2 thessalonians

ENSAMPLE

Posted on October 6, 2023 by West Oaks Fellowship

This is not a common word for us in our everyday reading or communication; however, it holds a very significant meaning in our New Testament Scriptures. You may recall that recently, on Sunday, July 23, 2023, when we honored Dr. Joe Wall, we carefully and very distinctly used that word on the plaque we presented him.

Some modern translations use the word “pattern,” which serves the appropriate textual purpose and meaning decently, but is perhaps still a little lacking. The ASV (American Standard), and KJV (King James), seem to hold the line on “ensample.” Weaker translations all seem to use example for the purpose of modern-day vernacular, which fails to convey the deep spiritual concepts of the original Greek root word, tupos; translated as ensample.

Tupos (Gk) primarily denotes “a blow” (from a root tup—, seen also in tupto, “to strike”), hence, a serious impression — the mark made from a powerful blow as a permanent scar. It can also refer to a dye – that’s as in a coin or ancient stamp. You may recall from John 20:25, that the disciple Thomas demanded to, “see in His (Jesus Christ) hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side.”

Then in Romans 6:17 we find this word used in reference to the teaching that believers were charged to become obedient unto.

Consider the Apostle Paul’s instruction to us in Philippians 3:17, “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern (Gk – tupos; ensample – that permanent blow / strike of transformation that occurs only in and through an unrelenting faith and commitment to Christ as one’s own master) you have in us.” In 2 Thessalonians 3:9, the church is instructed to follow the Apostle’s “pattern” (tupos) of life discipline. Unquestionably again, this is due to the stamp of Christ alive in him, therefore making him an appropriate “ensample” in the lives of anyone committed to the Lord.

Then in 2 Peter 2:6, the imprint is extremely dramatic / dynamic as the Apostle Peter employs this word, desiring this stamp, this scar to have a lasting testimony upon all who refuse the truth … “And if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter!” There’s a lasting imprint!

Dr. Joe Wall was a “ensample” to me, almost from the very beginning of the ministry back in 1985. I sincerely pray / hope that concept can / will be true for all of us as well! May we demonstrate life with the Word and God’s Holy Spirit freely flowing from within, and then flowing out to those the Lord has uncoincidentally placed in our lives and across our paths.

“In all things show yourself to be an example (ensample) of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”   -- Titus 2:7-8

His and yours because of GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)

–PF

RESTRAINER

Posted on February 17, 2023 by West Oaks Fellowship

There are two programs at work in our world today: God’s program of salvation by grace through faith, and Satan’s program of sin, corruption and iniquity, “the mystery of lawlessness / iniquity.” (2Thessalonians 2:7) God has a timetable for His program in the world, and nothing Satan does can change His agenda / outline / plan. Just as there was a “fullness of the time” for the 1^st coming of Christ (See Galatians 4:4), so there is a time for the appearance of Antichrist. Therefore, nothing will be off schedule (that is according to God’s purposes / plans)! Once the restraining ministry of God’s Holy Spirit has ended, the next event in God’s design is set up to take place and will move forward accordingly.

In 2 Thessalonians 2:2, Paul appeals for the believers to calm down (“not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed”) on the basis of the truth he had already taught them in his first letter. That being that the Lord would return and catch up His own to meet Him in the air according to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Once Christ’s Church is taken out of the world, Satan and his forces will be theoretically unrestrained by those living righteously, and the program / plan can be unfolded without resistant / resistance. (As a example, just think of where the LGBT would be today in our world today … or abortion in the USA … without any stand for what is right!)

“The Day of the Lord,” as declared in this text (verse 7), is the period that immediately follows the snatching away / catching up (from Latin – the rapture) of the church. At that point, a time of Tribulation occurs for all those individuals remaining on the earth (Jew and Gentile alike). Satan and all his hosts will go to work head on, while at the same time, the Lord God Almighty will send His righteous judgments from heaven upon the earth (nations and individuals) as revealed in Revelation 6-19.

So, one must ask why is Satan unable to reveal his “man of lawlessness” – “son of destruction” in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 on a quicker / sooner timetable? God is currently restraining the forces of evil in the world and Satan cannot do whatever he wants, whenever he pleases. In 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7, Paul mentions the restraining force that’s at work today in our world, and is continually keeping everything according to God’s perfectly orchestrated program / design for the end times.

With that as the proper background, we ask who, or what, is this restrainer? Paul told those in Thessalonica that the “restrainer” is now at work in our world and will continue to work until it or he is “taken out of the way” (literally in the Greek text … “removed from the midst”). The Wuest Expanded New Testament reads, “Only He [the Holy Spirit] who is holding [the lawlessness] down, [will do so] until He goes out from the midst [of humanity].” BEAUTIFULLY STATED!

