Category Archives: Discipleship

The Kingdom of Heaven

Posted on 03/12/2025 | Leave a comment

What is the Kingdom of Heaven?

It is God’s wonderful rule. It is so good that it is called the good news (gospel) of the kingdom–a desirable state.

It is a lifestyle into which Jesus called his disciples to enter and to live under. It is so precious, so important, that people are urged to enter it, no matter what it may cost (Mat 13:44-45).

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.  Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 18:3-4

Let’s look closely at this passage:

Context:

This passage is part of a larger discourse in Matthew 18, often called the “Discourse on the Church”.”

The immediate context is that the disciples asked Jesus, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1). Jesus responds by calling a little child to stand among them (Matthew 18:2) and then speaks the words in verses 3-4.

Key Words and Phrases:

“Truly I tell you” (Amen lego humin): This term Jesus often used as for a solemn affirmation that what follows is important and true.

“unless you turn and become like little children”: Turning, the first step, is critical. The Greek word for “change” (strepho) can also mean “turn” or “convert.” It implies a fundamental transformation. The requirement is to become like a child.

“you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”: This is a strong statement about the necessity of this transformation for entering the kingdom of h  eaven and the salvation it brings.

“whoever humbles himself like this little child”: The Greek word for “humbling oneself ” (tapeinose) refers to humility, lowliness, or a state of being humble.

“is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven“: Jesus contrasted the world’s view of greatness (power, status) with the kingdom’s view — humility and childlike dependence.

What is it about a little child that Jesus should ask people to become in order to enter this kingdom?

It is humility. Lack of pride. Absence of self-reliance. Total trust in our heavenly Father.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do and he will show you which path to take.

Interpretation

The child is used as an example of humility, trust, and dependence. In the ancient world, children had low social status; they were dependent and without pretension.

Jesus is not saying that adults should be childish (immature) but childlike in their faith — trusting, humble, and without arrogance.

To “become like little children” means to abandon self-sufficiency and pride and to rely completely on God.

The transformation (“turn”) is a necessary condition for entering the kingdom — it is a call to conversion.

The reversal of values: the greatest in the kingdom is the one who is humble like a child.

Theological Themes:

Humility: Essential for discipleship and kingdom citizenship.

Kingdom access: Entry into the kingdom requires a change of heart and attitude.

Greatness in the kingdom: Defined by service and humility, not by power or status.

Application:

As followers of Jesus we must embrace humility and dependence on God.

Christian communities should value and practice humility, service, and care for and honour the weak.  

In the ancient world, children were considered weak and vulnerable. They are still vulnerable today.

Conclusion


Jesus uses a child as an object lesson to teach that humility and childlike trust are essential for entering and being great in the kingdom of heaven.

Today, this teaching still challenges worldly notions of control, power and status and calls for a transformation of the heart.

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The Apostles See Jesus No More

Posted on 19/11/2025 | Leave a comment

In the opening verses of the NT Book of Acts, Luke gives us the account of Jesus’ ascension. This is not the only account we have of the ascension in the Bible. In Luke 24:50-52 there is a brief account.

But this passage contains some valuable information which the casual reader may easily miss.

Let’s look at the passage.

6.  So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”  

6. they kept asking him. Their question shows they thought just as the Jews thought –in terms of a Davidic messiah and an earthly kingdom of Israel free of Roman rule. They were still focused on Israel and its future. It was not about the kingdom of Israel. It was about the Kingdom of Heaven. This would all soon change with the inauguration of the new covenant in Jesus’ blood.

7. He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know.

 The Father alone sets dates, times. Jesus had already told the disciples that the timing of His coming was unknown (Mat 24:36). Only the Father determines the times and seasons.

8. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

But: Grk, G235 alla, contrariwise, emphatic—the disciples will have to think differently—to radically change their mind.

