Daily Bread
1 John 4:3 - "And every spirit that does not confess Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God and this is that antichrist, that you heard would come and now is already in the world."
The word 'antichrist' is found four times in the Bible and is a word that is only used by John in his Epistles (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7). Although John refers to a specific individual that will come, he views a more subtle manifestation of the deception which will then be fully manifested in the one whom Paul calls the man of sin and the son of destruction (2 Thessalonians 2:3). The deception begins subtly with slight variation about who Jesus is but ultimately ends in one who declares himself to be God in the middle of the Tribulation (Matthew 24:15; Daniel 11:31). The antichrist presents Himself as a savior and righteous, one as depicted in Revelation 6:2, but is ultimately revealed to be the one who subdues men to which war, famine, death, and hell will follow. Satan's power of deception will ultimately bring the nations to such a deception that they will gather themselves together to fight against Jesus Christ in the battle of Armageddon. It is little wonder then that men fight against the name of Jesus now.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Friday, July 21, 2006
Daily Bread
2 Thessalonians 2:6 - "And now you know what holds back the revealing of him in his time."
The antichrist cannot be revealed until the time of the administration of the church is complete. Jesus is the one that is now holding back the ultimate deception and rebellion of iniquity which cannot be revealed until He comes "The mystery of lawlessness is already at work only right now He holds it back from the midst until He comes. And at that time the lawless one shall be revealed whom the Lord shall destroy with the spirit of his mouth and wipe out with the appearance of His coming."(2:7-8). Jesus first comes to finalize the administration of the church age by receiving the church unto Himself, and then the lawless one shall be revealed. Jesus will then return with His saints to fight against the antichrist and his armies. Paul had already ministered to the church at Thessalonica concerning the coming of the Lord Jesus which we find in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17. Paul ministered concerning this event in light of the resurrection from the dead. The points that Paul makes is that when Jesus comes, the dead in Christ will rise first and those who are alive will be caught up together into the clouds to meet Jesus in the air. He describes the event as the time when Jesus comes with a shout and voice of an archangel and with God's trumpet. Paul also communicated this same event to the church at Corinth and once again spoke of it in context to the first resurrection or the resurrection of those who died in Christ. He also revealed once again that those who will be alive would be immediately changed from the corruptible and earthly into the immortal and heavenly. He spoke of it as a mystery but reveals the fact that it will happen at the last trumpet (1 Corinthians 15:51- 53). We know from the words of Jesus that it will be an event that He personally initiates as suggested by 1 Thessalonians 4:16. Jesus said, "with absolute certainty I tell you, 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". When we look for this most important event in the book of Revelation it is only discovered in the words "after these things" which refers to the church (Revelation 1:19; 4:1). The first mention of the resurrection of the dead is not until Revelation 20:5. Daniel speaks of the time of the resurrection of the just even though it is mentioned in association with the time of the Tribulation it is also grouped with the resurrection of the unjust which we know to be separated by 1000 years (Daniel 12:2; Revelation 20:5). The only event in the book of Revelation that describes a catching away is found in Revelation 12:5, which speaks of a man child that was born to a woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars which is an Old Testament symbol for Israel (Genesis 37:9-10). The most appropriate understanding of this man child born of Israel is the 144,000 that is first mentioned as being sealed in Revelation 7:4 and then seen in heaven in Revelation 14:1 with the seal of the Father's name written in their forehead. When we examine the book of Revelation for the Trump of God or the last trump the only thing that can be found is in Revelation 10:7; 11:15-18. However, this does not concur with the fact that it is Jesus Himself who descends neither is there any mention of those who are alive in Christ being caught up. Jesus spoke of the time at the end of the Tribulation when he would send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet who will gather together His elect but by context this is associated with His return to the earth with His saints in Revelation 19:11-21. The reason that the events of 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and 1 Corinthians 15:51 are not found in the book of Revelation is because they occur before the Tribulation of Revelation 4-19.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
