Tag: Church

The Rapture (Part 4) – How It Will Happen

On By TimIn 1 Thessalonians 04, Rapture1 Comment

The previous post helped us to understand the myriad of ideas people attempt to use to debunk the rapture. Though it was not exhaustive, hopefully, it provided enough of an impetus for your own study. We also discussed some parts of the Olivet Discourse and Jesus’ teaching.

Let’s now explore how it will happen.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall be forever with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I find that verse self-explanatory. It serves to stand by itself. There are other references that may bring some light to what is here.

The first point is the use of familiar military practices. Paul uses these as they would be familiar to Romans who understood the chain of command.

The Lord Himself Will Descend.

First, Jesus leaves His current place. Where is His current place?

To answer that, we are going to use the book of Hebrews. This book speaks to Jesus as being better than the rudiments of the law given to Israel in every way.

God, who at various times and in diverse ways spoke long ago to the fathers through the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the world. He is the brightness of His glory, the express image of Himself, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had by Himself purged our sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. He was made so much better than the angels as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.

Hebrews 1:1–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Did you catch the location there?

Let’s move forward.

Previously when He said, “You did not desire sacrifices and offerings. You have had no pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin,” which are offered in accordance with the law, then He said, “See, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:8–10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In speaking about Jesus as High Priest and performing all of His work. The law served as a teacher, instructing in types and shadows yet pointing right to Jesus. It is the old covenant with its sacrifices and offerings that is complete in Jesus. It served its purpose by instruction. Jesus removes it to establish the better way.

But every priest stands daily ministering and repetitively offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time He has been waiting for His enemies to be made His footstool. For by one offering He has forever perfected those who are sanctified.

Hebrews 10:11–14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

He offered one sacrifice for sins forever. Then the Bible says something profound… He sat down. The significance of that is important on its own. The work of the High Priest was never finished until then. For our purposes, the location of where Jesus sat down is important. It is at the right hand of the Father. That is where He is.

Jesus announced the fact to those who tried Him.

From now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.

Luke 22:69 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is exactly how Mark closes his Gospel.

After the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat at the right hand of God.

Mark 16:19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Paul also provides a witness to attest to His ministry now.

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes, who is risen, who is also at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

Romans 8:34 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There are some other references. I will leave those for you to discover.

It is an important idea to grasp. Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father. There is also a significance to Him leaving that place that is revealed earlier. Look at the account of Stephen right before he is stoned. What is the significance of Jesus standing?

When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed their teeth at him. But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

Acts 7:54–56 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus is no longer seated. It is thought that Stephen seeing Jesus standing is the precursor to His return.

Personally, it is my belief that Jesus is fulfilling His promise to every believer to come and receive them to Himself. I understand that may be conjecture, but it is the promise with which we began this journey, as discussed earlier.

Jesus is going to leave His current place at the right hand of the Father.

With a Shout.

The Greek word used here is keleuma. It is a summons to carry out a procedure sort of like a battle cry. It is a military term. Paul is using the very familiar practices of the Roman army as a pictorial lesson in the sequence. Jesus, the Lord of Hosts leaves His abode and gives a command. This is much like the commander leaving his tent and shouting a command to a subcommander.

With the Voice of the Archangel.

The sub-commander repeats the command.

The Greek word used here archaggelos (archangel) is used twice in the New Testament. Both times it is preceded by a definitive article denoting the presence of a title. The second occurrence is here, and we are given a name to identify the archangel.

Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil in a dispute about the body of Moses, did not dare to pronounce upon him a railing judgment. But he said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

Jude 9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Some of Michael’s duties are given to us in Scripture. One of those is as the guardian of Israelis.

“And at that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who shall be found written in the book.

Daniel 12:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is Michael who serves as the subcommander here.

With the Trumpet Call of God.

This is the Greek salpinx, or trumpet call of God. As continuing the military theme, this word is also used as war trumpet. It is the bugler that transmits the command to the troops with the trumpet.

If the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for the battle?

1 Corinthians 14:8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Paul referenced that word elsewhere. This shows the clear sounds a bugler must make to ensure the command is transmitted clearly to be understood. In the context of that verse, Paul is speaking about the use of tongues and the clarity, the idea is the distinction in the sounds made. This trumpet will be clear.

I also want to provide some other references as to what this may be. The first is in Hebrews. It is important and lends itself to our discussion. Hebrews 12 will reference first-born, a term that has significance in the rapture.

You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and storm, and to the sound of a trumpet and to a voice speaking words, such that those who heard them begged that the word not be spoken to them anymore.

Hebrews 12:18–19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This references the giving of the law to Israel at Mount Sinai in the Exodus (Exodus 18.) The account tells of how the trumpet sounds became louder and louder. The people feared approaching God. The writer of Hebrews uses this as an antitype to another mountain, Mount Zion. He calls it the city of the Living God, New Jerusalem. Specific language references the innumerable company of angels, and to the church of the firstborn. That is us, Spirit-baptized believers.

In part 2, we discussed the end of the earthly ministry of the church. Revelation 4 was briefly discussed. After Jesus finishes His letters to the seven churches, John is caught up to heaven and the word church is absent from the rest of the book until the very end.

After this I looked. And there was an open door in heaven. The first voice I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” Immediately I was in the Spirit. And there was a throne set in heaven with One sitting on the throne!

Revelation 4:1–2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

John heard a voice like a trumpet. That is the same Greek word salpinx. Though this was a voice like a trumpet and not just a trumpet call.

The important thing is John heard the command, come up here. Immediately John was in the sprit and in the presence of God. John’s experience serves as a type of Rapture. He is called up and immediately in the presence of the Lord.

The Dead in Christ Will Rise First

This is the concern of the Thessalonians. They knew of the rapture but had questions of those who preceded them in death not benefiting from the rapture.

But I would not have you ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and arose again, so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who are asleep.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–15 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Those who are asleep in Jesus, rise first. These church saints benefit before the alive believers can benefit.

We Who Are Alive and Remain Shall be Caught up Together with Them in the Clouds to Meet the Lord in the Air.

The Spirit-baptized church saints are caught up together with the previously asleep church saints that are resurrected. We meet the Lord in the air together. Jesus never sets foot on the earth. He comes in the clouds; we meet Him in the clouds.

All of this happens very fast. Just as John was caught up and immediately in the presence of God, so shall the rapture be.

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

1 Corinthians 15:52 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

As Paul wrote of the rapture in a later epistle, he shows some of the same sequential order. There is a trumpet sound, the dead are resurrected first, then those alive are raised.

Just as previously stated, this event will be as the angels described in Acts 1.

They said, “Men of Galilee, why stand looking toward heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you to heaven, will come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Acts 1:11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Acts 1 gives a description of exactly how Jesus left the saints and would be the model for Him to come in like manner to the saints.

When He had spoken these things, while they looked, He was taken up. And a cloud received Him from their sight.

Acts 1:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We Shall be Forever with the Lord.

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels; to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, who are enrolled in heaven; to God, the Judge of all; and to the spirits of the righteous ones made perfect; and to Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant; and to the sprinkled blood that speaks better than that of Abel.

Hebrews 12:22–24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I love that description of who we are in Jesus. It is immovable and forever.

Comfort One Another with These Words.

The Thessalonians were told to comfort one another. They were assured. None of the church saints who preceded them in death would miss out on the rapture. They would all benefit. And the sequence would occur in the blink of an eye.

Concluding Thoughts.

There is a sequential order of the rapture that is revealed. Those alive are changed immediately. But not before those who are dead in Christ. All of these happen because Jesus rose as Firstfruits. Firstfruits that benefit His body, the church.

