Daily Bread
2 Peter 2:1 - "Now there were also false prophets among the people just as also false teachers shall be among you who shall sneak in destructive opinions also denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction."
In order to grasp the identity of these false teachers that will be among us we must understand the false prophets that they are compared to. The Greek word 'pseudoprophetai' is found 10 times in the Septuagint. Although there is no actual Hebrew word conveying the meaning of "false prophet" it is implied by the context. Of the 10 times that 'pseudoprophetai' is found in the Septuagint it occurs 9 times in Jeremiah. It is in this context then that we can further understand the impact of false prophets and the impact that they can have. Unfortunately, we discover that the false prophets were accepted while Jeremiah was rejected. The popular opinion of the people refused to accept that they were wrong and needed to repent and conform to the sanctity of and obedience to God's word. The issue of God's controversy against His people has always been over purity and obedience rather than minor issues or details associated with style and ritual. Jesus warned us to beware of false prophets that look like sheep but are actually wolves (Matthew 7:15). Jesus also identifies these false prophets as those who His rebellious people spoke well of warning His disciples to beware of such expectations (Luke 6:26). Jesus credits these false prophets with the ability to do great signs and wonders thereby increasing their ability to deceive (Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22). John associates false prophets with the antichrist power that was already at work among the churches in his day (1 John 4:1). Although the Greek word for false teacher is only found here, Paul describes false teachers in his Epistles to Timothy. The description of false teachers is as follows: 1- They do not consent to the sound word of God. 2- They do not consent to the doctrines of godliness. 3- They create strife, envy, evil speaking, and suspicion of others. 4- They suppose gain to be godliness (1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 3:6-7; Titus 1:11).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Friday, July 28, 2006
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Daily Bread
2 Peter 2:1 - "Now there were also false prophets among the people just as also false teachers shall be among you who shall sneak in destructive opinions also denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction."
The Greek word that is used here (translated 'sneak') is very descriptive of how destructive heresies find their way into the community of the church; they come along side of true doctrines and less harmful opinions. Although there may be opinions about the scripture that are not destructive, one falsehood is the foundation on which more destructive falsehoods are built. The word used here is a compound Greek word 'paraeisago' which literally means to "bring in along with" or to "lead in along with others". Thus we catch a glimpse of the way that false doctrines begin. These opinions are grouped along with Bible facts and become the subtleties by which wrong conclusions are derived and thus destructive opinions are precipitated.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
2 Peter 2:1 - "Now there were also false prophets among the people just as also false teachers shall be among you who shall sneak in destructive opinions also denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction."
The Greek word that is used here (translated 'sneak') is very descriptive of how destructive heresies find their way into the community of the church; they come along side of true doctrines and less harmful opinions. Although there may be opinions about the scripture that are not destructive, one falsehood is the foundation on which more destructive falsehoods are built. The word used here is a compound Greek word 'paraeisago' which literally means to "bring in along with" or to "lead in along with others". Thus we catch a glimpse of the way that false doctrines begin. These opinions are grouped along with Bible facts and become the subtleties by which wrong conclusions are derived and thus destructive opinions are precipitated.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Daily Bread
John 14:3 - "And if I go away and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to myself that where I am you may also be."
The Greek word translated "come again" is 'parousia.' This word is used elsewhere in association with the return of Jesus and thus became a theological word used to describe His return. The parousia of Christ Jesus took place in part when the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, came. The Paraclete came to bring to us the abiding presence of Jesus and, in turn, we are seated with Jesus in the heavenlies (Ephesians 1:3). However, the bigger meaning is the return of Jesus which will result in our being with Him in heaven. The church will then return with Him to fight against the armies of the antichrist and Satan and afterward we will rule for 1000 years with Christ Jesus upon the earth (Revelation 19:14; 20:6; Jude 1:14).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
John 14:3 - "And if I go away and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to myself that where I am you may also be."
