Hi Tdianne. Thank you for your question: one that can be quite perplexing and comes up often. These words, spirit and soul, can seem to be often used interchangeably, which of course is not helpful to us, but as a general rule, if some teaching or even word usage (as here) is not clear in the Bible, then it's likely not critical for our perfect understanding.
The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ". Here, the clear distinction is made of our tripartite being, that each part which comprises the whole is special and accountable to the LORD, so we must carefully look to their state.
There are too many references to the spirit and soul that God has given us (you can do a search for those words on this Site, and see how they are used). However, in my understanding, which I don't admit is perfect on this matter, is that the "Soul" represents the person (the living being) and the personal attributes of that life (of the mind, will, and emotions) and these together reflect one's personality.
The "Spirit", as the God-given "breath of life" ( Genesis 2:7) caused this new creation made from the dust of the Earth, to begin to live. So, I understand the spirit given us, as one's real immortal life that operates on a higher plane than the soul, where our spiritual perception & understanding, our communication with God & His Spirit within us, and where the root of faith, hope, and Divine connection rests. Another way of looking at it: when we communicate, have feelings or react to others, then our soul is at work; when being ministered to by God & our responses to Him, then our spirit (if newly re-born) is engaged.
As mentioned, one cannot be hard and fast on this subject, as clear concise definitions are not given us; so each person may have their own understanding as they receive from God's Word.
Hi Stephen. There are several verses that speak about this, but to understand, that unlike those who have rejected Christ and face an eternal judgement ( Revelation 20:11-15) at God's Throne, the one who is truly in Christ will have no part in that judgement, for our sins have been judged and forgiven at the Cross. Our judgement will be based on how we have lived this Spirit-filled, Christ-centered life and used the resources (gifts) and opportunities given by the Lord to be His sweet savor unto all ( 2 Corinthians 2:14-16).
So, those 'Judgement' verses that apply to believers can be found in: Romans 14:10-12 and 2 Corinthians 5:10, the 'Bema' Judgement; 1 Corinthians 9:24,25, aiming for the prize (Crowns) at the end of our race; 1 Thessalonians 5:9,10, we no longer face God's Wrath, whether in the Great Tribulation or before His Throne, for our sins have been judged; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, the product (or, works) resulting from our salvation will be put to the test: some will receive rewards, others will be saved but their worthless works perish and they lose out. Just a few verses that immediately come to mind that hopefully will help you.
Great passages! I want to share my favorite passages from this year, 2025, which I have been meditating on in the mornings. I think my focus while reading is on baptism ( Romans 7 and 8).
Why does it sometimes hurt when we hear something that goes against what we thought, what we learned in religion, or in cultural philosophy, for example? But I'm not concerned with each person's pain; rather, I want to understand and practice solely the truth.
Paul delves deeply into the life of the natural man (for me, the best chapters on psychology, psychoanalysis, and therapy). In some previous posts, I had shared something about the spirit, soul, and body; it was a rough draft, since Paul describes it in ( 1 Thessalonians 5:23).
In this universe, as far as we know, we have spirit, soul, and body. Animals in general have the body, the biological part, the physical part, and they have a part of personality, they have the part of the soul.
Anyone who thinks animals don't think is mistaken. Animals think, but they think as animals. I have a cat in my life, so I've done several experiments with her. For example, she likes to climb onto people's laps. When I take her off someone's lap, she would not "speak" to me for two days, she was angry for two days because I took her away. So they have it-dogs or cats, cats are fantastic-they have sensitivity, they have everything, but they do not have the spirit.
Paul in Romans 7 writes about a law of the mind, and then about a law that is in the members of the body, which he calls the law of sin and death. And the third one he describes is the law of God. It is very inspiring to read these lives with these laws. Each life acts according to the law of that life: a cat meows, a dog barks, a fish swims. This is a natural principle; it's how He created the universe.
I have gone through your recent posts Lbooth1955 and am in agreement with your eschatological timeline, and particularly that the Church at Christ's coming for her, will be taken to Heaven (as the Scriptures you cited show), escaping God's Judgements that will be poured out on an evil, Christ-rejecting World. The Great Tribulation/God's Wrath is against the unrepentant sinful unregenerate men, not against the Church that has been cleansed and purified through His Son. If the Church should also have to bear God's Wrath, which comes to the unbelieving, then a case of double jeopardy would be in play, which would go against the Righteousness of God.
Yet, the question that I deal with is: if the Great Tribulation ( Matthew 24:21) and the Day of God's Wrath ( 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Romans 1:18) are different events, but pertaining to Daniel's 70th week, is it possible that they are actually part of the same action of God in Heaven? When I read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8, I sense that this period of time starts with the removal of the Restrainer and the revelation of the 'man of sin'. Even though we don't see that great outpouring of God's Wrath upon the world ( 2 Peter 3:7-12, and others) leading to the destruction of the world and evil men, I feel that God's Wrath in its early stages of revelation when He removes His Restrainer that has thus far held the world to some degree of normalcy and decency, though now rapidly degenerating.
I take the example of a dam, holding back a large volume of water from passing to the other side. When water is to be released, the release valves are opened incrementally letting out a little water at a time, or else there would be catastrophic consequences to the inhabitants on the other side. Likewise, when God's 'valves' begin to open (i.e. His Wrath begins as He removes His Restrainer & all that brings), the world might know that their time is short & the little suffering that life threw at them, will be insurmountably horrendous. GBU.
But as Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 1:10 ("His Son from heaven, which delivered us from the wrath TO COME") and 1 Thessalonians 5:9 ("For God hath NOT APPOINTED us to wrath (the Wrath of verse 3), but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ"). From these passages, some could say, 'well, God will protect His children from this evil and His Wrath, or God removes them to another location'; or does God, through Jesus, take us away altogether, that we won't be subject to His Wrath (commencing at the installation of the Anti-Christ), which the Church should not have to face?
