When I say alone with God, I do not mean a devotional book.  I  mean time alone with the Bible and the Spirit of God.  Ask God questions.  Look at the verse you are reading and ask God why.  "Why is this important?"  "Why is this here?"  We all miss days, but I do not know why.  I have also gone days without talking to my wife, and I know from experience that this is a sure recipe for disaster, and a very stupid practice.  While my wife is very patient, God is much more patient.  However, this does not decrease the trouble I can get myself into if I am not listening to Him.  I do not want to be legalistic about this, but how can we have a relationship with God if we do not take the time to listen to Him?  This is the only way to stay alert that I know of.

1 Thessalonians 5:5 says:

For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

Here, Paul's exhortation shifts focus from being alert to being clearheaded.  Whoever takes the time to be in the word of God daily will develop knowledge.  However, knowledge without humility and application to our lives leads only to pride and arrogance.   1 Corinthians 8:1 warns us, "But knowledge puffs up while love builds up." (NIV)  I am not speaking against knowledge as much as I am trying to remind us all that it is important to remember who we are.  Jesus reminded us that we are the light of the world.   Ephesians 5:1 reminds us to imitate God because we are His children, and here in 1 Thessalonians  5 we are being reminded that we are children of the light.  We do not belong to darkness and night. The danger to us as believers is not the difficulties that are to come, but becoming so intoxicated by the world that we live like we belong to the darkness around us.

1 Timothy 4:1-2 warns us:

Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.

This is why 1 Thessalonians 5:6 and 8 tell us to be clearheaded.  We are to have a sober assessment of the times and seasons we are living in, and verse 8 points us to the tools at our disposal that will enable us to remain clearheaded.

Verse 8 reminds us of the armor of God presented to us in Ephesians 6. It says:

But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

The armor of faith and love is the breastplate of righteousness.  Our hearts are protected by the shield of faith and by the attitude of love.  The shield of faith works by our confidence in the word of God.  If the world we live in has shaken our faith in the word of God, we will not stand.  If the world we live in has quenched the fire of our love for God and our brothers and sisters in Christ, we will not stand.  The helmet of salvation is our confidence in the truth of the gospel that protects our minds. 

If we stay alert by humbly spending time alone with God every day, we stay clearheaded by humbly remaining  in fellowship with other believers every week. This is why verse 11 says:

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

If we do not stay alert and clearheaded, the Lord's return will sneak up on us like a thief in the night.  Caught off guard, we will suffer loss.  However, there is no reason we should be caught off guard.  The best preparation we can have is to stay ready.  If we stay ready, we will not need to get ready.  Indeed, this is the only way we will be ready.  If you are not ready, there is not much time so get ready now, today.

Dry Bones

Ezekiel 37

Can dry bones hear?

The Lord took hold of Ezekiel and carried him off to a valley filled with bones. 

This was all very real to Ezekiel.  He does not say he had a vision, nor does he use any language suggesting that it only seemed that he was in a valley filled with bones.  He was there – bones all around him.  He could feel the hot sun on his back, and hear the drone of the lone fly buzzing around.  He could hear the sounds of desert insects.

I remember those sounds.  I grew up on the northern edge of the Great Basin Desert.  According to Wikipedia, it covers much of, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Oregon and California.  Dry skeletons of cattle or coyotes were not that rare, but I never saw a human skeleton, let alone a whole valley full of them.  I picture the dry sandy soil.  I feel the hot dry air that must have surrounded Ezekiel.

Ezekiel is drawing a picture for us.  Can you walk with Ezekiel as he looks around the valley?  As he walked among the bones, Ezekiel observed that there were very many of them and they were very dry.  They were human bones – a great army (verse 10).

Then the Lord asks Ezekiel a question.

