Paul's Second Letter to the Thessalonians #2thessalonians
开云体育Hi Ray (and to all Members of the Group),
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Thank you for Video 3 – the sound effects at both beginning and end are
very dramatic – well done !!
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A couple of things to think about from this Letter, one not so important as
the other two.
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1.? I didn’t appreciate the fact that the Anti-Christ will not be
revealed until AFTER the rapture.? I always assumed that he would appear
before the rapture, but your explanation makes it very clear he comes
after.
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2. Re the “Restrainer” – your reference that He has been with mankind for
over 2,000 years has important implications -
a.? That He wasn’t with, or dwelling within, mankind prior to the
coming of Christ.
b.? That He came to be “with” mankind after the Day of Pentecost and
remains within Believers until He (Restrainer) leaves with those Believers who
have accepted Christ, and by default, the Restrainer, also into their
hearts.
c. That those that remain on earth after the Rapture have
No Holy Spirit protection or intervention over their lives –
they are now entirely under the control of Satan, the AntiChrist and all its
forces.? Pretty awful situation that would be!? Unimaginable behaviour
– mankind at its very worse with inconceivable corruption!? The world can
be cruel nowadays with the “Restrainer” – don’t think about the
alternative!
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3. Back to the Video, at about 25.35 minutes – Paul giving 3 Practical
Admonitions to the Thessalonians -
??? a. Pray and be Patient
??? b. Work if you want to Eat
??? c. Be Doers, not Hearers
Why is no reference made to “and be filled with the Holy Spirit” Paul is
absolutely silent on this aspect of the practical way for the new Christians to
live, but surely as new Christians they would have been filled with the Holy
Spirit – or were they?
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Let’s take this thought further – as to why he omitted to include being
filled with the Spirit.?
Does that mean that the Spirit that appeared on the Day of Pentecost, with
all its supernatural manifestations, did not then apply in the Thessalonians’
time, and also today!? Obviously some religions still believe in
supernatural spiritual manifestations such as healing, prophecies, speaking in
tongues, etc. but the majority of Christians don’t appear to do so, or else
there would be a lot more evidence of it in our times.
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So, why did Paul not encourage the new believers in Thessalonica to be
filled with the Holy Spirit??
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Blessings to all,
Merlene
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? From: Ray via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, May 7, 2020 9:40 PM
Subject: [b4uc] U3A R09 Term 2, Session 3 Notes for Paul's Second
Letter to the Thessalonians ?
G'day all,
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Our three-part presentation of Paul's two epistles
to the Thessalonians is now complete.? These two epistles are extremely
important statements on Eschatology - the study of the End Times - yet they are
little studied, preached, read, discussed, or understood.? You can now see
why.
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Session 3 slides are now posted on our class website.
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The Session 3 video is available at
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The theme building
on our study of the book of Revelation will continue next week with
a study of the book of Jude.? There will be a few surprises
in that study.?
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The following week, we'll begin a study of the book
of Zechariah, another eschatological tour de force.? The book is often
called the Apocalypse of the Old Testament.? It is also the most Messianic
book in the Old Testament.? Zechariah covers God’s future plans for His
people through eight night visions, four messages, and two burdens.
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Hold onto your seat: the first "burden" is a
prophecy of Christ's First Advent, where Jesus came to earth as the Suffering
Servant.? The second "burden" involves the Second Coming of Christ, where
He will arrive as the Conquering King.? Imagine that, these are just two of
Zechariah's prophecies, written around 520 B.C.
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Your questions and comments will be much
appreciated. ?
Blessings,
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Ray
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Merlene