There is also a sequence of end-times events that are revealed here and elsewhere. It is fitting that we understand the church had a beginning and it will have an end. The rapture fits in as one of the pieces to understanding. The coming Kingdom is a Jewish kingdom that we fit in because of the Messiah Jesus Christ.

But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came by man, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward, those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end when He will deliver up the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He will reign until He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For He “has put all things under His feet.” But when He says, “all things are put under Him,” it is revealed that He, who has put all things under Him, is the exception. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

1 Corinthians 15:20–28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This serves as a witness to another greater sequence of events. The end of the ministry of the church at the rapture. Yet that is not the end but the seeming beginning of it. The end is yet in the future when He will deliver the Kingdom to God. That doesn’t occur until He reigns. And He reigns until all enemies are under His feet.

Next, we will explore the idea of the mystery of the rapture.

The Rapture (Part 3) – What it is Not

On By TimIn 1 Thessalonians 04, Rapture2 Comments

The previous post attempted to explain what the rapture is. We know the rapture is a catching away of church saints. It helps to have an understanding of what the rapture is not, and the other things people say about the rapture.

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall be forever with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The Word Rapture is Not in the Bible

This is often one of the most widely used ideas used to deny the rapture. It is true, that the English word rapture is not in the Bible. But the Greek word for the rapture is. That word is harpazo. Here is a definition from a reliable lexicon.

ἁρπάζω harpazō, – ‘snatch, seize’, i.e. take suddenly and vehemently, or take away in the sense of
1. to make off w. someone’s property by attacking or seizing, steal, carry off, drag away
2. to grab or seize suddenly so as to remove or gain control, snatch/take away

Definition provided by William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 134.

The word rapture enters the English language from Middle French rapture, which is derived from the medieval Latin raptura. Raptura is defined as seizure and/or kidnapping. The medieval Latin word has as its root the Latin raptus, which conveys the idea of a carrying off.

For the word nerds like I tend to be, here is a technical explanation (not that I do prefer technical illustrations.) In the text above from 1 Thessalonians, the Koine Greek verb form ἁρπαγησόμεθα (harpagēsometha) is used. It means we shall be caught up or taken away. The Koine word is correctly translated into the Latin Vulgate as rapiemur, meaning we are caught up or we are taken away. The Latin word has a root in the Latin verb rapio, meaning to catch up or take away.

Clearly, the word idea meant by rapture is in the Bible. To help alleviate any confusion let’s use an older, yet still reliable lexicon.

RAP’TURE, noun [Latin raptus, rapio.]
1. A seizing by violence. [Little Used.]
2. Transport; ecstasy; violence of a pleasing passion; extreme joy or pleasure.
  Music when thus applied, raises in the mind of the hearer great conceptions; it strengthens devotion and advances praise into rapture
3. Rapidity with violence; a hurrying along with velocity; as rolling with torrent rapture
4. Enthusiasm; uncommon heat of imagination.
  You grow correct, that once with rapture writ.

Noah Webster, American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828 (https://webstersdictionary1828.com/)

Using the word rapture or the term catching up to translate harpazo doesn’t change the way we understand the doctrine. Jesus comes and catches church saints up and away. We know now that the word rapture is not ‘not in the Bible.’

The Rapture is Not the Second Coming

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days, ‘the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’
“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

Matthew 24:29–31 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is the second coming of Jesus. It is markedly different than the rapture. As we’ve learned from previous posts, the rapture is for church saints. The second coming is for Israel, which is easily discerned by the usage of the term elect. It is almost always a term used for Israel as the chosen to make God known to the world. We also know this by the immediate context and audience. Jesus is speaking to a small group of Jewish disciples about as they asked Him what the sign of His coming would be and that of the end of the age (Matthew 24: 3.)

Yes, there are similarities to the rapture of church saints. There is the coming in the clouds, but with great power and glory. There is the great sound of the trumpet, military language for sure. But there is no shout, no voice of the archangel. The elect are gathered, yet the text is silent on where they are gathered.

Let’s examine the other two gospel accounts of the same event.

“But in those days, after that distress, ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give her light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers that are in heaven will be shaken.’
“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. Then He will send His angels and gather His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of the earth to the farthest part of heaven.

Mark 13:24–27 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

“There will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men fainting from fear and expectation of what is coming on the inhabited earth. For the powers of heaven will be shaken.
Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption is drawing near.”

Luke 21:25–28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Each of these accounts describes the same event. There are intriguing details in all three and some that are unique to each.

Common details include coming in the clouds with great power and glory. There are a lot of natural disasters that precedes the event. There is also a sense of doom and foreboding. Two accounts mention the elect being gathered. I will leave the rest for you to examine, and see what other commonalities you can uncover.

The unique details are the things that ought to draw our attention. In the Luke account, a subtle exhortation gives us a hint to the rapture. “When these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption is drawing near.” Jesus is encouraging His disciples to look up for redemption when these things begin to happen, not after. That is an important, yet subtle detail. Especially when we examine the Matthew passage, “immediately after the tribulation of those days.” Redemption for saints is when these begin to happen, the second coming is after the tribulation.

Remember the previous post from Acts 1.

When He had spoken these things, while they looked, He was taken up. And a cloud received Him from their sight.
While they looked intently toward heaven as He ascended, suddenly two men stood by them in white garments. They said, “Men of Galilee, why stand looking toward heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you to heaven, will come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Acts 1:9–11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The rapture occurs in like manner to Jesus’ assumption. It is a private event for those (future) church saints present. There is no fear. There is no perplexity. There is no mourning.

Paul, in another epistle referencing the rapture, calls it the blessed hope.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live soberly, righteously, and in godliness in this present world, as we await the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all lawlessness and purify for Himself a special people, zealous of good works.

Titus 2:11–14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Contrast that with the passage in Matthew that says “all the tribes of the earth will mourn.” These are not the same events.

Now to really ruffle feathers.

The Rapture is Not Middle-Tribulation Nor Post-Tribulation

I understand that statement may be hard to take. But the passages cited above provide us with all we need to know that the rapture occurs before the tribulation. There are other ways to know this.

Alas! for that day is great, so that no one is like it; it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.

Jeremiah 30:7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I encourage everyone to keep in mind when reading the Bible and encounter the phrase ‘that day.’ Most often it is a reference to the end times or last days. Jeremiah calls those days Jacob’s Trouble. In other places, it is described as a time of unprecedented trouble. It is even called great tribulation to explain its unprecedented severity.

“And at that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who shall be found written in the book.

Daniel 12:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

For then will be great tribulation, such as has not happened since the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be.

Matthew 24:21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

These citations are not meant to be all-inclusive, but they serve as sufficient witnesses to this period of time being unprecedented. God even foretold this to Moses as he was dying.

The LORD said to Moses, “You are about to lie down with your fathers, and this people will rise up and begin to prostitute themselves after the gods of the foreigners of the land, where they are going to be among them, and will forsake Me and break My covenant which I have made with them. Then My anger will burn against them on that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide My face from them, and they will be devoured, and many disasters and troubles will befall them, so that they will say in that day, ‘Have not these disasters come upon us because our God is not among us?’ And I will surely hide My face in that day for all the evil things which they shall have done, in that they turned to other gods.

Deuteronomy 31:16–18 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

When these things begin to happen look up for redemption. We are looking to a blessed hope. As previously discussed, the rapture serves as the end of the ministry of the church saints on earth.