“Son of man, can these bones become living people again?”  (Ezekiel 37:3, NLT)

Literally translated, God asks, “Can these bones live?  Humanly speaking the answer is an obvious, “No!”  This is the point of the question.  Once when Jesus was teaching His disciples about salvation they said, “Then who in the world can be saved?”  (Matthew 19:25, NLT)  Jesus answered:

“Humanly speaking, it is impossible.  But with God everything is possible.”  (Matthew 19:26, NLT)

This is the point of the question.  Humanly, there was no possible way those bones could live.  This is an important point.  God asks the question to point out this rather obvious point.

God is pointing to the nation of Israel, but the parallel to our salvation is clear.  There is no possible way that we who were dead in our trespasses and sins could save ourselves.

Ezekiel responds, “Lord God, You know.”  (Ezekiel 37:3, NASB)

Apparently, Ezekiel realized that God could do anything, and so avoided giving his human reaction of “No possible way!”

Next, God tells Ezekiel to speak to the bones, and say, “Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord.” 

Talking to dry bones is a bit strange.  However, it makes a point.  The principle here is important.  In Isaiah 55:11, God says:

…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.  (NIV)

Jesus also said:

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.  (Matthew 24:35, NIV)

It was by the word of the Lord that the world came into existence.  God’s word can accomplish anything because God can do anything He pleases.  This is the true meaning of sovereignty.  There are no limits on God.  He does whatever pleases Him.  What is the point of talking to dry bones?  Can dry bones hear?  If it is the word of the Lord to them, yes they can.

As Ezekiel spoke to the bones, they came back together.  Then he prophesied to the wind and the freshly reassembled bodies came back to life.  The word for wind and spirit are the same, so we can assume this is the working of the Spirit of God.

This prophecy has gained a lot of attention over the years.  It is a fascinating picture and has been put to music, as you all know.  The order in which the bodies come back together is rather gruesome if one thinks about it.  However, the order is important and we will see why in a little while.  The dry bones are obviously symbolic.  However, the prophecy interprets the dry bones for us.

Ezekiel 37:11 says:

Then he said to me, "Son of man, these bones represent the people of Israel.  They are saying, 'We have become old, dry bones--all hope is gone.  Our nation is finished.'  (NLT)

The dry bones represent the nation of Israel. 

In 70 A.D., Rome sacked Jerusalem and destroyed the nation of Israel.  The Israel and Judaism Studies website says:

The dispersion of the Jewish people is traditionally dated from the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE…  The Roman historian Cassius Dio records that in a subsequent revolt in 135 CE some 580,000 Jewish soldiers were killed; and following that revolt the Emperor Hadrian decreed that the name "Judea" should be replaced by "Syria Palestina" - Philistine Syria or "Palestine".[i]

The fortunes of Palestine were not good.  Just as the Lord had said through His prophets, the land became a wasteland.  According to the website just quoted:

By the 19th century the population of Turkish Palestine had been reduced to less than 500,000, including about 25,000 Jews.  The only fertile areas were in the narrow central plain.  The north consisted of rocky hills and of valleys in which large regions had degenerated into malaria-ridden swampland, while the south was mostly desert.[ii]

The people of Israel were scattered throughout the world.  There was no hope for the nation.

On November 2, 1917, the British government issued what is known as the Balfour Declaration.  This declaration announced the support of the British for the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine.  Up to this point there did not seem to be any hope of Israel existing again as a nation.  Then on May 14, 1948, Israel was declared and recognized as an independent, sovereign state by the international community.  These are just two events in the long history of the Jewish people who lived for centuries without a homeland and yet never gave up their Jewish identity.  The events of the last hundred years have seen a dead nation come back to life.  The dry bones that Ezekiel spoke to heard the word of the Lord.

This is a direct fulfillment of Ezekiel 37:12-14, which says:

¹²Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel.  ¹³Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them.  ¹⁴I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land.  Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’ 

God is bringing the people back to the land.  Not all of this is completed.  I do not believe that the Spirit of God is in them yet, and they do not yet recognize their Messiah.  However, what could not be envisioned for almost 1900 years has come about.  Every year the Jewish people continue to immigrate to Israel until the population is now over 8 million.

This also is consistent with the three-step process of the bodies being restored.  First, the bones came together, then flesh covered the bones and then the Spirit was breathed into them.

