511. THE JESUS WHO CANNOT BE IGNORED. [Hebrews 1:1-4.]

Posted on January 6, 2024 by Jim Holbeck

In the first four verses of this epistle, the writer describes Jesus as being pre-eminent in every way, both in his Personhood and in His ministry on behalf of humans.

1]. Jesus Revealed God’s Will To Humans. [1:1-2]
Heb 1:1 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.”
The writer reminds Jewish readers that God has revealed Himself and His will through many prophets over a long period of time. But in the last days [meaning with the coming of Jesus Christ into the world] He has spoken through Jesus His Son.
St John recorded the words of Jesus when He said, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.” John 14:10. Jesus was saying that the words He spoke and the works He did, originated with the Father, not Himself. God the Father was speaking and acting through His Son.

2]. Jesus Is The Inheritor Of All That Is. [1:2]
“whom he appointed the heir of all things.” The whole universe belongs to Jesus according to His will. St Paul taught, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:15-17. Though there are many who resist the plan and purpose of God, Jesus will ultimately have sovereign power over the whole universe. It is His and ultimately only His will, will be done in the universe.

3]. Jesus Is The Creator Of The Universe. [1:2]
“through whom also he created the world.” As Colossians 1:16 above says, He created everything. St John wrote in his prologue, “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3). The whole universe and everything in it owes its origin to Him.

4]. Jesus Manifests The Glory Of God. [1:3]
Heb 1:3 “He is the radiance of the glory of God.“ Radiance is [apaugasma; ἀπαύγασμα] from a compound [apo; ἀπό] meaning off or from and [augazō; αὐγάζω] meaning to beam or shine forth. St John in his gospel wrote of the coming of Jesus into the world, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14. When we read the gospels it seems that Jesus’ deity was very much veiled during His life but the disciples were privileged to see God’s glory resting on Him at His transfiguration. St Peter wrote, “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honour and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.” 2 Peter 1:16-18.

5]. Jesus Fully Expresses the Character And Nature of God. [1:3]
“and the exact imprint of his nature.” The term “exact imprint” is [charaktēr; χαρακτήρ] means an impress, an exact expression. Jesus is the exact expression of the Father. As Jesus said of Himself, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14:9. “Nature” is [hypostasis; ὑπόστασις ] meaning setting under, essence, or person, substance. Jesus is the very essence of the Father, nothing less.

6]. Jesus Sustains The Universe. [1:3]
“and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. “
His word of power brought the whole universe into being. He now sustains and upholds it by that same word of power. “He’s got the whole world in His hands” as we used to sing.

7]. Jesus Made Purification from Sin Available To All Humans. [1:3-4]
“After making purification for sins.” The writer now declares something about what Jesus has done. “Purification” is from [katharismos; καθαρισμός] meaning a cleansing, or purging. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins by His sacrifice of Himself on the cross. We will see that this is a major part of this epistle and that the whole purpose of God in bringing forgiveness to humans would be through that single sacrifice for sin Jesus offered on the cross, “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.“ Hebrews 10:12-14.

8]. Jesus Sits At The Right Hand Of God in heaven. [1:3-4]
“he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”
It is significant that Jesus, having made purification for sin, sat down at the right hand of God. Significant because the priests’ work was never completed. They had to stand daily offering sacrifices that could never take away sin. This is taken up later in Hebrews in these terms, “And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.” Hebrews 10:11-12. The work of redemption was complete. Sin had been atoned for. Through Christ’s sacrifice believers have access into the kingdom of God. Or as St Paul wrote, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.” Ephesians 1:7-8.

This is great news for those who believe. The most significant person in the universe offered the most significant sacrifice for sin to bring us back into a right relationship with God. This is God’s amazing grace being extended to sinful humanity. It cannot be ignored for there is no other way to be forgiven by God. He is offering us forgiveness of all our sins and a new life, if we put our trust in Christ.