The Greek word translated "come again" is 'parousia.' This word is used elsewhere in association with the return of Jesus and thus became a theological word used to describe His return. The parousia of Christ Jesus took place in part when the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, came. The Paraclete came to bring to us the abiding presence of Jesus and, in turn, we are seated with Jesus in the heavenlies (Ephesians 1:3). However, the bigger meaning is the return of Jesus which will result in our being with Him in heaven. The church will then return with Him to fight against the armies of the antichrist and Satan and afterward we will rule for 1000 years with Christ Jesus upon the earth (Revelation 19:14; 20:6; Jude 1:14).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Daily Bread
Acts 1:11 - "And they said, 'Men of Galilee why do you stand looking into the heavens this same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven shall certainly come in the same way as you watched Him go into heaven.' "
The Greek 'theomai' denotes careful observation. The announcement given by these two angels about the 'parousia' or coming of Jesus should be given special attention. Perhaps the posture of watching or carefully observing His return is as important as how He will return. Paul reveals that Jesus will appear to those who look for Him in Hebrews 9:28, Philippians 3:20, and Titus 2:13. We also know that Jesus emphasized the importance of our watching for His return: "Remember then what you have received and heard and keep it and repent. However, if you do not watch I will come like a thief and you will not know at what hour I will come upon you" (Revelation 3:3; Matthew 24:42; 25:13; Mark 13:33-37; Luke 21:36). Let us all say: "even so come Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Acts 1:11 - "And they said, 'Men of Galilee why do you stand looking into the heavens this same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven shall certainly come in the same way as you watched Him go into heaven.' "
The Greek 'theomai' denotes careful observation. The announcement given by these two angels about the 'parousia' or coming of Jesus should be given special attention. Perhaps the posture of watching or carefully observing His return is as important as how He will return. Paul reveals that Jesus will appear to those who look for Him in Hebrews 9:28, Philippians 3:20, and Titus 2:13. We also know that Jesus emphasized the importance of our watching for His return: "Remember then what you have received and heard and keep it and repent. However, if you do not watch I will come like a thief and you will not know at what hour I will come upon you" (Revelation 3:3; Matthew 24:42; 25:13; Mark 13:33-37; Luke 21:36). Let us all say: "even so come Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Monday, July 24, 2006
Daily Bread
Revelation 4:1 - "After these things I looked and saw a door open in heaven and the first voice like a trumpet which I heard spoke to me saying come up here and I will show you what must happen after these things."
The Greek phrase 'meta tauta,' after these things, signifies a shift in events. This phrase 'meta tauta' which on its own may be considered a chronological marker is definitely a chronological marker in Revelation. This chronological marker is emphasized in this verse by the fact that it both begins and ends this verse. In Revelation 1:19, God gave John the instructions of how he was to lay out the book of Revelation, "Write therefore what you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which are about to take place after these things". At this point, the events of the church have come to an end and the church will not be addressed again in the book of Revelation except in the final exhortation in 22:16. What John has seen up to this point concerning the churches he was able to view from an earthly position, but now God must call him up into heaven in order to show him the "things which shall be hereafter." The first time the Greek phrase 'meta tauta' is used in the book of Revelation is in 1:19 where it is identified as the marker for the last section of the book of Revelation. John wrote about the "things that he saw" in chapter 1, and the "things which are" in chapters 2 and 3, and finally, the "things which shall take place hereafter" beginning in chapter 4. The Greek phrase 'meta tauta' was first shown to be a chronological marker in John 3:22, designating the event that followed Jesus' visit to Jerusalem. It is also used as a chronological marker in John 5:1; 5:24; 6:1; 7:1; 13:7 and 21:1. The first time that 'meta tauta' is found in the New Testament is in Luke 5:27 where, once again, it serves as a chronological marker. If 'meta tauta' of Revelation 1:19 refers to the 'meta tauta' of 4:1, then the church must be removed before the tribulation of the book of Revelation begins. The first time that these catastrophic events of Revelation 4 through 19 are mentioned in the New Testament is in Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14, and Luke 21:20 which refer to the events of Daniel 11:31; 12:11; Revelation 13:5 and 2 Thessalonians 2:4. Revelation chapter 4 begins the series of events that will take place over the course of seven years. The first in these series of events in Revelation focuses on the revealing of the Man of Lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:3 and Revelation 6:1). Now there is only one primary event that must take place before the revelation of the man of sin spoken by the prophet Daniel, the "one who now withholds" must come (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7). This verse may also imply the removal of something. There are only three powers that may be viewed as hindering lawlessness: Human Government, The Holy Spirit, and The Church. We know for certain that through Revelation 4 through 19 we see the working of both Human Government and the Holy Spirit. Human Government is represented as the nations warring against each other, the Ten Kings which are also represented by Daniel's vision as the Ten Toes of the Great image (Daniel 2:34, 44; Rev 16:12; 17:12; 18:9). These governmental powers will ultimately be destroyed when Jesus returns with His saints and fights against the kings of the earth who are led by the Man of Lawlessness or the Antichrist (Dan 2:34, 44; Rev 19:15). The Holy Spirit will still be present because there will be many who will turn to Jesus and there will be the working of miracles all of which are the function of the Holy Spirit. The only power that remains to be taken out of the way is the Church. In Luke 21:36 Jesus tells his disciples to pray that they may be worthy to escape all of the catastrophic events of Revelation 4 through 19 and stand before the Son of Man (Jesus). Of course we know where Jesus is standing before these disasters begin to take place; for this is primarily what chapters 4 and 5 are devoted to; He is in heaven (Rev 4:3; 5:9). The point of convergence for all of these passages of scripture is the revealing of the Man of Lawlessness, or the Antichrist, who will commit the abomination that makes the temple of God desolate by proclaiming himself to be God. We know that when Paul spoke of these final days of the church on earth it was revealed to him that not everyone would die because there would be an event for those who were alive which would cause them to be caught up into heaven (1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17). There are no reasons to believe that this catching away takes place at any other juncture in the book of Revelation than here.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Revelation 4:1 - "After these things I looked and saw a door open in heaven and the first voice like a trumpet which I heard spoke to me saying come up here and I will show you what must happen after these things."