Yes, we have always and will always face tribulation, sickness and death in this world - that which comes to all of us as living in corrupt bodies in a corrupt evil world. But when God begins to show His Anger against Christ-rejecters (beginning at the revelation of the Anti-Christ) & about to show them His Power in destruction, as they have never seen before, I ask, should the redeemed called-out Church be a part of God's Anger & Plan as well? If all this was simply a greater intensity of our trials & tribulations on Earth, then of course, we must face it with courage & faith. But if it is the commencement of God's Action against this evil World, then the Church cannot be a part of it, for it then places God's Salvation for us and our Adoption into His Family into great doubt & ridicule.
So this is where I sit, though I also realize that our definition of terms such as, Great Tribulation, God's Wrath, the Second Coming, etc. can influence how we read the Scriptures and the formation of our beliefs. So thank you again brother for your good & appreciated input. Blessings.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-10. Agreed, 2 Peter 3:10 speaks of the Day of the Lord coming unexpectedly with the major upheaval of the heavens and Earth, as does Paul, who possibly infers that there is a wider time frame or meaning regarding that Day ( 1 Corinthians 5:5 & 2 Corinthians 1:14). In any case, it involves all things associated with Jesus' Day of appearing. So here in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10, Paul iterates that that Day will come suddenly, thus it being a useless exercise to attempt placing it in a time frame, but as the Church is the children of God living in the light and not as those who live in darkness, that Day would not suddenly come upon them. Rather they should be comforted and fully clothed with the Spirit because God has not appointed them to His wrath (of verse 3) but to be saved from this through the Lord Jesus' (v9). If this saving from God's Wrath is to refer to His Wrath against man's sins, then there appears no reason for mentioning this in this context. His Wrath here is anger towards unbelievers at that time who will face His "sudden destruction". And to give further support to this meaning, we can look at 1 Thessalonians 1:10, Paul stating that the Church was "to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come".
Yes, Matthew chap 24 is about Jesus' Second Coming and particularly Matthew 24:29-31, that the powers of the heavens will be shaken, Jesus' appearing in the skies, the tribes of the earth mourning, and the gathering together of his Elect from all over the world. Some would assume that not only this scene is connected with 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51,52, but also that the Elect referred to are all those in Christ. To Page 3.
Apologies GiGi, have only now been able to devote some time to respond to you.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10. I would agree that if we take the 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 on its own, then there may be room for other interpretations. But Paul has devoted a part of this epistle to answer the believers' question (and fear) that those believers who died before Jesus came would not share in His Kingdom (v13). That they too will be resurrected by God as certain as God had resurrected His Son (v14). This verse may also imply that the spirits of deceased believers will come with Jesus, as God sends them with His Son. Still on the matter of those who have died before Jesus comes, the apostle states (as given him directly from the Lord), that the dead will rise first, before the living saints: that's how important this resurrection is; that when Jesus comes, the priority is to those who have died and raised to life, and then He will lift the living unto Himself, so all believers in their new bodies will rise into the sky to meet their Savior, to ever remain with Him (vv15-17).
How is all this important & pertinent to our discussions? I shared the above for one reason: that we should see that what Paul taught here was not just some nice comforting reassuring words to the distressed perplexed Church, but to show that this was a special act of God to extract His people from what He would begin to do to the unbelieving world. And of course, this 'extraction/rapture' is singularly different from what is given us when the Lord Jesus returns to overpower/destroy God's enemies & commence His 1000 year reign on Earth, in Jerusalem. We simply cannot fit this removal of the saints into the sky with Jesus in any other part of the teaching of Jesus' second coming. To Page 2.
a) Revelation 3:10 (to the Philadelphian Church). This refers to the final seven year tribulation period in which the antichrist will be allowed to deceive the world ( 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12). Believers can have hope that should this final period come to pass in their lifetimes, they will be kept from having to face God's wrath during the tribulation period; and this Great Tribulation as Jesus spoke about (in Matthew 24:21-31) is the Day of God's Wrath, from which the Church is to be kept from. Even in Zephaniah 2:3, a little glimpse is given of those who will be "hid in the day of the LORD's ANGER".
b) 1 Thessalonians 5:9 and 1 Thessalonians 1:10: believers are not appointed to bear God's Wrath but to receive His salvation from it. While it is true that God's wrath is most fully poured out in the sentencing of unbelievers to hell, Revelation 6:15-17 makes it clear that God's wrath is also being poured out upon the earth during the tribulation period (for that is what it means) and believers will not be a part of that. However, those who come to faith during the tribulation will have to suffer the effects of God's wrath, not having received the promise of being kept from the hour of trial. But those days will be cut short for His Elect's sake ( Matthew 24:22).
c) Revelation 19:7-9. The Church is already in Heaven with the Lord, clothed & prepared for the marriage of the Lamb. It is following this that Jesus is seen with the armies of heaven coming to earth to lie waste the armies of the earth and to cast the beast and false prophet into the Lake of Fire ( Revelation 19:11-21). Thus, the church must have already been raptured and taken to heaven before Jesus comes the second time. To Page 3.
Luke 17:28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
The following verse describes the suddenness of the unexpected destruction to come. The same can be said in Thessalonians
where they "shall not escape"; we see in 1 Thessalonians 5:2 the concept of a thief and a snare in Luke 21:35.
These passages tend to dissuade many of the so called dreams and visions of a nuclear war about the time of the Rapture; at least immediately before it. What comes as sudden destruction no doubt could be a first phase of what eventually encompasses the earth in Armageddon; but generally the first seal offers a fallacious but convincing bloodless coup and no doubt mirrors the covenant with many in Daniel 9:27 already well underway for the eventual confirming with many. Is it impossible for nuclear war to accompany the Rapture? Somehow I don't see the Resurrection of the dead as being interrupted by such an event; if anything as to make clear that it wasn't bombs being dropped that left the holes in the ground in cemeteries around the world.
Also if we take literally Revelation 5:13 as to its timing it would seem that would be the main focus after the Rapture.
Who is Raptured? Clearly the easy answer is all the saints; at least of the Church Age who were God's children.
Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Let's look carefully into this concept. Those who have passed on have; in their souls already been at the Bema Seat of Christ; or they couldn't be present with the Lord. Many were through persecution on earth unlike those particularly in the Western world in the last couple generations. Considering the works that God has for us since before the creation of the world ( Eph. 2:10) it seems likely that God uses the Tribulation to purify many.
and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. (end of Daniel 9:26).
The very next verse refers to the covenant of the Antichrist so it would seem that war will continue either throughout the Tribulation period or until it begins; based on the wars and rumors of wars Jesus mentioned before the end comes ( Matt. 24:6).
That is bolstered further with the peace; peace when there is no peace which we see in Isaiah as well as Jeremiah. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 seems to indicate either people calling for peace and safety or perhaps more likely a temporary appearance of such since it is followed by sudden destruction.
James states that we war because we want or lust after things ( James 4:1 loosely interpreted). The same principle applies with prayer in the wrong way to consume things on our own lusts or desires ( James 4:3).
As of today; in particular with the Ukrainian "special operation" if even Russia still refers to it as that there is nationalism as the prime motivator. Money talks; as they say so that as we see with the apparent Middle East attempts to continue with the Abraham Accords in further expansion everyone gets a piece of the pie and we certainly see reflections of the Prophet Daniel warning about dividing the land for gain. This "spoil" is what will finally bring down the Russians; Turkey and other northern confederate nations to attack Israel; likely after they feel they are secure and as scriptures state "without walls" with a surprise attack. Consider how surprising it would be if it was literally on horses as the prophet Ezekiel states ( Ezekiel 38:4).
Prophetically speaking the Rapture could be any day now; but it is in God's timing unknown to us; so He could delay it. I tend to think that one world government could exist for quite some time before the Antichrist takes over; in any case in final form his kingdom is for one hour ( Rev. 17:12).
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
Matthew 26:41
"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
So, they started gathering together in homes privately on Sunday. As a matter of fact, the term the Lord's day did not apply to Sunday until between 200 and 400 A.D. It became more prominent when Constantine in 313 A.D., because he hated the Jews, the Hebrew people, he changed the Lord's day from Saturday to Sunday just to get back at them. So, Sunday was not referred to as the Lord's day until around the 300 A.D mark. It was somewhere between 200 and 400 A.D. before anybody began to use it for that particular purpose.
The scriptures tell us that this is an Old Testament term for the day of the Lord, or Lord's day, and it is a reference to the day of judgment. This is the Lord's day. Right now, it is man's day. And people say, "God's not going to judge anybody." But God has His day coming. It is called the Lord's day in Isaiah 2:12, and Zephaniah 1:14-16.
Even Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 5:2, he used that Jewish phrase from the Old Testament, and says that the day of the Lord is going to come as a thief in the night. But you don't have to worry because you're children of light. Peter also, in 2 Peter 3:10 used the same phrase as the day of judgment of God.
So, putting these two phrases together in Verse 10, I was in spirit on the Lord's day, the day of judgment, is that while physically and geographically he's on the island of Patmos, in the spirit realm, he was caught up to see the Lord's day, the day of judgment, when God brings judgment to the earth.
Now keep this in perspective because when he's caught up in Spirit to see the Lord's day, this period of judgment, he is going to see the future happen before it happens, while it's happening. In the spirit, he saw everything from where he's at, all the way to the end, and what's going to happen at the end. But it hasn't happened yet!
now that i "know" christ's love Ephesians 2:19 Corinthians 3:4-7 and the whole book of Colossians
Shall we analyse?
Remember the song
Christ is the portrait of God - Colossians 1:15
Before he was born
He did justice and in himself he died
Supremacy and thrones are
They are yours - Colossians 1: 16-17
And that thread that broke
From my soul to God - Colossians 1:21
The holy blood sewed
Christ and his lines of love - Colossians 1: 20
And now a man made I
Can in man see God
Have peace, live, walk and be
Made me a friend in his pouring out - John 15:15
When we were targets of God's wrath now we have Peace with God - Romans 5:1
I have a doubt that you probably theologians (formal or deep self-taught), show me if there is something I missed.
to go to church or not to go to church?
1 Thessalonians 5:11, 1 Peter 4:9, Psalms 133:1-3, Galatians 5:13. all these chapters do not speak of the church that is of my generation, Hebrews 10:24-25 this verse speaks of the mutual congregation.
continuing Romans 12:10, Ephesians 4:32, Acts 2:41-47, 1 John 1:6-7, 2 Corinthians 13:11, 1 Peter 1:22, Colossians 3:16, Philippians 2:1-2, John 13:34, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Psalm 55:14. I keep reading and re-reading Romans 12 and I wonder if it's in everyday life or gathered with the church.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 - Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
It says faithful is he that calls you, and the word calls is a participle, the one who is continually calling you. He's continually calling me to Him right now. I responded several years ago. And I'm still responding to Him. He's still calling.
But notice this: faithful is He who is calling you, who also will do it. Paul just said may he preserve your whole spirit, soul, and body, may He preserve you blameless. He will do it. It's a promise!
1 Thessalonians 5:28 - The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with you. It's a proclamation, not a benediction. The word "be" is in italics because it's added. There's no verb in Greek. He's stating fact. The grace of the Lord is with you. Amen.
Another book down. I will begin with 2 Thessalonians soon, Lord willing!
Rejoice always. This means continue to rejoice. It's a command. Be rejoicing always. Pretty short and sweet!
1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray without ceasing.
Next, be continually praying without ceasing. It means to be continually talking with the Lord. Don't leave off from praying.
1 Thessalonians 5:19 - Quench not the Spirit.
Stop quenching the Spirit. The word quench means to hinder. How can you hinder God's Spirit? Very easily! There can be disturbances. Somebody could come in the room and be shouting and yelling and break up what God's doing, causing distractions. But it's also a command for leaders. Don't be in a position where you hinder God's Spirit from ministering.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 - And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He says, and the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; that is completely, and that your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A human being is made up of three elements: spirit, soul, and body. And the word soul is the word PSUECHE for your mind, your psyche. So, he's praying for God to preserve and make a believer's spirit, soul, and body complete until He comes.