The tribulation is judgment for Israel, not the Spirit-baptized church saints. The church escapes that judgment.

The Rapture is Not Already Passed

Because we understand that the rapture comes just as the days of tribulation being, it could not have happened in the first century. This is a view called preterism, which claims all things in the Bible have already happened. Let us look again at Daniel 12.

“And at that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who shall be found written in the book.

Daniel 12:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Preterism will tell you that the Day of the Lord happened when the temple was destroyed in Jerusalem in 70 AD. That just cannot be true given the verse in Daniel. What happened in Jerusalem then, happened in a little backwater of the great Roman Empire. Sure it was devastating to Israel and her people, but relatively non-concerning to the rest of the empire.

Looking at the 120 million or so people that perished in and around the 20th century is surely a great sign of terrible trouble for a greater number of people. Yet according to what we read, even that won’t match what comes.

Given modern knowledge, preterism cannot be true.

The Rapture is Not This

I tell you, on that night two men will be in one bed; the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding grain together; the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two men will be in the field; the one will be taken and the other will be left.”

Luke 17:34–36 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This text is often used as a rapture text. Examining the context and evidence that surrounds it provides a different conclusion. One that is very different. Let’s see the whole passage and what we can learn.

For as the lightning flashes and lights up the heavens from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in His day. But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.
“Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating, drinking, marrying, and were given in marriage until the day when Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.
“Likewise as it was in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built. But on the day that Lot departed from Sodom, fire and brimstone rained from heaven and destroyed them all.
“So will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. On that day let him who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away. And likewise let him who is in the field not return to the things behind. Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. I tell you, on that night two men will be in one bed; the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding grain together; the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two men will be in the field; the one will be taken and the other will be left.”
They asked, “Where, Lord?” He replied, “Where the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.”

Luke 17:24–37 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Like the previous citations from the Gospels, this text is not describing a blessed hope. Jesus sets the tone in the discussion as judgment and begins that discussion with the days before the judgment carried out by the flood. The unbelievers died in the waters. Was it because they couldn’t discern the signs?

To continue pressing His point, the destruction of Sodom is remembered. This is to demonstrate the sudden revealing of the Son of Man. It won’t be expected, at least not with joy for redemption. It comes with a heavy sense of foreboding. People are suddenly taken away.

Those present ask an intriguing question… Where?

They wanted to know where these taken would be. Jesus answers “Where the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.” That is a reference to scavenging birds feasting on a dead corpse. It is explained here.

In Conclusion

We know the rapture is not not in the Bible. It is not the second coming. It does not happen during or after the tribulation. It has not already happened. And it is not the gathering of the elect, nor is it the gathering of unbelievers for a bird feast. As always, my intentions are not to be exhaustive, but to provide enough of a starting point for your own excursion into the depths of God’s Word.

The Rapture (Part 2) – What it Is

On By TimIn John 14, Rapture3 Comments

From the previous post we learned for whom the rapture is inended tobenefit. It is a body called the church. A proper ecclesiology is a necessary foundation to understanding the rapture. Let us now explore what the rapture is.

“Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, you may be also. You know where I am going, and you know the way.”

John 14:1–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There are many that consider this a rapture passage. It is my opinion that it may be used that way, but there are deeper meanings. It is a promise of Jesus to return for the individual believer and receive them to Himself. In that way, each church saint is promised to see the second coming of Jesus. I see that simply because Jesus used personal pronouns here, and addresses what He says to individuals, not just to a corporate body. (This is easily seen in the King James Version for English readers in the difference between ye and you.) Each of us that are believers need not fear. Jesus is coming for each of us.

This passage serves well as a background to attest that Jesus promises to return for the believing saints and receive them to Himself. He told this to His disciples at the Last Supper. Judas was not present, as Jesus had previously sent him on to the betrayal he had set to do. All that were present to hear this were believers. The rapture is just for believers. That is an important idea to keep in mind.

He is Coming Back.

Now that we know that Jesus is going to return to receive saints to Himself, let us explore and see if there are other details to add to this understanding.

But I would not have you ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and arose again, so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who are asleep.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–15 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The first epistle to the Thessalonians serves as a major contributor to our understanding of the event called the rapture or catching away. I understand there is some controversy with the word rapture. Let’s examine that in detail in another installment. For now, the word suffices as an explanation.

Now, let’s move to some more background information that can help our understanding of what Paul is saying. This has to do with how Paul did his mission work.

When they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. According to his custom, Paul went in, and on three Sabbaths he lectured to them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I preach to you, is the Christ.” Some of them were persuaded and joined with Paul and Silas, including a great crowd of devout Greeks and many leading women.

Acts 17:1–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

As he entered a new city, it was Paul’s custom to first preach the Gospel to the Israeli folks in the synagogues. After all, salvation is for everyone who believes, Jewish folk first but also to the Gentile (Romans 1:16.) After preaching to the Israelis in that place, Paul would then preach to the Gentiles. As folks believed, Paul would organize them into a local church. He would remain in the place long enough to teach them all about God. Then he would raise up leaders for that local body and move to a new city.

Paul’s work in Thessalonica was interrupted. There arose great persecution in Thessalonica. Paul had to flee with much of his work unfinished.

But the Jews who did not believe became jealous and, taking some evil men from the marketplace, gathered a crowd, stirred up the city, and attacked the house of Jason, trying to bring them out to the mob. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brothers to the city officials, crying out, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them. They are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” They troubled the crowd and the city officials when they heard these things. When they had taken a bail payment from Jason and the rest, they released them.

Acts 17:5–9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We see what Luke tells us in the books of Acts affirmed in Paul’s lengthy introduction in the epistle. Paul recounts the history of the founding of the church. In it, he introduces some things he will expound upon.

For we know, beloved brothers, your election by God. For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance, just as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. You became followers of us and the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit. Therefore you were examples to all who believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For the word of the Lord sounded out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith in God has gone forth, so that we do not need to say anything. For they themselves declare how we were received by you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 1:4–10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s that last phrase that Paul will expand upon later, waiting for Jesus to come from Heaven. Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come. That is a reference to future events, the return of Jesus, and the wrath to come. His resurrection from the dead is cited as the power that delivers. (I know the MEV uses the past tense delivered, but the Greek word is in the present tense.) That said, Paul is setting the idea to be expanded upon.

But we, brothers, being taken from you for a short time, in presence, not in heart, endeavored all the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. Therefore we wished to come to you—even I, Paul, once and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Will it not even be you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?

1 Thessalonians 2:17–19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Yet again, Paul references a yet future event. Paul was hindered from returning to Thessalonica, and Timothy was sent in his place. Timothy was to encourage them and teach them. Upon returning to Paul, Timothy gave a report. That report leads to the rest of the content of the letter. To help fill in the gaps of their understanding as Paul’s initial ministering and teaching were cut short.

But just now Timothy has come from you to us and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good memories of us, desiring greatly to see us, as we also desire to see you.

1 Thessalonians 3:6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The Rapture

With Paul’s references to the return of Jesus, the Thessalonians were clearly taught certain things about the rapture. From Acts and the introduction in the 1 Thessalonians, we see evidence of continued persecution of saints in the city. Obviously, some of those saints were martyred, and concerns arose over what happens to those martyrs who won’t participate in the benefits of being caught up alive. This was of obvious grave concern to Thessalonians.

As an aside, I think the concern of those in Thessalonica indicates that Paul unequivocally taught them that the rapture was for the church saints. Their question had to do with saints that passed before the rapture and not getting the new body and meeting Jesus in the clouds.