My witnesses: Very soon they will see him no longer because he is going to the Father, where they cannot come (see John 14:28-29). Instead, they are to receive power with the coming of the Holy Spirit and be his witnesses everywhere.  This would be a huge refocus. 

9. After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 

  • taken up into a cloud. Jesus was hidden from their eyes by a cloud as he went into Heaven. Clouds denote God’s glory. These ‘clouds’ appear to shut heaven, or the sky, from human view. He was hidden from their eyes by cloud. Just as He was hidden from their eyes as He went into Heaven, so when he comes He will be hidden to human eyes by the clouds of glory (Mat 24:30).

10. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 

they strained to see him. The cloud made it very difficult to see him, then impossible to see him.

two white-robed men. One of the many references to angels in the NT suddenly appearing (cf Luke 24:4 at the empty tomb). 

11. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

Jesus has been taken. Note the past tense ‘has been taken’

taken from you. They will see him no longer.

Men of Galilee. Here is aninteresting detail: they were addressed as ‘men of Galilee’. It is they who were addressed and not us today. Context is critically important for correct interpretation.

Jesus will someday return. The two ‘men’ declared Jesus will ‘someday’ return from heaven. The disciples already knew he would soon return (Matthew 10:23, 16:27-28, 24:30), but the hour or the day was unknown (Mat 24:36). This was a confirmation for them.

In the same way. The disciples could not see him because he was hidden by the cloud of glory. In the same way when he returns he will come in clouds of glory again hidden from human eyes in his then ascended form.  

This story shows us today that the coming return of Jesus was to occur within the lifespan of those present, these “men of Galilee”. So it rationally follows that return has already occurred!

This passage and the Matthew 24:30-34 passage, teach us the same thing: Jesus returned within the lifespan of the disciples!  

The coming of Jesus that we read in both Acts 1:6-11 and in the gospels (Matthew 10:23, 16:27-28, 24:30-34) cannot possibly be a “coming” that will occur in our future, for indeed, it has already occurred in the generation of the disciples.

Go figure!

Please prove me wrong.

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Jesus Is Already Here

Posted on 29/10/2025 | 2 comments

Countless Christians have been falsely taught to believe that one day Christ will suddenly appear on the clouds to fix everything. They have been so brainwashed about it is very difficult for them to face the truth in the scriptures. The rapture doctrine is grossly false as I explain elsewhere–https://ianthomsonian.org/?s=rapture.

This is a massive, worldwide psyopt (psychological operation). Brainwashing. Cognitive dissonance.  

Jesus plainly taught his disciples that he would return within a generation. (Mat 10:23, 16:27-28, 24:30-34). Millions have ignored Jesus’ plain promise. He came invisible to human eyes, hidden in clouds of glory.

No one has ever seen him since he ascended on high and dwells in unapproachable light and glory.

He said this surprising thing to his disciples about the coming of the Holy Spirit “where you can see me no longer”. (John 16:7-10).

The New Testament teaches us that we are meant to be in the world but not of the world! We are to be in the world, to make disciples everywhere, to be salt and light! “You are the light of the world– A city on a hill cannot be hidden”. (Mat 5:14)

Jesus’ disciples heard him praying this to the Father . . . .

“I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. . . . . . Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.  . . . . . . . “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.   I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”

He also said very clearly that his words remain in us!

. . . if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!  When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. .” John 15:7-8.

He told them (and as a result us) that he has made his home with them (and us)

“All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.” (John 14:23)

Here on earth we are meant to bear much fruit . . . .

 “Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. (John 15.5)

Paul wrote about believers being active here on planet Earth and not longing to escape  . . . .

I thank my God through Jesus Christ because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world (Rom 1:8)

You are a temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in you (1 Cor 3:16)

. . . .  So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. (1 Cor 15:58)

. . .   for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Phil 1:5-6) 

For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better.  I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.  But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. (Phil 1:21-24)

As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece—throughout both Macedonia and Achaia. And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don’t need to tell them about it,  for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God.  And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. (1 Thes 1:8-10)

As David Sorensen puts it so well . . . . 