But it is bad news for those who refuse to believe. When you ignore Jesus of Nazareth you are ignoring the One who created the world, who keeps it going, and who died the death to free us from our sins. It is the sin of not trusting in who Jesus is and in the significance of what He has done for us. Jesus warned that when the Holy Spirit came He would convict the unbelieving world of its sin of unbelief, “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me.” John16:8-9.

It is easy to believe in Jesus. All that is involved is repentance of our sin and faith in Jesus. The ABCD prayer I prayed 65 years ago as I committed my life to Christ was something like this, “Lord I Admit that I am a sinner in Your sight. I Believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to take away my sins. I Consider the cost of becoming a Christian. I know it costs me nothing but it cost Jesus His life. I know I have to Do something to invite Jesus to be my Saviour from sin and so I invite You Lord Jesus into my life to be my Saviour from sin and to be the Lord and Master of every moment of my life from this time forward, for evermore. Thank You Lord Jesus for coming into my life. AMEN!” Why not pray a similar prayer right now?
Blog No.511. Posted on Saturday 06 January 2024.

Posted in BIBLE PASSAGE OUTLINES, Bible verses. Comments, Creation, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Glorification, Healing, HEBREWS. A study of the Epistle, Holy Spirit, Judgement, Justification, Mental Health, Prayer, Real Life Stories, Salvation, Sanctification, Temptations, TOPICS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

510. A New Creature on New Year’s Eve 1958

Posted on December 31, 2023 by Jim Holbeck

I became what the Bible describes as a New Creature just before midnight on New Year’s Eve 1958. In other words, I made my decision to follow Christ after several weeks of battling with the challenge that presented. I knew I had to make that decision and by the grace of God, I did so.

Here are links to some articles I wrote about my conversion to Christ experience written from slightly different angles at different times. After reading them why not send the links on to family or friends who need the encouragement to get right with God.

Wishing you all A VERY BLESSED NEW YEAR and a wonderful 2024 in Him!

These are the links

New Year’s Eve messages from Jim Holbeck’s blog site.

No 106. https://jimholbeck.blog/2013/01/01/106-another-new-year-resolution-or-a-new-beginning-2-corinthians-514/

No.307.  https://jimholbeck.blog/2018/12/31/307-people-really-can-change-new-creatures-for-a-new-year-2-corinthians-517/

No.338.  https://jimholbeck.blog/2019/12/31/338-new-years-eve-greeting-2019-from-jim-holbeck/

Much love in Christ

Jim

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509.The Greatest Christmas Gift Given To You And Me

Posted on December 24, 2023 by Jim Holbeck

What will I preach tonight? That was the question I faced many years ago when I was the Dean of St Peters Cathedral in Armidale, New South Wales. I had been the Dean of Armidale for several years up to that time and wondered what short message I could give to the congregation in a Christmas Eve service that would go past midnight.  The words of the Hymn came into my mind. “Tell my people I love them;
tell my people that I care.
When they feel far away from me, tell my people I am there.” Today I  heard a lovely version of that song on this link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ybT3Me6i50

I remember feeling quite free as I preached such a  wonderful liberating truth. We all need to be reminded that we are loved. I had the privilege and the joy of having a beautiful attractive woman in my life who began telling me she loved me after I had confessed that I had fallen deeply in love with her. Mind you, I did initially express it in highly romantic terms, “I think I’m beginning to like you very much.” When she seemed to appreciate that initial outburst, it made it much easier to say, “I love you very much!” We kept telling each other how much we loved each other for the 54 years of marriage before the Lord took her home just 4 years ago. And yes, I do deeply miss hearing those words from her lips. 

I was surprised to see a message taped to the rear window of a utility vehicle being driven in front of me, as I drove home from church today. In large lettering was written this message, “You are Loved!” I thought what a great positive message that was to share with the world. Some people might feel threatened by such a message if their own relationships were fragile or broken. But for someone like me who had experienced the love of God through a fellow human, it brought comfort. As St Paul wrote about the love of God, “and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:5. For over 50 years I had experienced that love of God through the love of my Spirit-filled wife Carole. 

