Archives for August 2016

Good morning,

The Book of 2 Thessalonians addresses the Persecution, The Day of the Lord, and idleness in view of the Second Coming. Today we will look at Chapter 1, verses 6-10 in which Paul gives us the Purpose of the Coming Tribulation, The Rest of the Coming Tribulation, the Judgment of the Coming Tribulation, the Objects of the Coming Tribulation, the Outcome of the Coming Tribulation, and the Conclusion of the Coming Tribulation.

God’s judgment on the persecutors – Vengeance in Fire (6-10)

1. The purpose of the coming Tribulation – God will punish those who have persecuted believers (6)

⁶ Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

2. The Rest of the coming Tribulation (7)

⁷ And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

3. The judgment of the coming Tribulation – “In flaming fire taking vengeance”, pouring out the Wrath of God on those who persecute the Saints. (8a)

⁸ In flaming fire taking vengeance

4. The objects of the coming Tribulation – those who reject God and the Gospel (8b)

on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

5. The outcome of the coming Tribulation (9)

⁹ Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

6. The conclusion of the coming Tribulation – When Christ returns and judges the world, the Saints of all ages will glorify Him. (10)

¹⁰ When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Simply put, persecution of God’s Saints is a death sentence.

Believers in Christ are already the victors. We may be persecuted, afflicted, shunned, have heartache in this world, but our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ gives us eternal life and a permanent home in Heaven.

We have already won!!!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Today we will be thinking about the suitability of Jesus. What is suitability? Are some things more suitable than others? Why is Jesus most suitable? Read on.

The most suitable good!

(Thomas Doolittle, “Love to Christ Necessary to Escape the Curse at His Coming!” 1693)

A thing is desirable, because it is suitable. The suitableness of the object allures our desires and love.

Suitableness is the ground of love. A thing might be good in itself, yet, if we apprehend no suitableness in it to us–then the love of our hearts is not upon it. Therefore, in pain and sickness, a man judges ease and health to be better for him than gold and silver–because they are more suitable. A man in hunger and thirst esteems bread and water to be better than honors and pleasures–because they are more suitable.

Love to Christ is grounded on the soul discerning the suitableness of Christ unto him. He says,
“Food is not more suitable to a hungry man,
nor medicine to a sick man,
nor clothing to a naked man–
than Christ is to me, a poor, sinful, and lost man–an undone, perishing, and damned man! For . . .
I am naked–and He will give clothe me with His perfect righteousness,
I am blind–and He will restore my spiritual sight,
I am enslaved to sin and Satan–and He will give me liberty,
I am lost–and He will save me,
I am guilty–and He will pardon me,
I am polluted–and He will cleanse me,
I am an enemy to God–and He will reconcile me,
I am ignorant–and He will teach me,
I am indebted–and He will be my Surety,
I am poor–and He will make me wealthy to all eternity,
I am a stranger to God–and He bring me into acquaintance with Him,
I am unfit for Heaven–and He will make me fit to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light.

Love to Christ includes a discovery of Christ unto the soul, as the most suitable good.

In poverty, Christ will be my riches.
In disgrace, Christ will be my honor.
In bonds and imprisonment, Christ will be my liberty.
In pain, Christ will be my comfort.
In death, Christ will be my life.
In the loss of all things, Christ will be better to me than the enjoyment of all these things!

Though I have riches–yet I might be damned.
But if I have Christ–then I shall be saved!

Though men admire me–yet God might loathe me.
But if I have Christ–then the Lord will love me!

Though I prosper in the world, in all my pomp–I might be walking in the way to everlasting misery!
But if I have Christ–He will lead me in the paths unto eternal glory!

Look, O my soul, look around about you, and you shall find none so suitable to you, as the lovely Savior. Then He alone shall have my best love. Is there none for me like Him? Then I will fix my love on Him!

~  ~  ~  ~

So is Jesus most suitable for us? He should be. We are absolutely nothing without Jesus. Think for a moment about what your life would be like without Jesus. Then thank Him for all He has done for you.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001