“Christ is not there, somewhere, far, far away. He is here, as close as can be—in the hearts and lives of all who welcome Him, who see Him, who accept His love for humanity. He has made His dwelling with all those who love Him. We are not waiting for Christ to “return. . . . . 

How can you be waiting for Him who is inside of you, who never leaves you, who walks where you walk, who speaks when you speak, who touches when you reach out, who is your all in all? . . . .   

Christ is our strongest Ally, our powerful Guide, our heroic Deliverer. He is always here with us, inside of us, and He wants to work through us—shine His light, bring His deliverance, release His voice, establish His reign of restoration.

So let’s cease waiting for Christ to “return,” but learn how Jesus is here with us—Emmanuel. Get busy in the work of the Good News! He is always with us, everywhere, all the time. 

We are Christ containers!

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Posted in Bible Study, Discipleship, Eschatology, Make disciples

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the Authority of Jesus

Posted on 18/05/2025 | Leave a comment

Some question the authority of Jesus. Yep, I know it’s strange.

Do they have a Bible? Here are just a few texts illustrating His authority:

Jesus told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in Heaven and on Earth’. Mat 28:18.

‘All things have been handed over to me by my Father’  Mat 11:27.

‘The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand’.  John 3:35.

‘Father, glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him’.  John 17:2.

His authority in His coming again

Long ago He came on the clouds of Heaven in judgment on wayward Israel. See Jesus’ words, Luke 21:22:

For those will be days of God’s vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled.

Read Jesus words in Matthew 24:30:

And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the land. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 

And His amazing authority that follows recorded in verses 24:32-34:

“Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door.  I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place.

He claimed his return was very near, right at the door, and not 2000 years in the future as many suppose. There would absolutely be no point telling his disciples His coming was far and away in the future!

The seat of Jesus’ authority

The actual seat of Christ’s throne both then and forever is the Jerusalem that is in Heaven, not on Earth, just as he told Pilate—John 18:36:

“My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”  

And see Hebrews 12:22-23.

. . .  you [believers] have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. 

See also Galatians 4:26:

   But the other woman, Sarah, represents the heavenly Jerusalem.

The seat of Christ’s throne then and forever is with the Father as Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 4:31-32:

Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses.’

And Peter on the Day of Pentecost, Acts 2:33:

Now he is exalted to the place of highest honour in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today

And Stephen as he boldly told his accusers, Acts 7:48-49:

. . . the Most High doesn’t live in temples made by human hands. As the prophet says,

 ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you build me a temple as good as that?’ asks the Lord. Could you build me such a resting place? Didn’t my hands make both heaven and earth?’

As Paul wrote to the Philippians 2:9-10:

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Erroneous teachings

Dispensational teachers say that Jesus’ return to the earth will mean He will establish His Kingdom on earth where He will reign from Jerusalem”. some even think He will sit a new temple! They try to support these assertions with texts like Isaiah 2:2-4, 11:6-9, Jeremiah 3:17; Luke 1:31-32,Revelation 5:10, 19:15, 20:4-6).

Nothing here about his return to earth, nor his rule from earthly Jerusalem. No. He rules from heaven where He has ascended on high with the Father. See Revelation 3: 12 re the overcomers: 

. . . . .  they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God.

See also Psalm 2:3, 9 and Acts 4:25-26.

. . . .   But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them. . . . . .  You will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.’”

Luke 1:31-32 “The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”  Israel? We believers are the Israel of God, Galatians 6:16.

Others draw attention to the obvious situation here on earth that wickedness prevails under satan and thus conclude that our Lord has limited authority.

Satan can be bound! Believers can resist him. Believers have a greater One within them. Jesus showed he could bind satan and plunder his goods (Matthew 12:29, Mark 3:27 and Luke 11:21-22).

Jesus gave his disciples power and authority over evil spirits. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons.(Matthew 10:8).

