505 - Les Feldick Bible Study - Lesson 1 Part 1 Book 43 - Paul’s Glimpse Of Prophecy

https://lesfeldickbiblestudy.com Through the Bible with Les Feldick LESSON 1 * PART 1 * BOOK 43 Paul’s Glimpse at Prophecy II Thessalonians 1:1-2:4 Now as we begin book 43, we’ll start with the Book of II Thessalonians, a little short letter from the apostle Paul which followed the first letter, probably in a matter of months. Paul, along with the prophets and the twelve disciples after His ascension, were all looking for Christ to return in short order. Now remember, too, that the Thessalonians letters are probably the very first letters that the apostle Paul wrote, even though they’re toward the end of his Church epistles in our New Testament, yet they were evidently written first. Then you come up to the third level in Paul’s writings so far as his doctrines are concerned, and they are the two little letters of Thessalonians which speak of the end time. So remember that now the apostle is responding to the good news that the Thessalonians are remaining firm in their faith, and looking for the return of Christ. Now let’s start right in with Chapter 1 and verse 1. "Paul and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: 2. Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I’ll never forget the testimony of one old fellow that had come out of a rather rough non-spiritual background. So Paul says, "we realize the love you’re showing toward each other." Verse 4. "So that we ourselves glory in you (Paul was thrilled to hear back from these little Gentile congregations and how they were standing firm in the faith) in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:" These poor Gentile pagans, now walking the life of a believer, came under intense persecution. II Thessalonians 1:5 "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:" Now here is where we compare Scripture with Scripture. Look at what the apostle Paul writes to these Gentiles at Rome. Romans 8:18 Now back to II Thessalonians chapter 1. Paul says: II Thessalonians 1:6 "Seeing it is a righteous thing with God (and remember God can’t do anything that is wrong or unfair. Revelation 18:4-6 6. Reward her (this group of people that have been tormenting believers of the Tribulation) even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: (the persecutions that this group promoted upon these believers) in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double." Revelation 18:7-8 (Oh but God says, "Yes you will!") Verse 6. Revelation 17:6 Revelation 16:6a "For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink;…" Now back to II Thessalonians chapter 1. II Thessalonians 1:6,7 "Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you." Remember God’s keeping the record. "And to you who are troubled (to you Thessalonians who are under this intense persecution) rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels." Now look at verse 8, and here comes the wrath and the justice and the righteousness of God. II Thessalonians 1:8 "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:" Do you remember that? The day of the Lord, when it will be dark and gloomy and when there will be such intense wrath of God being poured out on that Christ-rejecting generation which we feel is this one. Once the Church is off the scene then the wrath, and vexation of God, the day of the Lord is going to come. I made the comment several programs back that the apostle Paul, almost without exception, does not deal with Old Testament prophecy. Other than that Paul never refers to prophetic things. Paul deals only with the Church during this Age of Grace, and the reason for that is, "There is no prophecy directed to the Body of Christ!" We’re not under any of the Old Testament covenants, we’re not under any of the Old Testament prophecies, those were all directed to the Nation of Israel. So when Paul writes the Church letters from Romans all the way through Philemon, he doesn’t have to deal with prophecy because we don’t have any part with that. Isn’t that right? All the nations of the world are being aligned little by little, getting ready for that final curtain raising. I’ll never forget a comment he made. Well Paul comes along and says, "We’re going to have a body exactly like His glorious resurrected body." Which means that if the Lord changes us and we’re in this building when that happens, before we hit the ceiling, we’ll have already changed into that body that can slip through materials with no problem, and always remember Jesus Himself said it, "With God nothing is impossible!" #LesFeldick #BibleStudy #Bible