2 Thessalonians 2:6 - "And now you know what holds back the revealing of him in his time."
The antichrist cannot be revealed until the time of the administration of the church is complete. Jesus is the one that is now holding back the ultimate deception and rebellion of iniquity which cannot be revealed until He comes "The mystery of lawlessness is already at work only right now He holds it back from the midst until He comes. And at that time the lawless one shall be revealed whom the Lord shall destroy with the spirit of his mouth and wipe out with the appearance of His coming."(2:7-8). Jesus first comes to finalize the administration of the church age by receiving the church unto Himself, and then the lawless one shall be revealed. Jesus will then return with His saints to fight against the antichrist and his armies. Paul had already ministered to the church at Thessalonica concerning the coming of the Lord Jesus which we find in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17. Paul ministered concerning this event in light of the resurrection from the dead. The points that Paul makes is that when Jesus comes, the dead in Christ will rise first and those who are alive will be caught up together into the clouds to meet Jesus in the air. He describes the event as the time when Jesus comes with a shout and voice of an archangel and with God's trumpet. Paul also communicated this same event to the church at Corinth and once again spoke of it in context to the first resurrection or the resurrection of those who died in Christ. He also revealed once again that those who will be alive would be immediately changed from the corruptible and earthly into the immortal and heavenly. He spoke of it as a mystery but reveals the fact that it will happen at the last trumpet (1 Corinthians 15:51- 53). We know from the words of Jesus that it will be an event that He personally initiates as suggested by 1 Thessalonians 4:16. Jesus said, "with absolute certainty I tell you, 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". When we look for this most important event in the book of Revelation it is only discovered in the words "after these things" which refers to the church (Revelation 1:19; 4:1). The first mention of the resurrection of the dead is not until Revelation 20:5. Daniel speaks of the time of the resurrection of the just even though it is mentioned in association with the time of the Tribulation it is also grouped with the resurrection of the unjust which we know to be separated by 1000 years (Daniel 12:2; Revelation 20:5). The only event in the book of Revelation that describes a catching away is found in Revelation 12:5, which speaks of a man child that was born to a woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars which is an Old Testament symbol for Israel (Genesis 37:9-10). The most appropriate understanding of this man child born of Israel is the 144,000 that is first mentioned as being sealed in Revelation 7:4 and then seen in heaven in Revelation 14:1 with the seal of the Father's name written in their forehead. When we examine the book of Revelation for the Trump of God or the last trump the only thing that can be found is in Revelation 10:7; 11:15-18. However, this does not concur with the fact that it is Jesus Himself who descends neither is there any mention of those who are alive in Christ being caught up. Jesus spoke of the time at the end of the Tribulation when he would send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet who will gather together His elect but by context this is associated with His return to the earth with His saints in Revelation 19:11-21. The reason that the events of 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and 1 Corinthians 15:51 are not found in the book of Revelation is because they occur before the Tribulation of Revelation 4-19.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Daily Bread
1 Thessalonians 3:13 - "Unto the establishment of your hearts blameless in holiness before God and our Father in the coming of the Lord our Jesus with all His holy ones."