The Lord has created all people with the power of choice. He will not act against our free will. He invites us to choose between life and death, light and darkness, truth and lies.

Conclusion

Let us take heart. Our mighty King of Kings rules from heaven where He has ascended on high with the Father. And his people reign with Him here. We don’t look forward to the absurd notion that Jesus will come and reign in a stone temple in earthly Jerusalem for 1000 years.

We look forward to eternal life with Him. What an exhilarating future awaits us!

Rejoice!

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Receiving Jesus

Posted on 25/04/2025 | Leave a comment

In the first chapter of the Gospel of John we read about the coming of Jesus into the world  . . .

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:9-13.

Despite his amazing miracles, outstanding teaching and divine claims, Jesus was rejected by ‘his own’, the unbelieving Jews. All four gospels in the New Testament tell the constant story of his rejection.

At first, vast crowds from all over Judea and Galilee followed him, attracted by his words and deeds. But the religious leaders hated Jesus because He was so full of the love of God, while they were full of love for themselves and their religious system. His own did not receive him—they will be left behind and replaced by the real people of God in the last days.

But not every Jew rejected him. Some received him.

To all those who did receive him, i.e., those who actually believed in him, there was a sensational result—they had the authority to be children of God. Jesus was fulfilling what the prophets had predicted . . . .  

Isaiah 62:4.  Never again will you be called “The Forsaken City” or “The Desolate Land.” Your new name will be “The City of God’s Delight” and “The Bride of God,” for the Lord delights in you and will claim you as his bride.

Zephaniah 3:16-17. On that day, the announcement to Jerusalem will be, “Cheer up, Zion! Don’t be afraid! For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty saviour. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

Now let’s consider the ramifications of people receiving the authority to become “children of God”. This means to bring in a completely new people of God!

Those who received Jesus had the authority to be called people of God. But those who refused to receive Jesus do not have the right to call themselves the people of God. Here is the beginning of a new people of God altogether! The whole Gospel story is all about how Jesus’ followers have replaced those who were thought to be the people of God.

This was fulfilled by Isaiah and many Old Testament prophets, including Jeremiah 31 and Hosea   . . . .   

After Gomer had weaned Lo-ruhamah, she again became pregnant and gave birth to a second son. And the Lord said, “Name him Lo-ammi—‘Not my people’—for Israel is not my people, and I am not their God. “Yet the time will come when Israel’s people will be like the sands of the seashore—too many to count! Then, at the place where they were told, ‘You are not my people,’ it will be said, ‘You are children of the living God.’ Then the people of Judah and Israel will unite together. They will choose one leader for themselves, and they will return from exile together. Hosea 1:8-11.

Then Peter, quoting Hosea and writing to congregations of Jews and Gentiles, declares . . .  

. . . .  for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.  “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy, now you have received God’s mercy. 1 Peter:2:9-10.

Now let’s see what the gospels record about receiving Jesus. Gospel of Matthew 10:40-42 . . . . . .

“Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me. If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”

Here is the Jewish principle of the shaliach—his agent is like himself – שליח shaliach is the Hebrew word for “apostle”.  It literally means “sent one”.  Strongs 7971. Pronounced shuh lee akh.  Plural “shlichim“.

This usage also appears in John 13:20.

I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me.”

And in Luke 10:16.

Then he said to the disciples, “Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me.”

New Testament theologian R T France wrote: “the reception afforded Jesus’ disciples becomes the test of one’s relationship to God, as is spelt out more thoroughly in Jesus’ parable Matthew 25:31-46.”

It was a privilege for those who carry the word of God. Such acts of hospitality from the lost sheep of Israel made the preaching of the gospel possible.

This fits in perfectly with Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:37. It would have been solid comfort for the disciples under persecution. Thus comparing Matthew 10:42:

if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”

With Matthew 25:37-39:

“. . . . .  “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

Note who really are the ‘least of these my brothers and sisters’ –not the disadvantaged or poor—but those who follow Jesus—see Matthew 12:27.  

