2
Thess 2:1-3 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,2 That ye be not soon shaken in
mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us,
as that the day of Christ is at hand.3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for
that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man
of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; KJV
From
verse 1 we see the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the parousia, is one event,
as well as the gathering together, the episunagoege, is another event. Paul had taught these things in Thessalonica
but someone else started teaching that the day of the Lord was going to happen
at any minute. We see this today, many
people excited about the wrath of God coming on their enemies. This is simply human anticipation at the idea
that those who are evil and oppressive will finally get what they have coming
to them. Have you ever seen anyone
excited about that? It’s almost like a child at Christmas waiting to open
presents. That should not be our
attitude at all. We should not relish, or daydream about how evil people will
be destroyed because the desire of the Lord is that all men should be saved. Verse 3 says not to let anyone deceive them
because first there has to be a falling away then there will be a revealing of
the child of damnation. The words falling away (Strong’s #646) can be compared
to Acts 21:21, forsaking the Law of Moses. In Acts it is used as contention
against Paul and the teaching of the Christians. The “falling away” in
Thessalonians is understandable when we recognize that the redeemed are no
longer on earth. Most people left on
earth will forsake God and godliness. That is when the man of sin can be
revealed. The man of sin cannot be
revealed when people filled with the Holy Spirit are on earth because greater
is He that is in the believer than he that is in the world. The Lord comes
after that, when the kings of the earth try to fight God. Let’s look at some aspects of the day of the
Lord.
Isa
2:12 For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and
lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: KJV
Proud,
lofty, lifted up; those are the bad human behaviors that will be dealt with on
the day of the Lord. Jesus will be bringing an army with him.
Isa
13:1-13 The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.2 Lift ye
up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand,
that they may go into the gates of the nobles.3 I have commanded my sanctified
ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in
my highness.4 The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great
people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the
Lord of hosts mustereth the host of the battle.5 They come from a far country,
from the end of heaven, even the Lord, and the weapons of his indignation, to
destroy the whole land.6 Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall
come as a destruction from the Almighty.7 Therefore shall all hands be faint,
and every man's heart shall melt:8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows
shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they
shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.9 Behold, the
day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land
desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.10 For the stars
of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun
shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to
shine.11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their
iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay
low the haughtiness of the terrible.12 I will make a man more precious than
fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.13 Therefore I will shake
the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the
Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.KJV
The
army of the Lord comes from the end of heaven.
Compare this to the army in Revelation 19. That will be a scary sight to
those who are on earth. The ignorant ruling
people may be thinking that no one could stop them in their oppressing of
others, until they see the armies of heaven. Remember the seven seals will have
been opened, as the seven trumpets sounded, the seven bowls poured out. The
people on earth will be mad because these things are out of their control. This
is why they want to make war with God.
They take their anger out on Jerusalem because they will attribute these
things with the God of Israel. The phrase “man being more precious than gold”
refers to the lack of men left once the sinners are destroyed. Man will be
rare.
Isa
34:8 For it is the day of the Lord's vengeance, and the year of recompences for
the controversy of Zion.KJV
The
day of the Lord is payback for the nations fighting over Zion.
Jer
46:10 For this is the day of the Lord God of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he
may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be
satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord God of hosts hath a
sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.KJV
This
will be a day of revenge for the enemies of the Lord. A lot of blood will be
spilled.
Joel
1:14-15 Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all
the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry unto
the Lord,15 Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a
destruction from the Almighty shall it come.KJV
God’s
people, the ones left on earth, are told to fast and assemble together in the
house of the Lord and cry out. The ones
not redeemed are the ones that did not believe on Jesus. This is the time for them to repent and call
on the name of the Lord. If we remember,
there will be some at the end of the tribulation that did not take the mark of
the beast. So we know that there are some who believe in God left on earth. But
let’s remember Jesus’ words, Israel would not see him again until they say; “Blessed
is He who comes in the name of the Lord”. Joel mentions the army of heaven and
the noise they will make.
Joel
2:1-13 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let
all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it
is nigh at hand;2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of
thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a
strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it,
even to the years of many generations.3 A fire devoureth before them; and
behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and
behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.4 The
appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall
they run.5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap,
like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong
people set in battle array.6 Before their face the people shall be much pained:
all faces shall gather blackness.7 They shall run like mighty men; they shall
climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and
they shall not break their ranks:8 Neither shall one thrust another; they shall
walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not
be wounded.9 They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the
wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows
like a thief.10 The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble:
the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their
shining:11 And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is
very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord
is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?12 Therefore also now, saith
the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with
weeping, and with mourning:13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and
turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger,
and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.KJV
There
will come from heaven a strong people, set in battle, and the people on earth will
be scared. The armies will run, climb,
march in ranks and not be wounded. This is the army coming back with the
Lord. Let’s read it in the Message.