Paul sets out to assure the Thessalonians that those who are asleep will also benefit from the rapture. They will go before those who are alive. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.” We who are alive will not precede those who sleep in Jesus.

In Jesus

Paul uses the phrase in Jesus to be precise. It can be worded differently such as in Him or in Christ. Paul does use it differently, but the precision is just the same. It serves as a shorthand term that references the believer’s identity or position. That identity is by Spirit baptism into the church or the body of Christ.

For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether we are Jews or Gentiles, whether we are slaves or free, and we have all been made to drink of one Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The Rapture is for the Body of Christ.

In Jesus is a carefully used phrase to limit the rapture to church saints. These saints dead or alive both receive the benefits of the rapture. There is an order, and those who have passed beforehand have the preeminence in the event, however slight it may seem. It is for those in Jesus.

This brings us right back to the idea of proper ecclesiology. We know that the church most definitely had a beginning of that Pentecost in Acts 2. In my opinion, the rapture will end of the baptism into the body of Christ. Just as the Spirit came down on the saints at the first Pentecost, the Spirit will be raised with the saints alive at the catching away. It is sort of pictured in Jesus’ baptism where the Spirit came down on Him. At His assumption, the Spirit never was taken away. The body of Jesus was caught up in the clouds.

When He had spoken these things, while they looked, He was taken up. And a cloud received Him from their sight.

Acts 1:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

To my way of thinking, this is a prophecy that is being acted out. The body of Christ is taken up in the clouds. I marvel at such things but read the next verses.

While they looked intently toward heaven as He ascended, suddenly two men stood by them in white garments. They said, “Men of Galilee, why stand looking toward heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you to heaven, will come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Acts 1:10–11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There were (future church) saints promised baptism of the Holy Spirit right there with Jesus. They watched Him taken into heaven in the clouds. Unnamed angels (we presume they are angels) announced to those present the promise of His return in like manner.

It is my contention, the rapture will be the other bookend to the age of church saints as they, like Jesus, will all be removed in the twinkling of an eye. It will be a private event just for church saints, just as Jesus’ assumption was a private event. He will return in like manner.

The Earthly End of the Ministry of the Church

It is the Holy Spirit working in the Spirit baptized body of Christ that now restrains evil and will be removed. In Revelation just after Jesus finishes His letters to the seven churches, John is caught up to heaven (Revelation 4.) The word church doesn’t appear in any of the text in Revelation describing the events of the tribulation (the wrath to come.) The text is then distinctly Jewish in content.

Just as the ministry of the church had a distinct beginning, it will have a distinct ending. I will say, the idea of the church being removed doesn’t change the way people are saved. People can and will be saved by faith after the rapture of the church, just as they were before the birth of the church.

The Rapture (Part 1) – Ecclesiology

On By TimIn 1 Thessalonians 04, Rapture6 Comments

To deviate from the normal posts, I want to offer some clarity on an important doctrine. To do that requires some foundational understanding.

But I would not have you ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and arose again, so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall be forever with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Some may scoff that the word rapture doesn’t appear in the text. It’s true, the English word rapture does not appear in the text. But the Greek word harpazo (rapture) translated as caught up is.

The Rapture, to and for Who?

It’s specifically for those in Christ.

You are all sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, and there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 3:26–29 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We now have a clear understanding that the rapture is for those in Christ. To be in Christ is to be baptized into Jesus Christ.

That’s Great. But What Does it Mean?

The rapture is for the body of Christ, His church. We must have a clear understanding of what the church is. That is, we must have a proper ecclesiology.

Let’s get started.

He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Colossians 1:18 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

What we learn here is exactly what the church is. The church is the body of the Messiah.

Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called the “uncircumcision” by the so-called “circumcision” in the flesh by human hands, were at that time apart from Christ, alienated from the citizenship of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who were formerly far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
For He is our peace, who has made both groups one and has broken down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of the commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile both to God into one body through the cross, thereby slaying the enmity.

Ephesians 2:11–16 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This passage basically explains what the composition of the church is.

Paul begins by explaining the initial conditions of God’s dealing with people. There were basically two groups of people, the Israelis, and the Gentiles. There was an advantage to being Israeli because God had a special relationship with those people. One of these groups was set aside by covenants that God made with them. Of those covenants, one called the Mosaic covenant (containing the ten commandments) served as the dividing wall or partition between the two people groups. Gentiles were alienated and far off from the benefits of these covenants even though they could be saved by the same faith as the Israelis.

When Messiah died, He broke down this partitioning wall and took it out of the way. As the wall is now removed, God creates of the two separate groups one new man. The one new man is now a third entity that had not heretofore existed. It is one body through the cross. The body is the church of the Messiah.

The composition of the body is all Israelis and Gentiles who believe.

How Does One Enter this Body?

For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether we are Jews or Gentiles, whether we are slaves or free, and we have all been made to drink of one Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The way to enter the body is by baptism by Spirit. This is the one baptism. It isn’t by water.

There is one body and one Spirit, even as you were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Ephesians 4:4–6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

One body. One God. One Spirit. One Father. One Lord. One faith. One baptism.

When did the Church Begin?

This can be a confusing point. There are many different ideas presented on exactly when the church began. Some see it in the Tanakh, thinking it started with Adam or Abraham.

Since we know that entrance into the body called the church is by Spirit baptism, let us see if we can find where Spirit baptism began.

Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then He commanded His disciples to tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.

Matthew 16:17–20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is the first and only occurrence of the word church in the four gospels. The setting for this is in Caesarea Philippi. It is home to the Grotto of Pan or as Jesus said the gates of Hell. Reading further on from this passage, it can be learned that the church being built is a consequence of Israel for their rejection of the Messiah. The important part is that the church is yet future… I will build my church. It is simple present tense informing us that it is not something that had existed before and will be expanded.

For John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Acts 1:5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus promises Spirit baptism, not many days from now. It is yet future. We know now that the entrance into the church body was still yet future, therefore the church as a body was still to come. But when did Spirit baptism begin?

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. There appeared to them tongues as of fire, being distributed and resting on each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

Acts 2:1–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

On the Day of Pentecost, as the disciples were gathered, the Spirit entered them. They were filled with the Spirit. This is not a new idea, many

For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.

Luke 1:15 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin.

Micah 3:8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of craftsmanship to devise artistic works for work with gold, with silver, and with bronze, and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in carving of wood, to work in all manner of craftsmanship.

Exodus 31:3–5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I posted these to show that being filled with the Spirit is not a new thing. It happened to John the Baptist and to Micah. It happened to Bezalel the son of Uri.

Acts 2 declares nothing about Spirit baptism. Being Spirit-filled is not the same as Spirit baptism.

To understand clearly, we need to move forward in Acts to Chapter 10.

Peter, after receiving a vision Peter was instructed there were three men looking for him. These three were sent by a centurion named Cornelius who had just previously been visited by an angel. Peter invited these three men and provided lodging for them. The next day he went to Joppa with them. Peter entered the house filled with relatives of Cornelius. He spoke to them and shared the details of the Gospel with these Gentiles. We pick it up in the text.

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word. All the believers of the circumcision who had come with Peter were astonished, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in other tongues and magnifying God.
Then Peter continued, “Can anyone forbid water for baptizing these, who have received the Holy Spirit as we have?” So he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

Acts 10:44–48 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

When Peter returned to Jerusalem to report on what happened, there was a bit of controversy. Peter had entered a Gentile home, something forbidden in the law.

Peter tells of his vision, and not wanting to be disobedient to the vision, he did as he was instructed to do.