It's interesting because people say why would He keep the body because it's evil? No, it's not. The body isn't evil. What the body is made of is evil, flesh! Flesh is evil. The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The body is the container. It contains my spirit. It contains Christ's Spirit. But what my body is made of has the law of sin in it. So, the body isn't evil. It's the flesh of the body that is evil.
In Acts 1:9-11, when Jesus ascended up into heaven, He disappeared into the clouds, and the angels told the disciples the same way that you have seen the Lord leave is the same way you will see Him come back. We will be caught up together with them in the clouds for a meeting with the Lord in the air. And therefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 - For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
For you yourselves know perfectly, which is a Greek word that's a mathematical term, AKRIBOS, which means accurately. You yourselves know accurately that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
The day of the Lord is exactly what it says. It is not a specific day. It is a time period that God has set apart, even in the Old Testament. It will be His day. The Lords Day is coming. It's not a specific day. It's a time period. It's judgment time. But when it does come, it will come like a thief in the night. People will not be expecting it. It's going to come suddenly.
1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
It says therefore, and I'll share some technical things here about the translation. Instead of let us not sleep, it's literally we should not sleep. It's not a command. It says we should not sleep, as do the others; but let us watch and be sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:15 - See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
The word evil is the word adversity. If people cause you problems, he's saying don't turn around and do the same thing to them. But follow that which is good, and that's the word AGATHOS which is spiritual good, both among yourselves, and to all men. In other words, if people cause adversity for you, pursue the good of God and the influence of His Spirit in the situation, and don't repay evil for evil.
God will take away some of our gifts and replace it with the word of truth.
1 Corinthians 13:8
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shallcease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
We now have the word of truth .
1 Corinthians 13:10
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall bedoneaway.
Apostle Paul wants us to pray in the Holy Spirit.
Praying always with allprayerand supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
We should always gift thanks to the Father in Heaven before we ask .
Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing byprayerand supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
We should pray to do no evil.
2 Corinthians 13:7
Now Iprayto God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
We should pray for knowledge.
Philippians 1:9
And this Ipray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
We should pray always everyday.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Praywithout ceasing.
God want us to pray for everything in life.
1 Timothy 2:8
I will therefore that menprayevery where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
Apostle Paul writes about the gathering in the clouds with Jesus Christ and the saved dead saints will rise first in Christ.
1 Thessalonians 4:16
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the deadinChristshall rise first:
Always give thanks in Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Inevery thing give thanks: for this is the will of GodinChristJesus concerning you.
Apostle Paul is a preacher, a teacher and a Apostle in Christ.
1 Timothy 2:7
Where unto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truthinChrist, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentilesinfaith and verity.
Deacons are in Christ.
1 Timothy 3:13
For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldnessinthe faith which isinChristJesus.
No body knew before the world began, that Apostle Paul was going to be given a revelation in Christ about the gospel of grace .
2 Timothy 1:9
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given usinChristJesus before the world began,
Hi again Fuji. 1 Thessalonians 2:19. This ties in with 1 Thessalonians 1:10, "And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come". And then to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10.
When we place all these Scriptures together, considering that Paul was addressing the same matter in the one epistle, we can learn that he is speaking about the coming of the Lord. The believers are not only to wait expectantly for the Lord's Coming, but to be careful in their Christian living until that day - that day when they would be transformed & forever to be with their Lord.
But what happens if Paul (or us) die first, before Jesus comes? Though our bodies lie in the grave (or, not even exist in any substantial form), our spirits do return to God Who gave it ( Ecclesiastes 12:7). And we read of people alive beyond the grave ( Luke 16:19-31; Matthew 17:1-3 as examples). But when Jesus returns in the clouds for us, the dead (believers' bodies) arise first to meet him in the air, & those believers still alive will be caught up (Latin, rapio (rapture); Greek, Harpazo) to join the others in this great moment of joy & fulfilment of our hopes & longings to be with our Savior forever. To this end, Paul (in 1 Thessalonians 2:19), is stating that when Jesus comes, he (Paul) will personally rejoice greatly to see his beloved Thessalonian believers also come into Christ's Presence, as his crown for his labors amongst them. Onto Page 2.
Hi Timmywynne, the trinity Godhead is real and true. It started also with Adam and Eve. God made them a living soul first , then flesh. The spirit communicated with God , like a cb radio.
We can't see the soul and spirit, doesn't mean we don't have it. If we believe the Bible is true because Jesus Christ is the author, then we have a soul and spirit. We that are saved will also have a new body fashioned like Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 6:20
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in yourbody,andin yourspirit, which are God's.
Jesus Christ will give us a new body .
Ephesians 5:30
For we are members of his body, of hisflesh,andof hisbones.
May God bless you're body, soul and spirit .
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 our new body in Christ Jesus will be glorious
Thank you for your message and may the Lord bless you and yours also. Like you, I am also still learning. Learning never stops. I agree, Paul seems to be the most prominent of the Apostles.
I would just like to touch on a couple things. Something I find interesting with 2 Thessalonians 2:2 is that the oldest manuscripts do not say the day of Christ. They say the day of the Lord, the same phrase we see in 1 Thessalonians 5:2. My understanding is that the day of the Lord is not talking about a specific day but a time period that God has set apart for judgment.
Indeed, Philippians 1:11 is an important verse. My understanding of being "filled with the Holy Spirit" is when God's Spirit which dwells in me takes over my faculties. As a believer, I have 100% of God's Spirit in me at all times but I am not always being filled with the Holy Spirit. There are times where even though I have the fulness of His Spirit in me, I am off doing my own thing. Also, if I have God's Spirit in me, I am and will bear fruit. It is impossible for a believer to be born of God's Spirit and not bear fruit.
