A Similar Journey.....Come Join Us

Deborah,

I've been on a similar journey.  I was also led to Mid-acts position in my journey seeking truth... Just thought you would enjoy reading this. Grace and peace and great joy in understanding our wonderful hope and high calling. One of my blogs that shows some of that journey is.....
appearinglorytimeline.blogspot.com
Praise our Great God and Savior and all who love His Appearing..
God bless, your brother Mark.

P.S.     A great point of truth is that we more then need to rightly divide Peter and Paul, but also rightly divide Paul and PAUL...  He first went to the Jews but when they finally rejected their Messiah, Paul was given from Christ Jesus His chain we are not to be ashamed of...his prison epistles.

THE HOPE OF PAUL'S
ACTS EPISTLES

In 1 Thessalonians 4 Paul said in verse 15 " This we say unto you, BY THE WORD OP THE LORD .... Paul was quoting and using the word of the Lord to show them their hope. The hope found in 1 Thess. 4 with it's trumpet, angels, shout and voices was written down in the Word of the Lord .

Also, in 1 Corinthians 15 when writing about the same hope of resurrection (which some call the "rapture") he says in verse 54-55 " So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, THEN SHALL BE BROUGHT TO PASS THE SAYING THAT IS WRITTEN, DEATH IS SWALLOWED IN VICT0RY . O' DEATH WHERE IS THY STING ? O' GRAVE, WHERE IS THY VICTORY ?" If Paul means what he says, and says what he means, the hope of 1 Corinthians 15 was prophesied in the word of the Lord....... !

Paul is quoting from two different books in the word of the Lord , Hosea 13:14 , Isa.25:8 to show the Corinthians their hope. This agrees with what Paul said in Acts 26:22 where summing up his Acts ministry said " Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come ". Paul's Acts ministry and what he wrote in his Acts epistles can be found in the old testament scriptures and that includes the hope he wrote about in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15 .

In this article we will show you that the hope that Paul wrote about in 1Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15 is not only found in the old testament scriptures but was taught by Jesus Christ in His earthly ministry in Matthew 24 and other places. That this runs contrary to what is taught in most Bible Churches today is certain, but there are as many "doctrines and traditions of men " in Bible churches , as there are in denominational churches in this country.

For years it has been the "party line " in most Bible Churches that 1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15 is the hope of the church today, and that no one knew or wrote about this hope prior to Paul. This doctrine has been preached for so long and so loud that Christendom accepts this with no questions asked . But yet, we just read that what Paul said to the Thessalonians about their hope, he said to them BY THE WORD OF THE LORD . And we read in 1 Corinthians 15 that when that resurrection takes place old testament scriptures would be brought to pass.

The question that Bible Believers need to answer these days is, who are we going to believe? Are we going to believe what the preachers say because they have been saying it for so long and loud, or are we going to believe what the bible says, where it says it, as it says it?? We should always endeavor to study to show ourselves approved before God, and let the traditions of men fall where the may, no matter what the cost.
Let it be said at the offset of this article that we do not believe that the hope of the church today is found in I Corinthians 15 or 1 Thessalonians 4 . We believe that God revealed a new and better hope to Paul after the Acts period and that it is found in his prison epistles.

If you are serious about your bible study, and you want to get to the bottom of this issue and find out for yourself if what we are saying is true, we recommend you get 3 Bibles and lay them out before you . Open one to Matthew 24, another to 1 Corinthians 15, and the other to 1 Thessalonians 4 . The subject is the same in all 3 books, and it is resurrection . We are going to compare what Jesus says about the resurrection in Matthew 24, which He taught during His earthly ministry, with the resurrection Paul wrote about in 1 Cor. 15 and 1 Thess.4. If Jesus and Paul say the same thing, then they must be talking about the same resurrection . On the other hand, if they say contradictory things about the resurrection; then they are not speaking of the same resurrection . In Matthew 24 Jesus taught the 12 apostles about a resurrection and He said in verses 29-31...

" Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken : And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn , and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."( Mk.13:27 "from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven ")
Lets compare what Jesus says here with what Paul says.

(1.) THE HOPE OF MATT. 24 IS THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

Verse 30 ,
"they shall see the Son of man COMING "
verse 29,
"For as the lightening cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the COMING of the Son of man be "
THE HOPE OF I COR. 15 AND I THESS. 4 IS THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST.

In I Cor. 15:22-23 Paul wrote,
"For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits ; afterward they that are Christ's AT HIS COMING ".
In I Cor. 1:7 he wrote,
" So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST " .
In I Thess. 4:15 he wrote
"For this we say unto you by the word of the lord, that we which are alive and remain unto THE COMING OF THE LORD shall not prevent them which are asleep "
The hope of the Acts Believers was the coming of the Lord. Paul mentions it 10 times in his Acts epistles . Check them out and see for yourself , I Cor. 1:7 , 4:5, 11:26 , 15:23, I Thess.2:19, 3:13, 4:15, 5:23, 11 Thess.1:10, 2:1 .

Now, if the Lord has already come once to die for sinners, then the coming we have been reading about must be his second coming, right ?? Why is it so hard for Bible believers  to admit that ? A Bible believer once told me that his hope was not the second coming of Christ, but it was the "rapture" and he quoted I Thess. 4:15 to me !!! If my eyes are not deceiving me, doesn't Paul say they would be caught up at the COMING of the Lord ?? And doesn't he mention his coming 10 times in his Acts epistles ?? And if Christ has already come one time, wouldn't this be his second coming ??

(2.) IN MATT. 24 WHEN JESUS COMES , HE COMES IN THE CLOUDS

Verse 30 says,
" They shall see the Son of man coming in the CLOUDS OF HEAVEN "
IN 1 THESS. AND I COR. 15 WHEN JESUS COMES HE COMES IN CLOUDS.

Verse 17 says,
"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them IN THE CLOUDS , to meet the Lord in the air".
If you want to know were the clouds are, look up into the air, and you will see them . It's the clouds in the lower atmosphere .

(3.) IN MATT. 24 WHEN JESUS COMES IN THE CLOUDS HE WILL COME WITH ANGELS

Verse 31,
"And He shall send forth his ANGELS "
IN 1 THESS. 4 AND 1 COR. 15 WHEN JESUS COMES IN THE CLOUDS HE WILL COME WITH ANGELS

In 1 Thess. 4:16 it says,
" HE will descend from heaven with... the voice of the ARCHANGEL.
Michael is the archangel and the prince of Israel (DAN 12:1-2) and were Michael goes so does HIS ANGELS , read Rev. 12:7.

