Are you prepared, is your house in order?
These are the two phrases that I was impressed with in the wee hours of this morning along with so much more. To whom this applies and what it may mean to them, I don't know.
My topic of study is that of 2Thessalonians 1:11-12 but to get the complete thought we'll have to begin with verse 3, but instead of just starting at verse 3, I'll begin at the beginning here:
2Thessalonians 1:1-2, 3-12 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, to the church of the Thessalonians in GOD our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you, and peace, from GOD our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
With much Thanksgiving:
We are bound to GOD always for you, our brethren, as it is fit, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other abounds; So that we ourselves glory in you as in the churches/houses/bodies of GOD for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure:
[The Judgment at Christ's execution has changed the Coming long awaited judgment of the hostile ones: hostile to religions influence and dominance.]
Which is a manifested token of the righteous judgment of GOD [this taking place in the judgment and execution of the Lord Jesus as the son of man, the second Adam], that we may be counted worthy of the kingdom of GOD, for which we also suffer: seeing it is a righteous thing with GOD [GOD is not the author of vengeance nor retribution, man is, GOD is however the author of mercies that are new every morning according to scripture) to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest in Him that is True, for when the LORD Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, as a flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not GOD, and that obey not the gospel of our LORD Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the LORD, and from the glory of His power; When He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you is believed) in that day. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our GOD would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness (mercies), and His work of faith with power within humanity: That the name of our LORD Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and we are in Him, according to the grace of our GOD and the LORD Jesus Christ.
Now with this thought I want to go back to 1Thessalonians 1 to see what Paul is making reference to here, and maybe I'll draw from the Mirror Study Bible by Francois du Toit as it expands our own identity of origin just a bit more than the KJV does, beginning at verse 2:
1Thessalonians 1:2-10 I give thanks to GOD always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our ascended LORD Jesus Christ, in the sight of GOD and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election(1) of GOD. For our gospel(2) came(3) not to you in word only, but also in power, and in the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance (4); As we know(5) what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And you became followers(7) of us, and of the LORD, having received(6) the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that you are examples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the LORD not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith of God-ward is spread abroad; So that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had to 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 GOD raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered(8) us from the wrath (G3709 from G3713; strong desire, excitement of mind, violent passion, to long for) to come.
Now for the Mirror Study Bible's translation of the same:
Your future is prominently in our prayers and conversation which is always marked with the gentle cheerfulness of a grateful heart to GOD. We fondly remember the testimony of your faith which is so evident in your day to day lives in your love, even through many difficult times, and the cheerful constancy of the very hope that our LORD Jesus Christ personifies, in Whom we enjoy the immediate presence of our Papa GOD. [This is a stark and sharp contrast to a duty-and guilt driven rule, Paul mentions their faith inspired work and their love inspired labors. Paul understood fully that love ignited faith. Gal. 5:6] Beloved friends, you have come to understand that you are GOD'S idea to begin with! ([1, G1589, election] The word ekloge has traditionally been translated and interpreted as election, which led to the illusion that some are in and some are out, by GOD'S intent! However, the preposition ek, always denotes source or origin and lego points to that authentic thought, where as the logos G3056 is different from ours here, this of John refers to in Jn. 1:1 and 14, where the word used is Word, logos.) Our gospel (2)birthed (3) in you so much more than mere intellectual reasoning's; Your encounter bore witness to the dynamics of the Holy Spirit as you became thoroughly permeated(4) with the well done announcement and perceived(5) within yourselves the full impact of our immediate influence. (The gospel (2) means a well done announcement G2098, while the word came G1096, γίνομαι ginomai ghin'-om-ahee A prolonged and middle form of a primary verb; to cause to be. (4) assurance G4136, πληροφορία plērophoria play-rof-or-ee'-ah [From G4135, means, to carry out fully (in evidence), that is, completely assure (or convince), entirely accomplish: -]; entire confidence: - (full) assurance, to permeated. (5) G1492, means, eidō i'-do A primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent, G3700 and G3708; properly to see (literally or figuratively); by implication (in the perfect only) to know: - be aware, to perceive.) In embracing (6) the word as your own, even in the midst of great contradictions, the mirror(7) likeness of the LORD reflected in us was ignited in you with the joy of the Holy Spirit! ( 6, G1209, dechomai dekh'-om-ahee Middle voice of a primary verb; to receive favorably, to give ear to, embrace, make of one's own, approve of (in various applications, literally or figuratively): - accept, receive, take. 7, followers G3402, mimētēs mim-ay-tace' From G3401; an imitator: - follower, or mirror) And so the story unfolds; Your lives came to be the very mirror, modeling the Christ life and endorsing the faith of everyone throughout humanity. The word of the LORD found such an articulate voice in you and resounds forth to reach regions far beyond you! Not only in your immediate provinces, but in every place your faith concludes in a face to face encounter with GOD! You are the message! We need not say anything! (here the Greek pros, indicates direction, forward to; That is toward the destination of the relation. Face-to-face is the conclusion.) Others from these provinces testify of this; They recall how our visit to you has greatly influenced your lives to return to GOD and now, instead of being absorbed by the imaginary illusions of idolatry you are now engaged with GOD unveiled in real life! All along you remain focused on the Son of GOD Who revealed our joint-origin in the heavenliest. He endorsed our redeemed innocence in His resurrection! He has drawn(8) us to Himself and rescued us from every definition of judgment! (8, G4506, rhuomai rhoo'-om-ahee Middle voice of an obsolete verb, akin to G4482 (through the idea of a current; compare G4511); to rush or to draw (for oneself), that is, rescue)
This now completes this portion of our studies but know that I may look at the quotes from Isaiah that Jesus read in the temple.
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