Joel
2:6-11 At the sight of this army, the people panic, faces white with terror. 7
The invaders charge. They climb barricades. Nothing stops them. Each soldier
does what he's told, so disciplined, so determined. 8 They don't get in each
other's way. Each one knows his job and does it. Undaunted and fearless, unswerving,
unstoppable. 9 They storm the city, swarm its defenses, Loot the houses, breaking
down doors, smashing windows. 10 They arrive like an earthquake, sweep through
like a tornado. Sun and moon turn out their lights, stars black out. 11 God
himself bellows in thunder as he commands his forces. Look at the size of that
army! And the strength of those who obey him! God's Judgment Day — great and
terrible.(from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene
H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
Joel
goes on.
Joel
2:28-32 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit
upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men
shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:29 And also upon the
servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.30 And
I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and
pillars of smoke.31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into
blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.32 And it shall
come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be
delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord
hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.KJV
Before
the great and terrible day of the Lord the Holy Spirit will be poured out on
everyone. As a marker in time, we know
that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost. Peter points that
out in Acts, but he adds something.
Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Saved from what? Saved from the great and
terrible day of the Lord. Joel makes it clear that people should call on the
name of the Lord so that they can be delivered before the day of the Lord.
Acts
2:15-21 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third
hour of the day.16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;17 And
it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit
upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young
men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:18 And on my
servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and
they shall prophesy:19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in
the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:20 The sun shall be
turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable
day of the Lord come:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on
the name of the Lord shall be saved.KJV
Amos
says we should not desire the day of the Lord.
As I mentioned before, sometimes there is a giddy anticipation of the
Lord righting our wrongs, but what we have to remember is that on the day of
the Lord there will be loss. Many will
make offerings to the Lord but the Lord will not be interested in that.
Amos
5:18-22 Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord! to what end is it for
you? the day of the Lord is darkness, and not light.19 As if a man did flee
from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on
the wall, and a serpent bit him.20 Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness,
and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?21 I hate, I despise
your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.22 Though ye
offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them:
neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.KJV
A
call to repentance is what Amos is telling people, because the Lord comes in
justice. Therefore repent instead of
sacrifice. If you are on earth during
the day of the Lord, you will receive, as you have done to others. That could
be good or bad.
Obad
15 For the day of the Lord is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it
shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.KJV
But
Zephaniah says that before the day of the Lord, before that time, people should
seek the Lord, because it may be that he will hide those people from the day of
His anger.
Zeph
2:2-3 Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before
the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you, before the day of the Lord's anger
come upon you.3 Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought
his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in
the day of the Lord's anger.KJV
This
idea of hiding some people is expressed elsewhere in the Old Testament. Zephaniah
gives the reader a way out, he tells people to seek the Lord. Zephaniah would
not know how few people would believe on Jesus when he came, but he prophesied
that God would make a hiding place for the meek.
Ps
27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret
of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.KJV
We
love to apply this to our day and time, and I think we can make a case for that
as a present day spiritual reality as well as a future physical reality. The
reason is that at the present time we are not hiding in his tabernacle
physically, but spiritually. Yet there
will be some who do hide in the tabernacle physically in the middle of the
tribulation, as we saw last week in Revelation 7:14. Also note Revelation 12:6 the second group of
redeemed is hid on earth until Jesus comes for them on Zion. 1260 days is half
of the seven year tribulation.
Ps
83:3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against
thy hidden ones.KJV
Why
is the enemy mad at the ones God hides, because of the punishment of the Lord.
The entire world will be in turmoil, wars and famines, as well as sickness and
disease will plague the earth’s inhabitants. But the Christian redeemed will
not be on earth at that time. God will hide, and then bring to heaven, the
144,000 redeemed after the seals are opened at the start of the great
tribulation.
Isa
26:19-21 Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise.
Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and
the earth shall cast out the dead.20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy
chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little
moment, until the indignation be overpast.21 For, behold, the Lord cometh out
of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the
earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.KJV
Isaiah
points out the dead rising and being brought into their chambers. Not the Lord’s chambers, but their own
chambers. Jesus is preparing a place for us. Here people enter into their own
chambers, shut the doors and hide for a while. While some are hiding, what is
happening on the earth?
