By Any Means

August 30, 2022 at 4:10 pm | Posted in II Thessalonians | 2 Comments
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Somebody had sent a letter to Thessalonica about the “last days,” and got everybody all riled up. They were trusting prophecies which were intriguing and provocative, but not grounded in the Apostles’ doctrine.

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;

II Thessalonians 2:3 (emphasis added)

“By any means” is the exhortation, and this would including not allowing themselves to be deceived by supposedly prophetic utterances, “words of knowledge,” “words of faith,” dreams or visions, signs and wonders, non-Apostolic letters, or even someone who sounds really, really sincere and earnest when he says, “I have a word from the Lord for you.”

And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

II Thessalonians 2:8 (emphasis added)

“That Wicked” is a reference to the Antichrist. An “anti” is something opposed to something else, but it is also something that wants to take the place of what it opposes. The Antichrist will be Satan’s masterpiece. Satan has for a long time wanted to be worshiped in place of God.

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;

II Thessalonians 2:3 (emphasis added)

End-times views are notoriously controversial, but I believe that this falling away will occur mid-Tribulation, three and one-half years after the false man of peace settles things down in the Middle East. At the beginning of this period he will make a covenant with Israel and have the Temple rebuilt. At the “falling away” he will break the covenant and usurp the Temple.

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.

II Thessalonians 2:2 (emphasis added)

Paul’s response to those “shaken” is to correct the false doctrine – to give them the truth. The “son of perdition” was not on the scene yet. Then he went on to tell them what you would expect him to tell someone who is in danger of being shaken loose: Hold on.

Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

II Thessalonians 2:15 (emphasis added)

We need to hold on to Biblical doctrine the way a high-rise construction worker holds on to the beam which is preventing him from falling to this death. That’s how “fast” we need to hold on. No matter what the media or popular opinion or falsely-called “science” says about evolution or archaeology or about the trustworthiness of the Bible, we need to hold fast.

The Devil’s Doctrine

August 24, 2022 at 2:47 pm | Posted in II Peter | 2 Comments
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But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

II Peter 2:10-12

It is dangerous to defy God-ordained authority, whether it be in the relationships of wives and husbands, children and parents, or angels and God. Even the God-serving angels do not revile fallen angels, so neither should we revile fallen angels or sinful government authorities. Apostate false teachers rant and rave about things they know nothing about. Like barrels that are almost empty of substance, they make the loudest racket when they roll around. Their own nature draws them to their own corruption like pigs or dogs.

Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

II Peter 2:14

They not only want to satisfy their lusts, but they are also kidnappers, taking away many captives.

While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

II Peter 2:19

They serve their own desires when they should be mortifying them (Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:5). True freedom comes not from satisfying your selfish desires, or serving only yourself. It comes from finding a greater Master. Who – in their right mind, being God-centered, not self-centered – WOULDN’T want such a master?

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30

Good parents know that young children are not helped by being given too much of the wrong kind of freedom. Parents do a great disservice when they place the weight of freedom on shoulders that are too young to bear it. Much worldly parenting advice centers on the idea of trusting kids, but wise parents trust God and His Word, not young irresponsible children, their friends, the world, or, inadvertently, the devil himself.

But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

II Peter 2:12

Beware of the the seductive power of power itself, of lust, and of money. The Old Testament prophet Balaam knew the right way, but he chose the wrong way, and he became blinded to the guidance of the Lord. He became more of a beast than his donkey.

While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

II Peter 2:19

The doctrine of the devil – and we see its influence in everything from false cults to zealous professing atheists – does not teach people to openly worship or even consciously serve the devil. No, his doctrine is just to tell people to do what they want. His lie is that “freedom” consists of making your own rules, of making your own will into your own personal law. In reality, this is the worst kind of bondage.

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

II Peter 2:20

The worst kind of bondage is when you don’t even know you’re bound, because then you have no real hope. You are just living for the moment, living for vanity, not for eternity.

Christian Men Must S.W.I.M.

August 22, 2022 at 1:29 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment
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A Christian man in this culture is swimming upstream. Without the constant nutrition of the Word, he will soon tire and be dragged off by the force of the current.