“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as He fell on us at the beginning. Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If then God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to be able to hinder God?”

Acts 11:15–17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

He tells us succinctly that what happened with these Gentiles was the same as what happened to those Jewish disciples gathered on that beginning Pentecost. He remembered what Jesus said in Acts 1:5. The church began in Acts 2 with Spirit baptism. Because that is when Spirit baptism began.

The church is a distinct body that is not Israeli or Gentile. The church had a beginning that is clear. It was the Pentecost day described in Acts 2. That is when Spirit baptism began.

Being Ready for Spiritual Warfare

On By TimIn Armor of God, Children, Daily Walk, Employees, Employers, Encouragement, Ephesians 06, Exhortation, Fruitfulness, Gifts, Husbands, Justification, Relationships, Spiritual Warfare, WivesLeave a comment

Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Ephesians 6:10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In my reading, it occurred to me that what we consider to be the epitome of preparation for spiritual warfare as being Paul’s description of the armor we must wear. These are his final thoughts on the subject. In order to understand the necessary function of the armor and to be able to trust it doesn’t work without all of the other preceding things that are the foundation for it. We must roll back a few chapters to understand.

Corporate Life at Church

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, exhort you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you were called. With all humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another in love, be eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:1–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Paul says lots about corporate fellowship. It’s the start, to walk in a manner worthy of our calling. We are to do it in patience, meekness, and humility. We are to bear one another in love. Paul is not saying we bear the heathen in love, but one another. And with it, we ought to be eager to keep the unity of the Spirit.

I cannot help to think how easy it is for us to break fellowship for the slightest things. People will leave churches because the church ain’t going their way. Someone will be asked to leave a church because he doesn’t toe the line. We don’t bear well with each other as corporate bodies. I’d dare say that in our churches we are sorely fit to do any sort of spiritual warfare.

There is one body and one Spirit, even as you were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Ephesians 4:4–6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The essentials are in Spirit. We divide in the flesh. We just keep these things in mind.

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also He who ascended far above all the heavens that He might fill all things.)

Ephesians 4:7–10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There is more here than I am going to speak about, but I will leave that for you to search on your own. What we have spiritually is from Jesus Himself. He gave the gifts to each of us in the exact measurements we needed to fulfill our purpose in the body.

All of us are needed in fellowship. Our local bodies are ill-equipped if we remove ourselves from fellowship, or even kick someone out. Each of us is essential.

He gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, for the equipping of the saints, for the work of service, and for the building up of the body of Christ, until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, into a complete man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so we may no longer be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the trickery of men, by craftiness with deceitful scheming.

Ephesians 4:11–14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

What gifts we each possess are for the equipping of the saints. Often these giftings are used for self-edification and aggrandizement. They are given to us for others, to equip them. It’s the work of Jesus to which we are called. I can assure you that you know someone who has attached one or more of these titles to the beginning of their name. That doesn’t edify others in the least.

We are to help each other become complete. We are to desire to grow. This is a message and critical foundation for spiritual warfare. If each of us is not now rightly in a fellowship of believers who trust us and whom we can trust, we aren’t prepared for any kind of warfare.

But, speaking the truth in love, we may grow up in all things into Him, who is the head, Christ Himself, from whom the whole body is joined together and connected by every joint and ligament, as every part effectively does its work and grows, building itself up in love.

Ephesians 4:15–16 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We need that trust because sometimes there is going to be something we’re not going to want to hear. It’ll be hard to stomach if we don’t trust that the person who speaks it has our best interests before his. It’s necessary. As the whole body must be joined together to effectively work and grow. None of us can do it alone.

Therefore this I say and testify in the Lord, that from now on you walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their minds, having their understanding darkened, excluded from the life of God through the ignorance that is within them, due to the hardness of their hearts. Being calloused they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.

Ephesians 4:17–19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The unsaved operate in self-imposed ignorance. They refuse to believe. They scoff. It hardens them. Just like a callous on the hand, it becomes a place where there is no feeling. It cannot feel the comfort of warm soap and water. It cannot feel the sharp edge of a razor blade. The unbeliever is in the same predicament unable to feel the things that are good, and the things that may be dangerously deadly. The more a callous is rubbed, the larger and harder it grows.

That’s the sensuality that Paul is speaking about. It takes more of the same old thing just to feel it, yet it makes the hardness even harder. That’s the sensuality of sin.

But you did not learn about Christ in this manner, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off the former way of life in the old nature, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that you put on the new nature, which was created according to God in righteousness and true holiness.

Ephesians 4:20–24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s a new way of life we must put on. Jesus teaches us we don’t have to keep doing the same old chase that never satisfies.

Look at the contrast, without Jesus, it’s seeking sensations, what pleases us personally. That’s the essence of lust. That’s why the Bible uses the term. It’s not just sexual. It is a seeking to satisfy our own desires.

We are to live differently, to renew our minds.

Therefore, putting away lying, let every man speak truthfully with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger. Do not give place to the devil. Let him who steals steal no more. Instead, let him labor, working with his hands things which are good, that he may have something to share with him who is in need.

Ephesians 4:25–28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We are to operate truthfully. It means to stop taking from others. Instead, be prepared and ready to give something.

Let no unwholesome word proceed out of your mouth, but only that which is good for building up, that it may give grace to the listeners. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you are sealed for the day of redemption.

Ephesians 4:29–30 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Watch what we say. Make sure that it benefits others. Our eternity is secure. There is nothing anyone can do to steal that from any of us… Not even our own actions. None of us have to operate in our former ways.

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outbursts, and blasphemies, with all malice, be taken away from you. And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.

Ephesians 4:31–32 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Let all the bad stuff be removed. This is telling us that we ought to be willing to give these to God.

Bitterness gets a place when we don’t forgive. Bitterness always gives rise to the enemy. Don’t even give it a place.

Personal Life Everywhere

Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children. Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God.
And do not let sexual immorality, or any impurity, or greed be named among you, as these are not proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse joking, which are not fitting. Instead, give thanks. For this you know, that no sexually immoral or impure person, or one who is greedy, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Ephesians 5:1–5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We have our example. Imitate God as the children of Him we are. Walk in love Paul says. Sometimes we overlook the idea of love in mind. It’s sacrificial. It gives of itself even unto death.

Don’t practice sexual immorality or other impurities.

Don’t be greedy. That’s a hard one. Each of us wants to be first in line. Few of us want to wait until last.

Watch the language we use. Change the way we talk to be thankful, first to God from Whom good things come, but for others around us.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.

Ephesians 5:6–7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Be careful who we listen to and associate with. It’s not that we shouldn’t hang around with them, but we are not to participate in the inane things other unbelievers do.

For you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light— for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth—proving what is pleasing to the Lord. And do not have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; instead, expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things are exposed when they are revealed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

Ephesians 5:8–14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We all have our previous lives. We all walked in darkness. Now instead of just walking in darkness, we are light. That is light in the Lord. It’s a new identity. Walk in it, proving it.

We ought not to do those things we used to do. Instead, we expose them. Things that are exposed lose their power and control. Secrets are by nature things not out in the light.

See then that you walk carefully, not as fools, but as wise men, making the most of the time because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Ephesians 5:15–17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Time is short. Don’t waste it on things that have no eternal benefit. We live in evil times. It’s been like that since Adam was expelled out of the Eden of God.

Do not be drunk with wine, for that is reckless living. But be filled with the Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Don’t substitute the world’s spirits for the Holy Spirit. Be sober-minded.

Speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Give thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, being submissive to one another in the fear of God.

