The Unchained Word of God - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Timothy 2:8-9,

"This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained."

As Paul writes this second letter to Timothy, he is not being held under house arrest as we read of in Acts 28:30. Now, at this time, he is held as a chained prisoner, quite likely in a dungeon or other facility of incarceration. As such he points out to Timothy that although he is chained, God's word, for which he had given his life and for which he was imprisoned, was not and is not chained.

God's word cannot be chained, cannot be contained, cannot be stopped. The gospel has its own power, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." The gospel is a powerful message, and as in Paul's day and ever since, the attempts to contain the gospel have been utterly futile.

I am reminded of Isaiah 55:10-11, "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

In today's world, we see little puny man shaking his little puny fists up toward heaven, as pictured in Psalm 2:1-5, "Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, 'Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.' The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath…" This is expressed these days in the "global community" movement, such as what we read about in the tower of Babel story. Mankind is working to join forces "for the good of all mankind." In a rejection of God they seek to displace him by attempting to create "safety nets" for all. No need of God's blessing when we are assured the government will provide us an income, housing, medical care, etc. The drive to define what constitutes marriage, redefine homosexuality as legitimate, and the claim of the ability to control creation through a godless environmental movement, etc. all point to little man shaking his little fists in God's face.

However, as we read in Psalm 2:1-5, the Lord simply laughs and then will terrify those of the world in his wrath. No matter how hard mankind tries to "chain up", contain, control, limit God's word, it simply cannot be done. God's word will prevail and all mankind will have to give an account of themselves before his presence on judgment day. "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:13.

As believers, we all need to take great assurance in God's sovereignty, self-determination and his indomitable, ferocious and all-consuming power. All things will come together in his timing, so take heart and celebrate the new life we have in him. 

After all, we are on the winning team!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Paul's Love and Passion - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Timothy 1:15,

"You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes."

Paul's situation when he wrote 2 Timothy is heart-wrenching. Unlike his imprisonment when he first arrived at Rome, living in a rented house, Acts 28:30, he was now chained in prison, 2 Timothy 1:16 and 2:9. As such he was deserted by some of those whom he counted upon and those he loved. He says that everyone from the province of Asia had deserted him, specifically mentioning Phygelus and Hermogenes. I suspect these two are named specifically because it might be thought that for these two to do so, it provides a measure of Paul's sense of abandonment by those who should have stood at his side.

Paul spoke of his sense of concern and care for many of the churches he helped establish. In 2 Corinthians 11:28-29 he says, "Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?" He tells the Philippian church, "Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown..." Philippians 4:1. Listen to his passion for the folks in Thessalonica, "But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy." 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20.

For any fellowship to abandon Paul, many of which he expended his life for, must have been heart-breaking. Paul speaks of his great satisfaction and fulfillment in his work, always acknowledging the Lord as the one who empowered him and enabled him to do the work. As is seen in his feelings for those in the fellowships I have referenced above, to be abandoned by those he loved and spent himself for must have weighed on him heavily.

Paul suffered much in his calling to be the apostle to the Gentiles. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-29 he speaks of some of the difficulties and hardships he faced in his work, "I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?"

I suspect it was the hardship of being abandoned, due to his love and concern for others, that weighed on him most heavily. Paul had a heart for people. Listen to his concern for his own countrymen who rejected the gospel, "I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel." Paul cared for people dearly, reflecting the love of the Lord himself in his actions and writings.

Isn't it amazing what the Lord can do in a hardened heart? Of himself, as a younger man, before having his encounter with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, Paul confesses, "I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man…" 1 Timothy 1:13. Now we see a changed man whose heart for others is on clear display: a love and passion for the Lord and a love and passion for people. This is the kind of thing the Lord does in people's lives!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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One Purpose of God's Commands - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Timothy 6:11,

"But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness."

Here is a command from Scripture. The "flee from all this" refers to the famous statement of Paul, the verse just preceding, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."

Here are six things Paul instructs Timothy to pursue: righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness as the alternative God provides. By extension, I recognize these are the things I need to pursue as well. The Scriptures provide us teaching in the how-to of these things, particularly the book of Proverbs.

So, we have these "commands." Why did God give us these? Is it because I need to behave? Is it because he finds my sinful ways odious to his sense of righteousness, to his own pristine sinlessness? Did he give us these that we might become winsome representatives for him in his efforts to evangelize the world?

Possibly all of these things. However, given the context, something wonderful is on display here that helps me understand the heart of God for us. It relates to our happiness. In God's great love for us, he provides us a path, not only for an inheritance in eternal life, but also a path to happiness and joy in this life as well. He provides us the remedy for piercing ourselves "with many griefs."