Steve Farrar

Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

Job 23:12

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

Jeremiah 15:16

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

I Peter 2:2

The Fruit of the Vine

August 19, 2022 at 2:05 pm | Posted in Isaiah | 1 Comment
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The unfruitful vineyard described in Isaiah Chapter 5 had brought forth wild grapes, but a day will come when it will be a fruitful vineyard – transformed by righteousness.

The Bible discusses three vines: (1) Israel; (2) the vine of the earth (gentile society), also called “the world;” and (3) Christ and His Church. The worldly vine is producing plenty of fruit, but it’s poisonous fruit. The vine of Israel is now lying dormant (not dead). It’s our job as Christians to bear good fruit produced by Christ – fruit of righteousness. Are you bearing righteous fruit? We should not be dormant. It’s not enough just to avoid producing unrighteous fruit. As Christians, we must be actively bearing righteous fruit. Did you bless someone this week? Did you tell someone about the Lord? Did you offer somebody a ride to church? Did you pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ? Did you serve His Body?

Isaiah in Chapter 28 warned Judah (the southern kingdom) about its pride. They thought that what happened to Israel (the northern kingdom) could never happen to them. They were getting drunk and allowing drinking to control their thinking. They were even making political decisions while under the influence of alcohol. They mocked Isaiah, saying, “He talks to us like we’re children.”

Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

Isaiah 28:9-10 

Festus once told the Apostle that he thought too much much learning had mad him “mad.” Here in Isaiah, it was not too much learning, but too much hypocrisy and too much false religion that had made them lose their senses. Isaiah spoke to them in simple words, but they still didn’t understand. Maybe they would understand another language, such as the Assyrian language of their conquerors!

Safe and Secure: The Integrity, Infallibility, and Immutability of the Savior

August 10, 2022 at 1:55 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments
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The doctrine of the eternal security of the believer is: All those to whom God in Christ Jesus grants eternal life will, without fail or exception, be held securely and safely by God’s power, and the eternal life they have received cannot be revoked, rejected, lost, stolen, given back, or otherwise reversed.

In a previous lesson I stated that ALL those given to Jesus the Son by God the Father will be kept secure by His power, and NONE shall be lost. Eternal life is eternal, and it is a present tense possession of the believer. No being or power can remove from God’s hand those He holds securely. Furthermore, because of the new nature given to believers at salvation, they do not ultimately WANT to remove themselves from His hand. Like sheep with a shepherd, their nature is to follow Him.

Now I want to look at a passage of Scripture which is a classic stumbling block for those who are skeptical about the doctrine of eternal security, keeping in mind that approaching the Bible honestly does not allow us to toss out sections of the Bible that “SEEM” to contradict our presuppositions. If we are going to understand the Bible faithfully and fairly, we must seek to harmonize verses that seem to be at odds with each other, because we know that God CAN NOT lie.

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Hebrews 6:1-6

If you had not read or believed Jonah 2:9 and John 6 and John 10 and Jude vv. 24-25, and just came to Hebrews 6:1-6, is there something here which could lead you to believe that it’s possible that God could save someone, then take that salvation away, or allow it to be lost or rejected? Some people believe that this passage teaches that it is possible to truly trust Christ for salvation, receive eternal life, but then later willingly to turn from that salvation and voluntarily give it up. However, in order to try to make Hebrews 6:1-6 fit into a doctrine that teaches that truly saved, born-again believers can lose the salvation granted to them by God, then the verses would also have to be teaching that, once this happens, these now-former believers could never get eternal life back again. Most of the people who deny eternal security instead teach that believers may lose it and get it back, lose it and get it back, many times. These verses teach just the opposite. They are saying that it would be impossible if someone were truly saved, and then could “fall away” out of salvation, to renew them again unto repentance.

On the other hand, some believe that Hebrews 6:1-6 is talking about people who were never really saved at all. Certainly there are some who profess to be saved and are really not, but that might not be who these verses are talking about. The people described were “once enlightened.” They “tasted” the heavenly calling, which means they actually experienced it, the way Jesus was said to have “tasted” death back in Hebrews 2:9. They were “partakers” of the Holy Ghost. He had sealed them unto redemption.

One solution to this is to see Hebrews 6:6 as describing a hypothetical situation positing what it would mean if God’s seal could be broken. Clearly an unsaved person could not put the Son of God “to open shame.” True Christians are His sheep. Wild goats don’t bring shame to the shepherd; they’re not in his care. The hypothetical would then serve to prove the point that only true Christians can bring shame to our Savior by refusing to grow up.