I like what you're saying about Philippians 1:18. That was Paul's approach to the hardships he went through. The word rejoice means satisfaction. I'm sure Paul was not happy that people were causing division in the fellowship in the body of Christ, but even through the hardship and division, Christ was being preached which gave him satisfaction and allowed him to keep the unity of the fellowship in the bond of peace.
The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ". Here, the clear distinction is made of our tripartite being, that each part which comprises the whole is special and accountable to the LORD, so we must carefully look to their state.
There are too many references to the spirit and soul that God has given us (you can do a search for those words on this Site, and see how they are used). However, in my understanding, which I don't admit is perfect on this matter, is that the "Soul" represents the person (the living being) and the personal attributes of that life (of the mind, will, and emotions) and these together reflect one's personality.
The "Spirit", as the God-given "breath of life" ( Genesis 2:7) caused this new creation made from the dust of the Earth, to begin to live. So, I understand the spirit given us, as one's real immortal life that operates on a higher plane than the soul, where our spiritual perception & understanding, our communication with God & His Spirit within us, and where the root of faith, hope, and Divine connection rests. Another way of looking at it: when we communicate, have feelings or react to others, then our soul is at work; when being ministered to by God & our responses to Him, then our spirit (if newly re-born) is engaged.
As mentioned, one cannot be hard and fast on this subject, as clear concise definitions are not given us; so each person may have their own understanding as they receive from God's Word.
So, those 'Judgement' verses that apply to believers can be found in: Romans 14:10-12 and 2 Corinthians 5:10, the 'Bema' Judgement; 1 Corinthians 9:24,25, aiming for the prize (Crowns) at the end of our race; 1 Thessalonians 5:9,10, we no longer face God's Wrath, whether in the Great Tribulation or before His Throne, for our sins have been judged; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, the product (or, works) resulting from our salvation will be put to the test: some will receive rewards, others will be saved but their worthless works perish and they lose out. Just a few verses that immediately come to mind that hopefully will help you.
1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
John 14:13 "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."
1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing."
Blessings
Blessings
1 John 3:22
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
John 14:13 "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."
1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing."
Blessings
James 3:18
"And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."
Jeremiah 8:11
"For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace."
1 Thessalonians 5:3
"For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape."
Matthew 10:34
"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword."
Blessings
Great passages! I want to share my favorite passages from this year, 2025, which I have been meditating on in the mornings. I think my focus while reading is on baptism ( Romans 7 and 8).
Why does it sometimes hurt when we hear something that goes against what we thought, what we learned in religion, or in cultural philosophy, for example? But I'm not concerned with each person's pain; rather, I want to understand and practice solely the truth.
Paul delves deeply into the life of the natural man (for me, the best chapters on psychology, psychoanalysis, and therapy). In some previous posts, I had shared something about the spirit, soul, and body; it was a rough draft, since Paul describes it in ( 1 Thessalonians 5:23).
In this universe, as far as we know, we have spirit, soul, and body. Animals in general have the body, the biological part, the physical part, and they have a part of personality, they have the part of the soul.
Anyone who thinks animals don't think is mistaken. Animals think, but they think as animals. I have a cat in my life, so I've done several experiments with her. For example, she likes to climb onto people's laps. When I take her off someone's lap, she would not "speak" to me for two days, she was angry for two days because I took her away. So they have it-dogs or cats, cats are fantastic-they have sensitivity, they have everything, but they do not have the spirit.
Paul in Romans 7 writes about a law of the mind, and then about a law that is in the members of the body, which he calls the law of sin and death. And the third one he describes is the law of God. It is very inspiring to read these lives with these laws. Each life acts according to the law of that life: a cat meows, a dog barks, a fish swims. This is a natural principle; it's how He created the universe.
Matthew 11:28 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
John 14:13 "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."
1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing."
Blessings
Yet, the question that I deal with is: if the Great Tribulation ( Matthew 24:21) and the Day of God's Wrath ( 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Romans 1:18) are different events, but pertaining to Daniel's 70th week, is it possible that they are actually part of the same action of God in Heaven? When I read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8, I sense that this period of time starts with the removal of the Restrainer and the revelation of the 'man of sin'. Even though we don't see that great outpouring of God's Wrath upon the world ( 2 Peter 3:7-12, and others) leading to the destruction of the world and evil men, I feel that God's Wrath in its early stages of revelation when He removes His Restrainer that has thus far held the world to some degree of normalcy and decency, though now rapidly degenerating.
I take the example of a dam, holding back a large volume of water from passing to the other side. When water is to be released, the release valves are opened incrementally letting out a little water at a time, or else there would be catastrophic consequences to the inhabitants on the other side. Likewise, when God's 'valves' begin to open (i.e. His Wrath begins as He removes His Restrainer & all that brings), the world might know that their time is short & the little suffering that life threw at them, will be insurmountably horrendous. GBU.
1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
John 14:13 "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."
1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing."
Blessings
Romans 13:10
"Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."
1 Thessalonians 5:11
"Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."
Blessings
Blessings
"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
John 14:13
"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."
Psalms 55:17
"Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice."
1 Thessalonians 5:17
"Pray without ceasing."
Blessings
But as Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 1:10 ("His Son from heaven, which delivered us from the wrath TO COME") and 1 Thessalonians 5:9 ("For God hath NOT APPOINTED us to wrath (the Wrath of verse 3), but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ"). From these passages, some could say, 'well, God will protect His children from this evil and His Wrath, or God removes them to another location'; or does God, through Jesus, take us away altogether, that we won't be subject to His Wrath (commencing at the installation of the Anti-Christ), which the Church should not have to face?
Yes, we have always and will always face tribulation, sickness and death in this world - that which comes to all of us as living in corrupt bodies in a corrupt evil world. But when God begins to show His Anger against Christ-rejecters (beginning at the revelation of the Anti-Christ) & about to show them His Power in destruction, as they have never seen before, I ask, should the redeemed called-out Church be a part of God's Anger & Plan as well? If all this was simply a greater intensity of our trials & tribulations on Earth, then of course, we must face it with courage & faith. But if it is the commencement of God's Action against this evil World, then the Church cannot be a part of it, for it then places God's Salvation for us and our Adoption into His Family into great doubt & ridicule.