"Wine, women and song" are the things that naturally attract us (well, the men anyway...). The pursuit of toys and diversions and so forth - fame and fortune. While we may find these fun for a season, God knows they will not ultimately provide us the happiness and joy we seek. Often these bring quite the opposite. I believe the reason we are given the direction to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness is for our happiness, our joy.

This command, this pursuit, is the antidote to "piercing ourselves with many griefs." God does love us, and I am certain he desires our happiness and joy. What I may seek naturally, what I may pursue on my own, just may be my ruin. God knows what is best and he knows me better than I know myself.

Just something to mull over as we consider the many purposes of the commands of our Creator.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Caring For Family Members

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Timothy 5:4,

"If a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God."

When I read words like, "this is pleasing to God" in Scripture, I want to find out all about what it is. For one thing, as many of his children do, I want to know how to please my heavenly Father. Another wonderful reality about a verse like this is that as I find out what pleases God, it tells me something about him, about his heart, his personality!

Here I learn that family members caring for needy family members is something that pleases our God. What I glean from this is that God cares for those in need. He wants to see those who are his care for the needy. Particularly those who are family members. The recognition of children and grandchildren of the debt they owe to their parents and grandparents pleases God when it gets expressed by their loving action in caring for them. Our just and fair-minded God finds it pleasing when we reciprocate to those who cared for, protected and provided for us when we were brought into this life.

Our God feels strongly about this as Paul tells us, "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." 5:8. Strong words! God feels strongly about this.

Just a glimpse here into the heart of our magnificent God!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Replacing the Savior With Religion - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Timothy 4:1,

"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons."

Although Paul says what it is these folks, who will abandon the faith in favor of religion, will do, he doesn't really elaborate on why. He tells us, in so many words, their faith and trust in Jesus Christ will be jettisoned for a pursuit of religion.

Astonishing!

How can one come to know our breath-taking Savior, how can one experience his love and kindness, how can one be the recipient of his wonderful mercy and receive his lavish grace he showers on us, and turn their back on it all for religion?

In a move that clearly expresses a rejection of his expressed love manifested on his cross in favor of being a do-gooder, these people do not find the sacrifice of our matchless Savior as good enough! No... in favor of setting themselves to the task of proving just how well-behaved and wonderful they can be, they make the foolish decision to make a demonstration of it to God.

Not me. I am not good enough! No effort on my own could ever approach God's amazing expression of love in sending his Son to die for me! "They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods…" How, on God's green earth, do people allow themselves to become so deluded to think they are good enough, their efforts are good enough, that they displace faith in Jesus Christ for being a do-gooder? They are all around us today, in various religions, in various denominations, in all kinds of churches… lip-service to the Savior but a cracking of the whip to engage in the strictures of religious exercises and disciplines.

My Lord knows all my weaknesses. In an incomprehensible love, he has made a way, the way of faith into his family for me. A place at his table, a joint-heir with Jesus Christ in his own inheritance. There is no way I'm passing that by to prove to God and others I'm something I clearly am not.

Jesus Christ is simply all I need. Nothing can begin to approach what he has done.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

The Church: God's Household! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Timothy 3:14-15,

"Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth."

Paul provides instructions to Timothy regarding the selection of individuals to serve in various capacities within the local church. He has also provided instructions on the worship of God and the need for prayer. In his call for prayer he points to the transcendent love of God, "who wants all me to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth."

As Paul provides these instructions, he says he does so that the folks will know how to "conduct themselves in God's household". What Paul says about this household is what fascinates me this morning. As I think of my own household, it is what I make of it. As Paul calls the church "God's household" I am reminded that the church is what God makes of it. What he has made of it is "the pillar and foundation of the truth."

In a fascinating participation with redeemed men, God has chosen to build his church with those who respond to the gospel message, and since the earliest of days, there have been others who have tried to make something else of it. I think of those who attempted to bring law-keeping into the Galatian churches and the false teachers that John spoke of in his first letter. Many other examples can be cited of attempted perversions of the church by those who would lead the church astray.

While it has been easy to be critical (and rightfully so) of these attempts to pervert God's church, the church is nevertheless his household and what he makes of it. What he has made of it is "the pillar and foundation of the truth." It is from within the true church that the gospel message goes out to the world. It is from within the true church that the Scriptures have been preserved and taught. It is from within the true church that the Lord has raised up those who teach, those who preach, those who evangelize, those who bring the rest of us to a point of maturity that we be equipped and enabled to carry on what God is doing in and through his household.