(4.) IN MATT. 24 WHEN JESUS COMES IN THE CLOUDS WITH ANGELS A TRUMPET IS BLOWN.

Verse 31,
"And he shall send his angels with a great SOUND OF A TRUMPET "
IN 1 THESS. 4 AND I COR. 15 WHEN JESUS COMES IN THE CLOUDS WITH ANGELS A TRUMPET IS BLOWN .

I Cor. 15:52 says,
"FOR THE TRUMPET SHALL SOUND and the dead shall be raised " I Thess.4:16 says " The Lord himself shall descend from heaven ..WITH THE TRUMP OF GOD".
(5.) THE TRUMPET THAT IS BLOWN IN MATT.24 IS THE LAST TRUMPET FOR IT IS BLOWN AFTER THE GREAT TRIBULATION

Verse 29 says
" Immediately after the tribulation of those days ... vs. 31 "he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet".
THE TRUMPET IN 1 THESS. 4 AND I COR.15 IS SPECIFICALLY CALLS THE LAST TRUMPET

In I Cor. 15:52 Paul wrote,
"In a moment , in the twinkling of an eye, AT THE LAST TRUMP: for the Trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised ".
If Paul said they would be raised at the last trumpet that means there are other trumpets blown before it . There is no denying the fact that before the second coming of Christ trumpets are going to be blown . In Rev.8-9-10-11 there will be at least 7 trumpets blown before Jesus comes . In I Cor. 15 Paul said the dead would be raised at the LAST TRUMPET . If there are 7 Trumpets blown before He comes which Trumpet is Paul referring to ? That's easy, it's number 7 in Rev.11:15 , and it so happens that when the seventh trumpet is blown in Rev. 11 a resurrection of the Saints takes place, they are judged and rewards are given out to them, read Rev.11:15-18. Also read 2 Cor. 5:8-11.

Every trumpet that is going to be blown before Jesus comes is found in the book of Revelation, so don't waste your time running all over the Bible, trying to find another trumpet to get around the last trumpet in I Corinthians 15. If a trumpet is going to be blown , if a seal is going to be opened , if a vial is going to be poured out in the tribulation, YOU WILL FIND IT IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION OR DANIEL. If it's not in those books don't waste your time running through the Bible to come up with another trumpet, vial, or, seal . ( It's amazing what people and preachers will do, to get around that last trumpet !! Just believe the book and relax; for if you are saved you won't be here when the last trumpet blows anyway, for I Cor.15 and I Thess.4 is not your hope. God gave us a new and better hope and it's found in the Prison Epistles of Paul and IT TAKES PLACE BEFORE THE FIRST TRUMPET EVEN BLOWS. We will lay out the details of this hope later, but in the Acts period, a pre-tribulation hope was unheard of.

WHEN THE RESURRECTION OF MATT. 24 TAKES PLACE, NOT ONLY WILL THE LORD DESCEND FROM HEAVEN IN THE CLOUDS WITH ANGELS AND A TRUMPET, BUT A VOICE WILL BE HEARD ALSO.

The voice is not mentioned in Matt. 24 but it is in JOHN 5:25, 28. It says
" The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live"
IN 1 THESS. 4 AND I COR. 15 WHEN THE LORD DESCENDS FROM HEAVEN INTO THE CLOUDS WITH ANGELS AND THE SOUND OF A TRUMPET, A VOICE WILL BE HEARD

In I Thess.4:16 Paul said " the Lord shall descend from heaven WITH A SHOUT

The shout is for the dead ; the trumpet for those alive.

(7.) IN MATT.24 WHEN JESUS COMES WITH HIS ANGELS ,AND A SHOUT AND  THE SOUND OF A TRUMPET, HIS ELECT WILL BE GATHERED TOGETHER

Verse 31 says
" They shall GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other ( Also read Mk.13:27)
IN I COR. 15 AND 1 THESS. 4 WHEN JESUS Comes WITH A TRUMPET, AND ANGELS, HIS ELECT WILL BE GATHERED TOGETHER

In II Thess. 2:1 Paul wrote "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by OUR GATHERING TOGETHER UNTO HIM

And those that he gathers together here , are his elect also according to I Thess.l:4, and II Thess.2:13.

(8.) IN MATT. 24 WHEN JESUS COMES IN THE CLOUDS , IT WILL BE SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED

In verse 42 Jesus said " Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this , that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh ."

In these verses Jesus compares his coming with a thief breaking into a house . A thief comes suddenly and unexpected . He comes in and then gets out as fast as he can WITH THE VALUABLES AND JEWELS HE CAME AFTER

In these verses , Jesus Christ is as a thief breaking into a house . The house is this world that the devil is the god of (Matt.12:29). As a thief breaks into a house , to take something of value out; His coming is to take his elect out of this world , so that he can destroy it along with the devil (II Pet.3:10).

THE RESURRECTION IN I THESS. 4 AND I COR. 15 WILL BE SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED ALSO.

In ICor. 15:52 Paul said: "IN A MOMENT , IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE, at the last trump: For the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised..."

When Paul says: "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye," he is showing you HOW FAST that resurrection will take place. But when he says "AT the last trump", he is showing you WHEN it will take place. It will be sudden and unexpected, just like the hope of Matt. 24.

(9.) WHEN THE RESURRECTION OF MATT. 24 TAKES PLACE, BELIEVERS WHO ARE ALIVE WILL BE CAUGHT UP WITHOUT DYING.

This fact is brought out by the Lord in John 11. In John 11, Lazarus who was Martha's brother died and she wants Christ to raise him from the dead. And Jesus said unto her in vs. 23 "Thy brother shall rise again". Martha saith unto him, "I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said unto her: "I am the resurrection; and the life: he that believeth in me; though he were dead, yet shall he live. AND WHOSOEVER LIVETH AND BELIEVETH IN ME SHALL NEVER DIE.. BELIEVEST THOU THIS?"

When Jesus said, he that believeth in me though he were dead, yet shall he live" He is referring to those who are dead when the resurrection of the last day takes place. And when He said "whosoever liveth and believeth in me" He is referring to those who are alive when the resurrection of the last day takes place and he says: "THEY SHALL NEVER DIE". When the resurrection of Matt. 24 takes place, those believers who are dead will be raised and those believers who are alive, will be gathered together without dying.