So this is where I sit, though I also realize that our definition of terms such as, Great Tribulation, God's Wrath, the Second Coming, etc. can influence how we read the Scriptures and the formation of our beliefs. So thank you again brother for your good & appreciated input. Blessings.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-10. Agreed, 2 Peter 3:10 speaks of the Day of the Lord coming unexpectedly with the major upheaval of the heavens and Earth, as does Paul, who possibly infers that there is a wider time frame or meaning regarding that Day ( 1 Corinthians 5:5 & 2 Corinthians 1:14). In any case, it involves all things associated with Jesus' Day of appearing. So here in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10, Paul iterates that that Day will come suddenly, thus it being a useless exercise to attempt placing it in a time frame, but as the Church is the children of God living in the light and not as those who live in darkness, that Day would not suddenly come upon them. Rather they should be comforted and fully clothed with the Spirit because God has not appointed them to His wrath (of verse 3) but to be saved from this through the Lord Jesus' (v9). If this saving from God's Wrath is to refer to His Wrath against man's sins, then there appears no reason for mentioning this in this context. His Wrath here is anger towards unbelievers at that time who will face His "sudden destruction". And to give further support to this meaning, we can look at 1 Thessalonians 1:10, Paul stating that the Church was "to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come".
Yes, Matthew chap 24 is about Jesus' Second Coming and particularly Matthew 24:29-31, that the powers of the heavens will be shaken, Jesus' appearing in the skies, the tribes of the earth mourning, and the gathering together of his Elect from all over the world. Some would assume that not only this scene is connected with 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51,52, but also that the Elect referred to are all those in Christ. To Page 3.
Apologies GiGi, have only now been able to devote some time to respond to you.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10. I would agree that if we take the 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 on its own, then there may be room for other interpretations. But Paul has devoted a part of this epistle to answer the believers' question (and fear) that those believers who died before Jesus came would not share in His Kingdom (v13). That they too will be resurrected by God as certain as God had resurrected His Son (v14). This verse may also imply that the spirits of deceased believers will come with Jesus, as God sends them with His Son. Still on the matter of those who have died before Jesus comes, the apostle states (as given him directly from the Lord), that the dead will rise first, before the living saints: that's how important this resurrection is; that when Jesus comes, the priority is to those who have died and raised to life, and then He will lift the living unto Himself, so all believers in their new bodies will rise into the sky to meet their Savior, to ever remain with Him (vv15-17).
How is all this important & pertinent to our discussions? I shared the above for one reason: that we should see that what Paul taught here was not just some nice comforting reassuring words to the distressed perplexed Church, but to show that this was a special act of God to extract His people from what He would begin to do to the unbelieving world. And of course, this 'extraction/rapture' is singularly different from what is given us when the Lord Jesus returns to overpower/destroy God's enemies & commence His 1000 year reign on Earth, in Jerusalem. We simply cannot fit this removal of the saints into the sky with Jesus in any other part of the teaching of Jesus' second coming. To Page 2.
So to some pertinent portions from the Word:
a) Revelation 3:10 (to the Philadelphian Church). This refers to the final seven year tribulation period in which the antichrist will be allowed to deceive the world ( 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12). Believers can have hope that should this final period come to pass in their lifetimes, they will be kept from having to face God's wrath during the tribulation period; and this Great Tribulation as Jesus spoke about (in Matthew 24:21-31) is the Day of God's Wrath, from which the Church is to be kept from. Even in Zephaniah 2:3, a little glimpse is given of those who will be "hid in the day of the LORD's ANGER".
b) 1 Thessalonians 5:9 and 1 Thessalonians 1:10: believers are not appointed to bear God's Wrath but to receive His salvation from it. While it is true that God's wrath is most fully poured out in the sentencing of unbelievers to hell, Revelation 6:15-17 makes it clear that God's wrath is also being poured out upon the earth during the tribulation period (for that is what it means) and believers will not be a part of that. However, those who come to faith during the tribulation will have to suffer the effects of God's wrath, not having received the promise of being kept from the hour of trial. But those days will be cut short for His Elect's sake ( Matthew 24:22).
c) Revelation 19:7-9. The Church is already in Heaven with the Lord, clothed & prepared for the marriage of the Lamb. It is following this that Jesus is seen with the armies of heaven coming to earth to lie waste the armies of the earth and to cast the beast and false prophet into the Lake of Fire ( Revelation 19:11-21). Thus, the church must have already been raptured and taken to heaven before Jesus comes the second time. To Page 3.
"For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape."
Bleesings
"Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."
1 Thessalonians 5:11
"Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."
Blessings
Luke 17:28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
The following verse describes the suddenness of the unexpected destruction to come. The same can be said in Thessalonians
where they "shall not escape"; we see in 1 Thessalonians 5:2 the concept of a thief and a snare in Luke 21:35.
These passages tend to dissuade many of the so called dreams and visions of a nuclear war about the time of the Rapture; at least immediately before it. What comes as sudden destruction no doubt could be a first phase of what eventually encompasses the earth in Armageddon; but generally the first seal offers a fallacious but convincing bloodless coup and no doubt mirrors the covenant with many in Daniel 9:27 already well underway for the eventual confirming with many. Is it impossible for nuclear war to accompany the Rapture? Somehow I don't see the Resurrection of the dead as being interrupted by such an event; if anything as to make clear that it wasn't bombs being dropped that left the holes in the ground in cemeteries around the world.
Also if we take literally Revelation 5:13 as to its timing it would seem that would be the main focus after the Rapture.
Who is Raptured? Clearly the easy answer is all the saints; at least of the Church Age who were God's children.
Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Let's look carefully into this concept. Those who have passed on have; in their souls already been at the Bema Seat of Christ; or they couldn't be present with the Lord. Many were through persecution on earth unlike those particularly in the Western world in the last couple generations. Considering the works that God has for us since before the creation of the world ( Eph. 2:10) it seems likely that God uses the Tribulation to purify many.
and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. (end of Daniel 9:26).