For us today, it is indeed a privilege to carry the word of God to others. To all of us who received him, we who actually believe in him, there is a sensational result—we have the authority to act as the children of God, his brothers and sisters.

We have the wonderful authority as his children to be his messengers and those who welcome us with the gospel will be welcoming Jesus and the Father who sent him.

Let us take that authority every day!

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He is Risen!

Posted on 20/04/2025 | Leave a comment
By George Christensen
Not just a line from Scripture. Not just a tradition we repeat once a year. But the most earth-shattering, darkness-defeating, soul-freeing truth the world has ever known.

Christ is risen—and that changes everything.
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For those of us who look around and feel the weight of the world right now… for those burdened by a culture gone mad, by a political class drunk on power, by the relentless attack on life, family, and faith…

Easter isn’t just a celebration. It’s a lifeline.Because in the Resurrection, we don’t just see a miracle—we see the final word on everything evil tried to destroy.Death has been conquered. Lies have been exposed. Fear has been disarmed.

And if Christ can walk out of the tomb, then there’s nothing—not censorship, not persecution, not corruption—that can hold back the people of God when they walk in truth.

But Easter is not a call to comfort. It’s a call to courage.

The empty tomb is a rallying cry. A summons to every believer to stand up—unafraid, unashamed, and unbending.

At CitizenGO, we believe this world needs a bold Christian voice now more than ever. And that starts with each of us: living the truth, speaking the truth, and defending the truth.

Not tomorrow. Today. Because Christ is not just risen in history—He is risen in you.

So rejoice! But do not rest.Celebrate!

But do not forget.The same power that raised Christ from the grave is alive in you.

That’s not just theology—it’s your mission.

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful, powerful, and purpose-filled Easter.In Christ our King,

George Christensen and the team at CitizenGO

Re-posted from the Thomsons,

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Let’s look at the ‘Rapture’ Passage

Posted on 15/03/2025 | 3 comments

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

The Lord descends from heaven

Paul expected the Lord to descend but he was silent as to just where. Not the earth, and certainly not to Jerusalem.

Who are the ‘still alive and remain’?

The word ‘and’ is not in the original text. That could mean the ones who are still alive will remain in the world and not taken away supernaturally (see John 17:15). Or the term “remain” could also indicate those who continue to hold on to their faith despite trials and tribulations.

What does ‘caught up’ mean? 

The phrase “caught up” (Greek harpazō) and derivatives occurs 14 times in the New Testament. It can mean to seize (John 6:15), catch, pluck (John 10:28), pull, forcibly take (Mat 12:29, Acts 23:10). It does not have to mean “up”. The YLT translates the Greek harpagesomethain 1 Thes 4:17 as “caught away.” Does it convey the sense of any abduction here? No, “it combines the ideas of force and suddenness seen in the irresistible power of God” (Leon Morris, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Rev Edition, 1984, p. 94).

Paul wrote to the Corinthians of his experience of being “caught up (or away) to Paradise” (2 Cor 12:2-4). He told them about a supernatural experience he had fourteen years prior –that’s around AD 41-42. He describes being caught up to the third heaven, the dwelling place of God and angels, hearing things that cannot be revealed. He was caught into the spiritual realm. But he remained on the ground.

Meaning of ‘in clouds’

Not the clouds we see daily in the sky, but clouds of God’s glory in the spiritual realm—see Daniel 7:13, Matthew 17:5-8, 24:30, 26:63-64, Acts 1:9, Rev 1:7, 11:12, etc.  The text in v17 mentions clouds and air for the meeting site, not Earth. Note also that heaven is not mentioned—simply “in the clouds.” The destination of this “forceful catch” must be supplied by the larger biblical and theological contexts.

Meaning of ‘to meet the Lord’

The word Paul used for meet is very significant. The Greek apantēsis occurs only four times in the NT. The other places are Matthew 25:1 and 6 and Acts 28:15.

