two kinds of seriousness and End Times commands
Hi all,
On Thursday night as I was trying to sleep, the concept of serious came to my mind. We should be very serious about living Proverbs 3:5-6, the Two Great Commandments, and the Great Commission because we live in a world where many are serious about sinning (like in hatred, killing, war, wrong sex, and even crude joking) and causing much fear in moral individuals who are serious about pleasing God much more. Yes, there are two kinds of seriousness, some for selfish reasons and other for unselfish reasons. Then when I entered the livingroom Friday morning and our houseboy was watching a Christian movie titled “Revelation Road, Part 2”. I had told the boy about my desire to write about the two kinds of seriousness. When I realized what the movie was about, I said to the boy, “that is serious”. He did a big smile.
Do you believe that we are in the End Times ending of the Age of Grace? Some other items came to my mind that you will be able to read below. But first what is selfish seriousness? As indicated in an above statement, it is being serious about any kind of sin, living for such. But so called minor sins are bad too and displeasing to God. I have been serious about wrong thinking at times when I was discouraged or depressed. But I did not act on such and soon returned to Philippians 4:6-8 thinking. Have you done such too? Have you had times of fear even watching new reports of people being serious about killing others in wars or even in movies showing horrible violence by serious individuals? I have. And we should be serious about hating what God hates, and whatever is not His righteousness and compassion is sin. A definition of “sin” is “missing the mark”. When have you been serious about the wrong things? Have you repented from such?
What are the right times to be serious? What are the right times not to be serious and to even be humorous? What is proper humor and what is improper humor? What has God give us sports and games (box, cards, and video)? What can be sins in relating and playing sports and games? What are the proper fun activities to be serious about? What are the improper fun acivities? What are the wrongs about serious religions; in other words, what should you even be serious in trying to improve in the church you attend? What are the right times of being serious in church? What are the right times in being serious with a spouse and what are the wrong ways of being serious? Why should you be a serious lover of God and His Word and why should you be a serious intercessory prayer warrior? How do you use your wake time each day; how much is dedicated to God and Sanctification and the Great Commission and how much is just for selfish desires and secular work?
I believe that there will be world-wide persecution of Christians before Jesus Christ returns. Many in the USA have been taught to think that they will be raptured above the USA before things get really bad. That theory was based on a little girl’s dream in 1830. Persecution of Christians is happening daily in Muslim countries and now in mild forms even in the United States via court cases against Christian pastor and Christian business owners.
Are You Ready for Persecution?
** Romans 8:35-39
“35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, ‘For thy sake we are killed all the day long;
we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’
37 Nay, in all these things
we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels,
nor principalities, nor powers,
nor things present, nor things to come,
39 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 12:10-14
“10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love;
in honor preferring one another;
11 not slothful in business;
fervent in spirit, serving The LORD;
12 rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you:
bless, and curse not.”
** 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12
“3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet,
because that your faith grows exceedingly,
and the charity of every one of you all toward each other abounds;
4 so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God
for your patience and faith
in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure;
5 which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God,
that you may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God,
for which you also suffer.
6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation
to them that trouble you;
7 and to you who are troubled rest with us,
when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,
8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on them
who know not God,
and who obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 who shall be punished with everlasting destruction
from the presence of the Lord
and from the glory of His power,
10 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.
11 Wherefore also we pray always for you,
that our God would count you worthy of this calling,
and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power;
12 that the Name (character) of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him,
according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Direct and Implied Commandments to True Christians
Found in Contexts Mentioning Christ’s Second Coming
Note: Try to see the links between the verses and determine the reasons why they are in the order they are in. Also try to determine the reasons why each line is indented in the position it is. Look for relationships of coordinate and subordinate ideas. Finally, there are reasons why some words/phrases are in bold print and some words/phrases are underlined. You could use this study for a spiritual inventory of your lifestyle.
1.) “Now the just shall live by faith.
But if anyone shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him or her."
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed,
but of those who believeto the saving of the soul.” [Hebrews 10:38 & 39]
2.) “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.
It teaches us
to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions,
and to live self-controlled, upright and Godly lives in this present age,
while we wait for the blessed hope—
the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
Who gave Himself for us
to redeem us from all wickedness
and to purify for Himself a people who are His very own,
eager to do what is good.” [Titus 2:11-14]
3.) “Nevertheless, in keeping with His promise
we are looking forward to a new Heaven
and a new Earth, the home of righteousness.