In 2 Thessalonians 2:6, Paul referred to this restrainer in the neuter gender, but in verse 7, uses the masculine gender. Therefore, the restrainer is a person who is today “in the midst,” but will one day be “taken out of the way / midst.” Many identify this restrainer as God’s Holy Spirit, Who is certainly currently “in the midst” of God’s on-going program in our world today. He is at work, in and through Christ’s Church, laboring steadfastly to accomplish God’s purposes. When the Church is snatched away (raptured), God’s Holy Spirit will not be taken out of the world (otherwise nobody could be saved, which requires genuine conviction … John 16:8-11 … during the Tribulation), but He will be taken out of the midst, allowing Satan and his forces to move and work without restraint. God’s Holy Spirit will most certainly be present on the earth at this point, but He will not be restraining the forces of evil though Christ’s Church (genuine believers) as He is today.

In spite of its weakness, current condition, and seeming failure, we should never, ever underestimate the importance of the Christ’s Church in this world. We, as God’s people, living in this world, continually give unsaved people an opportunity to be saved and discipled. This presence delays the coming of judgment until the proper time. Apparently, according to the biblical text, Paul had already told those in the Thessalonian church who and / or what the restrainer is according to 2 Thessalonians 2:5, but the Lord didn’t consider that a necessity for the scriptures as they were being written under His inspiration.

Remember, Lot? He was not necessarily a dedicated man of devotion to God, but his very presence in Sodom held back the wrath of God (Genesis 19:12-29). Answer … Biblically speaking, the “restrainer” appears to be the working of God’s Holy Spirit in and through Christ Church until we are removed / snatched away / raptured.

His & Yours, PF

FIRST-FRUITS

Posted on April 29, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

The Hebrew people, in acknowledgement of their God, YAHWEH (the one True God), offered the “first-fruits” offerings in gratitude and thankfulness in accordance with His abundant, plentiful provisions. According to Exodus 23:19; Numbers 15:20; 18:12; Deuteronomy 26:2; and Nehemiah 10:35; 10:37, these offerings were to include everything that was produced from their land or that was sustained as a result of the land. Items like grain and fruit were offered in their natural state, while others were prepared for consumption like musk, oil, flour, dough, etc.

You shall bring the very first of the first fruits of your soil into the house of the Lord your God. — Exodus 34:26

The concept of “first-fruits” is also applied figuratively throughout the scriptures as well. In Jeremiah 2:3, Israel is called “re’shith” the “first-fruit” of His harvest in the original Hebrew text. Our New Testament employs the Greek word “aparche” translated “first-fruit” which is applied figuratively to several biblical/theological concepts.

Paul uses this word in Romans 16:5 concerning new believers, “Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert (“aparcheé” — “first-fruit”) to Christ from Asia.” The same is true concerning the household of Stephanas as the first believers from Achaia in I Corinthians 16:15.

In James 1:18 we find a reference to the first generation of Christian believers:

In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits (aparcheén) among His creatures.

A similar reference is made concerning Christ’s church in Thessalonica …

But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning (aparcheén) for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. — II Thessalonians 2:13

The 144,000 Jewish witnesses raised up to testify concerning Christ’s Gospel in the last days during the tribulation are deemed “first-fruits” in Revelation 14:4-5:

These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits (aparcheé) to God and to the Lamb. And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.

Consider Romans 8:23:

And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits (aparcheén) of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

In this passage, early Christians are depicted as the “first-fruits” of those that have been blessed and endowed with the unique incomparable gift of God’s Holy Spirit.

These selected verses all represent figurative uses of “first-fruits” in the biblical text. However, one of the most significant utilizations is found in I Corinthians 15:20-25 …

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits (aparcheé) of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits (aparcheé), after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power.

Christ is the “first-fruit” of the resurrection! This precise application documents several theological/spiritual truths/perspectives/concepts.

1. There is resurrection of the dead, of which Christ is the first.

2. Just as humanity brought death into the world, Jesus Christ, the man/human being, brings life and resurrection.

3. The declaration “first-fruit” implies, in fact demands, the existence of a coming harvest, a gathering/bringing in of all that’s been produced.

4. While we, as believers are not “first-fruits,” we are part of the guaranteed harvest that follows (which is to come)!

As we quickly approach our Good Friday Communion Service and Resurrection (Easter) Sunday celebration, let us never forget the almost indescribable promise brought by “first-fruit”!

— His & Yours, Pastor Frank