Zech
14:1-4 Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in
the midst of thee.2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle;
and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and
half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people
shall not be cut off from the city.3 Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight
against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.4 And his feet
shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on
the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the
east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of
the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.KJV
Nations
are gathered against Jerusalem, homes plundered, women raped, half of the city
goes into captivity. This is what
precedes the day of the Lord. This is another benchmark. Should we be excited
for the raping of women and homes of families plundered? I think this simply shows the ignorance of
the people excited for the day of the Lord.
The days leading up to it will be sorrow upon sorrow. After the nations
all come against Jerusalem, splitting up the city, then the Lord comes. Before
the Lord comes, the nations overtake Jerusalem raping and pillaging, let’s not
be happy about that.
Mal
4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great
and dreadful day of the Lord:6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to
the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and
smite the earth with a curse.KJV
Some
people say this was fulfilled in John the Baptist, but I have to wonder, have
the hearts of the fathers turned to the children and vice versa? Maybe this is
future as Elijah will be one of the two witnesses. As of today, there are not
many fathers who take care of their children, and not many children who look up
to their parents. There are a lot of broken homes all over the world. Peter
says God is not late, but wanting everyone to repent.
2
Peter 3:9-18 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count
slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish,
but that all should come to repentance.10 But the day of the Lord will come as
a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great
noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the
works that are therein shall be burned up.11 Seeing then that all these things
shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy
conversation and godliness,12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the
day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the
elements shall melt with fervent heat?13 Nevertheless we, according to his
promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth
righteousness.14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be
diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.15
And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our
beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written
unto you;16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in
which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and
unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own
destruction.17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before,
beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from
your own stedfastness.18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.KJV
We
are looking for a new heaven and earth. And the day of the Lord will not
overtake us because we are children of light. This is where we want to focus
our efforts, on making more people children of light. That way there are less
people appointed to wrath and more people appointed to salvation.
1
Thess 5:1-11 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I
write unto you.2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so
cometh as a thief in the night.3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety;
then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child;
and they shall not escape.4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that
day should overtake you as a thief.5 Ye are all the children of light, and the
children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.6 Therefore let
us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.7 For they that sleep
sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.8 But let
us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love;
and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.9 For God hath not appointed us to
wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,10 Who died for us,
that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.11 Wherefore
comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.KJV
Since
we are not of the darkness, the day of the Lord will not overtake us. And once again we are not appointed to
wrath. It doesn’t matter whether we are
living or dead at the time Jesus comes, because we are not going through wrath,
therefore we are to edify, or build each other up in these things. But there is
iniquity on the earth. Paul calls it the
mystery of iniquity. What is this
mystery?
2 Thess 2:7
7
|
the
3588 Tó |
For
1063 gár |
mystery
3466 musteérion |
already
2235 eédee |
doth work:
1754 energeítai |
of
3588 teés |
iniquity
458 anomías |
only
3440 mónon |
he 3588 ho |
who letteth
2722 katéchoon |
will let,
<9999> |
now
737 árti |
until
2193 héoos |
out of
1537 ek |
the
9999 |
way.
3319 mésou |
he be taken 1096 géneetai |
(Interlinear Transliterated Bible. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 by
Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved. [For more detail see the full copyright
page.])
Mystery NT:3466 musterion
(moos-tay'-ree-on); from a derivative of muo (to shut the mouth); a secret or
"mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into
religious rites):KJV - mystery.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and
Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006
Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Iniquity NT:458 anomia
(an-om-ee'-ah); from NT:459; illegality, i.e. violation of law or (genitive
case) wickedness:KJV - iniquity,
transgress (-ion of) the law, unrighteousness.(Biblesoft's New
Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew
Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International
Bible Translators, Inc.)
Who letteth NT:2722 katecho
(kat-ekh'-o); from NT:2596 and NT:2192; to hold down (fast), in various
applications (literally or figuratively):KJV - have, hold (fast), keep (in
memory), let, make toward, possess,
retain, seize on, stay, take, withhold.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's
Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright ©
1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Now NT:737 arti
(ar'-tee); adverb from a derivative of NT:142 (compare NT:740) through the idea
of suspension; just now:KJV - this day (hour), hence [-forth], here [-after],
hither [-to], (even) now, (this) present.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's
Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright ©
1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Until NT:2193 heos
(heh'-oce); of uncertain affinity; a conjunction, preposition and adverb of
continuance, until (of time and place):KJV - even (until, unto), (as) far (as),
how long, (un-) til (-l), (hither-, un-, up) to, while (-s).(Biblesoft's New
Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew
Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International
Bible Translators, Inc.)