First, the bones came together.  This began when the Balfour Declaration started the immigration of the people of Israel back to their homeland.  However, they were technically under British rule.  They were not their own nation.

Then, in 1948, Israel was given her independence and recognized as a nation by the world.  The bones now had flesh.  Israel has a government, a constitution, laws and a parliament, but they are spiritually dead.  If one moves from the Arab section of Jerusalem to the Jewish section, the spiritual darkness is the same.  Both proclaim there is one God and both deny that Jesus is the Messiah.

Ezekiel 37:21 says:

Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from all around, and bring them to their own land.  (ESV)

God has done this: dry bones.

Ezekiel 37:22 says:

And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel.  (ESV)

God has done this: flesh on the bones.

Ezekiel 37:22-24 says:

And one king shall be king over them all, and they shall be no longer two nations, and no longer divided into two kingdoms.  ²³They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols and their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions.  But I will save them from all the backslidings in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

²⁴“My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd.

God has not done this yet.  This is the third step in the process represented by the Spirit breathing life into the corpses.  The title of this series is “What’s Next?” and this is the answer.  This is what is next. 

This breathing of life into Israel will be a traumatic time.  Jesus spoke of the beginning of birth pangs that were not yet the end, but Jeremiah speaks of the birth pangs.  Jeremiah 30:5-7 says:

⁵Thus says the LORD:  We have heard a cry of panic, of terror, and no peace.  ⁶Ask now, and see, can a man bear a child?  Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor?  Why has every face turned pale?  ⁷Alas!  That day is so great there is none like it; it is a time of distress for Jacob; yet he shall be saved out of it.  (ESV)

This is the time of trouble known as the Tribulation.  Notice, verse 7 says it is a time of distress for Jacob.  This is also spoken of as “Jacob’s travail” or “Jacob’s trouble.”

The Tribulation is not meant for the Church.  1 Thessalonians 5:9 gives us the encouragement that God has not destined us for wrath.  Those seven years are what remains of Daniel’s seventy weeks and God’s promise to Israel to:

… finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.  (Daniel 9:24, ESV)

This is the Spirit blowing life into the nation.  Then as Ezekiel 37 and Jeremiah 30 say:

“My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd.”  (Ezekiel 37:24, ESV)

These things are written for our encouragement.  We do not need to despair like those who have no hope.  We do not need to store up food for the seven years of trouble. 

I want to close with a parable that Jesus gave:

¹¹As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately.  ¹²He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return.  ¹³Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’” (Luke 19:11-13, ESV)

This is what we are to be doing until Jesus returns.  We are to be engaged in business, Kingdom business -- not entangled in civilian affairs.  (2 Timothy 2:4)

We have been given His Spirit to be His witnesses until He returns.  These are the last days.  The bones have come together.  The flesh is on the bones.  The wind is picking up.

---

[i] http://www.ijs.org.au/Historical-Background/default.aspx  (Accessed October 27, 2017)

[ii] ibid.

Seventy Weeks

Daniel 9

The Bible is one story.  It has many parts but all the parts fit together. 

The message of redemption is simple enough that a child can understand it.  It goes like this.  I am a sinner.  Jesus died for my sins.  If I accept Jesus as my Savior, He will forgive me of all my sins and make me part of His family. 

As we get older, we fill in a lot more details, and we are also able to understand a lot more of the story.  Details concerning creation, the fall, God’s promises to Abraham and many others all get added to our understanding.  However, our basic understanding does not change.

In much the same way, our understanding of prophecy is built on the whole of Scripture.  A child can understand Jesus is coming back.  However, the Scriptures have a lot more to say about His return and the circumstances of His return.

While there are many reasons why it is important for us to understand Bible prophecy, let’s look at just a couple. 