Ephesians 5:19–21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

These are the things to center our minds on, renewing them. It’s a personal endeavor we must always be cognizant of pursuing. It’s a choice we make every moment of every day. It’s difficult to engage in any form of spiritual warfare if we’re not walking in the light we are.

Interactions with our Spouses

Wives, be submissive to your own husbands as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head and Savior of the church, which is His body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

Ephesians 5:22–24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is not a hierarchy thing or a master-slave relationship. But there is an established order of things. Husbands aren’t the master. Wives aren’t slaves.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, and that He might present to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. In this way men ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord cares for the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.

Ephesians 5:25–30 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The admonition is to the husbands. It is necessarily so. The whole idea is to not drift off into some misogynist mindset where a man operates as king of his castle.

No. This is teaching us that the wife ought to be elevated to not just the same treatment as a husband would treat himself, but just a bit higher. The husband is to give himself just as Jesus did. It’s totally selfless.

“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh.”

Ephesians 5:31 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is for both parties in a marriage. When two people get married, their family is the two in the marriage (and children.) It’s great to have moms and dads, brothers and sisters. But your spouse is your family first and foremost. It goes without saying that the word most needs emphasis.

If mom interferes with our spouse… Side with the spouse. He or she is family. That is what Paul is saying. This is the proper order.

It doesn’t mean we cannot do things with our parents and siblings, but to insist on having every Thanksgiving or other holiday celebrations with them and dragging our spouse along can lead to problems. Even trying to be fair is difficult. Establish your own family traditions. And do the extended family things once in while.

Leave mom and dad and cleave to our spouse. It is difficult to engage in spiritual warfare if we are married and do not cleave to our spouse. Two are one. We need them.

This is a great mystery, but I am speaking about Christ and the church.

Ephesians 5:32 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

A good marriage becomes a great apologetic.

However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Ephesians 5:33 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

A final admonition for a happy marriage. A husband that loves his bride sacrificially, with a bride who respects him.

Behaving as Children

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise, “so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

Ephesians 6:1–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is pretty much self-explanatory.

Proper Parenting

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:4–5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is the job of the parents to pass on their faith.

Relating to Your Employer

Servants, obey those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of your heart, as to Christ, not serving when eyes are on you, but as pleasing men as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing any man does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is enslaved or free.

Ephesians 6:5–8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

As an employee, we are to work for our manager as one would work for Jesus. After all, He is Who we are working for ultimately.

Our work should be the same even when others aren’t watching. That means no running off into the bathroom to check our phone or goofing off in the back of the storeroom.

By doing that, not only do we receive a paycheck from the employer, our good deeds earn eternal rewards. The sincerity of our hearts may be the thing that makes an unbelieving employer become a believer.

Managers Relating to Employees

And masters, do the same things for them, no longer threatening, knowing that your Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

Ephesians 6:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Do the right thing for those who work for us. Pay them fairly. Treat them rightly, just as we expect to be treated by Jesus.

Finally Brethren

Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Ephesians 6:10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We come to the text which opened the post. It’s long. But it is necessary.

Before we can even endeavor to don the armor of God, we need to shore up every single one of these areas of our lives. If they are not secure and rightly done, there is an opportunity for the enemy.

Don’t just concentrate on the armor, but concentrate on all of the preparation that comes before and is a foundation for it.

Foreordained Before Creation

On By TimIn 1 Peter 01, Apologetics, Church, Creation, Jesus, Last DaysLeave a comment

He was foreordained before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for you.

1 Peter 1:20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s important to think of it like I titled it. He was foreordained before creation. He wasn’t created or made. Just that Jesus being the Savior was set in place before the first creative act from God. Here is how it is written of in other places.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

John 1:1–2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Paralleling the Genesis “In the beginning God,” we have John saying “In the beginning God.” This establishes that Jesus was already existent in the beginning. It also establishes Him as God. It’s just as Peter wrote.

But if those two verses are not compelling enough, John explains it further.

All things were created through Him, and without Him nothing was created that was created.

John 1:3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I love the simplicity of that sentence. Jesus is the Creator. He is not created. He was foreordained before creation. Without Him, nothing was created. He couldn’t have been created. No matter how you want to think of it.

Firstborn of every creature.

He is the image of the invisible God and the firstborn of every creature. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they are thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. All things were created by Him and for Him.

Colossians 1:15–16 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We cannot see God. But Jesus is the image of Him. He is the One we can see. Paul uses the word “firstborn.” This is directly related to what Peter is saying. It was necessary for God to become part of creation to redeem it. He is born into it, as a Man… Jesus. For Him, all things were created by Him as foreordained.

Yet being firstborn is not about the order as we would think. The idea of firstborn (of every creature) is about the position, not when it happened. The order was previously established before creation.

I think the idea of being firstborn leads to some other thoughts. Especially when you consider His position as the last Adam. The first Adam wasn’t born. (I leave that for you to check out.)

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Colossians 1:17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

You cannot live without Him. You might think you do, but that would be incorrect. (And you cannot have eternal life without Him either.)

That is His position as the Firstborn of every creature. Note the list Paul uses, too. Those thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers speak of creatures in other realms. Remember how Peter has said things into which angels desire to look. How does the Creator become part of the creation by being born into it?

(I am not trying to purposefully be new-age-y.)

Firstborn from the dead.

He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all fullness should dwell, and to reconcile all things to Himself by Him, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him, I say—whether they are things in earth, or things in heaven.

Colossians 1:18–20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In all things He has preeminence. He has made peace with His blood. That peace includes both heaven and earth, even though angels cannot be saved.

All of this was decided long before the spoke words “Let light be.”

It is important we understand Who He is. This has barely scratched the surface of the few Scriptures cited.

Was revealed in these last times.

In our previous interaction with 1 Peter, it is clear that verse 5 states that a salvation will be revealed in the last times. That is, someday yet future. Peter is writing also, that Jesus was revealed. Peter dated it the last times. That would mean the last times has included the days of Jesus’ ministry on Earth and after, up until now, even stretching yet future when the end of salvation will be revealed wholly.

This isn’t the only time Peter has explained this. In his preaching (Acts 2) on that Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came to believers, Peter cites the prophets who spoke of the last days. Just as he brought them into the conversation previously in this epistle.

For YOU.

This is personal. You betcha!

Through Him you believe in God who raised Him up from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope might be in God.

1 Peter 1:21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Nobody can believe for you. Your mom cannot believe for you, and it is conferred to you. Christianity isn’t inherited. Nor is it given when you were baptized as a baby.

Perhaps this is the first time you may have encountered this Jesus. I get that. Peter is explaining Who He is. Peter told us what the Gospel truth is.

It is the very reason He came, and all of this was planned out. He was foreordained to our Savior. That you and I can spend eternity with God. You have that choice.

Acknowledge Jesus is Who He says He is and did what He said He did. That it is for you.

Believe it and that it is for you, wholly trusting Him to save you.

Confess it to Him now. Confess you have sinned and want to be forgiven and be reconciled to Him. It doesn’t need to be fancy, flowery, or religious. You can use your own words.

Encouragement for Some

On By TimIn Church, Daily Walk, Eternal Security, Last Days, Love, Prophecy, Revelation 03, Seven Letters to Seven ChurchesLeave a comment

“To the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write:
“The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says these things: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of My mouth. For you say, ‘I am rich, and have stored up goods, and have need of nothing,’ yet do not realize that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments, that you may be dressed, that the shame of your nakedness may not appear, and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
“Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be zealous and repent. Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.
“To him who overcomes will I grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Revelation 3:14–22 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Please do reread this portion of Scripture when finished reading the entire post.