Today as I write, it is Christmas Eve. I don’t have the opportunity to preach a sermon at midnight, but I can share the truth that I, you, we, are loved. Many will hear over Christmas, the words of the “gospel in a nutshell” from John 3:16,  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Others might hear these words from St Paul, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. His birth at that first Christmas led eventually to His death for us, as He the righteous one died for all guilty sinners so that they might be saved by His grace. And the wonderful truth we read about the love of God, is this, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39. The message on that utility vehicle is true, “You are loved!” By God Himself!

What God in His love has done for us and how He now sees us. Ephesians 2:4-7

  • He made us alive together with Christ. Eph 2:4  “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5  even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—”
  • He raised us up together with Christ. 2:6  “and raised us up with him 
  • He seated us together with Christ in the heavenlies, “and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” God tells us how He sees us right now as being now in the place of honour,  acceptance and authority. We can never be more acceptable to Him than we are right now. More useful, more available to Him for sure, but never more acceptable. We are fully accepted in the beloved. 

Why God has done that for us in His love 

  • 2:7  “so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

God has shown us so much of the riches of His grace in accepting us in Christ and promising that nothing can ever separate us from His love. But He has so much more in store for us in His love. The word “immeasurable” is from [hyperballō; ὑπερβάλλω] which means to throw over or beyond, to surpass or excel and occurs in Ephesians in 3 of the 5 references in the New Testament. 

Paul prays that his readers in Ephesus might come to experience more of God’s power and love. Eph 1:19  “and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might.” AND Eph 3:19 “and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” If the immeasurable riches of God’s grace can lead to being filled with all the fulness of God, then there can be nothing beyond that incredible experience. And that is what God has for us in His love for us. 

The first Christmas Day was the day the Messiah, the Son of God entered this world to begin the whole process of redemption and salvation. May this Christmas Day be the day millions throughout the world accept this Christmas gift of salvation in Christ and give their lives over to live for Him!

Blog No.509 posted on Sunday 24 December 2023

Posted in BIBLE PASSAGE OUTLINES, Bible verses. Comments, Christmas, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Glorification, Healing, Holy Spirit, Justification, Mental Health, Prayer, Real Life Stories, Salvation, Sanctification, Second coming of Jesus, spiritual warfare, Temptations, TOPICS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

508. 2 Thessalonians 3:5. A PRAYER TO PRAY FOR EACH OTHER!

Posted on December 9, 2023 by Jim Holbeck

We realise as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ that we should pray for others, but what can we pray? We can follow the example of St Paul as he prayed for his friends in the church at Thessalonica. He told them what he was praying for them in 2 Thessalonians 3:5, “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” A very simple prayer but what did he mean? 

1].       “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God.”

“Direct” is [kateuthunō; κατευθύναι]  “direct” your hearts to the love of God.

The word is found also only in

Luke 1:79 – Guide.  Luke 1:79  “to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” This was part of Zechariah’s prophecy concerning his son, John the Baptist. John’s ministry would be as a prophet to introduce the Messiah Jesus to the world. One outcome of his ministry was that he would guide the people of God into the way of peace. He would be a guiding light to bring people out of darkness and to introduce them to Jesus as the Prince of peace. 

1 Thessalonian 3:11 – Direct. “Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.” St Paul was looking to God the Father and Jesus His Son to direct his way to the Thessalonians. By this he appears  to mean that he was trusting God to overrule in all his circumstances so that he could arrive safely at Thessalonica.

So we return to 2 Thess. 3:5. – Direct. “direct your hearts to the love of God.” St Paul wanted the very best for his converts in Thessalonica. He wanted them to experience the [agape] love of God and then to manifest it in their relationships with one another [as he had written in his previous epistle,  “and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13  so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13. ]

2].        “May the Lord direct your hearts to ….. the steadfastness of Christ. 

