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Morning Thoughts |
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Morning Thoughts |
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II Thessalonians 2:8-14, "And
then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with spirit of
his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose
coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they
received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause
God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they
all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in
unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren
beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation
through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he
called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus
Christ." This morning, there are certain passages of Scripture that are harder for us to deal with than others. They are not difficult in that they seem to oppose the fundamentals of our doctrine, faith, and order, but they are difficult in that we many times stumble around trying to find out exactly what the writer intended when he wrote them. This chapter for me is one that I have changed my thoughts about the overall sense about half a dozen times, and reserve the right to do so about half a dozen more. However, one of the things about this chapter that I find intriguing is that it becomes the source material for a popular discussion that we participate in many times: is this talking about disobedient children of God or goats? Perhaps even: is this a timely or eternal context? Many times, we hedge our focus of a passage into one of these two pigeonholes without realizing the other pastures of focus that we can consider. On a different note, I have become increasingly aware that most of the discussions of contexts regarding who is and who is not a child of God many times miss some of the rich nuggets of Scriptural truths contained in them. Truly, certain passages are unmistakable, such as Paul's discussion of Jacob and Esau in Romans 9, but many of the contexts that we discuss in such a way are really not intended for that lens of focus, in my opinion. So, having said all of that, let us examine these verses in an overall sense to try to discover what exactly Paul is driving at for the Thessalonian church. In the past, I have studied this context through the glass of, "Are they or are they not? Is the judgment timely or eternal?" Now, I believe that Paul's thought in the overall sense differs somewhat from the way that I had previously studied it. There are passages in the Bible where very strong and harsh language is used to describe someone that is completely outside the love of God and His divine grace. Such a case would be the general context of II Peter 2 or the middle portion of the book of Jude. In fact, Jude uses the harshest language that I know of in Holy Writ when he describes people "plucked up by the roots twice dead"! Yet again, certain passages like II Peter 2 do show a contradistinction between the teachers and the taught. In every case, the harshest language is reserved for the teachers of these wicked things, while harsh (but not as harsh) language is reserved for the taught. However, passages like the one above show a different type of distinction. Peter distinguishes between the teachers and the taught. Paul, in our context, distinguishes between those within the walls of Zion and those without. No longer do I believe that the two groups in this verse thread show a distinction between grace children and wrath goats. Rather, Paul is showing the awesome difference of being within the city or being without. Notice the opening language in verse 13 that so often goes unnoticed in the discussion of that grand verse. "We are bound to give thanks to God alway for you brethren." Who is that? In the first chapter, Paul uses language in verses 1-4 to show that the brethren he has under consideration are the brethren of the Thessalonian church, those whose faith groweth exceedingly, whose charity aboundeth, with patience and faith in the face of persecution in all the churches of God. These brethren that Paul addresses are not just children of God, but those that have laboured patiently under persecution with increasing faith and abounding charity to the glory of God. Do all of God's children inhabit such a blessed place here in this life? Do all walk about Zion, telling the towers and marking well her bulwarks? Should that be the case, then what God declares as an innumerable host in heaven gets reduced to a very few, indeed the smallest percentage of any group that has ever lived. Our Lord will not have a sparsely populated heaven, but those that live in this blessed condition of brethren are few in number. Those that followed after Christ began to dwindle as His ministry progressed rather than increase. Even after the magnanimous event of His resurrection and ascension, there were only 120 faithful followers until the day of Pentecost. Even after Pentecost, there were few Christians compared to the vast multitudes of heathens and Mosaical Jews. Paul is labouring to show that within the walls of Zion, we are spared from many evils, deceits, delusions, and judgments. That does not mean that Zion is spared from all the natural judgments that come, but her inhabitants are delivered from the condemnation of following after a lie, not loving the truth, and thereby not being delivered (saved) from them. However, not