When the scripture refers to the coming of the Lord Jesus it is important to recognize that there are four separate events that are referred to. The first time that Jesus came was when He was incarnated and born of the virgin to live, die, and resurrect for all mankind. The second time that Jesus comes is when He comes to manifest himself to the believers (John 14:18, 23). In fact, every time that two or three are gathered together in His name He is there. The third time that Jesus will come is at the time of the "catching away" or "rapture of the church." This takes place at the end of the church age which is also the end of God calling the nations to salvation; rather, God will come to fight against the nations on behalf of Israel. God will only be calling the nation of Israel to repentance during the seven years of the Tribulation. The church age ends just prior to the beginning of the Tribulation or the chronology of events that begin in the fourth chapter of Revelation (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; John 14:3; James 5:7-8; Revelation 1:19; 4:1). The fourth time that Jesus will come is when He comes with all of His saints and will set up God's Kingdom on earth for 1000 years. This event is pictured in Revelation 19:11-20:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Matthew 24:3-31 and Jude 1:14-15). There are several Greek words that are used for the coming of the Lord. One of these Greek words is "parousia" which is the Greek word used in this verse. Another is "apokalupsis" which means revealing or revelation. This particular word was used by the Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 1:7 and also used by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 1:7. The Greek word "parousia" is used seven times in 1 and 2 Thessalonians. It is used of the coming of the Lord Jesus when He came 2000 years ago as well of His future coming (2 Peter 1:16). It is used of the catching away when Jesus meets His saints in the air. It is also used of the time when Jesus returns with His saints to fight in the Battle of Armageddon. And, finally, it is used of the coming of God when the New Heavens and the New Earth will be created at the end of the 1000 year reign of Christ Jesus and His saints (2 Peter 3:12). When the scripture addresses the "parousia" of Jesus to the saints it is always referring to His coming at the time of the catching away (1 Thessalonians 4:15; 1 John 2:28; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 3:13). In summary, Jesus came to redeem, He comes to reveal Himself to His church, He will come to receive His church unto Himself, He will come with His saints to destroy the armies of the antichrist and set up his eternal Kingdom.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
1 Thessalonians 3:13 - "Unto the establishment of your hearts blameless in holiness before God and our Father in the coming of the Lord our Jesus with all His holy ones."
When the scripture refers to the coming of the Lord Jesus it is important to recognize that there are four separate events that are referred to. The first time that Jesus came was when He was incarnated and born of the virgin to live, die, and resurrect for all mankind. The second time that Jesus comes is when He comes to manifest himself to the believers (John 14:18, 23). In fact, every time that two or three are gathered together in His name He is there. The third time that Jesus will come is at the time of the "catching away" or "rapture of the church." This takes place at the end of the church age which is also the end of God calling the nations to salvation; rather, God will come to fight against the nations on behalf of Israel. God will only be calling the nation of Israel to repentance during the seven years of the Tribulation. The church age ends just prior to the beginning of the Tribulation or the chronology of events that begin in the fourth chapter of Revelation (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; John 14:3; James 5:7-8; Revelation 1:19; 4:1). The fourth time that Jesus will come is when He comes with all of His saints and will set up God's Kingdom on earth for 1000 years. This event is pictured in Revelation 19:11-20:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Matthew 24:3-31 and Jude 1:14-15). There are several Greek words that are used for the coming of the Lord. One of these Greek words is "parousia" which is the Greek word used in this verse. Another is "apokalupsis" which means revealing or revelation. This particular word was used by the Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 1:7 and also used by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 1:7. The Greek word "parousia" is used seven times in 1 and 2 Thessalonians. It is used of the coming of the Lord Jesus when He came 2000 years ago as well of His future coming (2 Peter 1:16). It is used of the catching away when Jesus meets His saints in the air. It is also used of the time when Jesus returns with His saints to fight in the Battle of Armageddon. And, finally, it is used of the coming of God when the New Heavens and the New Earth will be created at the end of the 1000 year reign of Christ Jesus and His saints (2 Peter 3:12). When the scripture addresses the "parousia" of Jesus to the saints it is always referring to His coming at the time of the catching away (1 Thessalonians 4:15; 1 John 2:28; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 3:13). In summary, Jesus came to redeem, He comes to reveal Himself to His church, He will come to receive His church unto Himself, He will come with His saints to destroy the armies of the antichrist and set up his eternal Kingdom.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Daily Bread
Acts 7:4 - "Then he came out from the country of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. And after that his father died he was made to move into this country where you now dwell."