Steadfastness is  [hypomonē; ὑπομονὴν] “steadfastness of Christ.” This can mean 

patient endurance; patient awaiting; patient frame of mind; patience, perseverance. 

The New Testament writers saw the ministry of Jesus as involving great endurance. For example, the writer to the Hebrews wrote,  “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2. 

St Paul realised that patient endurance was not easy in a world hostile to God so he pointed to the steadfastness of Jesus as the perfect example for the Thessalonians to follow. Later he was to write to the believers in Rome that suffering brings endurance which builds character and character produces hope, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4  and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.“ Romans 5:3-4.

In this Romans passage he makes the link between endurance, character, hope and the love of God as he continued to write, “and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:5.

What a wonderful prayer then it is to pray for our family and friends, “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”

 It will help immensely if our own lives are characterised by love and by patient endurance or steadfastness. 

Blog No.508 posted on Saturday 09 December 2023.

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507. A Prayer Based On Romans 12:1-2. Total Commitment

Posted on November 23, 2023 by Jim Holbeck

I was surprised recently to notice that one of my short articles which I posted originally almost 12 years ago is still being viewed frequently at the end of 2023. It was No.051 with the title above. It has been viewed almost 11,000 times around the globe over those years. It is a prayer based on Romans 12:1-2 and my hope is that people personally pray the prayer to get into the centre of the will of God for themselves as individuals. To be in the centre of His will is to be in the place of unimaginable blessing.

Romans 12:1  “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (ESV)

The Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank You for all the mercies You have bestowed on me.

I thank You for the forgiveness of my sins and for the gift of eternal life You have given me in Your Son Jesus Christ.

I thank You that He gave Himself for me, so that I might give myself to You.

I now present to You, all I am and all I have, as a living sacrifice to You. It’s my logical response to Your love for me. It’s my spiritual act of worship to You.

Transform me as a person by renewing my mind by Your Spirit, so that I think the way You want me to think about everything, especially about You and about Your will.

Give me discernment by Your Spirit, as I seek to put Your will into practice in my everyday life. Enable me to recognise Your will, and discover as I seek to do it, that it truly is good, acceptable and perfect.

I ask these things so that You may be honoured and glorified, in and through my life, in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN.

 Blog No.507 posted on Thursday 23 November 2023

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506.“Encourage the Fainthearted.” [Oligopsuchos, ὀλιγόψυχος]

Posted on November 17, 2023 by Jim Holbeck

It is disappointing that the translators of the Authorized Version of the Bible [the King James Version] translated 1 Thessalonians 5:14 with these words, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”  “Feebleminded” translates the Greek word [oligopsuchos,  ὀλιγόψυχος]. This comes from oligos, ὀλίγος = small, few, light, slight,  and  psuchē,  ψυχή meaning breath , life, inner self, soul. 

The word “feebleminded” in our day seems to imply some form of diminished mental ability but that may not be the true meaning of the word. It is the only use of this word in the New Testament in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 where it is translated in the Christian Standard Bible as “comfort the discouraged” and in the English Standard version as “encourage the fainthearted.” This seems to imply a state of mind which can be strengthened through encouragement and comfort. 

We may find some help by looking at the Greek translation of the Old Testament called the Septuagint [the LXX]. One modern English translation of the Septuagint is the NETS version [The New English Translation of the Septuagint] which we will use to find how the word is translated in the verses in which it occurs. 

The word [oligopsuchos,  ὀλιγόψυχος] is found in the following verses.