WHEN THE RESURRECTION OF 1 THESS. 4 AND I COR. 15 TAKES PLACE BELIEVERS WHO ARE ALIVE WILL BE CAUGHT UP WITHOUT DYING.

In I Cor. 15:51 Paul said: "I shew you a Mystery; WE SHALL NOT ALL SLEEP, but we shall be changed _"

The Mystery of I Cor. 15:51 is not the resurrection, but it's the fact that there will be some caught up without dying. But this is a mystery hidden in the Scriptures, for in vs.55 Paul quotes Isa. 25:8 which says "O Death where is thy sting?" In other words, in the Old Testament Scriptures, it was written down that somebody was going to get out of this life without experiencing the sting of death.

This is what Jesus is referring to in John 11 when he said "He that liveth and believeth in me shall never die." That was the only time that Christ mentioned that fact to anyone, and prior to Paul it was the general consensus that by the time that resurrection took place all believers would be dead . But God opened up the scriptures to Paul and he was the first man to fully understand that fact and write about it. But, nevertheless, it was in the Old Testament Scriptures, even though concealed.

(Isn't it wonderful how the Bible opens up when you just believe what the words say and ignore what the preachers say?)

(10.) THE RESURRECTION AND HOPE IN MATT. 24 , WAS OF COURSE PROPHESIED BY THE PROPHETS.

It was prophesied as far back as Genesis chap. 5 for Jude said in vs. 14-15 that "Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints..."

THE HOPE OF I COR. 15:54 AND I THESS. 4 WERE OF COURSE IMPLIED.

In I Cor. 15:54 Paul said when it takes place "THEN SHALL BE BROUGHT TO PASS THE SAYING THAT IS WRITTEN, Death is swallowed up in victory, O Death where is thy sting?" O Grave where is thy victory?"

When the resurrection of I Cor. 15 takes place, Old Testament I

prophecies concerning resurrection will be brought to pass, namely Hosea 13:14 and Isa. 25:8.

(11.) THE HOPE OF MATT. 24 WAS ISRAEL'S HOPE.

The resurrection Jesus describes in Matt.24 is the hope of the New Covenant that God made with Israel.

HOPE OF PAUL'S ACTS EPISTLES, WAS THE HOPE OF ISRAEL.

In Acts 28:20 Paul told the Jews in Rome "For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for THE HOPE OF ISRAEL, I AM HOUND WITH THIS CHAIN.

Paul refers to the Hope of Israel 4 times in Acts.

1. In Acts 23:6 he mentions the Hope as being resurrection
2. In Acts 24:15 he mentions the hope as being resurrection
3. In Acts 26:6-8 He mentions the hope as being resurrection
4. In Acts 28:20-23 he mentions the Hope in connection with the Kingdom of God.

The Hope of Israel was to be resurrected into the kingdom of God, as a matter of fact, the only way they could get into the Kingdom of God was by resurrection.

That's exactly what Paul is showing the Corinthians in I Cor. 15 . In that chapter he is showing them how to get into the Kingdom of God, and guess what he told them had to happen for them to get in ? They had to be resurrected and changed. WHY? Because in vs. 50 he said:
"Now this I say; brethren, that flesh and blood- cannot inherit the Kingdom-of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
And in vs. 51 he told them they would all be changed, and the change would take place in resurrection. ICor. 15 and I Thess. 4 is the hope of Israel. The hope of Israel was resurrection into the Kingdom of God, which is exactly what Paul is writing about in this chapter.

You say: "How did Gentiles in that church end up with Israel's Hope?" Because in the Acts period, they were grafted into Israel the good olive tree, according to Rom.11:17. And being grafted into the tree, they partook of the fatness of the olive tree. The fatness of the olive tree were the blessings and promises made to the fathers, who were the root of the tree - Rom.15:2'7. And one of those blessings and promises WAS THEIR HOPE OF RESURRECTION.

(12.) BEFORE THE HOPE OF MATT. 24 TAKES PLACE THERE WILL BE A FALLING AWAY, THAT IS APOSTACY, AND THE REVELATION OF THE ANTI-CHRIST.

In Matt. 24:11 Jesus said
"Many false prophets shall rise and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." (A reference to apostasy )
And in vs. 15 He said,
'Men ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the Holy place..." (A reference to the anti-Christ Dan. 11:31)
In vs. 24 he said
"there would be false Christ's; and false prophets, and shall chew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (A reference to the Devil working miracles )
PAUL SAID THE EXACT SAME THING WOULD TAKE PLACE BEFORE THE RESURRECTION OF I THESS. 4 AND I COR. 15 WOULD TAKE PLACE.

In II Thess. 2:1 he wrote:
"Now we beseech you brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him; "that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled , neither by spirit, nor by word, nor as by letter as from us that the day of Christ is at hand."
The day of Christ in vs.2 , was his coming and their gathering together unto him in vs. 1. The Thessalonians were "all shook up" because somebody wrote then a false letter and told them it was at hand, that is, it had already taken place. Which, if it were true, they were left behind to face the wrath of II Thess.l:8-9. So Paul to assure them that He had not come, tells them in vs.3 "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not came, except there came a falling away first and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, skewing himself that he is God.

For years Bible believers have wrestled with these scriptures because they have been taught that the "so-called" Rapture in I Thess. 4 was a pre-tribulation rapture. I speak from personal experience (for I once believed that,) and every time someone would point out these verses to me, I did what so many continue to do today, do everything but believe them.

But , when I finally made up my mind to just believe what they say, the verses opened up to me like a flower! What is Paul saying? He is saying that the day of Christ in vs. 2 was His Coming and their gathering together unto Him in verse 1 which is the Hope found in I Thess. 4.

Somebody wrote a letter to them, forged Paul's name to it, and told them it was at hand, that is taken place. They were shook up, for if that were true, then they had missed it, which would mean they would be destroyed by the wrath of God of II Thess. 1:8-9. Paul writes this letter to assure them that they had not missed the Day of The Lord, that is His Coming, which was their hope. But, that the Day of Lord would not take place until after a period of apostasy and the revelation of the Anti-Christ , which they knew had not taken place .