This is for each of us. Any of us may be of those who are in a church, that for all intents and purposes, appears as the Laodicean one. Our first reaction may be to flee. For some, that may be the best way to handle the situation. But is that what Jesus instructs?

Please pay attention to the admonitions that Jesus gives. The first is to the church itself. He urges the church to repent.

Immediately after, He speaks directly to the individuals in the church. It becomes personal. He encourages us to open the door to Him as His voice is heard. Though Jesus may indeed be standing outside the door of this church and those like it, His entreaty is to anyone who hears. That’s you and I!

For those that hear and respond… The promise to that person is a sweet fellowship with Him. This would be even in the midst of trying circumstances were a believer ‘churches.’

Jesus doesn’t tell us to flee such a situation. Perhaps we are called to stick it out. To be that one person who helps others to hear Jesus’ voice. If enough do, it would change things dramatically.

Listen, the local body of believers may have problems… But the promises are to the individuals in those bodies. It’s you He came to save. It’s you He wants to serve. The promises are to him who overcomes.

Hear what Jesus says to the churches. Listen for His voice and let Him in. Be one who overcomes!

The Message to the Church at Laodicea

On By TimIn Daily Walk, Revelation 03Leave a comment

“To the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write:
“The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says these things: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of My mouth. For you say, ‘I am rich, and have stored up goods, and have need of nothing,’ yet do not realize that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments, that you may be dressed, that the shame of your nakedness may not appear, and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

Revelation 3:14–18 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The message here (so far) is to a church, a corporate-whole body of believers. Jesus is addressing the body as a whole. In so doing, this body gets a wretched report card. He calls them lukewarm.
To hear someone call any individual believer lukewarm is an immediate indication of abuse of this scriptural text. Oftentimes it is done to shame and/or control other Christians. Nevertheless… It is abuse.

So what now?

You find yourself in a congregation that appears very much like it is lukewarm (or maybe even cold.) Jesus is standing on the outside of this body, waiting to be let in. You don’t have to leave to have fellowship with Jesus. Perhaps the spark needed for a body to catch fire is yours.

There’s good news for you here.

Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be zealous and repent. Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.

Revelation 3:19–20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

If you’re a saved believer, that is you believe Jesus is the God-Man come to ransom you, forgive you of your sins, and give you eternal life. Jesus rebukes and disciplines. He never throws us out. We can repent of sins and have fellowship with Jesus restored.
If you’re not a saved believer, the invitation is to you, too.
Jesus stands at the door and knocks. Repentance is available to anyone, anytime in this life. If anyone individual hears His voice and opens the door… That is you believe He is. He died and rose again, ascended to heaven. And you’ve confessed your sin… You’ve opened the door.
He promises to fellowship with you.
To open the door to Jesus, it’s easy.

Acknowledge that you are a sinner and completely unable to get to heaven on your own merit. And that Jesus is Who He claimed to be, God.

Believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, and rose again to give you eternal life.

Confess those facts aloud, with your mouth. Confess your sins, ask for forgiveness and receive the gift of eternal life.

Things Into Which Angels Desire to Look

On By TimIn Angels, Revelation 07, SalvationLeave a comment

Then I looked. And there was a great multitude which no one could count, from all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out with a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb!”
All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures and fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, saying:
“Amen!
Blessing and glory
and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor
and power and might
be to our God forever and ever!
Amen.”

Revelation 7:9–12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In church tonight, the teaching used this passage of Revelation. It was connected with other portions of Scripture as the teacher was demonstrating the ‘all nations’ aspect of the Gospel of our Savior.

As the Spirit works, something else stuck out. One of the Scriptures cited in the teaching connects to this passage in Revelation in another way.

Wandering back to Ephesians 3, Paul is explaining his calling by the power of God to minister the Gospel to others. He speaks of the privileges He has been given to offer the riches of God to others… this fellowship of mystery hidden in God. The fellowship of mystery—that’s the church.

In the middle of that explanation, he concludes his thoughts in this way:

so that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He completed in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.

Ephesians 3:10–12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Paul had exclusive privileges extended to him in his calling from God. If you are saved, you are also called with exclusive privileges. That is shown right in his sentence. Each of us who is saved is part of the church. We are extended the privilege of sharing with others the love of Jesus Christ. That is, sharing with them the same mystery, the Gospel, and the fellowship of unity as one body in Jesus.

There is something else here, and that is the gist of what stuck out. When the church is called home, we will be before the Throne of God and the Lamb. In the citation from Revelation above, the entire body (that’s you and I) exclaims “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” The angels who are looking on shout agreement, “Amen!”

That will be a great event in which to be.

Do you see it?

We get to demonstrate to principalities and powers the very multifaceted wisdom of God. In other words, we are the very way the angels are taught about salvation. At that moment John witnessed, they understand. They agree.

Think about that in light of this:

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that should come to you have inquired and searched diligently, seeking the events and time the Spirit of Christ, who was within them, signified when He foretold the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, concerning the things which are now reported to you by those who have preached the gospel to you through the Holy Spirit, who was sent from heaven—things into which the angels desire to look.

1 Peter 1:10–12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Things into which angels desire to look. What are those things?

The very salvation you and I enjoy as a gift from God, which we will acknowledge to Him. The angels present as witnesses agree!

That’s is something to look forward to doing. In the meantime, we still have that privilege extended to us every day. Each time we avoid sin, show the love of Christ to another, proclaim His Gospel, baptize, meet together as a body, and/or share in the Lord’s table… We proclaim our salvation to principalities and powers. Both in heaven and in the air on earth.

For those in heaven, the proclamation is what those angels look into, this gift of salvation to creatures made of dust.

To those who are remanded to a future in perdition, it is a real reminder of the shame from the cross of Jesus and their sure destination to the pit.

How will you make known the multifaceted wisdom of God to others today?

The People Decide

On By TimIn Church, Revelation 01Leave a comment

When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though I were dead. Then He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, though I was dead. Look! I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
“Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks which you saw are the seven churches.

Revelation 1:17-20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I recently found myself in a discussion about these letters. Much of the discussion involved how to apply what is written, and whether they were addressed only to the seven churches named or they have applications for today. There is a specific objection made to the application of the term “lukewarm.”

Surely these epistles were written to real-first-century local assemblies. Jesus addressed them by name. Jesus words in introducing Himself as the head of these churches include an application that was present then, and “which will take place after this.” Of course, the rest of Revelation is yet future. Given the introduction, Jesus clearly is saying the entire revelation has layered applications.

Take the Epistles Seriously

An objection was raised that these seven epistles to the churches have nothing to do with our modern-day.

As I stated earlier, these 7 epistles are layered with meaning and nuance. There is an application for the period in which they were written, application for the entire end age including today. There are deeper meanings of each letter that can be applied to every local assembly of believers. Each of these bodies would, more-or-less, fit into one of those seven descriptions. These epistles can even be loosely applied to the panorama of the “church age.” That is, these seven churches are chronological descriptions of the universal church since Jesus founded it. The last three are noted as end times bodies. Also noted in the epistles, though it may not be readily discerned… There is always a body of people who would usurp the authority and leadership of Jesus in these churches.

The message that Jesus gave to each body is a report card. Where the church falls short, Jesus assures that such can change direction. He even offers many remedies for that. More importantly, Jesus also speaks directly to those individuals within these bodies, “let him who has an ear.” This demonstrates these may have personal applications, too.

