“Them” and “They” Will Face Destruction Not “Us”, “We” and “You”

“Them” and “They” Will Face Destruction Not “Us”, “We” and “You”

You don’t want to be the “They” or “Them”

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, and 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 the apostle Paul delineates the difference between unbelievers “They” and “Them”  and believers “Us”, “We” and “You”.

These passages and others make it so clear that the Lord is coming for His Church which is His Body prior to the tribulation. So plain a six grader can see it. It is the “Us”, “We” and “You” (believers) that will meet the Lord in the clouds and the “they” and “them” (unbelievers) that will face the Wrath of God and be destroyed.

In the passage below believers are identified by “we” and “you”.

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. I Thessalonians 4:13-18 

Contrast the above passage where the apostle Paul makes it crystal clear that the Lord Jesus Christ will come for His Church. With the passage below where the emphasis turns to the unbelievers identified as “They” and “Them”. Where God makes it clear they will go through the tribulation and face destruction.  

But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you, yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.

I Thessalonians 5:1-3

The text below is the apostle Paul reassuring believers that they will not go through the tribulation. Believers will not experience the wrath of God, because God DID NOT APPOINT US TO WRATH. Is that so hard to understand? Or Believe?

Believers are identified as “We”, “Us” and “You”.

But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. I Thessalonians 5:4-11

It is so clear that those that believed that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day. (1 Thessalonians 4:14) Will meet the Lord Jesus in the clouds and not face the Wrath of God.

But to those who reject the gospel in unbelief, they will be destroyed.

Don’t let anyone discourage you about our blessed hope which is the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:13)

Amen.

Thank you for reading.

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Faith, Sine Qua Non

Why Doesn’t God Punish Mankind for Their Sins and Evil Deeds

Why Doesn’t God Punish Mankind for Their Sins and Evil Deeds

‘“You shall not murder.’ Exodus 20:13

Abortion is Murder and Ireland just passed a bill that makes abortion legal.

This leads me to one of the most asked questions from Christians and the answer. “Why does God allow abortions to continue?” You could put any evil act or person in place of abortion. (i.e. Hitler, Stalin, Planned Parenthood)

The answer is simple and God makes it clear in His Word. The reason God doesn’t punish mankind for their sins is clearly stated in the gospel message itself. God has already reconciled the whole world to Himself through His Son Jesus Christ death, burial and resurrection. GOD IS NOT IMPUTING OUR SINS TO OUR ACCOUNT. “NOT YET”

 

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ…

2 Corinthians 5:18

…God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

II Corinthians 5:19 

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6

And by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

Colossians 1:20

For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Romans 5:10

Moreover, the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more

Romans 5:20

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)

Ephesians 2:4-5

And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled

Colossians 1:21

Christ Died for Sinners the Ungodly

God has already forgiven the abortionist, the Mao’s and Hitler’s of the world so why is He going to turn around and kill them. Why isn’t God punishing the person who takes office supplies home from their employer? Or is God going to strike down the person who can’t stop gossiping about their neighbor? Or how about those who have been angry with someone, anyone! Jesus Christ said it Himself that if a person has even an angry thought about someone they are doomed to Hellfire!

May not be what you want to hear but Scripture is crystal clear. God desires that not anyone die. God doesn’t enjoy even the wicked person’s death! (Ezekiel 18:23;1 Timothy 2:4)

The longsuffering of the Lord is salvation for ALL mankind. (2 Peter 3:15) In this time of grace, everyone is already reconciled to God, but they can’t appropriate the free gift until they believe the gospel. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

I hope you’re getting it. Christ died for everyone! He shed His blood for the ungodly. Salvation is a free gift. It’s free because His Son paid for it in full at the cross. God doesn’t just kill everyone that sins because we’re already forgiven. But the problem is mankind doesn’t believe in God and they don’t want anything to do with God.

Sin is sin in the eyes of God. ‘As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;’ Romans 3:10; ‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ‘ Romans 3:23.

