How Can You Stand Firm Until Jesus Returns?
In contrast to those who perish because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved, 2 Thessalonians 2:13–15 says, “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning [or as the first fruits] for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this [viz., salvation through sanctification] He called you through our Gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.”
How Can You Stand Firm Until Jesus Returns?
First, examine everything carefully in light of Scripture: “So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.” Notice 2 Thessalonians 3:17, “I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this [i.e., the final greeting in his own handwriting] is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way i write.”
Why does Paul emphasize this “distinguishing mark” in his personal letters to the Church at Thessalonica?
You will recall 2 Thessalonians 2:1–2, “Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Gathering Together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit [i.e., a prophetic utterance] or a message [don’t miss it] or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.”
The Amplified Bible amplifies what Paul means in 2 Thessalonians 3:17 (AMP), “I, Paul, write you this final greeting with my own hand. This is the mark and sign [that it is not a forgery or ‘pseudepigrapha’] in every letter of mine. It is the way I write [my handwriting and signature].”
What does your individual signature do? It identifies and authorizes you because everyone’s “signature” is unique.
Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines the term, “pseudepigrapha [as] a collection of Jewish books containing various forms of literature, using names of famous people in Israel’s history for the titles of the books. The real authors are unknown. Such names as Ezra, Baruch, Enoch, Solomon, Moses, and Adam are used to add authority to the writing.”
You’ll recall from 1 Thessalonians 5:19–22, “Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast [same idea in 2 Thess 2:15, ‘hold {fast} to the traditions which you were taught’] to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.”
How do we “examine everything carefully?”
By comparing everything with Scripture. “Scripture” is God’s “signature.” If God “signs off” on it you can stand on it. But if He doesn’t “authorize it” you need to reject
it.
Don’t forget about the Berean Believers in Acts 17:10–11, “The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away [i.e., from Thessalonica] by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these [viz., the Berean believers] were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica [why?], for they received the Word with great eagerness, examining [it how? In light of] the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”
2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture [and only Scripture] is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.”
Compare everything with Scripture. If it lines up with God’s Word, accept it. If it contradicts God’s Word, reject it.
For more information visit: jenkinsmemorialbaptistchurch.
com.
Also, if you do not attend church, we invite you to join us for Bible Study each Sunday morning at 9:30am and worship at 10:45am.
Jessie J. Charpentier Sr. is pastor of Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church in St. Martinville.