I take the Bible seriously… Even in its seeming offensive applications.

He Who Has an Ear

“To the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write:
“The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says these things: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of My mouth. For you say, ‘I am rich, and have stored up goods, and have need of nothing,’ yet do not realize that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments, that you may be dressed, that the shame of your nakedness may not appear, and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
“Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be zealous and repent. Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.
“To him who overcomes will I grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Revelation 3:14-22 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We come to the major objection that leads to a rejection of the application to individuals and to church bodies of our day. It’s right there… “because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of My mouth.” I’ve underlined one of the words Jesus used.

You see, many folks misapply this verse. They use it to beat up individual Christians. That isn’t how Jesus used it. To apply it that way is incorrect. The proper way to use it is to describe a body of believers. A body of believers that really had no need of anything from Jesus. Lukewarm is not a description of individual believers.

These are letters to churches. Each of the seven addressed, and if the problems weren’t rectified Jesus would leave this church… As a body. Our perspective of history clearly demonstrates this. Local assemblies in Europe have shut their doors. Church buildings are being sold and used for other purposes. This is what happens when a church leaves their first Love, for whatever reason. It begins with drifting away from the truth, it progresses in a usurping of the headship of Jesus Christ.

Sometimes the misapplication of lukewarm is a way of shaming and controlling individuals. Nevertheless, a teacher who wishes to use the term to shame and admonish believers in the local fellowship is really stating the fellowship itself is lukewarm. That term may say something about leadership and may not.

As discussions go, this one has a natural evolution.

Who is the Head?

Church is not a building, at least not in the Biblical idea. Church is not a 501C3 corporation. Biblically, it is always used as a local assembling of believers. The head of which is always Jesus Christ.

Let us view these seven churches from the vantage point of the Head and history. The names of these churches are an indication of their character. There is also an unspoken implication of how the Headship of Jesus has been usurped by the spirit of the age.

I know your works, your labor and your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles, but are not, and have found them to be liars.

Revelation 2:2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Today Ephesus is a Moslem village called Selçuk. At the time of the epistle, it was a central point of Christianity. John, Paul, Peter, Polycarp, and Irenaeus – were all in Ephesus. They were able to test those who claimed to be apostles. The church at Ephesus knew real apostles. Yet, the church with so much history died. We learn something, those who sought to control that church were false apostles.

I know your works and tribulation and poverty (but you are rich). And I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Revelation 2:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Smyrna, the martyred church. The church whose name derives from myrrh. The sweet smell used to cover the stench of dead bodies. We know it was Rome who was trying to seize control, the government wanted to usurp the Head.

But I have a few things against you: You have there those who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. So you also have those who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Revelation 2:14-15 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Pergamum, the citadel is said to characterize the Roman Catholic church. After the Roman government tried to seize control of the church, in some ways it did. Christianity was made the official religion of the Roman empire. With it, came a whole new idea to integrate the church into the empire. As history demonstrates, it worked the other way around. The empire entered the church. A hierarchy of religious-political leaders was established which would eventually result in the papacy. This is what Jesus warned about by using the term Nicolaitan. It literally means power over the laity. The clergy usurped the Headship of Jesus.

But I have a few things against you: You permit that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, but she did not repent.

Revelation 2:20-21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Thyatira hints at the sweet scent and sacrifice of labor. This city occupied a favored position on a trade route, the city was home to many trade guilds. Practices in these trade guilds included idol worship and sexual immorality. A woman stepped in to lead this body away in spiritual seduction.

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain but are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfected before God.

Revelation 3:2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I know your works. Look! I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it. For you have a little strength, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Listen! I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie. Listen! I will make them come and worship before your feet and to know that I have loved you.

Revelation 3:8-9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Sardis is the embodiment of the reformation period of the church. The deeds of this church were found incomplete, and that body rested in those. In that sense, we can say that carnal Christians wanted control.

Philadelphia, the church of brotherly love! This is the church period denoting the great revivals all over the world. This church had no reprimand from Jesus. We see that is those who say they believe, but do not who were the problem. The unbeliever seeks to usurp Jesus as Head of this church.

For you say, ‘I am rich, and have stored up goods, and have need of nothing,’ yet do not realize that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments, that you may be dressed, that the shame of your nakedness may not appear, and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

Revelation 3:17-18 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Laodicea is the people’s church. This is the church that offers itself in a way to seek the approval of all people. We could call this the seeker-sensitive church. The buildings have every comfort with environments designed so as not to offend anyone’s sensibilities. It is this church that the laity wants to usurp Jesus. He says He will spew such out of His mouth. It is much of what we see offered by churches today.

These letters are primarily written to bodies of believers and seemingly have nothing for or against individual people and their salvation. Our perspective of history clearly teaches Jesus very much will remove His presence and blessing away from a local gathering of believers because of their collective spiritual condition. The judgment is to the local body, not the individual or their salvation.

Lukewarm

Methinks there is something that convicts in that description. Especially with peoples’ excuses for not attending church today… Or how church should satisfy personal preferences. As the conversation meandered, it was peppered with objections about why not to attend church. It’s true that church attendance doesn’t save. I don’t even think it is required.

Another objection is how the teaching did not appeal, and how there was no real personal application. The words stated were “I already felt I learned better on my own time than a church.” In other words, the teaching really wasn’t advanced enough to satisfy perceived personal needs. I can understand that, but I also think it is a dangerous place to be spiritually. Anytime the Bible is openly proclaimed, a believer can be taught. It is God’s word and His Word never returns void, especially to believers.

Other points of interest included his pastor being a she. That is another discussion.

Yes, we are to learn in church, but our time for real learning is in private. It is how we communicate with our Savior. We talk to Him. He instructs us from His Word. That’s not to say you won’t learn something in church from a sermon, but that ought to be supplementary to what happens in your prayer closet.

Given these objections, one can clearly surmise they arise from lukewarm bodies.

What do We Do About It?

We need to be active in whatever local body we find ourselves in.

He gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, for the equipping of the saints, for the work of service, and for the building up of the body of Christ, until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, into a complete man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so we may no longer be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the trickery of men, by craftiness with deceitful scheming. But, speaking the truth in love, we may grow up in all things into Him, who is the head, Christ Himself, from whom the whole body is joined together and connected by every joint and ligament, as every part effectively does its work and grows, building itself up in love.

Ephesians 4:11-16 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Each of us has been bestowed with a unique set of giftings by God. These are to be used for the building up of the body. This cannot be done if one deprives the local assembly of the usage of their gifts. We are designed to be in fellowship with other believers, and it is the only place where one can mature into a complete man. That term doesn’t exclude the ladies, either.

What is inherently necessary though, is fellowship. There is no other way to ‘grow up’ in the fulness of Christ. Oh sure, we can always hope to have a Damascus Road experience, but those seem to be extremely rare.

When we forsake the assembly… It is a way to deny the headship of Christ.

I know all about kvetching over how church doesn’t meet my felt needs. But it’s not supposed to do that. The worship isn’t for me, it’s for Jesus. The assembly isn’t for me, it’s for the entire body. My comfort ought not to be a concern, I have a home.

Instead, of finding a plethora of excuses for not attending a local assembly, why not do it God’s way despite the leadership or direction of the body?

Let us look forward to assembling with our brothers and sisters. Let us be prepared to do it the right way. Be ready to give something away and not seek something to scratch our own itch.

Let us firmly hold the profession of our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to spur one another to love and to good works. Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but let us exhort one another, especially as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:23-25 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There is not much time left. Love you brothers and sisters spurring each other to love and good works!