Matthew 25:1, 6. . . . . .  ‘Look the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him

When Christ returns they will not rise up into heaven from where he came, but will be escorted to earth where he will set up his eternal spiritual kingdom.

Acts 28:15a. [They] had heard we were coming and they came to meet us at the Forum . . . .

They did not go back to where Paul had come from, then disappear for years.

The Greek word used for ‘meet’ is most often synantó. However apantēsis is used by Paul. In the papyri it describes a newly arriving magistrate. “It seems that the special idea of the word was the official welcome of a newly arrived dignitary” (Moulton, Greek Test. Gram. Vol. I, p. 14). The citizens of the city would go out to meet the dignitary and joyfully bring him back with them to the city, not back to where he came from.

The dignitary in Mat 25 is the bridegroom (Jesus) and in Acts 28 it is Paul. But in 1 Thes 4:17 it is the Lord. This ‘meeting’ is not up in heaven but movement across the land on earth and not upwards is indicated!

In the gospels we read about many followers of Jesus went outside the city of Jerusalem with palm branches to greet Jesus as he entered the city. This was the ancient custom in welcoming someone important by going out and then escorting them back into the city.

What is meant by ‘air’                                                                                       

The Greek word aer is not the air we breathe but the spiritual realm. See also Ephesians 2:2 in which satan is described as the ‘prince of the power of the air’. In that spiritual realm both those raised, together with those remaining at his coming will be with the Lord forever.

The word aer is infrequent in the NT. Paul could have used the Greek οranos which has a different meaning than aer.  The word aer refers to the lower, dense air as distinguished from the higher and rarer air, the “heavens” as οranos can also be translated heavens, heavenly, and heaven (218 times).  Paul chose to use the word that refers as a rule to the lower atmospheric region—where people live and breathe!

It’s time to think logically, rationally

If all the apostles believed in a literal ‘rapture’ event, it would be mentioned in all of their letters. But out of all the over 100 references in the NT which mention Jesus’ imminent return, only this letter, mentions anything like a so-called ‘rapture’. Surely that is enough evidence to show that this teaching is spurious.

If I tried to make a teaching that was based on just one passage in the New Testament I would be mocked, ridiculed and ignored.

Since 1 Thessalonians 4:17 is the only clear and direct reference rapture teachers can use, why do people accept it? Peer pressure? If 90% of Christians believe it, then it must be OK? Whole denominations, churches, bible colleges, pastors, authors, movies seemingly deploy any manner of manipulative, dramatic emotionalising in order to promote this notion. There’s a price to pay if one dares to go against the mob. You can be called crazy, a heretic, or be excluded from fellowship, or lose friends. I speak from experience.

Are you expecting Jesus to return? That is logically impossible if you trust Paul’s letters are the Word of God. If his coming was near, soon, for Paul’s readers, how can it near for us?

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You Ignore My Son

Posted on 03/03/2025 | 1 comment

“You have ignored my Word, my plan, my purpose. Above all you have ignored my Son. My Son, who has given His life for you, my Anointed One, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

You have not listened but have continued with your traditions and useless religious programmes.

You have ignored what He taught, what He demonstrated as your example, to follow Him and His lowliness.

You have ignored His way, neglected His power always available from the Holy Spirit.

What did my Son start on the earth? What did he command his followers?

Make disciples!

Instead you have trusted in what the world has to offer. How can you treat Him like this? You should be ashamed of your apathy, of your lifeless sermons, keeping your seated membership in ignorance and in straightjackets, bound up in practices I never intended.

Who told you to build ‘churches’?—that word is an abomination to me.

You give yourselves a name, an identity, a constitution, an incorporation. You build buildings and spend money on things that are perishing. You rely on money and serve it as your master when I have called this Mammon and warned you that you cannot serve me and mammon at the same time.