The very next verse refers to the covenant of the Antichrist so it would seem that war will continue either throughout the Tribulation period or until it begins; based on the wars and rumors of wars Jesus mentioned before the end comes ( Matt. 24:6).
That is bolstered further with the peace; peace when there is no peace which we see in Isaiah as well as Jeremiah. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 seems to indicate either people calling for peace and safety or perhaps more likely a temporary appearance of such since it is followed by sudden destruction.
James states that we war because we want or lust after things ( James 4:1 loosely interpreted). The same principle applies with prayer in the wrong way to consume things on our own lusts or desires ( James 4:3).
As of today; in particular with the Ukrainian "special operation" if even Russia still refers to it as that there is nationalism as the prime motivator. Money talks; as they say so that as we see with the apparent Middle East attempts to continue with the Abraham Accords in further expansion everyone gets a piece of the pie and we certainly see reflections of the Prophet Daniel warning about dividing the land for gain. This "spoil" is what will finally bring down the Russians; Turkey and other northern confederate nations to attack Israel; likely after they feel they are secure and as scriptures state "without walls" with a surprise attack. Consider how surprising it would be if it was literally on horses as the prophet Ezekiel states ( Ezekiel 38:4).
Prophetically speaking the Rapture could be any day now; but it is in God's timing unknown to us; so He could delay it. I tend to think that one world government could exist for quite some time before the Antichrist takes over; in any case in final form his kingdom is for one hour ( Rev. 17:12).
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
Matthew 26:41
"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
1 Thessalonians 5:17
"Pray without ceasing."
Blessings
Revelation 1:10 Continued
So, they started gathering together in homes privately on Sunday. As a matter of fact, the term the Lord's day did not apply to Sunday until between 200 and 400 A.D. It became more prominent when Constantine in 313 A.D., because he hated the Jews, the Hebrew people, he changed the Lord's day from Saturday to Sunday just to get back at them. So, Sunday was not referred to as the Lord's day until around the 300 A.D mark. It was somewhere between 200 and 400 A.D. before anybody began to use it for that particular purpose.
The scriptures tell us that this is an Old Testament term for the day of the Lord, or Lord's day, and it is a reference to the day of judgment. This is the Lord's day. Right now, it is man's day. And people say, "God's not going to judge anybody." But God has His day coming. It is called the Lord's day in Isaiah 2:12, and Zephaniah 1:14-16.
Even Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 5:2, he used that Jewish phrase from the Old Testament, and says that the day of the Lord is going to come as a thief in the night. But you don't have to worry because you're children of light. Peter also, in 2 Peter 3:10 used the same phrase as the day of judgment of God.
So, putting these two phrases together in Verse 10, I was in spirit on the Lord's day, the day of judgment, is that while physically and geographically he's on the island of Patmos, in the spirit realm, he was caught up to see the Lord's day, the day of judgment, when God brings judgment to the earth.
Now keep this in perspective because when he's caught up in Spirit to see the Lord's day, this period of judgment, he is going to see the future happen before it happens, while it's happening. In the spirit, he saw everything from where he's at, all the way to the end, and what's going to happen at the end. But it hasn't happened yet!
Shall we analyse?
Remember the song
Christ is the portrait of God - Colossians 1:15
Before he was born
He did justice and in himself he died
Supremacy and thrones are
They are yours - Colossians 1: 16-17
And that thread that broke
From my soul to God - Colossians 1:21
The holy blood sewed
Christ and his lines of love - Colossians 1: 20
And now a man made I
Can in man see God
Have peace, live, walk and be
Made me a friend in his pouring out - John 15:15
When we were targets of God's wrath now we have Peace with God - Romans 5:1
I have a doubt that you probably theologians (formal or deep self-taught), show me if there is something I missed.
to go to church or not to go to church?
1 Thessalonians 5:11, 1 Peter 4:9, Psalms 133:1-3, Galatians 5:13. all these chapters do not speak of the church that is of my generation, Hebrews 10:24-25 this verse speaks of the mutual congregation.
continuing Romans 12:10, Ephesians 4:32, Acts 2:41-47, 1 John 1:6-7, 2 Corinthians 13:11, 1 Peter 1:22, Colossians 3:16, Philippians 2:1-2, John 13:34, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Psalm 55:14. I keep reading and re-reading Romans 12 and I wonder if it's in everyday life or gathered with the church.
Thank you very much!
1 Thessalonians 5:24 - Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
It says faithful is he that calls you, and the word calls is a participle, the one who is continually calling you. He's continually calling me to Him right now. I responded several years ago. And I'm still responding to Him. He's still calling.
But notice this: faithful is He who is calling you, who also will do it. Paul just said may he preserve your whole spirit, soul, and body, may He preserve you blameless. He will do it. It's a promise!
1 Thessalonians 5:28 - The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with you. It's a proclamation, not a benediction. The word "be" is in italics because it's added. There's no verb in Greek. He's stating fact. The grace of the Lord is with you. Amen.
Another book down. I will begin with 2 Thessalonians soon, Lord willing!
Blessings in Christ!
1 Thessalonians 5:16 - Rejoice evermore.
Rejoice always. This means continue to rejoice. It's a command. Be rejoicing always. Pretty short and sweet!
1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray without ceasing.
Next, be continually praying without ceasing. It means to be continually talking with the Lord. Don't leave off from praying.
1 Thessalonians 5:19 - Quench not the Spirit.
Stop quenching the Spirit. The word quench means to hinder. How can you hinder God's Spirit? Very easily! There can be disturbances. Somebody could come in the room and be shouting and yelling and break up what God's doing, causing distractions. But it's also a command for leaders. Don't be in a position where you hinder God's Spirit from ministering.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 - And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He says, and the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; that is completely, and that your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A human being is made up of three elements: spirit, soul, and body. And the word soul is the word PSUECHE for your mind, your psyche. So, he's praying for God to preserve and make a believer's spirit, soul, and body complete until He comes.