all that are without have the ability to receive the love of the truth, or believe anything other than a lie. Some of those without are indeed the vile goats that will one day eternally burn in the lake of fire or second death. However, Paul is trying to show the difference between the privileges of Zion and the dangers looming without. Child of God or not, the dangers without are tremendous. Cares, torments, trials, and afflictions unceasing and without respite are the world's offering. The respite from these things, and the relief and comfort for our souls can only be found within. The prodigal son knew what it was like to be without after finishing his journey, and his father's house was far better in the comfort to his soul than all the riches in the world. Moses esteemed the afflictions of the people of God better than the riches in Egypt. The reason that esteem of afflictions abounded more was the knowledge (by faith) that God grants the faithful moments of quiet peace beside still waters, in green pastures, with communication and fellowship of serenity with His still, small voice. Those moments are not found in the noisy bustle and care of the world. They are found in sweet fellowship with God, most especially in God's house. Therefore, whether one without is a damned goat or a wayward sheep, the situation without is the same in the sense that neither have the privilege of hearing the blessed gospel and sitting down in the goodness of God. True, one has not the ability and one does, but they still occupy the same place without. Consider the difference between the strait gate and broad way in Matthew 7. Surely all would attest that those in the strait gate are God's redeemed elect, but what about those on the broad way that leadeth to destruction? That broad way finds goats and sheep alike. Sheep, like the prodigal son, are found at times and seasons in that course. I, unfortunately, have been on it time and again. Yet, wayward sheep are not the only travellers. Goats are there as well. Yet, whether sheep or goats, both are currently on that path in this life in their actions and conduct. Jacob and Esau were different (one loved and one hated), yet Jacob found himself on that broad path during many times in his life. Truly, he is loved and prized of the Lord, but his actions led to much heartache in his life. So, what are we to draw from this passage? Paul shows that those without are deceived, walking in unrighteousness, and showing not a love of the truth. Should that be cause for us to say they are all damned to an eternal hell? Rather, it should be cause for us to give thanks that God has shown unto us the beauty of His house. Paul thanked God for the brethren there, all those that had obtained like precious faith, and were steadfastly contending for the faith once delivered to the saints. The reason Paul thanked God so was that he knew and was assured of their standing with God. We cannot show conclusively the state or non-state of grace in those without. God is the judge, but the occupation within Zion shows forth the richest abundance of charity my eyes have ever beheld. People that may not have previously known each other already love one another. Those separated by miles and geography are united by the bond of peace and harmony within the Lord's church. Paul thanked God, for he had the evidence that God loved them, saved them, sanctified them, and they believed the truth. The gospel of truth was preached to them, and they loved and received it. Do all God's children love and receive it? Christ turned away thousands of "disciples" in John 6 by His preaching. Does that mean they were goats? No, for the word calls them disciples. Yet, they did not believe what Christ preached. These within Zion love what Christ preached, the apostles preached, and the same things that men continue to preach. This keeps us from suffering like those without. Our life does not have to be found in the pigpens of life with husks of corn, but we find the rich, bountiful table of the Lord's fat things with the love banner over us. May we never get so caught up in the discussion of sheep vs goats in a passage as to miss the rich thought of the privileged position of Zion. This position is something we should never take lightly or for granted, for the light of our understanding can be removed to leave us in the same darkness as those without currently find. Our candlestick can be removed by God for leaving our first love. Yet, our prayers should be those of thanksgiving for those within the walls that love the truth, and our prayers should also show what Paul did in another place (Romans 10:1) that those of God's children without would love it as well. Notice how Paul began the first epistle to these brethren. In I Thessalonians 1:4, he said he knew something. He knew they were the elect of God. How could Paul be so bold? He had seen enough of their conduct to him, one another, and reception of the gospel that he was convinced of their state. He did not dwell much about the state of grace of those without, but rather just lumped them as "without." Today, I try not to spend much time wondering whether those that I meet are sheep or goats (although I still do fail in that), but one thing I am assured of is that the greatest people I have ever known are within the walls of Zion. Further, I am persuaded, as Paul was, of their election by God, sanctification of Spirit, and see their love and belief of the truth in adherence to His blessed gospel. In Hope,  Bro Philip |