( He also mentions the Devil working miracles in verse 9 )

The point that I am making is the Hope of I Thess. 4 which was the Day of Christ, would not take place until AFTER a period of apostasy and the revelation of the Anti-Christ , just like the resurrection in Matt. 24. Don't get up tight thinking you're going to be here when the Anti-Christ is revealed , for if you're saved, I Thess. 4 is not your hope. We have a new and a better hope found in the Prison Epistles, which we will describe in a future article. And that Hope takes place before the Tribulation ever begins, maybe years before.

I believe these 12 similarities between Matt. 24 arid I Cor. 15 and I Thess. 4 are enough to convince any fair minded believer that we have been looking at the same resurrection. If they are not the same then there will be two resurrections that will take place in the future at the same time that are identical !!! Well, the reason they are identical is because they are the same.

In conclusion I would like to point out that the Thessalonians as well as all of the believers saved under Paul's Acts ministry were made partakers of a new and better hope of resurrection that God revealed to Paul after the close of the Acts period and it is found in his prison epistles . This of course means that there will not be a split resurrection of the Church . The Body of Christ has ONE HOPE but it is not found in I Thess.4 or I Cor.15 , it is found in his prison epistles.

ADDITIONAL NAMES CONCERNING THE HOPE OF THE ACTS EPISTLES

When speaking of "Bible Things" we should use " Bible Names".

The word that most of Christians use today for resurrection is the word "Rapture". The word "Rapture" is not a Bible word at all. It does not appear in the Bible one time . Upon looking at it's definition , it is a terrible word to use for resurrection . The word "Rapture" means , "Violence of a pleasing passion ". "A state or experience of being carried away by overwhelming emotion, ecstasy, or passion in a carnal, sensual, sexual manner ". As a matter of fact the word "Rapture" comes from, the Latin word  WHICH IS THE SAME LATIN WORD FOR RAPE. Why would anyone want to use a word for violent forceful rape as a word for resurrection ???

Whenever Paul writes about resurrection he always uses the word "HOPE" (See Titus 2:13, Acts 28:20, Eph. 1:18). The word "HOPE" is the Bible name for resurrection not the carnal, sensual word "Rapture".

People use I Thess. 1:10 to try to prove that the resurrection in I Thess. 4 takes place before the tribulation period begins . They point out that it says they would be delivered from the "wrath to come" and that they were not appointed to wrath I Thess.5:9. But , that cannot be true for Paul also told them , they would be resurrected at the last trumpet in I Cor.15:52 and the last trumpet is the seventh of seven , that will be blown DURING the tribulation before Jesus comes at the end. Paul also told them that the day of Christ which was His coming and their gathering together unto Him , was not at hand ,for it would be PRECEEDED by a falling away and the revelation of the Anti-Christ , which all takes place DURING THE TRIBULATION , NOT BEFORE . (II Thess.2:1-6 ) You cannot ignore these facts when reading I Thess.1:10.

The question then that we must answer is , "what is the Wrath to Come" ? That expression appears 3 times in the Bible , Matt.3:7, Lk.3:7 , and I Thess.1:10. In Matt.3 and Lk.3 it is identified as the day that Jesus corms in fire to burn up the chaff after He gathers the wheat into His garner. That day is at the VERY END of the tribulation and many of the saints He gathers out right before that day return with Him to destroy unbelievers ( II Thess.l:7-9, Jude 14-15, Rev.19:11-21, I Thess.5:2-9. II Pet. 3:10, Malachi 4:1-3 )

That's the wrath of I Thess.5:9 that they were not appointed to. That's the "wrath to come" they were delivered frown in I Thess.1:10 . As a matter of fact , even the tribulation saints are delivered from the wrath to come and no believer including the tribulation saints is appointed to wrath. Before the wrath to come is unleashed upon this earth , AT THE VERY END OF THE TRIBULATION all believers from all ages , will by that time have been resurrected. ( Though not all at the same time, of course.)

Also the "wrath to come" that Paul wrote of in I Thess.1:10 will not coarse UNTIL AFTER THE LAST TRUMPET IS BLOWN (Rev.11:18) and it was at the last trumpet that they were to be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. That's why Paul told them that they could "REST" when the wrath fell in II Thess.l:7.

If I Thess.4 and I Cor.15 are the hope of the church today (notice I said "IF" ) and "if" God did not reveal a new and better Hope to Paul after the Acts period, then you can be assured that the Church will go through the tribulation just like Paul said .

And it would be false doctrine to preach a pre-tribulation resurrection. Further more, if you believe that I Thess. 4 and I Cor. 15 is the hope of the church today then , you ought to be honest enough to preach that it will take place at the end of the tribulation and not before. And I have more respect for a man that believes that I Thess. 4 is his hope and preaches that it will take place at the end of the tribulation than I do for a man that claims it as his hope but deny that it takes place at the end of the tribulation like Paul says it will.

I realize that what I just wrote is not going to be "well liked or received " by most Bible believers , but somebody has needed to stick their neck out and say this for a long time . I know this is not going to " win many friends , and influence many people " but somebody has got to be willing to become even as the filth and off-scouring of the world and be looked upon as an evil doer by God's own people , if that is what it takes for people to get their eyes open to what their hope is . The Devil is doing every thing he can to keep you from seeing the truth about this hope and the one in the prison epistles !

When a man goes up against the doctrines and traditions of men that have been believed and taught for many years , he will find himself alone on the outside looking in . His own friends will turn against him and turn away from him and accuse him of being a trouble maker. That's what happened to Paul , but he was willing to suffer abuse if that is what it took to show and reveal the truth to people that God revealed to him.

It would be much easier to just go along with the religious system and preach their "rapture" as being the hope of the church today for the majority do. It would be much easier to just ignore and even deny what Paul said about the hope in I Thess. 4 and I Cor. 15 like everybody else is doing. (I know for I did it for years.) But when God changes his program and replaces it with something new and better , it is wrong to go on preaching what He changed .

In other words, if God revealed a hope to Paul in his prison epistles that is different and better than the one he wrote about in his Acts epistles wouldn't it be wrong to go on teaching the hope in the Acts epistles as the hope of the church today ???

Please read:  http://www.believer.com/teaching/division/apostle.htm

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2 Timothy 2:15

1.   Scripture doesn't say when this will occur but He must appear before He can return.  No time is set for our citizenship is above not bound by earthly calenders.  Will it be a minute, a day, a week, a month, or years before the return of 1 Thessalonians 4 (which happens at the last trumpet and is thus after the tribulation)?  God does not tell us so don't try to find out but we have perfect peace because it is tied to when He shall appear and this is more sure than the noon day sun.  Now it does stand to reason that before the events written in Thessalonians can commence that the current dispensation may close but it is possible for dispensations to run concurrently as two currently do so it stands to reason but is not spelled out in Scripture.
2.   Our hope then is definitely linked with His session in the heavenly places - made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. If we suffer (endure), we shall also reign with Him - this in connection with principalities and powers in the heavenly places .
Our choice was also made before age times, before the overthrow (1:4).