Can a baby remain immature for so long that his father is no longer his father? No, as true Christians, we’ve been “born again.” Once you’ve been born, any manner of things might happen to you, but you can never be “unborn.” This is also supported by the significance that Hebrews 6:4-9 use the pronouns “them,” “those,” and “their,” whereas the rest of the passage uses “us” and “we,” which is another indication that a hypothetical situation is being described.

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

Hebrews 6:1-9 (emphasis added)

The language indicates that the author has been using a hypothetical argument and speaking in figures of speech. Also, it indicates that this is more of an exhortation than a doctrinal discourse.

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Hebrews 6:10

“Have ministered” and “do minister:” note the past and present tense.

And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

Hebrews 6:11 (emphasis added)

It’s as if the author assumes all true Christians will continue to labor for God out of love and minister to other believers to the end, but he is reminding them of the importance of not being “average” about their service. He wants them to be diligent about it all the way to the end of their lives. This is classic exhortation language. It is not the “My sheep hear My voice and they follow Me” declarative or indicative tense. It is the imperative or exhortative tense: “Here is what you OUGHT to do.”

That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 6:12

Sheep can follow and still get lazy, but sheep who are maturing get less lazy and more obedient. Hebrews teaches us that Jesus Christ is the Originator of the plan of, and the Author of the very idea of, salvation.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2 (emphasis added)

Jesus is the sole Author of salvation. We are not His co-authors. Salvation is a gift given to us, not a cooperative project. He is also the FINISHER of our faith. It should be difficult to imagine Jesus – Who is omnipotent – attempting something and not being able to finish it. In fact, it should not only be difficult to imagine, but it is a notion that should be rejected out of hand since it would negate the truth of His infallibility and Deity.

And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:

Hebrews 7:23

All throughout the Old Covenant there had never been an immortal human priest, but here is the stark contrast under the New Covenant:

But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

Hebrews 7:24 (emphasis added)

Jesus continues forever. He is eternal, and he is able to continue to do His work forever, and He WILL in fact do it forever because, being God, he is unchangeable: IMMUTABLE. This is why the doctrine of the eternal security of the believer not only IS true, but HAS TO be true.

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 7:25

“The uttermost” is a universal, all-inclusive, definitive statement. There are no exceptions for opting out of the uttermost. This point is made over and over in the Bible, often right next to passages of Scripture which talk about the difficulty of living for Jesus continually through our whole lives in a hostile world.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Romans 8:35-36 (emphasis added)

Sheep don’t look like they will make it, but Christ’s sheep WILL make it – not because they are super-sheep – but because they have an unconquerable, unfailing, all-powerful Shepherd.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Romans 8:37-38

This is something of a doxology, but it’s a very literal and specific doxology.

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:39

No Rest for the Wicked

August 8, 2022 at 3:37 pm | Posted in II Thessalonians | 2 Comments
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Between I Thessalonians and II Thessalonians someone had written a counterfeit letter to the Thessalonians. It seems like this was the work of the devil, the most infamous counterfeiter. During the events shown in the Book of Acts he had counterfeited believers, he had counterfeited church members, and he even counterfeited miracles. With the era of the Epistles under way and the ministry of Christian teachers in newly-planted Christian churches, it makes sense that he would counterfeit a letter and send false teachers to infiltrate these churches.

The letter written between I and II Thessalonians stated that, despite Paul’s instructions in I Thessalonians, the tribulational Day of the Lord was here. To counterACT the counterFEIT, Paul reminded them in II Thessalonians that they were saved by the faithfulness OF Christ, but that their own faith could grow – and did appear to be growing – even in persecutions.

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

II Thessalonians 1:3-4

These Thessalonian believers received grace in times of suffering, and their love for each other became known, which helped those who heard about it to grow spiritually. The glory of God poured down on them, but they did not act like tubs, merely catching and storing the glory. No, the glory flowed through them to others. They were like channels, not buckets.

Channels only, blessed Master,
But with all Thy wondrous pow’r
Flowing through us, Thou canst use us
Every day and every hour.
Every day and every hour.