First, understanding prophecy is important to the believer to keep us from being deceived.  Jesus warned:

“Don’t let anyone mislead you, ⁵for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. ⁶And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. (Not panicking or being upset is another reason to understand prophecy.)  Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. ⁷Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. ⁸But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.  (Matthew 24:4-8, NLT)

Jesus clearly says, “Do not be deceived.” There are other passages that warn of the deception that is in the world, and as we see in these words of Jesus, many will be deceived.  In the Bible, God has given us enough information that we need not be deceived.

Second, understanding Bible prophecy is important to give us hope.  Titus 2:13 calls the return of our Lord our “blessed hope.” While there are many truths that give us hope, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 mentions just one:

¹³And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. ¹⁴For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

The resurrection of the dead and the reign of Christ on earth are elements of Biblical prophecy that give us hope.  However, not all Biblical prophecy was meant for us to fully understand.

Some elements of Bible prophecy are meant for the help of those who are living in the future times spoken of.  In other words, some things will be clear to those going through the tribulation that may not be clear to us.  These passages will give hope to those living in such times.  In 1 Peter 1:10-11, Peter explains that the prophets did not always understand what they were given.  Then in verse 12 he says:

It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.  (1 Peter 1:12, ESV)

We are to study diligently to understand, and pray that God will make the meaning clear to us.  2 Timothy 2:15 tells us:

Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

It is important for us to apply ourselves to the Word of God, and understand what is given to us.  However, we cannot go beyond what is written and fill in details that are not there in the text.  For example, we will not know the name of the antichrist before the rapture.  2 Thessalonians 2:5-8 makes this clear.  So, stop trying to guess who it might be.  It is a waste of time.  It is enough to know that the spirit of antichrist is already at work in the world.

When Daniel was praying for his nation and confessing his sins and the sins of his people in Daniel chapter 9, God sent Gabriel with a message to give Daniel insight and understanding.  As I have said, the entire Bible fits together, and all of Bible prophecy fits together.  When Gabriel gave his message to Daniel, he also gave us important information about God’s plans.  Understanding the seventy weeks of Daniel 9 can keep us from being deceived.  Understanding the seventy weeks of Daniel 9 can give us hope.  Understanding the seventy weeks of Daniel 9 helps us understand some other prophecies, and particularly the book of Revelation.

Gabriel told Daniel:

A period of seventy sets of seven has been decreed for your people and your holy city to finish their rebellion, to put an end to their sin, to atone for their guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.  (Daniel 9:24, NLT)

Most translations translate the “sets of seven” as weeks.  It is clear from the context that Gabriel is referring to sets of seven years.  It is not natural in the English language to refer to “weeks of years,” but this was the Hebrew way of thinking and speaking.  Therefore, seventy weeks or seventy sets of seven are referring to 490 years not 490 days.

Next, and this is important, Gabriel said, “…has been decreed for your people and your holy city…” 

Who are Daniel’s people?  The Jews! 

What holy city is Gabriel referring to?  Jerusalem!

The Church is not Israel and Israel is not the Church.  Failure to make this distinction leads to a lot of confusion and the necessity to “spiritualize” many of the prophecies.  We are living in the times of the Gentiles. Jesus said, “Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”  (Luke 21:24, ESV)  In order to understand Biblical prophecy, it is important to keep this distinction.

God states the purpose of the seventy weeks.  He says these weeks are to “finish their rebellion, to put an end to their sin, to atone for their guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.

So, God has a plan for His people to end their rebellion.  The plan is not completed yet.  We know that the atonement spoken of has taken place with Jesus on the cross, but bringing in everlasting righteousness and anointing the Most Holy are yet to be completed.  It is worth noting that the word “Place” is added by the translators.  The Hebrew is ambiguous.  It could mean the Most Holy Place in the Temple, or it could mean a person.  Literally, the passage just says, “and to anoint the Most Holy.”

Now let’s consider the rest of the prophecy.  Gabriel says:

Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler—the Anointed One—comes. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, despite the perilous times.

After this period of sixty-two sets of seven, the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing…  (Daniel 9:25-26, NLT)

Here again, it is important to notice the exact words of the prophecy.  The decree is to rebuild Jerusalem, not the temple.