3.   Israel had a calling and a hope. But they were connected with a land and a people here on the earth awaiting the coming King of glory. That was when salvation was of the Jews.

But now, after Acts 28:28 salvation is of the Gentiles, and there is a new hope and calling. So we dare not confuse the two. We can preach Christ today without any reference to Israel or Israel's covenants. We can preach Christ today without any reference to the earth and the kingdom that is coming.

This hope of His calling was a part of the secret or mystery that was hid in God from ages and generations. But it is NOW made manifest to the saints. These saints are members of one body. And this secret, the dispensation of the mystery completed the Word of God. It is the last word.

Our hope? When Christ who is our life is made manifest, then shall we also be made manifest with Him in glory. His calling and our calling have placed us far above all principality and power.

The hope of His calling has such a high spiritual level that there is little historical detail as to how, when, and where it will be completed.

THE APPEARING

Colossians 3:4

When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.

Here the verb phaneroo is used twice. And here we find plainly stated the hope of the members of the body of Christ, the church. It means to shine forth, to make manifest. From this verb comes the noun epiphaneia, the appearing or manifestation. Only once is this latter used in the pre-Acts 28 epistles of Paul. And there it is used to describe the parousia, hence the brightness of His presence or coming. On the other hand, bema, the judgment seat, does not appear after Acts 28:28. But is there any judgment for members of the body?

It is for this reason that we write this article. Some folks, not knowing the secret too well, have gotten the idea that members of the body of Christ are so perfect that they cannot sin, hence no need for a judgment.

But if that be so, then why all the warnings, such as beware, let no man beguile you, and the like? This is just another version of the sinless perfection error so common today.

2 Timothy 4:1, I charge thee therefore hef0re God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom. For those who rely on words for their theology, rather than the intent, this verse is a puzzle. But it is clear that at the appearing of Colossians 3:4, some will still be living. Others sleep. And there will be a judgment (of rewards) as in the past dispensation. But this judgment will be where they are resurrected, in heaven.

And the word kingdom has stumped a lot of folks, thinking that the millennial kingdom is all the kingdom there is. Note in Colossians 1:13 members of the body have been delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of His dear Son. Surely something must be wrong here too. But looking back after the divorce of Israel in Acts 28, in the 31st verse, Paul preaches (proclaims) the kingdom of God. In looking all thru for this expression, we must come to the conclusion that it may mean anything from the kingdom of heaven in Matthew, to all that is under the sovereignty of God, in earth, in heaven, and in the heavenlies.

So do not be surprised if you find that the church of the mystery is also a part of the kingdom of God, and specifically the kingdom of His dear Son.

You would do well to search and see other usages of kingdom in the post-Acts epistles of Paul. You might be surprised. Just look at Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 4:11; 2 Timothy 4:18. Now you can better appreciate what was being said in Acts 28:31.

Not only do we have the judgment of the quick and the dead in 2 Timothy 4:1, but we have a judgment mentioned in 1 Timothy 5:24. So there is a judgment for us today. And that is where Paul expects to receive the prize of the high calling.

When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.

We repeat our text, as it must be remembered and kept in mind as the great hope of the church which is the body of Christ. This is in glory, not here on the earth. It is where Christ sitteth. It is where heavenly beings are.

After this appearing will then be realized the mystery of God's will, that all things in heaven and earth be brought under one Head, even Christ. And these all things are the new creation which includes the church on earth and the powers in the heavenlies (see Ephesians 1:9,10).

The new creation is spoken of again in Colossians 1:16-20 and consists of things on earth (the body of Christ, the church) and things in heaven (thrones, dominions, principalities and powers). They meet there in heavenly places for they have a reconciliation, an introduction to each other for mutual living together in high places. And this after the appearing.

In Colossians 1:2'7 it is evident that the saints then were to know, what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ among you, the hope of glory. Note what the hope of glory, the heavenly places, is. This takes us right to the appearing.

And this all prepares us for the admonition in Titus 2:11-14. We must repeat it in full here for the reader to ponder. Here is practical living with a living hope. Read it slowly and with feeling. Do not miss any words.

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Now pick out the skeleton of this quote. Live looking for that blessed hope. What hope? The glorious appearing (epiphaneia). This is not the rapture. This is not the revelation. And this is not Israel's hope. It is the hope of the Gentiles with their heavenly calling.

Where will we be when we really look for that blessed hope? Philippians 3:20 tells us that it will be where our citizenship is, and that is not here on the earth, but in heaven.

There is an inheritance in the holy of holies (Ephesians 1:18). And it is in this most holy place that the household of God is, of which those who are looking will have a part (Ephesians 2:19). Members are made meet to partake of this inheritance in the holy of holies in the light, the Shekinah glow (Colossians 1:12). The inheritance will be awarded after the manifestation. A glorious hope. Not many are interested in it. But it is to be a great event for the Lord, and His.
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THE MANIFESTATION

Colossians 3:1-4

If ye than be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.

The mystery church then has its hope in the heavenly places at the great appearing there. The way there is by resurrection. But not here on earth, but there in the heavenlies. No need for transportation, not even up into the air, as is Israel's hope.

The question of when comes up. We do not know, except that it will be some time before Israel's resurrection and the coming of the Lord to earth. In the past, there have been 3 stages in God's dealing with mankind; nations from Adam to Abraham, then Israel from Abraham to end of Acts, and finally the church from end of Acts till Israel will be ready for their Messiah (2 days, as in Hosea 6:2). This is hinted at in many O.T. prophesies, After those days being used frequently.

The manifestation is also called the epiphany by folks today, from the Greek word epiphaneia. On the other hand, Israel's hope is the presence or the parousia which is usually translated coming. So then the second coming of Christ is the parousia, and His manifestation is to be in glory, the heavenly places. In each case, His own will be in company with Him, partaking of His glory. The difference is important.