Abraham was born in Ur, which was a town in southern Mesopotamia and southern Babylon (Genesis 11:28, 31; Genesis 15:7; Nehemiah 9:7). Evidently, Abraham's father was involved in this call to some degree. It may be that he came with Abraham because he believed in the call on Abraham's life. Terah began to have sons at 70 years of age and he died in Haran at the age of 205 (Genesis 11:26, 32). Abraham was 75 years old when he left Haran after his father's death. Therefore, Terah would have been 130 years old when Abraham was born (Genesis 12:4). We cannot be certain how old Abraham was when God first appeared to him in Ur but we do know that he was married to Sarai long enough for Sarai to be classified as barren, a title given to those who have little to no hope of ever having children. Abraham may have been 70 years old, which would have made Terah 200 years old. It may be that Abraham needed to take care of his aged father and also his orphaned nephew Lot and this is why they left Ur with Abraham. We know that Abraham was very prompt in obeying God as exemplified by his speedy response to sacrifice Isaac in Genesis 22:3. It may be that God appeared to Abraham giving him the promise at 70 years of age at which time his sojourning began (Galatians 3:17; Hebrews 11:8; Exodus 12:40). The sojourning of Abraham and his descendents during the time of Promise would last a total of 430 years as testified by both Paul and Moses.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Acts 7:4 - "Then he came out from the country of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. And after that his father died he was made to move into this country where you now dwell."
Abraham was born in Ur, which was a town in southern Mesopotamia and southern Babylon (Genesis 11:28, 31; Genesis 15:7; Nehemiah 9:7). Evidently, Abraham's father was involved in this call to some degree. It may be that he came with Abraham because he believed in the call on Abraham's life. Terah began to have sons at 70 years of age and he died in Haran at the age of 205 (Genesis 11:26, 32). Abraham was 75 years old when he left Haran after his father's death. Therefore, Terah would have been 130 years old when Abraham was born (Genesis 12:4). We cannot be certain how old Abraham was when God first appeared to him in Ur but we do know that he was married to Sarai long enough for Sarai to be classified as barren, a title given to those who have little to no hope of ever having children. Abraham may have been 70 years old, which would have made Terah 200 years old. It may be that Abraham needed to take care of his aged father and also his orphaned nephew Lot and this is why they left Ur with Abraham. We know that Abraham was very prompt in obeying God as exemplified by his speedy response to sacrifice Isaac in Genesis 22:3. It may be that God appeared to Abraham giving him the promise at 70 years of age at which time his sojourning began (Galatians 3:17; Hebrews 11:8; Exodus 12:40). The sojourning of Abraham and his descendents during the time of Promise would last a total of 430 years as testified by both Paul and Moses.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Daily Bread
1 John 2: 27 - "And the anointing that you have received from Him abides in you and you do not need that anyone teach you, but just as the anointing teaches you about everything and is no lie and just as it has taught you, you shall abide in Him."
The anointing that we have received from the Holy One of verse 20, "charisma" is the anointing that teaches us all things. The anointing "charisma", in this respect is identified with the work of the Holy Spirit who was sent specifically to be our teacher and guide (John 16:13-15). Both John 14:17 and 1 John 3:24 teach us that the abiding presence of the Father and the Son are brought to us by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. One of the specific attributes of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the "charisma". Jesus received the "charine" (anointing) after the Holy Spirit had come upon Him, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to preach" (Luke 4:18) also "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power who went about doing good and healing all those who were oppressed with the devil for God was with him" (Acts 10:38). Just as Jesus was empowered to function in His miracle ministry through the anointing, we are empowered to function in the divine life through the anointing. Thus through the anointing the Holy Spirit leads us, guides us and reveals the ways of the Father to us. The anointing is a divine empowerment and supernatural ability that has been given to the believer to live the life of a new creature. When Saul was anointed to be king he was given the divine ability to be a king; prior to the anointing he was an ordinary man. The same is true of all Old Testament prophets, priest, warriors and special workman. When the Spirit came upon them they were empowered with a specific ability to carry out their divine commission. The anointing supercedes the assistance and help of man, because it goes far beyond human capabilities. The message of the Gospel is that we are to abide in Jesus. It is through this abiding union that we have been given in the Holy Spirit that we are empowered to live the divine life of Christ Jesus.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
1 John 2: 27 - "And the anointing that you have received from Him abides in you and you do not need that anyone teach you, but just as the anointing teaches you about everything and is no lie and just as it has taught you, you shall abide in Him."