Like the world, you use their marketing strategies, and thus compete with rival pathetic pseudo-religious corporations. You appoint CEOs and call them ‘senior pastors’. Where is this in the teaching of my Son or in the doctrines of the apostles?

Like the world, I see jealousy, ambition, merchandise, control, titles, vainglory.

You try hard to follow me in YOUR way but not in MY way. So you end up doing it YOUR way.

You strive when my yoke is easy, my burden light. You are labouring for wages and not out of love for me.  

You ignore Truth and prefer to believe lies like expecting some future rapture experience after my Son actually returned 2000 years as He promised!

And the lie that you believe about this nation you call Israel when you are the chosen race, the holy nation, My own people.

Yet I still love you even as you ignore me, as my love for you is forever and inexhaustible.”

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Posted in Assembling, church, Discipleship, Eschatology, Go Forth, Israel, Make disciples

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Gleanings from The Letter to the Hebrews: The Final Days—Part 1

Posted on 28/11/2024 | Leave a comment

Recapping: the author was a Hebrew Jesus follower, a leader or apostle in the new Jesus movement created about AD 33. These Jesus’ followers were new Christians though still identified as Jewish. They were the true people of God as all “who remain confident in their hope in Christ”. It was written to suffering Jewish Hebrews, opposed, persecuted by those apostate Jews, Israelites, who refused to accept Jesus (see Hebrews 10:32-36 ). 

Remember, the letters in the New Testament  were not written to us today but they can be very important for us.  This letter is full of warnings and for today’s Christian this is just as relevant.  For “Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8).

Looking at Hebrews 1:2-4.

And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. 3. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.

This letter was written in “these final days”, sometime around AD 62-66, when the recipients were new believers in Christ though still identifying as Jewish. They referred to this time in which they were living as the ‘final days’. For them this was the final days of national Israel—‘the end’ of the whole Mosaic period of law, temple worship and sacrifice because he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honour at the right hand of God.

The ‘final days’ was a period of transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. John called it ‘the last hour’ (1 John 2:18). Another term for this period was ‘the end’ or ‘the end of the age.’ (see Matthew 24:3).

Then our author goes on to talk about the importance of these final days Hebrews 2:2-4: 

So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished.  So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.

These readers were expecting Jesus’ soon, second-coming—the Kingdom of God. They saw God at work in their midst doing ‘signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit’. It was a critical time, a most significant time, so the readers must pay close attention to the truth and not listen to the lies of the apostate Jews, and not ‘drift away’ from the truth of the Gospel.

Hebrews 2:16-18.

 We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Notice ‘to help the descendants of Abraham.’ It does not say he came to help ‘the Jews.’ For the believing readers were all descendants of Abraham (see Galatians 4) just as we believers are today. How privileged we are that he should call us his brothers and sisters and he is able to help us when we are being tested. We are the true Israel, the chosen, the people of God.

Hebrews 3:6

But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.

They are the people of God, not the apostate Israelites, as they maintain courage and remain confident in the Lord Jesus, and not in dead works. And as we also today! Courage is required and trust in the great hope of Jesus. Again let us remember this fact that today many are idolatoriosly focussing on fake Israel instead of Jesus. People living in today’s Palestine are not necessarily the chosen people of God.

Hebrews 3:18-19; 4:2-3

And to whom was God speaking when he took an oath that they would never enter his rest? Wasn’t it the people who disobeyed him? So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest.. . . . . .  God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God. For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said, “In my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest,’”

It is always the glorious good news that brings rest and peace. So important is this that God takes an oath—no one will enter his rest with unbelief. Unbelief is disobedience. Do we tremble with fear that some of our friends and family might fail to experience it? Mere announcement of the gospel will not benefit them. They must experience the reality or they will not enter in.

Hebrews 4:10-13

So let us be diligent to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall. . . . .. .For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

They are told to do due diligence about entering their rest. That’s so critical. They are reminded of the word of God—it is alive, not dead. It is powerful and finely discerning. By His Word the worlds were created. There can be no hiding from God for them nor for us today. So Hebrews 3:7-8:

“Today when you hear his voice,
don’t harden your hearts.”