The term manifestation indicates that something is hid, and will be brought to light. So it is. Christ is sitting with His Father in the Father's throne. He has been exalted, but not taking over His rights as yet. But when the times come, there will be the manifestation in the heavenlies followed by His descent to earth in the great second coming. This will be the unveiling which is the meaning of The Revelation.

Also in connection with the manifestation is the joining of two families, one in heaven and one in earth, both to be in the heavenly places under one Head as indicated in Ephesians 1:9,10. But Israel, the earth people, are not in this, but keep their home here on the earth.

The group in the heavenly places at the present time is called principalities, powers, mights, and dominions. These are mighty spirit beings once associated with Lucifer on the earth; but did not join him in his rebellion. And so this joint relationship is called the whole family in heaven and earth. See Ephesians 3:15.

In our text, these things are mentioned to encourage real Christian living, keeping our eyes on Christ and His position today. It is to walk worthy of such a calling. It is to be spiritually minded, being meek and showing love to Christ and fellow-men.

If ye then be risen with Christ...set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

There once was a time, when there were a people who had a legitimate right to set their affection on things on the earth. The promise made to Abraham was an earthly one, even including the New Jerusalem which is to be on the earth. It was right for the apostles to set their affection on things on the earth, the millennial kingdom and all the blessings attached thereto. It was right for the apostolic church of the Acts period to set their affection on the coming King and kingdom.

For about the first 9 years of his ministry after his conversion, Paul preached to Jews only. It was not till about AD 46 that Paul and Barnabas turned to the Gentiles. And these Gentile believers were to have a part in the kingdom, not by keeping the law, but a walk by grace. Although Paul still preached to Jews whenever the opportunity came, he preached to Gentiles when the Jews rejected his message. That went on for about another 18 years. But during this period of close to 27 years that Paul preached before Acts 28, he had whereof to boast. He was circumcised, an Israelite, of the tribe of Benjamin, a real genuine Hebrew, a Pharisee, zealous, and as to the law he was blameless. These things pertained to the earth, an earthly calling and hope.

But when Paul ended his kingdom ministry at the end of Acts, he had revealed to him the church gospel, the dispensation of the mystery. No longer did he look for the coming of the King to set up the millennial kingdom. And in the church with its heavenly calling, these things of the earth which had been an advantage to him were worthless. He must put his affection elsewhere.

At one time Paul could boast that he spoke in tongues more than any others. But that passed away. As for other gifts, such as healing, visions, and the like, they too passed away. And instead of looking for a King to sit on the throne of His father David here on earth, Paul looked to be manifested with Christ in the heavenlies. Christ is the Head of all things and especially of the church.

And also the rituals, baptisms, feasts of the Jews (wrongly is the Passover called Lord's Supper), and even some officers in the assemblies are all done away. In the church of the dispensation of the mystery there is nothing for the flesh to desire or to boast about. All is in the realm of the spirit. So the members of the church which is the body of Christ are not to be concerned with what they eat on any special occasions, or what they may drink in any ritualistic act, nor do they keep holidays (religious ones), or looking for the new moon so as to establish the time of these holidays, and they have nothing to do with Sabbaths. All these things have to do with the earth and an earthly calling. If we are seated with Christ far above all, then why should we, as though living in the world, be subject to the earthly ordinances?

If ye then be risen with Christ...set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
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THAT BLESSED HOPE

Among unthinking fundamentalists of today there is the idea that the hope of all believers of all times is the second coming of Christ. This is only partially true. There are great multitudes who have a hope that is not connected with the second coming.

The first real intimation of this is in Job 14. There a time is given for a hope to be realized. It is when the heavens shall be no more (or, become un-sewn, unstitched). This immediately takes us back to the Revelation, chapter 20, and the scene of the great white throne. We also run into the same thing when we read of the dying malefactor and the promise of paradise. Evidently there will be myriads who will be raised at least a thousand years after the second coming, and they will pass on into the new earth. They will not ascend into the heavens, neither will they have access to the New Jerusalem. Nevertheless, they have a hope, but it is not connected directly with the second coming of Christ.

Then in the special ministry of Paul to us Gentiles (after Acts) we find another hope and the time of that hope. It is when Christ is manifested, not on the earth, but in the heavens to principalities and powers. It is the place where the unique spiritual blessings will be enjoyed by those of the dispensation of the mystery. There is every reason to believe that this is before the second coming.

There may be some connection in that Christ is manifested in the heavens first and there crowned, later to be manifested to the earth dwellers with many diadems, as King of kings and Lord of Lords. It is also true that the hope of the ones who go on into the new earth is distantly connected with the second coming in that it occurs after the thousand years has been completed and all enemies put down.

Of course the hope of all these is Christ manifest in all His glory. This can only come after resurrection, for the natural man could never survive such a sight. The risen and ascended Christ will be the object of adoration of all peoples that belong to Him, regardless of what family or dispensation they may be a part.

Outside of Christ there is no hope, no life, no resurrection, no prize, no crown...nor anything good that we could mention. The one object of the believer is to see Christ and be like Him. The greatest need of the Christian is to know Him.

At the time God tabernacled on earth in flesh and among men, Israel did not know the time of her visitation and millions of them then living did not believe on Him. They did not have, nor will they have, a part in the kingdom with Him. Even the religious leaders of the times were to find themselves cast out and sinners and publicans entering in.

Today very few Gentiles know the time of their visitation, that the salvation of God has been sent to them. And millions of Christians will not enter into the blessings of the church. There is a parallel. If we could only get people to see it!

There is a blessed hope. It can be entered upon by simply believing what God has said. The only hindrance: the world, the flesh, and the devil.

For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. This passage has puzzled many in the past. Was Paul unsaved? Paul is rejoicing that Christ is preached, even tho in contention. And he also knows that all this coupled with their prayers will secure his release from bonds. That is his salvation. But he does not stop here, but adds that Jesus Christ has a definite part in it, too. And all this, he is pretty sure will work out in his release. Note how different this is from his attitude in 2 Timothy where he says that the time of his departure is at hand. Note that Paul believed in prayer, and how many times he speaks of it. The great power of prayer is not known today as it should be. And sometimes we underrate the supply of the Spirit of Christ.

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, According often has the shade of meaning expressed by our words in harmony with. Note this usage in the first chapter of Ephesians. Using this expression enriches the meaning of the passages. And remember that Paul's hope was to be manifested with Christ in glory (Colossians 3:4). And that can be our expectation and hope.