It's interesting because people say why would He keep the body because it's evil? No, it's not. The body isn't evil. What the body is made of is evil, flesh! Flesh is evil. The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The body is the container. It contains my spirit. It contains Christ's Spirit. But what my body is made of has the law of sin in it. So, the body isn't evil. It's the flesh of the body that is evil.
In Acts 1:9-11, when Jesus ascended up into heaven, He disappeared into the clouds, and the angels told the disciples the same way that you have seen the Lord leave is the same way you will see Him come back. We will be caught up together with them in the clouds for a meeting with the Lord in the air. And therefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 - For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
For you yourselves know perfectly, which is a Greek word that's a mathematical term, AKRIBOS, which means accurately. You yourselves know accurately that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
The day of the Lord is exactly what it says. It is not a specific day. It is a time period that God has set apart, even in the Old Testament. It will be His day. The Lords Day is coming. It's not a specific day. It's a time period. It's judgment time. But when it does come, it will come like a thief in the night. People will not be expecting it. It's going to come suddenly.
1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
It says therefore, and I'll share some technical things here about the translation. Instead of let us not sleep, it's literally we should not sleep. It's not a command. It says we should not sleep, as do the others; but let us watch and be sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:15 - See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
The word evil is the word adversity. If people cause you problems, he's saying don't turn around and do the same thing to them. But follow that which is good, and that's the word AGATHOS which is spiritual good, both among yourselves, and to all men. In other words, if people cause adversity for you, pursue the good of God and the influence of His Spirit in the situation, and don't repay evil for evil.
Does God heal today ? ?
God will take away some of our gifts and replace it with the word of truth.
1 Corinthians 13:8
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shallcease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
We now have the word of truth .
1 Corinthians 13:10
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall bedoneaway.
Apostle Paul wants us to pray in the Holy Spirit.
Praying always with allprayerand supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
We should always gift thanks to the Father in Heaven before we ask .
Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing byprayerand supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
We should pray to do no evil.
2 Corinthians 13:7
Now Iprayto God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
We should pray for knowledge.
Philippians 1:9
And this Ipray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
We should pray always everyday.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Praywithout ceasing.
God want us to pray for everything in life.
1 Timothy 2:8
I will therefore that menprayevery where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Apostle Paul writes about the gathering in the clouds with Jesus Christ and the saved dead saints will rise first in Christ.
1 Thessalonians 4:16
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the deadinChristshall rise first:
Always give thanks in Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Inevery thing give thanks: for this is the will of GodinChristJesus concerning you.
Apostle Paul is a preacher, a teacher and a Apostle in Christ.
1 Timothy 2:7
Where unto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truthinChrist, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentilesinfaith and verity.
Deacons are in Christ.
1 Timothy 3:13
For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldnessinthe faith which isinChristJesus.
No body knew before the world began, that Apostle Paul was going to be given a revelation in Christ about the gospel of grace .
2 Timothy 1:9
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given usinChristJesus before the world began,
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Hi again Fuji. 1 Thessalonians 2:19. This ties in with 1 Thessalonians 1:10, "And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come". And then to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10.
When we place all these Scriptures together, considering that Paul was addressing the same matter in the one epistle, we can learn that he is speaking about the coming of the Lord. The believers are not only to wait expectantly for the Lord's Coming, but to be careful in their Christian living until that day - that day when they would be transformed & forever to be with their Lord.
But what happens if Paul (or us) die first, before Jesus comes? Though our bodies lie in the grave (or, not even exist in any substantial form), our spirits do return to God Who gave it ( Ecclesiastes 12:7). And we read of people alive beyond the grave ( Luke 16:19-31; Matthew 17:1-3 as examples). But when Jesus returns in the clouds for us, the dead (believers' bodies) arise first to meet him in the air, & those believers still alive will be caught up (Latin, rapio (rapture); Greek, Harpazo) to join the others in this great moment of joy & fulfilment of our hopes & longings to be with our Savior forever. To this end, Paul (in 1 Thessalonians 2:19), is stating that when Jesus comes, he (Paul) will personally rejoice greatly to see his beloved Thessalonian believers also come into Christ's Presence, as his crown for his labors amongst them. Onto Page 2.
We can't see the soul and spirit, doesn't mean we don't have it. If we believe the Bible is true because Jesus Christ is the author, then we have a soul and spirit. We that are saved will also have a new body fashioned like Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 6:20
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in yourbody,andin yourspirit, which are God's.
Jesus Christ will give us a new body .
Ephesians 5:30
For we are members of his body, of hisflesh,andof hisbones.
May God bless you're body, soul and spirit .
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 our new body in Christ Jesus will be glorious
Thank you for your message and may the Lord bless you and yours also. Like you, I am also still learning. Learning never stops. I agree, Paul seems to be the most prominent of the Apostles.
I would just like to touch on a couple things. Something I find interesting with 2 Thessalonians 2:2 is that the oldest manuscripts do not say the day of Christ. They say the day of the Lord, the same phrase we see in 1 Thessalonians 5:2. My understanding is that the day of the Lord is not talking about a specific day but a time period that God has set apart for judgment.
Indeed, Philippians 1:11 is an important verse. My understanding of being "filled with the Holy Spirit" is when God's Spirit which dwells in me takes over my faculties. As a believer, I have 100% of God's Spirit in me at all times but I am not always being filled with the Holy Spirit. There are times where even though I have the fulness of His Spirit in me, I am off doing my own thing. Also, if I have God's Spirit in me, I am and will bear fruit. It is impossible for a believer to be born of God's Spirit and not bear fruit.
I like what you're saying about Philippians 1:18. That was Paul's approach to the hardships he went through. The word rejoice means satisfaction. I'm sure Paul was not happy that people were causing division in the fellowship in the body of Christ, but even through the hardship and division, Christ was being preached which gave him satisfaction and allowed him to keep the unity of the fellowship in the bond of peace.
Thanks again and God Bless!!!