What a magnificent household this is! What a magnificent Lord who has made the church what she is!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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A Perspective on a Woman's Role in the Church - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Timothy 2:11-14,

"A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner."

In his letter to Timothy, Paul provides some instructions on worship relative to the two (and, there really are only two) genders.

How impolitic!! How sexist! What a misogynist! I can just hear the cacophony, the shrieks, the shrill indignation. Here is a statement that just won't square with today's culture. Paul says he does not permit women to teach or have authority over a man. Just wait for those gals who force their little boys to play with dolls and their little girls to play with toy trucks to hear this!

Unfortunately, for those little boys who played with dolls and somehow made it into the church without a spine, their futile attempts to salvage the authenticity, authority, and credibility of their Bibles by claiming Paul was addressing the cultural context of the day, Paul has taken away any attempt to correlate this teaching with the cultural proclivities of the day. His reference to Adam and Eve clearly lifts his teaching on the genders here out of any cultural context and places it squarely in the cosmic dimension of God's creation.

What Paul is saying is that the formulation of correct doctrine and teaching is not within the purview of the female gender. It is to be left up to the men. I have read way too many detractors of Paul, claiming he was, in fact, a misogynist. Nothing could be further from the truth. Paul loved women and held them in great appreciation and regard for their many wonderful contributions to God's agenda of redemption. Listen to his expressions of appreciation regarding some of the women who labored in the gospel, "Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord." Romans 16:12.

Note Paul's appreciation of Priscilla, "Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them." Romans 16:3-4. Note also Paul's acknowledgment of another woman, Mary, "Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you." Romans 16:6. Also Junia, "Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was." Romans 16: 7.

In Paul's concerns for Euodia and Syntyche, note his acknowledgment of their past efforts working with Paul, expressing his appreciation, "I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life." Philippians 4:2-3.

Don't tell me Paul was a misogynist!

It wouldn't make any difference anyway, since the argument against not permitting a woman to teach or assume authority over a man is an argument with God through the Holy Spirit, not Paul. Paul's writings, what he had to say in Scripture was inspired. Listen to what Peter says of Paul's writings, "He [Paul] writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction." 2 Peter 3:16. When Peter says unstable people distort Paul's writings as they do the "other Scriptures", it is an affirmation of Peter's knowledge that Paul's writings were Scripture, that is, inspired by God. Of this, Peter says in another place, "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." 2 Peter 1:20-21.

As I say, anyone who would argue that women should not be limited from establishing doctrine and assuming authority over men in the church has an argument, not with Paul, but with God. Shall we accuse God of being a misogynist? I believe it was God that created women, as well as men and said it was all very good! In fact, God loves women so much that he sent his own Son to die a miserable death in order to pay for their sins. God loves women. And, just as he does for men, he has a role for them in the church - and it is not the formulation of doctrine or the assertion of authority over men.

Are you going to go with the pop culture of the day, or are you going to go with God? Are you going to yield to the insistent demands of our culture that we bow to political correctness, or have a spine and stand for God's truth? We have many issues that force us to choose: abortion, homosexuality, immorality, etc. God has provided a great "shaking out" of the church these days as we see whole denominations abandon God to follow the cultural dictates of the day.

For all you men who grew up as boys playing with dolls, it is time to man up! Same for the women (well, can I say woman up?). Proclaim your allegiance and loyalty to God and his perspective over the culture of our day. Let Jesus Christ be the Lord of your life. This is, after all, what this is all about.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

Beware of the false teachers! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Timothy 1:3-4,

"As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God's work—which is by faith."

Paul's charge to Timothy here was to refute the false doctrines of "certain people." Along with the false doctrines, these certain people also devoted themselves "to myths and endless genealogies." These false doctrines, myths and endless genealogies promoted "controversial speculations" and did not advance God's work.

Who were these people? What did they think they were accomplishing? How had they become deluded such that they, in turn, sought to delude others? What was their motivation, why did they throw themselves into such a task as to teach false doctrines?

Whatever the answers were to those questions then, the questions are just as valid for what we see today. Where is Timothy today? We sure could use him! We have a never-ending supply of false teachers these days. Teachers who claim for themselves the real inside-scoop into the things of God. You don't know these "deep spiritual truths", but they do. Follow them, give to their "ministries" and you can share in these deep-dark mysteries as well!

The problem with people teaching false doctrine is that they lead others astray and do not advance God's work. In their own delusion, I suspect many think they are "doing the work of the Lord", but I'm certain far more of them do it knowingly - in an effort to gain the same old fortune and fame fools always pursue.