The anointing that we have received from the Holy One of verse 20, "charisma" is the anointing that teaches us all things. The anointing "charisma", in this respect is identified with the work of the Holy Spirit who was sent specifically to be our teacher and guide (John 16:13-15). Both John 14:17 and 1 John 3:24 teach us that the abiding presence of the Father and the Son are brought to us by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. One of the specific attributes of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the "charisma". Jesus received the "charine" (anointing) after the Holy Spirit had come upon Him, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to preach" (Luke 4:18) also "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power who went about doing good and healing all those who were oppressed with the devil for God was with him" (Acts 10:38). Just as Jesus was empowered to function in His miracle ministry through the anointing, we are empowered to function in the divine life through the anointing. Thus through the anointing the Holy Spirit leads us, guides us and reveals the ways of the Father to us. The anointing is a divine empowerment and supernatural ability that has been given to the believer to live the life of a new creature. When Saul was anointed to be king he was given the divine ability to be a king; prior to the anointing he was an ordinary man. The same is true of all Old Testament prophets, priest, warriors and special workman. When the Spirit came upon them they were empowered with a specific ability to carry out their divine commission. The anointing supercedes the assistance and help of man, because it goes far beyond human capabilities. The message of the Gospel is that we are to abide in Jesus. It is through this abiding union that we have been given in the Holy Spirit that we are empowered to live the divine life of Christ Jesus.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Monday, July 17, 2006
Daily Bread
2 Thessalonians 1:3 - "We owe it to give thanks to God always for you brethren as it is right because your faith increases beyond measure and the love of each one of you abounds toward one another."
In 1 Thessalonians 3:10 Paul reveals his desire to come to the Thessalonians to perfect that which was lacking in their faith which, afterward, resulted in their faith having increased beyond measure. He also prayed that God would make them to increase and abound in love one toward another which prayer was certainly answered (1 Thessalonians 3:12). This is the only time that this Greek word, "huperauxano" is used in the Bible. It is a compound word from "huper" which means "beyond or more than, exceedingly" and "auxano" which means "grow or increase." Faith is a gift that comes from God to which He supplies everyone with a measure (Romans 12:3). Faith is not only likened unto a mustard seed, but is also likened unto something that grows and may be increased (2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 10:15). We know that Jesus referred to situations with the disciples where they had no faith (Mark 4:40; Luke 8:25). There were also those who had great faith (Matthew 15:28; Luke 7:9)). Faith may be weak in one who believes and it may also be strong (Acts 6:8; Romans 14:1). From the ministry that Paul was able to supply to the Thessalonians, he was able to take them from a place of lack to abundance in the realm of faith. God has invited all men into the realm of His faith and even commands that we "have God's faith" (Mark 11:22; Acts 6:5).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Abiding Place: www.abidingplace.org
2 Thessalonians 1:3 - "We owe it to give thanks to God always for you brethren as it is right because your faith increases beyond measure and the love of each one of you abounds toward one another."
In 1 Thessalonians 3:10 Paul reveals his desire to come to the Thessalonians to perfect that which was lacking in their faith which, afterward, resulted in their faith having increased beyond measure. He also prayed that God would make them to increase and abound in love one toward another which prayer was certainly answered (1 Thessalonians 3:12). This is the only time that this Greek word, "huperauxano" is used in the Bible. It is a compound word from "huper" which means "beyond or more than, exceedingly" and "auxano" which means "grow or increase." Faith is a gift that comes from God to which He supplies everyone with a measure (Romans 12:3). Faith is not only likened unto a mustard seed, but is also likened unto something that grows and may be increased (2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 10:15). We know that Jesus referred to situations with the disciples where they had no faith (Mark 4:40; Luke 8:25). There were also those who had great faith (Matthew 15:28; Luke 7:9)). Faith may be weak in one who believes and it may also be strong (Acts 6:8; Romans 14:1). From the ministry that Paul was able to supply to the Thessalonians, he was able to take them from a place of lack to abundance in the realm of faith. God has invited all men into the realm of His faith and even commands that we "have God's faith" (Mark 11:22; Acts 6:5).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Abiding Place: www.abidingplace.org
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