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Tuesday, 30 October 2018
Standing firm

Question of the Day: Did I read this right in 2 Thessalonians 1:4,5; that persecutions and troubles are evidence of God's righteous judgment that proves we are worthy to enter the kingdom of God?

Answer: This is the same principle God used in the Exodus from Egypt. Exodus 13:17 "After Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them along the road to the land of the Philistines, although that was nearby, for God said, 'The people might change their minds if they see war and return to Egypt.'"

Since then, God has been raising up a people who would choose righteousness and stand firm with Him in the day of battle. 1 Corinthians 16:13 "Be on the alert! Stand firm in the faith! Be men of courage! Be strong!"

When God spoke from Mt. Sinai, His voice sounded like a shofar and the people ran away in fear. Exodus 19:19 "When the sound of the shofar grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him with a thunderous sound." Exodus 20:18-19 "All the people witnessed the thundering and the lightning, and the sound of the shofar, and the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled and stood far off. So they said to Moses, 'You, speak to us, and we will listen, but do not let God speak to us, or we will die.'"

When Yeshua returns, His return will be announced with the sound of that same Shofar. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 "For the Lord Himself shall come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the blast of God's shofar, and the dead in Messiah shall rise first."

Once again people will run away in fear. But this time, it won't be just Moses who stands firm, but the people of God will be raised up to run toward that sound and rejoice.

Finally, I offer more of Paul's word from today's reading as a prayer over you and blessing. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 "May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Messiah." And then Paul signs off with verse 16 "Now may the Lord of shalom, Himself, give you shalom at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all!" and verse 18 "The grace of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah be with you all."

Posted By Rabbi Michael Weiner, 11:15am Comment Comments: 0