Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

  The link below will take you to the YouTube channel of Heritage Baptist Church, where my family attends. This livestream is the last of a series exploring how the Holy Spirit ministers to us through Bible study. This lesson focuses on cross references to demonstrate the interconnectedness of all scripture, bot Old and New Testaments. I hope it will be a rich blessing to all who are able to view it. I pray that the Lord will bless His Word as it goes forth in this format. Bob

Remember the return of Christ has two distinct parts. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4  Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,  2)  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.  3)  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;  4)  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. The Spirit of God guided the apostle Paul to provide more clarity for the coming of Jesus Christ.  He is making clear that Christians understand the rapture of the church and the resurrection of life will take place first. Then, a seven year tribulation period will break out on eart...

Paul previously explained the rapture of the church that also coincides with the resurrection of life (See 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). He made it clear that the return of Christ "in the air" to resurrect the dead in Christ and to transform those who are living, is a separate and distinct event from the return of Christ in flaming fire to judge the wicked. The return of Christ to mete out fiery judgment upon a Christ rejecting world will not occur until after the marriage supper of the Lamb when Christ receives His bride, the church, in heaven. Marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven happens after the Church is caught up.  Revelation 19:6-9  And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.  7)  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.  8)  An...

More instruction about the return of Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2  Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,  2)  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. In this chapter of his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul is correcting a wrong view of Christ's second coming. Paul encouraged the Thessalonians because they believed Christ would come, and they desired His return. They rejoiced in the hope of His coming. However, they needed to be careful to avoid  erroneous teaching about Christ's second coming. This is why Paul was now cautioning them. Whatever uncertainty or mistakes may arise about the time of His coming, the return of Christ is as certain as the eternality of the scriptures.   Christ's return has been the faith and hope of all Christians in all ages of the church....

Suffering and tribulation for Christ's sake. 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 4) So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Paul finished his apostolic greeting to the Thessalonians by commending them for faith that was growing. They had vibrant faith that maintained love for one another and had patience during trials and troubles. He gloried in the mighty work of the Holy Spirit with the Word of God in their hearts, and how many lives were being changed in the process. The Spirit of God guided Paul to turn his thoughts to the future, final judgment from God upon all unbelievers. We rest in God's promises knowing He will judge the wicked.  2 Thessalonians 1:5-6 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment ...

We begin our study of Paul's second letter to the church at Thessalonica.   In this letter, Paul addresses confusion and false teaching regarding the second coming of Christ, which caused a great disturbance in this church. Paul deeply loved the believers in this church because of their faithful witness for Christ and their readiness to obey the apostolic teaching. Focusing on our Father in heaven must be a priority.  2 Thessalonians 1:1-2  Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:  2)  Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.   Paul reminds us that all Christians belong to God and that He is our heavenly Father.  He is our Father who resides in heaven. We are to hallow His holy name in our thoughts, our words and our actions. We are to pray for His kingdom to be established on earth and for Jesus to return and rule as King of kings.  W...