That in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. Look in your concordance and note the number of times Paul uses this word ashamed. Paul was a workman that needed not to be ashamed (2 Timothy 2:15). Paul was not ashamed of his chain. In fact, with the guard and the chain, he was enabled to speak boldly, for he had the protection of the Roman empire. Wonder what his Jewish enemies thought of that! Paul had had a long service for the Lord. Many heard him. So then, if he died in prison, it would be as a martyr and Christ magnified. If he lived and was released from Prison, still the Lord would be magnified. Paul was confident of this.

For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. He is repeating the idea above. If he continues to live, it will magnify Christ. If he dies, it still will magnify Christ, that is, be gain.

But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I wot not. He feels that if he were to live in the flesh, it would be the result or fruit of his labor. Note the word wot. He is not declaring or telling them what he would really choose, life or death. He did have a desire to die and be with the Lord. Then note how he decides which is the better.

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and be with Christ; which is far better: For him and his desires, it would be far better for him to depart (die) and be with Christ. Notice departure in 2 Timothy 4:6. Especially note the great love Paul had for the saints at Philippi. He loved them, and said so.

In Ephesians 1:18 Paul is praying that ye may know what is the hope of His calling. Naturally our question will be, What is the hope of His calling?

We are prepared by the will of the Father (1:4), the work of the Son (1:7), and the witness of the Spirit (1:13). These form a basis for the prayer, At the beginning of the prayer, Paul asks that the recipients be readied by 3 gifts; the spirit of wisdom, revelation, and enlightened eyes,

The 3 main parts of the prayer are that we may know; what is the hope of His calling, what the riches of the glory of His inheritance, and what the greatness of His power. These all give us a setting for our subject: What is the Hope of His calling?

There was a time when Gentile believers attending the Synagogue had no hope (2:12). What hope there was belonged to Israel. After Acts 10 the Gentiles could by faith through grace share in the hope of Israel. But actually the Gentile believer of that time was without hope,

Even in Acts 28 Paul was in bonds for the hope of Israel, even after he had been preaching to Gentiles for many years. That was Paul's hope.

So there was a time or season when Gentiles were without hope. 'But now' in 2:13 marks the change, and the Gentile believers have had a hope ever since.

But this is God's hope in our text. So what was it? We find calling and hope linked together in 4:4. There must be a close relationship. Colossians 1:27, 'Christ among you (Gentiles) the hope of glory,' shows that ultimately Christ is the hope. And where our hope is marks the place where our calling is. We are called to be in heavenly places where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. We also note in 2 Timothy 1:9 that our calling is a holy calling and is connected with a purpose that goes back before age times. Our choice was also made before age times, before the overthrow (1:4).

Israel had a calling and a hope. But they were connected with a land and a people here on the earth awaiting the coming King of glory. That was when salvation was of the Jews,

But now, after Acts 28:28, salvation is of the Gentiles and there is a new hope and calling. So we dare not confuse the two. We can preach Christ today without any reference to Israel or Israel's covenants, We can preach Christ today without any reference to the earth and the kingdom that is coming.

This hope of His calling was a part of the secret, or mystery, that was hid in God from ages and generations. But it is NOW made manifest to the saints. These saints are members of one body. This secret, the dispensation of the mystery, completed the Word of God. It is the last word.

Our hope? When Christ who is our life is made manifest, then shall we also be made manifest with Him in glory. His calling and our calling have placed us far above all principality and power,

The hope of His calling has such a high spiritual level that there is little historical detail as to how, when, and where it will be completed.

Titus 2:13

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Notice the apposition here. The great God is the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, God manifest in flesh (1Timothy 3:16).

And where will this appearing be? It will be in glory, Colossians 3:4, When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. So in glory answers the question, Where? Again we find that Christ, God manifest in flesh, was received up into glory (1 Timothy 3:16). With these witnesses it is no problem to find the place or location of the hope. It is in glory.

But where is glory? That question is also settled for us. Five times we find it mentioned in Ephesians. In the Greek it is en lois epouraniois, and is translated 4 times as In heavenly places and once as in high places.

Before Acts 28:28 this hope and place is never mentioned by such terms. It is mentioned in Hebrews as holiest or holy of holies. The first occurrence in the Bible is in Deuteronomy 10:14 as The heaven of heavens. It was known by the ancients, but no mention of anybody or being in that place except God Himself.

And this place is the hope of the church which is the body of Christ. That hope is so real and so certain that we are said to be, quickened together with Christ, and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. There is where our homeland or commonwealth (citizenship) is (Philippians 3: 20). So we can feel that we are strangers and pilgrims in this world. Our home is not here.

Our life is hid with Christ in God until that day of manifestation when we shall be manifested with Him in glory. And it is now further revealed that there are powers in that place. They are specified as principalities, powers, mights and dominions. And these are made one with the church and Christ head over both making them one family of God. See Ephesians 1:9,10.

However, at the present time, the church is making known the manifold wisdom of God to these powers in the heavenly places. Ephesians 3:10.

Note that none of the foregoing mentions of the hope have anything to do with the personal presence of the Lord on earth, His coming in clouds, and His kingdom on earth. All this was the hope of Israel, God's earth people. And this includes the new earth and the New Jerusalem, which will be on the new earth.

In view of this great hope, we should walk worthy of Christ, worthy of this great calling. And something else, and of great importance, is the fact that there can be rewards, prizes, and crowns for those who are faithful. These are for works, that is, allowing Christ to work out His work today in and thru us. The secret of joy and peace is Christ living in us. If we endure (suffer) we shall reign with Him.
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RESURRECTION - WHEN? WHERE?

There is no question about resurrection being the hope of the church of the dispensation of the mystery. In his last letter to Timothy, Paul warned against those who say that the resurrection is past already. This is the teaching that members of the church go to heaven when they die. That would bypass resurrection and the manifestation in glory in the days to come.

Colossians 1:18 assures us that Christ is the firstborn from the dead. If that be true, then those that are His must follow the same pattern, be born again from the dead (resurrection).

The problem that has plagued so many is the time of this great event. When are they raised?

The fact that members are quickened, raised, and seated with Him in the heavenlies now is a spiritual experience and condition. It does not answer the questions concerning resurrection.

The gathering in John 11:25,26; 1Co 15:51,52; 1Th 4:15-17, and Re 11:15-17 is a fulfillment of prophecy concerning Israel and has nothing to do with the mystery and its church. This event was never hid in God from ages and generations.