2 Chronicles 36:22-33 and Ezra 1 tell of a decree by King Cyrus of Persia commanding the rebuilding of the Temple.  This decree was issued in 538 B.C.  Ezra records two additional decrees issued in relation to the temple.  (Ezra 6:1, 6-12 and 7:11-26)  However, Nehemiah 2:1-8 records a decree issued by Artaxerxes Longimanus authorizing the rebuilding of the city of Jerusalem.  This decree was issued on March 4, 444 B.C.  (Of course, this date will vary by which school of thought one subscribes to.  The NLT note puts it in April of 445 B.C.  I am going with the dates given by Dr. John Walvoord in his book, “End Times,” but after a few thousand years it may not be worth quibbling over a year or two.)

We know that when Nehemiah started to build the wall of Jerusalem, it only took 52 days.  However, they completed the wall not the city.  Nehemiah set up a system (Nehemiah 11:1) where one tenth of the population lived in Jerusalem and the other nine tenths lived in the surrounding area.  By this means, at the end of 49 years, Jerusalem was rebuilt with streets and strong defenses just as was foretold of the first set of seven sevens.

The prophecy also foretold another sixty-two sets of seven for a total of sixty-nine sets of seven.  At first glance, 444 B.C. plus 483 years (7 times 69) puts us at 39 A.D., but this is doing the math with our Gregorian calendar.  The Gregorian is a solar calendar based on the sun and seasons.  The Hebrews used a lunar calendar.  Our years are calculated on the basis of a 365-day year.  The Bible calculates on a 360-day year.  For example, Revelations 11:2, 12:6 and 13:5 speak of 42 months or 3 ½ years as being 1,260 days.  If we do the math:  1,260 divided by 3 ½ equals 360.  When 483 years is multiplied by 360 days it equals 173,880 days, which corresponds to 33 A.D.  As a matter of fact, March 5, 444 B.C. to March 30, 33 A.D., the day of Jesus’ Triumphal entry is 173,880 days. (Calculated using the true length of a year as being 365.2422 days.)  The triumphal entry was followed a few days later with the crucifixion.[i]  Again, this is consistent with Gabriel’s words, “…the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing…” (Daniel 9:26)

It is important to note that so far nothing has been said about the seventieth week.  Christ was to be cut off after the sixty-ninth week.  This introduces a gap.  Verse 26 says:

And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. (ESV)

The city and the temple were destroyed 37 years after Jesus’ crucifixion.  The prophecy says “the people of the prince who is to come” will be the ones who destroy the temple, which describes the Roman Empire. The text does not say “the prince who is to come.”  This confirms that there is a gap intended here.  Gabriel picks up the seventieth week with verse 27.

And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.  (ESV)

The “he” here refers to “the prince who is to come” not to Christ. We see the half of the week reflected in the 42 months prophesied in Revelation.

The gap is explained by what I mentioned earlier about the times of the Gentiles. Remember the seventy weeks of Daniel has to do with the Jews.  Paul explained:

¹³Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry ¹⁴in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. ¹⁵For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?

²⁵Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. ²⁶And in this way all Israel will be saved…  (Romans 11:13-15, 25-26, ESV)

Notice it says, “…until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” God still has a plan for the Jews, but this is the Church age, the time when Jerusalem is trampled underfoot by the Gentiles. The seventieth week is the 7 years of the tribulation, when the prince who is to come will make a strong covenant with the people of Israel.

I want to encourage you with the certainty of these events.  I will end with the words of the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonian church:

¹Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. ²Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. ³Don’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 2:1-2, NLT)

From 2 Thessalonians 2:7 we know that the man of lawlessness will not be revealed until the restrainer is out of the way.  Therefore, as in the passage above we can know for certain that the day of the Lord has not begun yet.  As long as we, the Church, are still here, we can know for certain that the day of the Lord has not already begun.

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[i] Calculations and content taken largely from:  “End Times: Understanding Today’s World Events in Biblical Prophecy”, John F. Walvoord.  Copyright 1998 by Word Publishing.  pgs. 112-119.