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this,
make every effortto be found
spotless,
and blamelessat peace with Him.” [2 Peter 3:13 &14]
4.) “But since we belong to the day,
let us be self-controlled,
putting onfaith and loveas a breastplate,
and the hopeof salvationas a helmet.” [1 Thessalonians 5:8]
5.) “Don't letanyonedeceive you in any way,
for that Day (of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ) will not come until
the rebellion (falling away) occurs and
the man of lawlessness is revealed,
the man doomed to destruction.” [2 Thessalonians 2:3]
6.) “The Lord knows how
to rescueGodly people from trials and
to hold the unrighteous for the Day of Judgment,
while continuing their punishment.” [2 Peter 2:9]
7.) “May the Lord make yourlove increase and overflow
for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
May He strengthen yourheartsso that you will be blameless and holy
in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones.” [1 Thessalonians 3:12-13]
8.) “And we urge you, brothers and sisters,
warn those who are idle,
encourage the timid,
help the weak,
be patient with everyone.
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong,
but alwaystry to be kind to each other and to everyone else.” [1 Thessalonians 5:14-15]
9.) “But you, dear friends,
build yourselves upinyourmost holy faith and
pray in the Holy Spirit.
Keep yourselves in God's love
as you wait forthe mercy of our Lord Jesus Christto bring you toeternal life.
Be merciful to those who doubt;
snatch others from the fireandsave them;
to others showmercy, mixed with fear--
hatingeventhe clothingstainedbycorrupted flesh.” [Jude 20-23]
10.) “Be joyfulalways;
praycontinually;
give thanksin all circumstances,
this is God's will for youin Christ Jesus.
Do not put outthe Holy Spirit's fire;
do nottreat prophecies with contempt.
Testeverything.
Hold on tothe good.
Avoidevery kind of evil.” [1 Thessalonians 5:16-22]
Note: Bill Stevenson did the previous study in of May 1981 after a close friend and fellow staffer in a Christian curriculum development ministry flipped out due to personal stress. In September 1987 and in February 1998, Bill retyped it and slightly altered it.
Warnings and Assurances For Those Living On Earth During the “Last Days”
Note: On January 30, 1994, I heard an excellent expounding on 2 Thessalonians 2. Thus, I felt like doing the following. This is a relationship showing format. Try to determine why I indented phrases the way I did. I also underlined for emphasis. Try to determine why. Take notice of the pronouns starting with capital letters. Why are they done so?
2 Thessalonians 1:11-3:5
Wherefore also we pray always for you,
that our God would
count you worthy of this calling,
and fulfill
all the good pleasure of Hisgoodness
and the work of faith with power,
that the Name [character] of our LORD Jesus Christ
may be glorifiedin you, and you in Him
according tothe grace of our God and the LORD Jesus Christ. [See Ephesians 1-2.]
Now we beseech you, brethren,
by the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ,
and by our gathering together unto Him,
that you
be not soon shaken in mind, or
be troubled,
neither by the spirit,
nor by word,
nor by letter as from us,
as that the day of the LORD is at hand. [See Ephesians 4, 1 Peter 1, and 2 Peter 1.]
Let no man deceive you by any means:
forthat day shall not come, except
there come a falling awayfirst,
and that man of sin be revealed,
the son of perdition
who opposes and exalts himselfabove all
that is called God,
or that is worshipped;
so that he as God sits in the temple of God,
showing himself that he is God.
Remember you not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
And now you knowwhat withholds that He might be revealed in His time.
for the mystery of iniquity does already work:
only He Who now lets will letuntil He be takenout of the way.
And then shall that wicked be revealed,
whom The LORD
shall consume with the spirit of Hs mouth, and
shall destroy with the brightness of His coming:
evenHim, Whose coming is afterthe working of Satan [See Job 1.] with
all power
and signs and wonders,
and all deceivableness of unrighteousness
in them that perish, [See John 3:18-20. ]
because they received notthe love of the truth,
that they might be saved. [See Jude and 1 Corinthians 1:18-31.]
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion,
that they should believe a lie:
that they all might be damned who believed not the truth,
but had pleasure in unrighteousness. [See Romans 1.]
But we are bound to give thanks alwaysto Godfor you, brethren beloved of the LORD,
because God has from the beginning
chosen you to salvation through
sanctification of the Spirit
and belief of the truth:
WhereuntoHe called you byour gospel,
tothe obtaining of the glory of our LORD Jesus Christ.
Therefore, brethren,
stand fast,
and holdthe traditions which ye have been taught,
whether by word or our epistle. [See Ephesians 1-3 and 1 Corinthians 15]
Now our LORD Jesus Christ Himself and God, even our Father, Who
hath loved us,
and hath givenus
everlasting consolation
and good hopethrough grace. [See 2 Corinthians 1:3-7.]
Comfort your hearts,
and establish you in every good word and work. [See Ephesians 2:10 and 1 Corinthians 15:58.]
Finally, brethren, pray for us,
that the Word of the Lord
may have free course
and be glorified, even as it is with you;
and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men;
for all men have not faith.