So the hope of the church of the dispensation of the mystery is not the same as that of Israel. We have to look a bit farther along in our Book for the answer to this vexing question.

The citizenship of this church is in heaven (Ph'p 3:20). It is blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places. These expressions give us a key to what we seek. Israel has her hope here on the earth. She awaits the coming of her Messiah, the King of kings and Lord of lords to come to earth and set up His kingdom, seated on the throne of His father, David. And their future part in the purpose of God is to evangelize the nations of the earth during the millennium. This is the great commission.

So Israel will see the coming of the Lord to earth. They will see Him unveiled here on earth. And they will see Him reign on earth.

But the church, having a heavenly hope and sphere of activity, has no part in these events. It has an even greater one to look for. That is His manifestation in glory. He is not now seen on the earth. Neither is He seen in heaven. The time of His manifestation is not yet come. When He is manifested there, it will not be only to the church, but to the principalities and powers there as well.

But somebody may ask if that means those evil beings mentioned in Eph 6. Hardly. Satan and his angels will be cast out of heaven about 3 1/2 years before the gathering. And as soon as the enemy of the church is taken away, then can it take its place in its inheritance, heavenly places. As soon as Satan is cast out of the heavens, then Christ will be manifested there. This is logical and parallel with the experience of Israel entering their land.

Now as to the manner of getting there, the transportation; none is needed. If we, as Israel, are to have bodies made without hands in the heavens, then it follows that our resurrection will be there, not here on the earth.
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A HEAVENLY REPUTATION

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

The usual opinion of blessings and being blest is that gifts are given. But in looking thru the concordances and lexicon we were unable to find that meaning attached to the words.

Blessed (be) God. This is another way of saying Praise God. The word blessed is a verbal adjective and is never used of man, but always of God. It means to speak well of, to praise. Then the desire of the apostle is that God should be well spoken of, or praised in His creation. But such a state of affairs does not exist. In the heavens is one who is a slanderer. He came down to earth and told that which was not true about God to our first parents. And he has tried in every way to defame the name of God and to misrepresent His person since that time. He has a great following of angels to assist him in these efforts. And on the earth are plenty of men who will follow this example and from day to day they think only evil and curse God. But a time is coming when all such mouths will be stopped, in both heaven and earth and there will not be one left but those who honor and adore Him. So we, with the apostle, should pray for the day to come in which God again will be praised and glorified.

Who hath blessed us. This is another form of the same verb and is used of men. He has then spoken well of us. Where? In the heavenly places. But we must hesitate here. There is something we could overlook. We are praised or spoken well of in Christ. Just as we are accepted in Him, so we are spoken well of in Him. But He is the one that was accepted and praised. We must not forget that for a moment. All good things are in Christ.

Now this knowledge that we are spoken well of in heavenly places helps to explain what is said in 3:10, To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God. These beings in the heavenlies have heard about us, they have heard good about us, but only as we are in Christ, and it all tells of the manifold wisdom of God.

With all spiritual blessings. Or it might read, with every blessing that is spiritual. Now blessings also come from the same root and means good words about us. But these good things that are told about us are all spiritual. They are in the realm of the spirit. They do not include the diamonds and automobiles that we may own down here, but what we are in Christ. We are accepted in Him, seated with Him, joint-heirs with Him, and the like. These statements are spiritual blessings.

Now you can go thru Ephesians and read of all the good things we are and have in Christ. Count your blessings. May God be praised in all creation for His speaking well of us in the heavenlies in and thru and with His Son, our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Blest with every blessing that is spiritual. These blessings are in Christ. That is why that they are spiritual. Outside of Him nothing is spiritual. Let us examine 12 blessings mentioned:

1. Chosen in Him before the overthrow. The church is the object mentioned here. Since it has a great election, it is evident that the members are then a part of the election. This was in the plan of God before the ages began, before the overthrow.

2. Adoption or placing as sons. No more are children spoken of. Adoption means coming to age. Those who have life become mature and are placed in the body, the church.

3. Accepted in the Beloved. This means that the members are highly favored. The word is used here and where Mary was said to be highly favored. Being in Christ gives this acceptance and favor.

4. Redeemed. Bought back. The price, His blood. Includes the forgiveness of sins. These are terms used in the market place, especially of slaves. Delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of His dear Son.

5. Trespasses wiped out, the slate clean. Only the blood of Christ can make garments as white as snow. This is a universal cleaner.

6. United with Christ in His Headship, not only of the church, but Head of all things in heaven and in earth. Members should remember their identity.

7. An inheritance obtained. Since He is the sole heir of the Father, those that are His inherit untold wealth, not only all that is in the earth, but all that is in the heavens too.

8. Sealed with that holy spirit of promise. Life had been promised (Ephesians 3:6; 1 Timothy 1:1; Titus 1:2). This is the new man or new nature in the believer. This is given by the Holy Spirit, the person, Whom we must not grieve (Ephesians 4:30).

9. An earnest or pledge given. This new nature is a sample and a pledge of what is to come. In resurrection the old nature will be absent, and this new one take over completely. No more desires of the old nature or flesh to bother the believer any more.

10. Made alive together with Christ. No life outside of Christ. Those in Him and identified with Him were made alive when He was. This is reckoned to us by the Father, and we should reckon it to ourselves. Dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God.

11. He is our peace. No peace outside of Christ. Men may seek peace outside Him, but they will never find it. Thru Paul, Christ came and preached peace. Christ still preaches peace thru them that believe.

12. The temple being built. Christ being the chief corner stone. Designed to be a dwelling of God by the Spirit, i.e., God the Holy Spirit dwells in this temple which is growing.
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CONCLUSION. In this context these particular blessings .are in heavenly places. This is where Christ is. This is where we are to put our affection. This is where Christ will be manifested and His church along with Him. After His presentation to all the powers of the heavens, and His coronation, He will then go earthward and set up His kingdom among the nations.

(3).       The Body. -"His body . . . the church: whereof I (Paul) am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you . . . the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations" (Col. 1:24-26).

 "That ye may know what is THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING" (Eph. 1:18).

 "Even as ye are called in ONE HOPE OF YOUR CALLING" (Eph. 4:4).

 The realization of our hope in the future will be in agreement with our calling now by faith.

 "Now faith is the substance of things HOPED for" (Heb. 11:1).
Brother, you may never speak to me again, except with curses, but
I love ya, and I pray You will see your greater hope waiting for ya...
Your brother Mark....