Mary E. Maxwell

In suffering, Christians who are growing in faith love each other even more. They pick up the slack even for those who are not yet growing as they should, but we need to remember to also love the ones the devil is using to cause the suffering. Satan is tricky and subtle. He knows that if he attacks us physically and the physical attacks weaken us, he can try to steal glory from God. However, if the physical attacks only strengthen our faith, he knows that he can still try to steal the glory by making us hate the attackers. This is why the the Holy Spirit reminded the Thessalonians through Paul’s letter that there is a payday coming.

Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In 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;

II Thessalonians 1:5-9

There will be a payday for unbelievers, and there will be a payday for believers.

When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

II Thessalonians 1:10

We must not hate unbelievers and rejoice in their coming destruction. Perhaps you were the victim of a bully in your childhood. If so, your prayer was most likely not that he would be forgiven for mistreating you. More likely, you prayed for the courage to sock him in the eye. However, as we get older, we come to understand that childhood bullies are often the victims themselves of abusive fathers. The retributive blow you might have dealt to him would be nothing compared to what he would receive from his own dad when it became known that he lost a fight with you. Satan’s pawns in this world might seem like appropriate objects for our animosity, but we must force ourselves to remember that they don’t have a just and loving Father like we do. Their father – the devil – always pays off with counterfeit money on his payday. God’s children receive everlasting life; the devil’s children receive everlasting death.

Believers don’t face God’s retribution for our sins, because God delivered His retribution against our sins at Calvary.

Years I spent in vanity and pride,
Caring not my Lord was crucified,
Knowing not it was for me He died on Calvary.

…

Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan!
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary!

William Reed Newell

Therefore, we have the “rest” of Verse 7. You might have heard the common expression, “no rest for the wicked.” We often use this expression when our workload piles up and no end to our labor seems to be in sight. But Christians are concerned with the “rest” that refers to peace – knowing that we have been declared righteous by God and are now His beloved children. The wicked can never have this peace (“rest”).

To thwart the devil’s schemes Paul had been using the secret weapon of every Christian: prayer.

Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

II Thessalonians 1:11

Work and faith seem opposed to each other when we consider the means of our salvation, but here they are not. Work does not create our faith, but God’s gift of faith empowers our faith, and we have access to the greatest power source (not force) in the universe. Our faith does not activate some impersonal universal law. Instead, our faith is the conduit of our relationship to the PERSON of God.

False Teachers and Plastic Words

August 3, 2022 at 2:40 pm | Posted in II Peter | 5 Comments
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But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

II Peter 2:1

We must first distinguish between false prophets and false teachers. Someone who claims the title of “prophet” is immediately suspect. Therefore, we should have little trouble detecting and avoiding the dangers of false prophecy. “Prophecies” that are contrary to the revealed Word of God are by definition false. False prophets SHOULD have a tough time gaining a foothold now that we have the canonized Scriptures, but false TEACHERS are still very much a problem. They are marked by the forcing of the choice of sides. “Are you on my side or that other teacher’s side?” is a common demand with false teachers. They don’t like it when you want to objectively examine their claims – especially in the light of Scripture.

They are also marked by deceptive methods. They use feigned (plastic) words to engender trust, and then claim later that they understood these words to have different definitions.

And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

II Peter 2:3

Let’s be clear – these are not deluded or mistaken believers. Deep down they know the truth, but they choose to deny it because it doesn’t serve their motives.

But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

II Peter 2:22

They are spoken of in the Bible as unsaved – pigs and dogs, not sheep.

These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

Jude v. 19

One of their motives is a desire to coax others to engage in licentious conduct.

And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

II Peter 2:2

Another motive is greed.

And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

II Peter 2:3

Their plastic words begin to swell and flatter.

For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

II Peter 2:18

Their punishment will not be light.

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

II Peter 2:4

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

II Peter 2:9

The fallen angels, along with the people who perished in the flood of Noah’s day, and the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah were all examples of those who saw the way of righteousness or heard the preaching of righteousness and yet rebelled against it – and were severely punished. However, Noah himself and Lot provide examples of true believers who were delivered from completely wicked surroundings because of their righteousness through faith.

In Chapter 2 of II Peter, Peter is extremely harsh in his condemnation of false teachers, but, remember, he started his letter off with the recipe for growing in faith and spiritual maturity. As Christians we must be prepared to build AND defend. Beware of ministries that only point out false teaching, but never provide any true teaching.


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