Peter Misselbrook's Blog
Mar 27 2020 - 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 – Sharing the glory of Christ

I wonder whether the apostle Peter had a particular passage in mind when he admitted that some of the things Paul wrote were "hard to understand" (2 Peter 3:16). Peter was writing about the return of Christ and I wonder whether he had in mind the passage we know as 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. Here is a passage that has baffled many and given plenty for commentators to argue about: Who is "the man of lawlessness" (2 Thessalonians 2:3)? Who or what is the one "holding him back" (2:6)? I'm not even going to venture suggestions here. I'm content to confess that, at least for me, this is among the "things that are hard to understand."

But there are many things that are quite clear from these verses. Some had started rumours that had reached the ears of the Christians in Thessalonica that Christ had already returned. They even seem to think that this assertion originated in some way from Paul. Don’t you believe it, says Paul, when Jesus comes again you won't be able to miss it. It will be, quite literally, an earth-shaking event. It will be evident to all.

In that day, Jesus will appear in great glory. He will come to destroy all the powers that have opposed the purposes of God and have spoilt his creation. He will “overthrow [them] with the breath of his mouth and destroy [them] by the splendour of his coming” (2:8). He will overthrow them not in some terrible and fierce battle, but simply by his presence and the power of his word. This is the power that is already at work in the world in and through those who have acknowledged Jesus Christ as Lord. Christ is at work now through us – through the power of his word and Spirit – to overthrow the powers of darkness and bring the whole world to submit to Christ and embrace him as Saviour and Lord. We have been chosen by God as the firstfruits of his harvest (2:13), the evidence and promise of a greater and more glorious harvest to come.

And when Christ comes in his glory, we who have believed in him and known the sanctifying work of his Spirit (2:13) will "share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2:14). What a wonderful day that will be! Let's live in the light of that day, focusing on the things that have been clearly revealed and getting on with the work that Jesus has entrusted to us rather than speculating over the things that confuse.

I cannot tell how he will win the nations
How he will claim his earthly heritage
How satisfy the needs and aspirations
Of east and west, of sinner and of sage

But this I know, all flesh shall see his glory
And he will reap the harvest he has sown
And some glad day his sun shall shine in splendour
When he the Saviour, Saviour of the world is known

"So then” says Paul,  “... stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you… May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word" (2:15,16-17).

Living God, we praise you for your saving purposes towards a lost world revealed in the Lord Jesus Christ. We thank you that, through your word and by your Spirit, you have revealed your purposes to us and have made us part of your saving plan. Help us to be faithful to your calling upon our lives; to stand firm in the truths of the gospel and to bear witness to Christ, encouraged by the hope that is ours in him – a hope that is not ours alone, but which would embrace the whole world.

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Mar 27 2019 - Joshua 1:1-18 – Be strong and courageous

For forty years Moses had led the Israelites. He had confronted Pharaoh at risk to his life. He had led the people through the Red Sea and ascended smoking Sinai to receive from the Lord the law that would shape this people. He had suffered their continual complaints and rebellion. He had interceded for them with God. Through his suffering perseverance, they had been brought within sight of the Promised Land. But Moses is now dead. Joshua, his aide and apprentice must now lead the people into the Land.

Joshua had already shown his courage and faith when he and Caleb alone from the twelve who had spied out the Land urged the people to go in and possess it. Joshua had urged the people, "Do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them." (Numbers 14:9). But his wise counsel had been ignored; the fear of the people had resulted in forty years of wandering in the wilderness until all the adults who had been rescued from Egypt had died. But now the time for wilderness wandering had come to an end. The time had come to enter the Land.

Three times in the passage before us today, the Lord tells Joshua to be strong and courageous (vv. 6, 7, 9 – and this is also echoed by the people in v. 18; what a change in roles!). Joshua is to remember that the Lord God will be with him as he was with Moses, "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them" (vv.5-6). God's words to Joshua that he will be with him echo Joshua's own plea to the people in Numbers 14.

Human leaders may come and go but God’s purpose remains the same: he will fulfil what he has promised; he will lead the people into the land he promised to Abraham. Nevertheless, possession of all that God had promised remains conditional on the faithfulness of Joshua their human leader. Only if he keeps the Law that God has given through Moses will he prosper and be successful in the task God has given to him (v. 7).

Joshua is instructed to get the people prepared to enter the land. Their enthusiastic response is, "Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you." (vv.16-17). In the light of the people's continual rebellion against Moses, I'm not sure how reassuring this declaration was to Joshua. Nevertheless this is a new generation, a new day and a new beginning; maybe it will be characterised by a new obedience.

We have a greater Joshua – Jesus our Saviour bears the same name. Our entrance into the inheritance God has promised us is entirely dependent upon his faithfulness. Praise God that he has proved himself to be strong and courageous. He did not turn back from the cross. He has secured an inheritance for us through his faithful obedience to all that God gave him to do. Now he calls us also to be strong and courageous, for he is with us and will never leave us. We are to be ready for all that we may encounter on our way to glory.

Faithful God, thank you for your great and precious promises. Thank you for a faithful Saviour who has secured an inheritance for us through his own faithful and costly obedience. May we follow in his footsteps knowing that he will never leave us or forsake us. May we echo the affirmation of Israel, "Whatever you have commanded we will do, and wherever you send us we will go." By your Spirit keep us strong and courageous to follow and obey.

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Peter Misselbrook