But the LORD is faithful, Who shall [See 1 John 1:9.]
establish you,
and keep you from evil. [See Philippians 4:4-8 and John 17.]
And we have confidence in the LORDtouching you,
that you both do and will dothe things which we command you.
And the LORD direct your hearts
intothe love of God, and
into the patientwaiting for Christ. See Psalm 37 and 2 Peter 3.]
Conclusions by the AOG preacher:
True Christians need to love truth and righteousness much more and hate deception and sin much more.
There is already too much emphasis of signs and wonders, new prophecy speculations,
theories of “who” is the anti-Christ, and denominational distinctives/theories/judging.
The emphasis should be on sound Bible teaching, discipleship, and outreach ministries.
Important Choices for Each True Christian for New Testament Living
Note: This is an unusual Bible verses/relationships study for personal revival. Try to determine the reasons for the below formatting of the chosen Scripture.
2 Corinthians 1:
2 Gracebe to you and peacefrom God our Father,
andfrom The Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be God,
even The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
The Father of mercies, and
The God of allcomfort;
4 Who comforts us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort them who are in any trouble,
by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
[Something to meditate in relation to the above 3 verses: What a ministry for true Christians!!]
2 Corinthians 2:
14 Now thanks be to God, Who always
and leads us to triumph in Christ,
diffuses the fragrance of His knowledgeby us in every place.
15 For we areto Goda fragrance of Christ,
among them who are saved,
and among them who perish:
16 To the one, we are
the aroma of deathleading to death;
and to the other
the aroma of lifeleading to life.
[Something to meditate in relation to the above 3 verses:
Our words and actions can encourage or discourage, be God-pleasing or God-grieving.]
2 Corinthians 3:
3 Clearly you are an epistle of Christ,
ministered by us,
written not with ink,
but by the Holy Spirit of The Living God;
not on tables of stone,
but on fleshy tables of the heart.
4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves;
but our sufficiency is of God;
6 Who also has made us able ministers of the New Testament;
not of the letter, but of The Holy Spirit:
for the letter kills, but The Holy Spirit gives life.
7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious,
so that the children of Israel could not steadily behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance;
which glory was to be done away,
8 how will the ministry of The Holy Spirit be more glorious?
9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory,
the ministry of righteousnessexceeds much more in glory.
10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels.
11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remains is glorious.
12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness [or boldness] of speech:
13 And not as Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily
at the end of what was passing away;
14 But their minds were blinded.
For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament;
because the veil is taken away in Christ.
15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart.
16 Nevertheless, when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
17 Now The LORD is spirit;
and where the spirit of The LORD is, there is liberty.
18 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of The LORD,
are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory,
just as by The Holy Spirit of The LORD.
[Something to meditate in relation to the above passage: reread Galatians and Romans 8-12.]
2 Corinthians 4:
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.
2 But we have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty,
not walking in craftiness,
nor handling the word of God deceitfully;
but by manifestation of the truth
commending ourselves to every man’s consciencein the sight of God.
3 But even if our Gospel be veiled,
it is hid to them that are lost:
4 in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not,
lest the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, Who is the image of God,
should shine unto them.
5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus The Lord;
and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, Who commanded the Light to shine out of darkness,
has shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge
of the glory of Godin the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in Earthen vessels,
that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed;
we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus,
that the life of Jesus also might be made manifest in our body.
15 For all things are for your sakes,
that the abundant gracehaving spread through the many
may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart,
even though our outward man is perishing,
yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,
is working for usa far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen,
but at the things which are not seen:
for the things which are seen are temporal;
but the things which are not seen are eternal.
[Something to meditate in relation to the above passage: reread Hebrews 10-12.]
2 Corinthians 5:
9 Therefore we labor, that, whether present or absent,
we may be accepted of Him.
10 For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ;
that every one may receive the things done in his [or her] body,
according to that he [or she] has done, whether it be good or bad.
[Something to meditate in relation to the above 3 verses: reread 1 Corinthians 1-5.]
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.
17 Thereforeifany man [or woman] be in Christ, he [or she] is a new creation:
old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, Who
has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and
has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the World to Himself,
not imputing their trespasses unto them;
and has committed to us the Word of Reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us:
we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
21 For He has made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin;
that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
[Something to meditate in relation to the above 6 verses: reread John 14-17.]
Prophecies fulfilled by Jesus Christ-- https://app.box.com/s/0pv2owduz7dkq0yh5ida
Prophecy theories and fulfillments-- https://www.box.com/s/b4f214de6048af2f1b8a
Good advice for USA-- https://app.box.com/s/xm6yr7lt3gct7nhysmfp
for God and for back-to-the-basics Christianity,
Bible lover Bill
Romans 8:28, Proverbs 3:5-6, Philippians 4:4-8, and Jude 20-25