  • Proverbs 14:29, “A man slow to anger is abundant in prudence, but an impatient man is extremely foolish.” This is not a reference to a feeble mind but to an inappropriate response to a stressful situation. 
  • Proverbs 18:14, “A “sensible attendant calms a man’s anger, but who can endure a faint-hearted man?  Here the reference is to the difficulty of dealing with a man who is not strong emotionally. An angry man’s anger can be dealt with using the right treatment, but a person of weak emotional strength is more difficult to know how to handle.  
  • Isaiah 35:4  “Give comfort, you who are faint of heart and mind! Be strong; do not fear! Look, our God is repaying judgment; yes, he will repay; he himself will come and save us.“ The faint of heart and mind are able to bring comfort to others as they are themselves strengthened and lose their fear.
  • Isaiah 54:6 “The Lord has not called you as a forsaken and faint-hearted woman, nor as a woman hated from youth, your God has said.”  The nation as the bride of God had known exile for its sin and perhaps was emotionally weak as a result. But they would again experience His love for them.
  • Isaiah 57:15 “This is what the Lord says, the Most High, who dwells forever in lofty places— Holy among the holy ones is his name, the Lord Most High who rests among the holy ones and gives patience to the faint-hearted and gives life to those who are broken of heart:” Israel’s holy God promises that He will give patience and the ability to cope to those He had formerly deserted because of their sin. 

It seems overall that feebleness of mind is not what is really meant by this word. Rather the actual “little or weak in spirit” or emotionally weak seems to be the true meaning. As such it could apply to all believers from time to time. There will be times in the lives of all of us when we feel emotionally weak, confused or even anxious about the future. So it is comforting to know that the Lord has a real ministry to those who feel this way, as is shown in the ESV translation of 1 Thessalonians 5:14, “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” 

Encouragement rather than rejection is a ministry we can share with one another for the word for “encourage” here is [paramytheomai, παραμυθέομαι] meaning to exercise an influence by using words  to soothe, comfort, console, as seen in the other occurrences of the word in the New Testament, namely John 11:19, “and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother.”  John 11:31, “When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there.” And 1Thessalonians 2:12, “we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.”

Encouraging, consoling, comforting, strengthening the ‘fainthearted.” That is our privilege and responsibility.

Blog No.506 posted on Friday 17 November 2023. 

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505. REMEMBRANCE [Armistice] DAY. A Deeper Meaning.

Posted on November 11, 2023 by Jim Holbeck

Remembrance Day was formerly known as Armistice Day signifying the end of World War 1 at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. It is a time when people are encouraged to pause for a minute at that time to remember all those young men and women who fell in battle in times of war. 

It now has an added significance for me for it was at 11am on the 11th November 2019 that a Memorial service was held for my wife who had died a couple of weeks earlier.   When I realised the significance of the time I asked the minister taking the service if we could include a minute of silence at 11am and a short service honouring Remembrance Day. This he did. 

I have often thought how appropriate it was that my beloved wife Carole’s service was held at that precise time. My own father had fought in the trenches in France and Belgium in World War 1 in 1916-1918 and was one of the few who returned home in 1919 without serious injuries. He never spoke of the war except to share a couple of amusing incidents. Carole had an uncle she was never to meet for he went from India to join the British Army in that war and was killed by a sniper just a couple of days before the war ended. She herself was just a young child when Japanese bombers dropped bombs in World War 2 on Kharagpur in India where she lived but there were no serious injuries. Seated in the church for her Memorial service was one of my nephews, a Major in the Army who had served in 2 tours of duty in Afghanistan. I myself had had some experience of life in the services in National Service in the Royal Australian Navy and then in the Naval Reserve for 5 years. 

So every Remembrance Day now has an added dimension for me. I think of my own father who was a fine moral man who provided for his family as best he could, even in the Great Depression. I think of all those families whose sons or daughters served our nation but never returned home and the heartache that must have been for all those families. And now I think especially of my beloved wife who gave me so much love and support over almost 54 years of marriage and whom I miss so deeply. How blessed we are in life to have had parents who loved us, young people willing to risk their lives in serving and protecting our nation and wives or husbands who showered their love on us. It is good to remember, for we glorify God when we do so!