            

To be continued next time.

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They eagerly awaited! 

Posted on 26/11/2024 | Leave a comment

The first Christians were awaiting the imminent return of the Saviour with great eagerness and joy. We know this from many texts in the writings of Paul in the New Testament, that they expected this momentous event ‘soon’ and possibly in their lifetime.

Recently while having coffee with a young friend, she said she was eagerly waiting for Jesus’ return. She gushed “I can hardly wait for the Rapture to come!” So young with much of her life still ahead of her! A life she could be spending serving her King here. Instead she wanted ‘out of here’.

Are you like her, awaiting the ‘soon’ return of Jesus?

Let’s examine some of Paul’s words written about 51 AD to the Thessalonians (1:9 -10):

 . . . . you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is, Jesus who rescues us from the wrath to come.

Paul, writing to believing Christians living in the Roman city of Thessalonica, expected with them, an imminent, soon return of the Lord. That is a fact.

Please read that passage again. Paul believed they (and Paul himself) were waiting for Jesus to come from heaven. Let the implications of that sink in.

Yair I know. That’s a challenge.

As we read this letter today, bear in mind we are reading mail written to believers living 2000 years ago. We must resist the temptation to think we are being addressed by Paul or by the Holy Spirit. Many people think it applies to us today. That is absurd.

This praise of the Thessalonians from Paul and Silvanus doesn’t make sense unless Jesus actually returned in their generation a long time ago. If he did not, nothing in that letter was of any benefit!

Paul knew and believed that Jesus was coming back before his generation had passed away. Of course, following Jesus’ words, Paul did not know “either the day nor the hour” of his return. But he and all the apostles knew it would occur while many would still be alive. Jesus had said it. (Mat 24:30-34)

Were they mistaken? Or more seriously, was Jesus mistaken?

If they were mistaken then their faith was in vain. For all Paul had taught these Thessalonians would have been a waste of time! That would mean the END of the Christian faith. Despair. Hopelessness. Eternal life gone. Resurrection gone. All gone. No one would be following Jesus today!

Please think logically about this.

Let me ask you who still await Jesus’ coming a very important question.

Do you really, seriously, logically imagine that those same real believers who eagerly read Paul’s words, were then terribly disappointed because if they continued to notice others of their community, one by one, passing away while Jesus still had not come, as Paul taught!

If Jesus still had not come then–which is what many modern believers seem to hold—and when the last one of those original Thessalonian believers would have passed away, can you imagine the consternation, the feelings of utter despair and loss of trust in God that would have followed?

Today, some 2000+ years have passed since those original Thessalonian believers were alive. So if you hold the view that Jesus is yet to appear a second time, it logically follows that the faith of Paul’s readers must have been totally in vain. Destroyed.

Then, no one would have ever heard the gospel! The Christian message would be dead in the water from that point.

Come on. Think about it for a minute: If Jesus’ coming was near for these believers, it cannot be near for us, can it? And if Jesus’ coming is still coming near for us today, you must conclude Paul was in gross error.

Do you see the problem? Your problem?

Ask yourself this question: if those Thessalonians were wrong by expecting Jesus to come within their lifetime, why didn’t Paul correct them? Why didn’t he write ‘no, you’ve got it wrong, Jesus won’t be coming for a long, long, time!’

But Paul did not correct them. Instead he continued to encourage them as he wrote this letter to encourage them and then followed it with another letter, which we call Second Thessalonians, with further encouragements about Jesus’ imminent return in judgment on His enemies, unbelieving Israel!

Can you see how illogical it is to expect Jesus to return a second time today if ithat event was promised for the Thessalonians? There wont be a third coming either.

If you trust Paul’s letters were and are the true Word of God, your belief is logically impossible.

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