Out of NT:1537 ek (ek) or
ex (ex); a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or
motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative;
direct or remote):KJV - after, among,
are, at, betwixt (-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+abundantly
above), for (-th), from (among, forth, up),
grudgingly, heartily, heavenly,
hereby, very highly, in, ...ly,
(because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over,
since, thenceforth, through, unto,
vehemently, with (-out). Often used in composition, with the same general
import; often of completion.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and
Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006
Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Way NT:3319 mesos
(mes'-os); from NT:3326; middle (as an adjective or [neuter] noun):KJV -
among, before them, between, forth, mid [-day, -night], midst, way.(Biblesoft's
New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew
Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International
Bible Translators, Inc.)
He be taken NT:1096 ginomai
(ghin'-om-ahee); a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to
cause to be ("gen"- erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into
being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):KJV -
arise, be assembled, be (-come, -fall, -haveself), be brought (to pass), (be)
come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished,
follow, be found, be fulfilled, God
forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be,
partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned,
use, wax, will, would, be wrought.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers
and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003,
2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
2
Thess 2:7 For this lawlessness is
already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding
it back steps out of the way. Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright ©
1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House
Publishers. All rights reserved.
There
is wickedness working in secret until the one holding it back is taken out of
the way. Who is the one holding
wickedness back? The Holy Spirit, who came to earth as a helper, who the world
cannot see, John 14:18. He convicts the world of sin, John 16:8. We may think
that the world is black and white when it comes to sin, however one of the
secrets of sin is that it is everywhere, in the church, in the synagogue, and
among those we think are leaders.
Matt
7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in
thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many
wonderful works?23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from
me, ye that work iniquity[458].KJV
The
people Jesus is speaking to had experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit
because they prophesied, cast out demons, and did other miracles. Yet they are
on the outside of the door when the door of heaven closes. Jesus says they are workers of sin. There is a hidden grey area in the churches
where people profess to be followers of Christ.
The enemy has sown the seeds of evil people everywhere.
Matt
13:40-43 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall
it be in the end of this world.41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels,
and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which
do iniquity[458];42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be
wailing and gnashing of teeth.43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the
sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. KJV
The
angels are going to gather up the sinners out of the kingdom. How did the sinners get into the
kingdom? Is it possible they weren't sinners when they entered in but sold out to sin afterward? We have to wonder about some of the preachers
we hear, who have far more money than they need. The Pharisees shed some light
on this for us.
Matt
23:27-28 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto
whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full
of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.28 Even so ye also outwardly appear
righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity[458].KJV
The
Pharisees always show us what not to do.
There are others as well, here the false prophets lead people astray and
because of that, people’s hearts become cold.
But we are told to endure til the end and then we will be saved. We saw that same thing in Revelation 2 & 3.
We have to be overcomers until the end, meaning either we die or Jesus
comes back. The gospel will be preached
all over the world before the end comes.
Matt
24:11-14 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.12 And
because iniquity [458] shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.13 But he
that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.14 And this gospel of
the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations;
and then shall the end come. KJV
One
of the oddities of this whole matter is that we are persecuted just for living
godly. However, evil people become more
and more evil.
2
Tim 3:12-13 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution.13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving,
and being deceived. KJV
Deceptions
get worse as time goes on. Let’s go back to Paul’s words; the mystery of
iniquity is already working. The secret of unrighteousness is working all over,
even in the church. The secret is a secret to most Christians, as well as unsaved
people, but not to the devil or his evil people. Remember Revelation 2&3, Jesus
points out the evil ways of Balaam, Jezebel, and the Nicolaitans in the first
century church. It is the same today. We also have false prophets and teachers,
as well as people prophesying, casting out demons, and working miracles in the
church, who are unrighteous. People in the church may not really be there for
God’s will but their own. They are trying to deceive people. I suppose we think that the enemy should stay
outside the church walls, but instead the enemy has positioned plenty of people
to mix up the godly and at the same time be ready to exalt the wicked one. Remember the false prophet is the cheerleader
for the beast. This sin is a mystery to
most. Once the redeemed are gone, those
left on earth, who were in the church, will knock on the door of heaven, wanting
to come in.
The
best we can do is cling to Jesus and not to men. Evil will continue. Our charge is to keep preaching the word to
those who don’t know. God is longsuffering, wanting more people to be saved. Next
we have to look at what happens on earth when the redeemed are in heaven.
