Chosen and Called

July 18, 2010

Background Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2
Lesson Passage: 2 Thessalonians 2:7 – 17

The day of the Lord’s vengeance is to be feared. For those who have studied eschatology or end-time prophecy, this point is abundantly clear. The details that are provided in the books of Daniel and Revelation leave no room for anyone to think that “judgment day” (as we referred to it as children) would be anything other than terror and pain. But exactly when that day arrives is often confusing to many. Jesus pointed out that one only has to know what signs to look for and heed those signs. This is the point that the apostle Paul was addressing to the Thessalonians in this second letter. There are events that will proceed the day of God’s vengeance. Some of the Thessalonians were concerned that the persecution they were enduring was because the day of the Lord was upon them. This belief was apparently strengthened by a letter that supposedly was sent by Paul to them. Paul assured them that this was not true. He went on to point out the signs that would occur before the day of the Lord. The antichrist will be exposed before Jesus returns. The antichrist will be directly controlled by Satan. Satan is busy today but the Holy Ghost is hindering much of his activity so that he cannot do as he wishes. However, when the Holy Ghost no longer hinders the devil, then great wickedness shall be exposed. There will be a general apostasy or falling away from the Christian faith. Many people who are supposed to be Christians will leave the church and no longer live according to the Christian faith. Others will refuse to even hear the gospel of Jesus Christ but will willingly listen to lies. Many people will be exposed to deception because they will refuse to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ; for this cause, God will send further delusions that will lead to their own destruction. In doing this, God will allow the unrighteousness of the sinner to expose and consume him. Again, terror and pain will cause great suffering to many. This is the “day of vengeance” of our God that Isaiah prophesied. The persecution the Thessalonians were enduring was not to be compared to such a day.

The Thessalonians, on the other hand, had much to be thankful for. They were part of those that are predestined by God to be spared such suffering. God has predestined those that he knew would accept his plan of salvation. Because God foreknew us, he has chosen us to be conformed to the image of his son Jesus. God is now calling the church out of the world through the preaching of the gospel. Those who respond to the gospel are those who have been chosen by God. For this cause, Christians everywhere should take comfort in knowing that God has given us a living hope and made it known through his manifold acts of grace. There is much suffering that goes on in the world today even as it did in the first century. Those who have been chosen by God are being called through the preaching of the gospel so that we will be spared the day of vengeance of our God. For this cause we are both comforted and thankful.


Robert C. Hudson
July 12, 2010

Glory to Christ

July 11, 2010

Background Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1
Lesson Passage: 2 Thessalonians 1:3 – 12

If there were one overarching message Paul had for the Thessalonians it could have been summed up by the statement “In our weakness, Christ’s strength is made perfect in us.” This was the message the apostle received from Jesus later on in his ministry. When Paul had something impeding him and he prayed for the Lord to remove it, this was Jesus’ response to him. Now, the Thessalonians were in need of encouraging in the midst of their tribulations.

Paul’s second letter to the church appears to have quickly followed the first letter. Although he had established the church there, he no doubt did not have a sufficient amount of time to instruct them as he had wished. But the Lord had continued to work in them although Paul was not there to follow up with them in person. Paul received additional information on the status of the new church after his first letter to them had been received and he was now refreshed by the report of their growing faith and abounding love. In fact, their abounding love was the proof of their growing faith. True Christian faith is never in words only but it is evidenced in our deeds of love. Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to be patient in the midst of persecution and tribulations. Surely if God had protected them and nurtured them thus far, they would overcome if they remain faithful in there dependence on him. Paul encouraged them to continue to be faithful to God even as he had heard of them. Paul told them that God will avenge their troublers. How comforting it is to know that God has the final say in all matters. He that has already expressed his sincere love for us through his son Jesus has our best interest at heart. God will right all wrongs. Christians never have to fret over those who oppose us with evil intentions. God has the final say on our behalf. He is our avenger for he has declared that vengeance is his. The Thessalonians were confronted by troublers but it was a temporary situation. In time, God makes all things right. We are reminded that the battle is not ours but the Lord’s. Our struggle is with the old nature in us not against flesh and blood. We are often weak in the struggle against self and attempt to be strong in fighting human adversaries. This is the opposite of God’s desire for us. God desires that we would mortify the deeds of our flesh and allow him to avenge us of our human adversaries. This self-imposed humility is to be preferred to being made humble. We submit ourselves to God for Christ’s sake. It is Jesus who has reconciled us to God that he may subdue all and place everything in subjection to the Father as it should be. When we who are called by Christ’s name submit ourselves to God, then the name of Jesus is glorified in us. When we are weak, then his strength is made perfect in us. When we endure suffering for his sake with patience, then he is glorified in us.

Robert C. Hudson
June 30, 2010

God’s Cosmic Plan

July 4, 2010

Background Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 5:28
Lesson Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:1 – 11, 23, 24

“Billions and billions” is an expression that was used by the late astronomer Carl Sagan to describe the number of heavenly bodies in the universe. The expression meant that there were billions of galaxies that each contained billions of stars. Some of those distant bright lights that we observe are in fact entire galaxies of suns and planets. The space telescope, Hubble, has revealed millions more that were not visible through the dense atmosphere of the earth. What appeared to be a tiny dark spot between stars was photographed by the Hubble telescope and shown to contain many galaxies off in the distance. How beautiful it all is against the velvet backdrop of space. It will all be destroyed one day. Part of God’s revealed plan is to destroy it all and build it anew. Our lesson today is a reminder of this and a warning to Christians as to how this should impact how we live day in and day out.

God has a plan that will indeed shake up not only the earth but the entire universe. God has a predetermined date set when time will come to an end. No one knows the exact date but it is as certain as the existence of God. It will come quickly and many shall be caught unaware because they have not made preparation for the arrival of that date. God will bring back those who have died in Christ when Jesus returns. Those who live in Christ are aware of this and have received God’s light to abide in. Those who are not in Christ walk in darkness as one who is drunk with alcohol. They stumble about not knowing clearly their surroundings. They will be overcome as if by a thief who slips in under the cloak of darkness and catch them by surprise. The saved have been warned about God’s impending plan and therefore they should not be caught by surprise. These are admonished to remain sober and alert while they watch for that day. The unsaved will experience the wrath of God and the saved will be spared. Nevertheless, just because we are saved this is not an excuse to not remain watchful and sober. Some may attempt to classify the events of that day as a natural disaster and therefore dismiss its true meaning. Christians know that the end of time is not a natural occurrence but it is indeed a true act of God against his enemies and the avenging of those God has appointed unto honor and salvation.

The cosmic nature of the end times is described in additional details by the apostles Peter and John. Peter said there will be a great noise and the elements (physical world) will melt with intense heat. Peter admonishes believers to consider that the physical universe will be destroyed by fire and therefore they should live with this understanding at all times. We look for new heavens and a new earth according to the promise of God. John went much farther into detail and talked about the unfolding of God’s wrath upon the unfaithful and the judgment of the nations. There is a total destruction in the end according to John’s warning followed by a new heaven and a new earth. Today’s lesson looks at God’s cosmic plan.

Robert C. Hudson
June 22, 2010