James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

Blog No.505 posted on Saturday 11th November 2023

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No.504.  The RAPTURE. If Only It Were True! 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

Posted on November 6, 2023 by Jim Holbeck

Is there a Rapture [a being caught up to meet Christ in the clouds ] that takes place before the Second Coming of Christ?  Some writers have expressed the view that the word Rapture is not in the Bible. It is certainly not in our English translations. But it is in the Latin version of the Bible in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 where the Latin word [rapturo] is used to translate the Greek word [harpazo] meaning being caught up or being snatched. This is the context, 1Thessalonians 4:13 “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14  For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15  For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.6 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up [harpazo] together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”

Many Bible scholars believe that the Rapture precedes the great tribulation before the Second Coming of Jesus. The verses above seem to suggest that. They appear to say that Jesus could return suddenly at any time. He will bring with Him all those who have died in the Lord. Those who have already died whose bodies are “asleep “ will be raised first with resurrected bodies and will be joined by those still alive at His coming whose bodies are also transformed. They will be raptured or caught up together to meet the Lord in the air. From that time onwards they will always be in the presence of the Lord. That means that believers [the church] will not have to go through the tribulation but will return with Jesus when He comes to establish His kingdom on earth. 

There are many prophecies to be fulfilled before the second coming of Jesus but the rapture could occur at any time. The more we see the possibility of a worldwide conflict, the more it seems that the rapture could be near. But the great thing is that whether there is only one or two stages in Jesus’ coming, believers will go to be with Him in bliss forever. That is our great Christian Hope.

The RAPTURE. If Only It Were True! If it is true, it means that humans all around the world need to embrace Jesus Christ as Saviour and submit to him as Lord. There will be no time when He comes to make a last-minute profession of faith. The attitude we have towards Him at His coming will be the basis for the judgment He brings upon us. 

As Bible scholars continue to study the evidence for the second coming of Jesus and whether He comes in one or two stages, it is imperative for every human to be prepared by repenting of their sin and their rejection of His claim on their lives and to give their lives over to Him in an act of submission to His rule over us. 

A crowd who had witnessed Him feed 5000 people with five loaves and two fish later came to Jesus and He said to them, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” John 6:27. They replied with this question, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” John 6:28. They were anxious to know what “to work for the food that endures to eternal life” meant. Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” John 6:29.  Then he added, “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40  For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:39-40.

The resurrection of all believers is God’s plan for the world and our Christian hope. But people need to be believers to receive eternal life and to experience the resurrection of their bodies. What a joy it is to know that one’s departed ones are now in bliss in the presence of Jesus and that one day we will be reunited with our loved ones in resurrected bodies when He comes to rapture us, to gather us all together to meet Him in the air. And to live with Him for eternity. 

The RAPTURE. If Only It Were True! It does appear that many respected biblical scholars from all over Christendom do believe the Rapture will take place as described in 1 Thessalonians 4 and could occur at any moment. My preference for an early rapture may be biased because I would not want any believer to go through the tribulation and because I am looking forward to seeing again my beloved wife of 54 years who went home to the Lord 4 years ago. 

Blog No.504 posted on Monday 06 November 2023.

Posted in BIBLE PASSAGE OUTLINES, Bible verses. Comments, Coping With Personal Grief, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Glorification, Healing, Holy Spirit, Judgement, Justification, Mental Health, Prayer, Questions and Answers, Salvation, Sanctification, Second coming of Jesus, TOPICS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

503. COPING WITH THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE

Posted on October 30, 2023 by Jim Holbeck

It will be 4 years tomorrow since I heard the nurse at the Palliative Care ward at Wauchope hospital say to me on the phone, “Mr Holbeck, your wife Carole passed away a few minutes ago.” I had been with Carole all day but she had been totally unresponsive. I had just arrived home when the call came. 

