This study comes to us from an article written by Brother L. H. Bunker entitled, “The Source of Our Life, Strength and Joy” “To all the saints IN Christ Jesus” (Phil 1:1) “The Apostle Paul was preeminently the Apostle of “the mystery” — that mystic union of Christ, the Head, and the Church, his spiritual Body. His letters abound in direct and implied references to the oneness of the Christ, a unity which Paul described as the “mystery which hath…
How and what specifically do we sacrifice? Scriptural Usage of the Term “Sacrifice” “The word “sacrifice” may be used from different standpoints. If an animal were killed for some benevolent reason or purpose, it might be spoken of as a sacrifice, particularly if it were something done in harmony with the Divine arrangement. But the mere killing of an animal would not be sacrifice. A dog might be killed without being sacrificed. But if the dog’s life were surrendered for…
2 Thessalonians 2:9–12, 1981 Study Note: In the 1981 study, these four verses pertaining to the end of the age were treated in detail and only from the standpoint of the consecrated. The expanded explanation follows. Some of this we have already considered, but nevertheless we can never be to settled as these things pertain to events shortly to take place and it is better to be overly prepared than under prepared. Once the trials and deceptions begin it’s going…
Considering what we have thus far discussed in our previous post right about now many are probably thinking to themselves this all seems much too complicated, the Gospel of salvation is not supposed to be this complicated it’s supposed to be simple, viz. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,” (Acts 16:31). This is true for the most part, but then we are not referring to “our common salvation” (Jude 3), of the salvation which comes…
2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 A word of Warning, continued VERSE 11 and 12 “And for this reason God will send them strong delusion that they should believe the lie that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness (in falsehoods, errors).” The level of damnation (judgement) is scaled proportionate to our enlightenment. Enlightenment is a blessing, not a curse, yet some are willingly ignorant because they do not want the responsibility of…
2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 A word of Warning, continued VERSE 10 “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (AV) “In them that perish” To a certain degree, there are samples of deception even among the Lord’s consecrated, even among the brotherhood. To a somewhat greater degree—and in some cases to a very blatant degree—there are deceptions in the nominal system. In recent years…
2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 A word of Warning, continued VERSE 9 continued, “Whose presence [shall be] according to an in working of Satan, with all manner of mighty work and signs and wonders of falsehood.” (Rotherham’s Version) Comment: Gal 1:8 warns of a possible deception: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” The hypothesis is that the Adversary will materialize, that…
The first invitation to the feast, recounted in the parable, represents the first years of our Lord’s ministry, which were specially directed toward interesting the scribes and Pharisees and Doctors of the Law, who, as the leading men of that nation, and as our Lord said, occupying Moses’ seat, really represented that nation as a whole; and the rejection of the invitation by these meant the rejection of it by that nation as a whole. Thus our Lord was careful…
A ROYAL BANQUET DECLINED (Luke 14:15-24) “Now when one of those who sat at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, “Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!” Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ But they all with one accord began…
2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 A word of Warning, continued VERSE 9 “Whose presence [shall be] according to an in working of Satan, with all manner of mighty work and signs and wonders of falsehood.” (Rotherham’s Version) The translators of this particular verse (as shown below) have completely distorted the text giving it a completely different meaning then that which is intended. Rather than referring to the coming (parousia: presence) of our Lord Jesus they make it to appear to be…