Paul provides a key insight in this passage. He points out that God's work "is by faith." Faith always seems to be the first thing out the door with these kinds of folks. One group of false teachers promote ecstatic episodes as the real-deal from God. Why look for faith when you can act like a fruit-loop to demonstrate you are "in" with God?  Another group has abandoned salvation by faith in favor of salvation by appointment from God. Faith is reduced to merely the manifestation of your appointment! You've been "chosen!" Another group insists on the fourth commandment being "kept." Maybe someday you will arrive at their level of spiritual maturity and insight when you finally arrive at the importance of law-keeping!

Of all these things, Paul reminds us that his request to Timothy to oppose these false teachers is "love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." Verse 5. Of false teachers it can always be said, "They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm." Verse 7. I think this is an important thing to note. We all, including myself, may be a bit too confident in what it is we think we may know. Might that confidence be misplaced, if even a bit?

I am reminded that when it comes to false teaching, look at what is being said about faith. Faith is first and foremost if we are to approach the things of God. If faith does not have its proper place in what is being taught, it can't be good teaching. "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6.

Perhaps there is no better medicine for false teaching than what Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." Our best protection from false teachers is a thorough knowledge of the word of God. Not just little snippets here and there, but the entire counsel of the word of God from Genesis through Revelation.

May we all be spared from the false teachers! (And, may we all be spared being that false teacher!)

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

The Lord Loves Us and Keeps Us in Him - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Thessalonians 3:5,

"May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance."

Paul's blessing for the church in Thessalonica reminds me that it is the Lord himself that directs me into the love of God and it is the Lord himself that keeps me strong until the end - perseverance.

In another letter Paul asks the Lord to help his readers grasp the full dimension of the love of Jesus Christ for them, "I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:17-19. 

The Lord wants us to know how much he loves us and he wants us to know that we will never be separated from that love, "I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39. Having a full recognition of this is life-transforming, as Paul says in the Ephesian passage: "filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

It is the Lord himself that keeps us in him. I can't keep myself saved, but the Lord certainly can. Nothing can separate me from my life with him. We call it perseverance. "He [Jesus Christ] will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." 1 Corinthians 1:8-9. Paul references nothing short of the faithfulness of the Lord as that which guarantees that we will be kept in him.

What the Lord does for us is sweeping and breath-taking. What love he has lavished on us!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

Who Is This Man of Lawlessness? - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4,

"Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God."

Apparently there was a rumor the Thessalonians heard, that claimed Jesus Christ had already come back for his own. This was taught by the apostles, the Scriptures, the Lord himself: the second coming of Jesus Christ for his own - believers who have responded to the gospel message and embraced the Lord in faith. Possibly the "persecutions and trials", 1:4, these Thessalonian believers were enduring aided traction to this rumor. The second coming of Jesus Christ will be attended not only by joy and the rejoicing of believers, but also upheaval in the world. The Thessalonian believers may have misread their persecutions as a sign of the Lord's return.

Paul corrects that thought and points out that the Lord will not return until "the rebellion occurs" and a man, "the man of lawlessness" is revealed.

I am just musing here: I have wondered on a number of occasions if this "man of lawlessness" may not be a specific individual, but a "stage" in the devolution of mankind's wallowing in sin. As I say, I'm just musing here. 

Recall the account of Noah's flood. Mankind had devolved to a point where God, "saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways." Genesis 6:12. So great was the wickedness, we read, "The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, 'I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.'" Genesis 6:5-7.

I have entertained the thought from time to time that possibly rather than an individual, this "man of lawlessness" that precedes the second coming of Jesus Christ is a reference to the people that will be engaged in the "rebellion" Paul speaks of in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 and not unlike the people in Noah's day. I have thought possibly "the man of lawlessness" is this stage in mankind's development as a whole and would be one where God is rejected and mankind sets himself up to be God.

These would be globalists, like the people at the tower of Babel. People who claim to be able to do those things that really only God can do or legitimately do. People who claim to be able to raise and lower oceans by manipulating the weather. People who take upon themselves the decision for who lives and dies, as in the current practice of abortion and infanticide in our society. People who claim to be able to cast a "social safety net" of welfare, food stamps, free healthcare, minimum wages as if they were our Provider God. People who assume the role of "Creator" to determine if they will be male or female, as in the transgender/homosexuality crowd. People who reject the word of God for their own precepts. People who simply reject God, rewrite history and assume God's position in the world today by their actions and outlook.

As I say, just musing here...

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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