How you doin? I can see where study plays such a large part in understanding. 2 Thessalonians 2 is way heavy reading. After reading this chapter I can see why people are so cautious of miracles, signs, and wonders. I still fall back on the fact that God is good and wants good things for those who love Him. I've been through my battle with miracles, signs, and wonders. I believe that God offers me discernment in these matters, which in turn supplies refuge. I've learned to be open to the Holy Ghost, not the experience of a meeting or event. The experience comes from encountering God's great love. It's not a magic show. I can also understand why there are different eschatology beliefs. I don't believe God contradicts Himself or wants to confuse us. I believe He hinds this for us not from us. I just continue to pray for revelation and unity. All that I'm talking about is in the first 12 verses of 2 Thessalonians 2. Heavy reading today.
Verses 13-14, "But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." Much better. These verse don't hurt my brain. I like the reminder that sanctification comes by, or in this case literally "in", the Spirit. The part that got me the most was the last part of verse 14, "that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ". Just to revisit the definition of glory, according to my NIV Bible it's, "great honor, praise, and thanksgiving offered in worship; splendor and majestic beauty". According to Webster it's-
1
a : praise, honor, or distinction extended by common consent : renown
b : worshipful praise, honor, and thanksgiving <giving glory to God>
a : praise, honor, or distinction extended by common consent : renown
2
a : something that secures praise or renown <the glory of a brilliant career>
b : a distinguished quality or asset
3
a (1) : great beauty and splendor : magnificence <the glory that was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome — E. A. Poe> (2) : something marked by beauty or resplendence <a perfect glory of a day>
b : the splendor and beatific happiness of heaven; broadly : eternity
4
a : a state of great gratification or exaltation <when she's acting she's in her glory>
b : a height of prosperity or achievement
5
So through the gospel I/we can "gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ". Come On!!!!!!! It's hard to feel bad about yourself after reading that. It does however make me want to read the gospels. I so desire the fullness of Christ in me, the hope of glory. That's Biblical hope, the expectation of something good.
As he often does, Paul saved the best for last. Verses 16-17, "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, 17 comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word." WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!! I'm just going to reach right out and grab that. May you gain the glory of Jesus today.
PS Stacey pointed out who was bewitched. Verses 10 and 12 describe people perishing and being condemned because they did not love or believe the Truth.
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