Jesus Is Coming Again Pt. 24 May The Word Of God Have Free Course As We Wait For His Return!
We have been blessed by studying about the second coming of Jesus Christ. We are looking at each reference to His return, in the order that they are found in scripture.
We recently learned much about the coming of Christ in the air, the resurrection of the dead in Christ, and the rapture of all Christians alive at that moment.
What an amazing and astounding day that will be!
However, in 2 Thessalonians, Paul spent much time combatting false teaching about the order of Christ's second coming.
Some men wrongly interpreted the teaching about the coming of Christ and it's two distinct events. They taught that the rapture and resurrection of saints was past.
They asserted that since the rapture and resurrection were past, this meant that believers who "missed" it, were headed for judgment day and the resurrection of damnation.
Naturally, this caused a great deal of anxiety, and confusion, which Paul clearly addressed.
In this post, he wraps up his letter by offering some encouragement to all Christians who await the return of Jesus Christ.
Pray that the Word of God have free course.
2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
The apostle Paul shared much needed truth with the Christians at Thessalonica. He had a deep love for this church, due to their steadfast commitment to Christ, even when they faced much adversity.
Paul asked the Christians at Thessalonica to pray for him and those who shared in gospel ministry.
The word translated "pray" is a simple verb, meaning to offer prayers and supplications to God for others.
Paul frequently remembered the Thessalonians in his prayers (See 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4). Now, he asked them to do the same spiritual sacrifice by praying for him.
Prayer seems like a simple thing, but prayer is part of the whole armor of God (See Ephesians 6:18).
God has done many mighty works through the ages when fervent, effectual prayers have been poured out to the Father by His children.
I hope that each of us will pray with renewed energy and fervency, as we lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ, carrying their needs and problems to God's mighty throne of grace (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Paul had two urgent requests pressing on his heart, when he asked the Thessalonians to pray for him.
Their faithful gospel ministry and labor of love in serving Christ, warmed his heart. They encouraged the apostle and he was equally energized to pray for them at all times.
This reminds us that it is our duty and blessing to pray for our own pastors, as well as for all faithful men who preach the gospel of Christ with clarity and a heart of love.
Free course means that the Word of God goes forth unhindered.
2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
Paul's first prayer request is for the Word of God to have "free course." This is the idea that as the Word of God is preached, it will run fast, like an Olympian runner coming down the final stretch of a race.
It is a prayer for the scriptures to be carefully preached, and that it might spread swiftly, and broadly, inundating the nations with Divine truth.
Paul wanted all believers to pray for the Word of God to have free course and that God would be glorified in the process.
How is the Word of God glorified? By souls who are converted to Jesus Christ.
By prodigal children who repent and return to the faith.
By godly worship that uses Scripturally informed hymns while offering worship and praise to God.
By new born Christians who learn to walk in newness of life, and by Christians reading their Bible.
Free course means that the Word of God goes forth like a runner.
Psalm 19:1-5 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2) Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3) There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4) Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5) Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
There are six references to the word of God in the opening verses of King David's Psalm about the Scriptures.
The Word of God declares the glory of God throughout heaven and earth, whenever it is preached, read, studied, and meditated upon.
God is a God of words. He communicates to mankind through His Word.
Every single day, whenever God's Word is preached, shared, discussed, or read by individuals or in a group setting, speech goes out disseminating knowledge of the One,True God of heaven.
God's Word goes out into all the world, and is known in almost every language.
Careful translators have diligently translated God's Word for hundreds of years. Software can make translating scripture from one language to another as easy as clicking a button.
The complete Bible has been translated into more than 700 languages, and the New Testament into more than 1,500 languages.
A blog platform like the one I use to publish this Bible study, offers immediate translation into more than 200 languages with one simple click.
Thus, there is no speech or language where the voice of God is not heard. There are 31,102 verses in the Bible, containing line upon line of inspired scripture.
These lines and words go out through all the earth and to the end of the world. David describes the "free course" of God's Word as being like a bridegroom who rises in the morning, to go out and provide for his wife. He is like a strong man who is ready to run a fast race.
Psalm 147:15 He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.
Here the Psalmist uses similar language as King David. Jehovah sends forth His commandment upon the earth. He has much work to do in men's hearts, and He is going to do it by using His Word.
The Word runs very swiftly after Jehovah sends it forth. His Word will not return void, but it will accomplish all that Jehovah sent it out to do and prosper the purposes of God (See Isaiah 55:11).
Free course means God's Word leads many people to salvation.
Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
As the gospel was preached and missionaries sent out by the churches, the word of God increased exponentially. Many people were converted to Christ when the Word was preached, including a large number of the priests at Jerusalem.
Acts 12:24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.
Time passes in early church history, and we read again that the Word of God both grew and multiplied (See also Acts 19:20).
"Growing" is the idea of an infant who grows into adulthood, or new babes in Christ who grow into spiritually mature believers.
"Multiplication" is the idea of one disciple of Christ making another disciple of Christ, who introduces yet another person to Christ.
Free course means God's Word saves the lost and they spread His Word.
Acts 13:48-49 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. 49) And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
The idea of the Word of God having free course is clearly illustrated by this text. Gentiles used to live in spiritual darkness, but were liberated by the gospel of Christ. Now, they were blessed with spiritual life and began to walk in newness of life.
As all Christians should do, they began to tell other people about Jesus Christ, hoping to lead others to saving faith.
Free course means God's Word will prevail over opposition.
1 Corinthians 16:8-9 But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. 9) For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
Paul and the other apostles often received direct guidance from the Holy Spirit as to the direction they should travel on missionary trips.
Paul reminded Timothy that he was going to stay at Ephesus longer, because a great door of preaching the gospel was opened to him. He also wanted Timothy to know that he was facing strong opposition to gospel preaching.
Yet, God is sovereign, and in Acts 19:20, we see that He blessed His Word when it was preached.
It had free course at Ephesus, so much so, that the men who made little silver idols, rioted, because people quit buying lifeless idols.
The former idolaters became acquainted with One, True Living God of heaven! They no longer needed little silver statues, for idols are lifeless and worthless.
2 Timothy 2:8-9 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:9) Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
Paul loved Timothy and he actually led the young man to faith in Jesus Christ. Paul knew that his own execution was drawing near. Therefore, he poured his heart into Timothy, to prepare him for assuming the work of the ministry in Paul's absence.
He reminded Timothy that even though the apostle was incarcerated, the Word of God was not bound up with chains and shackles. God's Word will have free course because the Father puts His power behind it.
Free course of God's Word leads to patient waiting for Christ's return.
Comments
Post a Comment