Our Greatest Hope

Jamie Pantastico writes for Mesa Bible Study

by Jamie Pantastico

On November 14, 2019

Are You Ready for 2020?

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Today’s Scripture Reading

smileColossians 3:4

smile1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

‘When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.’

Colossians 3:4

What ever it is you’re carrying today, no matter how heavy it is, I pray that the Scripture verses in this post provide you comfort, courage and strength to overcome.

The Key Passage for this post is Colossians 3:4.

Let’s examine the Colossians 3:4:

Colossians 3:4a

‘When Christ who is our life,…’

It is Christ who saved us from the bondage of sin and the law and given us our new life (2 Corinthians 5:17). Christ is now our life, God the Holy Spirit indwells believers as a guarantee that whatever happens to you while on earth or in death we are with the Lord.

So in this new life, Christians’ should have NO FEAR and lets look at Romans 8:14-15, to find out why? 

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Romans 8:14

Because we believed the gospel, we are now children of God, indwelled with the Holy Spirit. Verse 15 explains why we should have ‘no fear’ at all.

‘For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” ‘

Romans 8:15

We have no fear because the finished work of the cross severed the chains of bondage by which Satan had us as his slaves. Ultimately, it is what Christ did on our behalf that freed us from sin, the law, Satan and death itself. And that same Spirit and power that was victorious over sin, the law, Satan and death lives in us and we cry out to “Abba, Father”.

That’s enough to make anyone jump for joy.

It keeps getting better, now the last part of verse four.

Colossians 3:4b

…appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

This is what all Christians’ should be looking for, this is our greatest hope

‘looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ‘

Titus 2:13

What an amazing prospect we have in spite of the turmoil and persecution we face here on earth. The glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

‘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. ‘

I Thessalonians 4:16-17

Again, this is the believers greatest hope, to be in the presence of the Lord, and Scripture teaches us that those who believed the gospel (1 Thessalonians 4:13) will be with the Lord forever.

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

I Corinthians 15:51-52

This is a promise from God, to the children of God and we have the Holy Spirit living inside us as a guarantee that we’re His and we will be glorified with Him in our new glorified bodies at the trumpet call (1 Corinthians 15:51-54). 

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.

I Thessalonians 4:13-17

 

The future is a glorious one, and the prospect of spending eternity with our Lord and Savior should give us the courage and strength to make it through any temporary tribulation we face while on earth.

‘For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ‘

Romans 8:18

 

My hope is that this post may be encouraging and edifying. Please consider sharing.

All the glory to God.

 

Thank you for reading. 

Mesa Bible Study

Faith, Sine Qua Non

 

 

 

 

Thank you for reading.

Please consider sharing this post on social media.

 

Jamie Pantastico

Mesa Bible Study

Faith, Sine Qua Non

“What is Not Properly Understood can “Not” be Properly Applied”

 

 

 

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What Saith the Scripture?

Most problems in interpreting Bible passages arise from neglecting a passage’s context. The guiding principle of sound interpretation is to take a passage literally. Not maintaining this discipline, interpreting Scripture becomes made up, man’s idea, fantasy, and the passage can mean almost anything. The result is erroneous and ridiculous interpretations.

Another important principle to sound Bible interpretation is to read Scripture “in-time”. In other words, we have to read and study the Bible as a progressive revelation. Not getting ahead of God’s revelation.

God’s plan of redemption for mankind wasn’t revealed all at once to Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah, or any of the other old testament prophets. Not even Peter and the eleven were given the full counsel of God. The Lord revealed to each of the aforementioned what they needed at their particular time in Biblical history. A hermeneutical method that does not approach Scripture as a progressive revelation leads to erroneous interpretations.

To be a good bible student one must maintain a literal, grammatical and historical (in-time) hermeneutic. There has been much too much of man’s theology governing Scripture when it is God’s Word alone that reigns over theology.

 

Z

Who's writing?

Identify the author of the book and passage.

Z

Who is the author writing too?

Who is the audience? Yes, all Scripture is for us but not all of Scripture is directed to us our salvation and doctrine (how to live our daily lives). To say all of Scripture is, is erroneous interpretation.

Z

When was the Book or Passage written?

This is necessary to identify the time and historical context.

Z

What were the circumstances when it was written? (what was going on)

Z

What was going on before and after it was written?

What happen before and after the particular Book or Passage you’re reading?

Z

What is the HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF THE VERSE?

Where does the Bible verse fit in Biblical history. Use the answers from the list of these questions to identify the “historical context”.

Z

Are there other passages that the Author has written to help expand on the verse your reading?

Z

Utilize the full counsel of God to illuminate the passage

All of Scripture fits perfectly.

 

The Good News

salvation

Salvation is a FREE GIFT from God. You don’t have to do anything but believe by faith that God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead 3 days later.

THE GOOD NEWS

SALVATION

Salvation is a FREE GIFT from God. SALVATION IS BY FAITH ALONE & FAITH IS BELIEVING WHAT GOD SAYS.

  1. God declares all mankind sinners and we all fall short of Glory of God. Romans 3:23
  2. The payment for our sin is death. Romans 6:23
  3. But God…because he loved you so much sent His own Son, Jesus Christ, to die in your place, for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead three days later. 1 Cor 15:1-42cor 5:21

All God asks is that you believe by faith alone in 1, 2, & 3. That you’re a sinner, separated from God but God sent his Son to die for your sins, was buried & rose again 3 days later.

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

Do You Believe?

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