The Greek phrase 'meta tauta,' after these things, signifies a shift in events. This phrase 'meta tauta' which on its own may be considered a chronological marker is definitely a chronological marker in Revelation. This chronological marker is emphasized in this verse by the fact that it both begins and ends this verse. In Revelation 1:19, God gave John the instructions of how he was to lay out the book of Revelation, "Write therefore what you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which are about to take place after these things". At this point, the events of the church have come to an end and the church will not be addressed again in the book of Revelation except in the final exhortation in 22:16. What John has seen up to this point concerning the churches he was able to view from an earthly position, but now God must call him up into heaven in order to show him the "things which shall be hereafter." The first time the Greek phrase 'meta tauta' is used in the book of Revelation is in 1:19 where it is identified as the marker for the last section of the book of Revelation. John wrote about the "things that he saw" in chapter 1, and the "things which are" in chapters 2 and 3, and finally, the "things which shall take place hereafter" beginning in chapter 4. The Greek phrase 'meta tauta' was first shown to be a chronological marker in John 3:22, designating the event that followed Jesus' visit to Jerusalem. It is also used as a chronological marker in John 5:1; 5:24; 6:1; 7:1; 13:7 and 21:1. The first time that 'meta tauta' is found in the New Testament is in Luke 5:27 where, once again, it serves as a chronological marker. If 'meta tauta' of Revelation 1:19 refers to the 'meta tauta' of 4:1, then the church must be removed before the tribulation of the book of Revelation begins. The first time that these catastrophic events of Revelation 4 through 19 are mentioned in the New Testament is in Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14, and Luke 21:20 which refer to the events of Daniel 11:31; 12:11; Revelation 13:5 and 2 Thessalonians 2:4. Revelation chapter 4 begins the series of events that will take place over the course of seven years. The first in these series of events in Revelation focuses on the revealing of the Man of Lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:3 and Revelation 6:1). Now there is only one primary event that must take place before the revelation of the man of sin spoken by the prophet Daniel, the "one who now withholds" must come (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7). This verse may also imply the removal of something. There are only three powers that may be viewed as hindering lawlessness: Human Government, The Holy Spirit, and The Church. We know for certain that through Revelation 4 through 19 we see the working of both Human Government and the Holy Spirit. Human Government is represented as the nations warring against each other, the Ten Kings which are also represented by Daniel's vision as the Ten Toes of the Great image (Daniel 2:34, 44; Rev 16:12; 17:12; 18:9). These governmental powers will ultimately be destroyed when Jesus returns with His saints and fights against the kings of the earth who are led by the Man of Lawlessness or the Antichrist (Dan 2:34, 44; Rev 19:15). The Holy Spirit will still be present because there will be many who will turn to Jesus and there will be the working of miracles all of which are the function of the Holy Spirit. The only power that remains to be taken out of the way is the Church. In Luke 21:36 Jesus tells his disciples to pray that they may be worthy to escape all of the catastrophic events of Revelation 4 through 19 and stand before the Son of Man (Jesus). Of course we know where Jesus is standing before these disasters begin to take place; for this is primarily what chapters 4 and 5 are devoted to; He is in heaven (Rev 4:3; 5:9). The point of convergence for all of these passages of scripture is the revealing of the Man of Lawlessness, or the Antichrist, who will commit the abomination that makes the temple of God desolate by proclaiming himself to be God. We know that when Paul spoke of these final days of the church on earth it was revealed to him that not everyone would die because there would be an event for those who were alive which would cause them to be caught up into heaven (1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17). There are no reasons to believe that this catching away takes place at any other juncture in the book of Revelation than here.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
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