Moreover, the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more

Romans 5:20

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

I Timothy 1:15 

 

Easy Believism or God’s Grace

Before you go crazy with your self-righteous thinking that this is just a bunch of easy believism bologna! Really? That’s just the remnants of old Adam getting the best of you. First, this is what God has declared not you! If you have problems with God’s grace take it up with Him.

The fact of the matter is that the easy believism controversy is a joke! God, Himself could appear and mankind would still reject Him. C’mon beloved read your Bible. God has always only had just a remnant that believes what He says. Jesus Christ made it clear that no matter what God proclaims the majority will NOT believe Him;

Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Matthew 7:13-14

As the Bible verses above declare God has reconciled the whole world to Himself through Christ work of the cross. Not imputing the sins of mankind to our account. Because the sin debt has already been paid in full. Once for All.

By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.’

Hebrews 10:10

Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

Hebrews 9:12

This is written in plain language not veiled in secrecy only available for Pastors or Seminary Grads to discern. No way, anyone over the age of 8 can understand this. Don’t try to make these verses mean something they don’t. God means what He says and says what He means. We are to believe Him.

But… the Flip Side is the lake of fire

The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Revelation 20:10 

The Flip Side “Condemnation”

Here is the flip side. All men and women that rejected the gospel, all the lost from Cain to those deceived by Satan at the end of Christ millennial reign will be resurrected bodily to stand before the righteous Judge Jesus Christ at the Great White Throne. Before they are cast into the lake of fire where they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

In the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. Romans 2:16.

It is at this time when the lost person is standing before Jesus Christ that his or her sins will be manifested.

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.

Revelation 20:11

And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.

Revelation 20:12 

The books will be opened.

 “… and the books (plural) were opened, and another book (singular) was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” – Revelation 20:12

Because of Unbelief not Sins

The books plural speaks of the unbeliever’s record of sin and evil deeds they’ve committed while alive. The single book is opened to show the unbeliever that their name is NOT written in the book of life.

Millions upon millions of Christ-rejecting mankind will have no argument as God brings up their record. God has no problem keeping a record of every human being that ever walked the face of the earth.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Those hundreds of millions standing before the Righteous Judge Jesus Christ at the Great White Throne are there for ONE REASON ONLY.

UNBELIEF

Not their sins. The righteous judge before them at the Great White Throne already took care of sin at the cross. And they will immediately know it the moment they die. But it is too late once they’ve passed off the scene. Now their sins come into play and the books will be opened. And Jesus Christ will judge them based on their evil deeds or sins. Horrors of all Horrors!

That is what will be worse than the never-ending flame, the torment of knowing that salvation was a free gift and all they had to do was believe the gospel. It’s frighting beloved please share the gospel with friends, family, and whomever you cross paths with.

Do not be ashamed of the gospel.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 

Romans 1:16 

 

The Church is Weak Because Christians are Ashamed of the Gospel

The Church is Weak Because Christians are Ashamed of the Gospel

  • When was the last time you shared the gospel?
  • Have you shared the gospel with your neighbors?
  • Are you ashamed of the gospel?

The fact is that most Christians do not share their faith at all only with other Christians. Why? They’re insecure about their wisdom in the Word. So instead of speaking up they back off because they don’t want to be embarrassed.

Christians have all kinds of energy, for every type of ministry known to man; but when it comes time to share the gospel no way!

The one thing that all Christians are supposed to do! No one does, or very few. Christ didn’t die a horrible death, save us, just to escape hell, sit around and play games. God leaves believers here so we can share the good news with the lost. All that matters to Christ is what we did with His gospel. Everything else will be burned up as wood, hay, and stubble.

The Gospel: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Stop creating more stupid ministry’s and get out and share the Gospel of Grace with everyone, everywhere at any time.

Thank you for reading. If you like this post please consider sharing it. God Bless.

Mesa Bible Study

Jamie Pantastico

The “Mystery” of Israel’s Temporary Blinding

The “Mystery” of Israel’s Temporary Blinding

The Mystery of the Temporary Blinding of Israel

 

Approximately 11 years after Pentecost the resurrected and glorified Lord Jesus chose the apostle Paul to be the apostle to the Gentiles. (Acts 9:15,16) The resurrected Lord Jesus revealed to Paul the gospel of grace and the doctrine for the grace age Church. The Word of God refers to these new revelations as a “mystery” or secret (μυστήριον). These were secrets held in the mind of God until revealed to Paul. (Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:26) There were eight mysteries revealed to the apostle Paul. One of them is the “temporary blinding of Israel”. Romans 11:25

 

 

For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

Romans 11:25

 

The resurrected Lord revealed to Paul that this grace age is only temporary! When the final Gentile is saved, the Body of Christ will be snatched (Rapture) up into the clouds where we will meet the Lord. Where we will be with Christ forever. A short time after the Church has been taken off the scene the anti-christ will be revealed and the 7 years of Jacob’s trouble will begin.

 

Read Romans chapter 11 several times and you will begin to see God’s sovereignty, wisdom and unsearchable knowledge pop out. It’s absolutely perfect. God’s plans are perfect, so precise and mind-boggling.

 

Rightly Dividing the Word is Crucial

 

It’s important to recognize that the gospel of grace and doctrine for the Body of Christ which is His Church was NOT revealed until God called the apostle to the Gentiles, Paul. ELEVEN (11) years AFTER Pentecost!!! Everything that came before was under the law and for Israel. Gentiles were NEVER under the law. (Ephesians 2:11) It’s not possible to mix law and grace.

There is much confusion and division in Christendom because the majority refuse to separate law and grace, Peter and Paul, Israel and the Body of Christ.

Thank you for reading.

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Mesa Bible Study

 

 

Do Not Be Conformed to this World ‘Romans 12:2’

Do Not Be Conformed to this World ‘Romans 12:2’

Do Not Be Conformed to this World

 

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:2

Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

James 4:4

 

Make no Mistake this is Satan’s World

Adam lost his God-given dominion over the planet when he disobeyed God way back in the garden. (Genesis 1:28) Satan was right there to pick up the ball, take dominion and has been the god of this world ever since. In 2 Corinthians 4:4 God makes it clear that Satan has dominion over the world.

 

‘But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. ‘

II Corinthians 4:3-4

 

This is why the Lord admonishes believers that we must not be conformed to this world, it belongs to the devil. This planet is under sin, under the curse and that curse will not be lifted until the Lion of Judah returns for a second time.

Until then, we must be aware that every square inch of this planet, the earthly system, and everything that goes on in this world is under the curse, under Satan’s control.

Take a look at Matthew 4:8,9;

 

‘Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”’

Matthew 4:8-9

Does the Lord Jesus rebuke Satan by telling him no, these kingdoms are not yours to give? Not at all. Instead, Jesus said “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” Matthew 4:10. Jesus used the Scripture to rebuke and resist Satan’s temptations.

 

 

 

Stay in the Word

In James 4:7 it says ‘Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. ‘ So the lesson is for us as well. The Lord used the Scripture, “Christ went right to the Word” to resist Satan’s temptations and the devil departed from Him. We must stay in the Word not just on Sunday’s but every day. 

 

It Comes Down to Faith

We must believe who God is and what He says. (Hebrews 11:6) It is by faith alone that we have salvation and what did that actually require from us? We believe what God said, right? That God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross (shedding His blood) for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. That’s the gospel, we believed what God said and He saved us. It’s no different for the Christian walk.

First, how are we supposed to know what to do if we don’t read His Word? Second, once we read and know what we are supposed to do we are to take Him at His word. (Faith)

‘Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ‘

Ephesians 6:16

‘For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. ‘

I John 5:4

 

In Conclusion

Not becoming conformed to this world isn’t about not doing this and not doing that. That’s called legalism. It’s about picking up your Bible and studying it every day. Then you will know what to do and what not to do because of the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit that lives in us and the renewing of your mind by the word of God.

Thank you for reading.

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Mesa Bible Study

Faith, Sine Qua Non