What do you do when your very best friend and confidante [who also happened to be your beloved wife of 54 years] is taken from you? Fortunately, the words of 2 Corinthians 5:8 came into my mind, “Absent from the body, present with the Lord.” From that moment I have thought of Carole as being in bliss in the presence of Jesus and that has eased the pain of her departure.  But every day as I look at her photo I tell her several times that I love her.  I don’t know if she can hear me but it does me a whole lot of good to keep on affirming my love for her.  

Another verse that I have found helpful is from Psalm 30:5, “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” One can never forget the love one shared with one’s beloved for it was a gift from God in His abundant love. There will always be a great hole in one’s heart which our loved one once filled and there will continue to be moments of very deep sadness. But praise God, the weeping does get slowly less and joy begins to increase with every memory of her. 

As I live now without her, I continue to try to please  the Lord in everything I say and do whilst seeking to live a life that would continue to make Carole proud of me. It is a way of expressing my gratitude to God for bringing such a beautiful gracious loving woman into my life as well as my way of expressing my love and deep respect for the woman who stole my heart and who loved me till her dying day. True love never ends and even the memories of that love bring deep healing.  As I think of Carole and the blessings she brought into the lives of many people around the world my mind goes to the words of Proverbs 31:28-30, “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29  ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.’ Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” 

Praise the Lord indeed for my dearly beloved wife Carole Ann Holbeck [nee Tapsell] 1943-2019.

Blog No.503 posted on Monday 30th October 2023.

Posted in BIBLE PASSAGE OUTLINES, Bible verses. Comments, Coping With Personal Grief, Faithfulness, Glorification, Healing, Justification, Mental Health, Mini Reflections, Prayer, Real Life Stories, Salvation, Sanctification, Tributes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

502. Faith, Hope and Love in 1 Thessalonians 1. [The Example Given By  The Believers In Thessalonica ]

Posted on October 16, 2023 by Jim Holbeck

We are used to reading the three terms faith, hope and love combined in the one verse in 1 Corinthians 13:13, “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” But it may be surprising to find that St Paul grouped the 3 words in one verse in another two places, both in 1 Thessalonians.

The first reference is about the believers in Thessalonica. They had a special place in St Paul’s heart. He wrote to them these words, “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3  remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2,3. He went on to tell them that they had become an example to other believers, “So that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.” 1 Thessalonians 1:7, 8.

The second reference is mentioned in his exhortation to the believers in Thessalonica, “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.” 1 Thessalonians 5:8. This is similar to Paul’s reference to the armour of God in Ephesians 6:13-17 except there he mentioned “the breastplate of righteousness” rather than “the breastplate of faith and love” in Thessalonians. 

In a sense they amount to the same thing. Believers need to be ready always, to have victory over temptation and evil. Putting on the breastplate of righteousness [in Ephesians] is the same as donning faith and love as a breastplate in Thessalonians, for true righteousness depends on genuine faith and true agape love. Righteousness, faith and love all stem from the grace of God in Christ. In fact Paul used a simple term when he reminded believers in Galatia that they had “put on Christ,” “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Gal 3:27, and all belonged to the one body of believers in the world, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28. He also exhorted the believers in Rome “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” It means always allowing the Holy Spirit of God to produce the life of Christ in and through us so that it appears as though Christ is living His life in and through our human bodies. 

In both Thessalonians and Ephesians the helmet represented the hope of salvation. “Hope” is the blessed assurance of security for the present and the future for believers. In 1 Thessalonians it refers especially to the hope of the certain second coming of Jesus and all the consequent blessings which follow. 

We will look at all that entails in future articles on 1 Thessalonians.

Blog No.502 posted on Monday 16 October 2023.

Posted in BIBLE PASSAGE OUTLINES, Bible verses. Comments, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Glorification, Healing, Holy Spirit, Justification, Mental Health, New Covenant, Prayer, Salvation, Sanctification, Second coming of Jesus, spiritual warfare, Temptations | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment