Lesson Twelve: 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon
For the L-rd Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of G-d. And the dead in Messiah will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the L-rd in the air. And thus we shall always be with the L-rd. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1Thessalonians 4:16-18
Introduction
- We continue to see that there are two major conflicts addressed in the Apostolic Scriptures:
- The Kingdom of Light vs the Kingdom of Darkness
- Gentile inclusion into Israel without ritual conversion vs Gentiles included only by ritual conversion.
- Paul, as the self-proclaimed “Apostle to the Gentiles” has both of these conflicts in mind in most of his epistles.
- The letters to the Thessalonians and to Timothy focus on righteous living in light of the coming Final Redemption – in other words, “Repent, the Kingdom of G-d is at hand!”
1&2 Thessalonians
- 1Thess 4:1-7: Message of the Gospel, “Repent, the Kingdom of G-d is at hand!”
- 1Thess 4:13-5:5: Resurrection of the dead: the Final Redemption
- 2Thess 2:1-12: The Final Redemption preceded by deception by one who is anomia [without Law/Torah]
1&2 Timothy
- 1Timothy: halakhic in nature.
- 1Tim 2:5: HaShem is One. Only One Mediator.
- 1Tim 3:16: Liturgy: the mystery of godliness – G-d manifest in the flesh…
- 1Tim 4:1-3: Deception and falling away before the Final Redemption.
- 2Tim 1:8-10: Redeemed now, for a purpose, ultimately for the Final Redemption and to be in His Presence.
- 2Tim 2:11-13: Liturgy: He cannot deny Himself.
- 2Tim 3:1-8: Deception and falling away before the Final Redemption. Jannes & Jambres: alluding that the Final Redemption will look like the Redemption from Egypt.
Titus and Philemon
- Titus 3:4-7: Redeemed by His mercy, washed and regenerated – we are heirs in the Family of G-d.
- Philemon 1:8-9: Love results in obedience to commands.
Summary
- The redemption we have gained in Yeshua is not the end of His work. Surely, His work cannot be added to, but He still must bring about the Final Redemption which He surely will do.